Halma Palintest Potatech+ Manual
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Halma Palintest Potatech+ Manual

Intermediate portable water quality laboratory
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Wagtech
®
Potatech
+
®
Intermediate Portable
Water Quality Laboratory

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Summary of Contents for Halma Palintest Potatech+

  • Page 1 Wagtech ® Potatech ® Intermediate Portable Water Quality Laboratory...
  • Page 2 Palintest ® Who We Are Over the last 30 years the Wagtech name has become synonymous with water testing ® in the most extreme circumstances and remote locations. Developed for a range of applications, from long term surveillance to rapid response testing in an emergency, the Wagtech kits provide a robust solution to testing key water quality ®...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents SECTION Page Introduction Preparation Taking a Sample Sample Processing - Membrane Filtration Microbiological Results Incubation and Incubator Operation Pocket pH Sensor Pocket Conductivity Sensor PLEASE NOTE: There are separate user manuals for Lumiso Expert - Water Testing Photometer Turbimeter Plus - Turbidity Meter...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Introduction 2.0 Introduction The Wagtech Potatech + is a portable water quality test kit. It has been designed primarily to ® test the microbiological quality of drinking water; assessing whether or not there has been faecal contamination of a water source. It allows the end user to test directly for Total and Faecal Coliforms. The Wagtech Potatech + conforms to advice given by the World Health Organisation (WHO) ®...
  • Page 5 Introduction 2.1 Before You Use Your Kit Thermotolerant Coliforms (sometimes called Faecal Coliforms). These are bacteria that originate from 2.1.1 Microbiological faecal sources. However the Potatech + is also ® Analysis of Drinking Water capable of testing for Total Coliforms by simply Drinking water contaminated by faecal matter may selecting a different incubation temperature.
  • Page 6 Introduction Total Coliforms refers to a large group of Gram- Membrane Filtration Method negative, rod-shaped bacteria that share several characteristics. The group includes Thermotolerant Coliforms and bacteria of faecal origin, as well Water sample - filtered as some bacteria that may be isolated from through a membrane filter environmental sources.
  • Page 7 Introduction A vacuum hand pump attached to the MFU Useful to Know creates suction that pulls the sample water through a sterile membrane filter that sits in • Always wash your hands before carrying place in the MFU. out your microbiological analysis, and again after handling potentially This membrane filter has small pores in it that contaminated materials...
  • Page 8 Introduction Planning for field testing Ensure you have considered the following When you are in the field: additional items that may be required in • Find a flat area! Always place kit on a addition to the Potatech + contents: ®...

  • Page 9: Preparation

    Preparation 3.0 Preparation Every effort should be made to keep the kit and all its components clean and free from contamination. At all times you should work in a manner that limits the chance of cross contamination of your samples. 3.1 Aseptic Procedure Useful to Know There are specific techniques and methods that...
  • Page 10 Preparation 3.2 Sterilisation of the for sterilisation (see below), which will leave Membrane Filtration Unit a small gap between the bottom of the filter funnel and the silicone base. Upon receipt of your water test kit the Membrane Filtration Unit (MFU) must be washed thoroughly and then dried with a clean cloth or paper towel.
  • Page 11 Preparation 3.3 Sterilisation of the 3 Remove the lid Aluminium Petri Dishes of the petri dish and dispense a Your Wagtech test kit is supplied as standard with pad into the dish a set of aluminium petri dishes. These are used by sliding back during the microbiological analysis.
  • Page 12 Preparation 3.6 Preparing Culture Media in the Field 7 Once cool, unscrew the blue lid/spoon of the using the Media Measuring Device (MMD) MMD. Take ten level spoonfuls of media from the 38.1g container of the MLSB and add to the Items Required: MMD.
  • Page 13 Preparation 3.7 Tyndallisation of MMDs 3.8 Storage of Liquid Media In the event an autoclave or pressure cooker is The sterile MLSB should be stable for up to not available then the sterilisation of the MMD 6 months if stored in a refrigerator. If no containing the liquid MLSB media can be carried refrigerator is available the media can be stored out using a pan of boiling water.
  • Page 14 Preparation Useful to Know • Growth or culture media is a substance designed to support the growth of microorganisms (bacteria). The media is a vital part of the microbiological water quality test • There are different types of media for growing different types of bacteria.

  • Page 15: Taking A Sample

    Taking a Sample 4.0 Taking A Sample The optimum volume of sample is that which will allow the most accurate enumeration of bacteria. The technique of membrane filtration is unsuitable for natural waters containing very high levels of suspended material, sludges and sediments, all of which could block the filter before an adequate volume of water has been filtered.

  • Page 16: Sample Processing - Membrane Filtration

    Sample Processing - Membrane Filtration 5.0 Membrane Filtration of the Sample Items Required: • Membrane Filtration Unit • MMD containing Liquid MLSB Media • Pistol Grip Hand Vacuum Pump • Petri Dishes containing Absorbent Pad • Forceps/Tweezers • Methanol (not supplied) •...
  • Page 17 Sample Processing - Membrane Filtration 6 Lock the membrane filter in place by pushing 9 Discard the excess water from the sampling cup the filter funnel firmly into position in the blue then insert the filter funnel/base assembly rubber base. Take care to not touch the internal into position in the sampling cup.
  • Page 18 Sample Processing - Membrane Filtration 12 When all of the sample has been filtered, 16 Lift the petri dish containing the absorbent pad detach the vacuum pump and remove the and hold between thumb and forefinger. filter funnel from the rubber base. The membrane filter is now ready to be removed and placed in the petri dish containing the absorbent pad and growth media.
  • Page 19 Sample Processing - Membrane Filtration 19 Use the sterile forceps to remove the Environmental exposure can cause coliforms to membrane filter from the filtration unit. become physiologically stressed. The resuscitation period allows coliforms to recover before culturing. With this in mind it is essential to plan testing throughout the day, particularly if visiting multiple sample sites.

  • Page 20: Microbiological Results

    Microbiological Results 6.0 Microbiological Results Bacteria in water are generally not present individually but as clumps or in association with particulate matter. When enumerating bacteria in water it is not the number of individual bacteria present which are counted but the number of clumps of bacteria or the particles and their associated bacteria. Each clump or particle may have many bacteria associated with it.

  • Page 21: Incubation And Incubator Operation

    Incubation and Incubator Operation 6.0 Operation of Incubator The Potatech + incubator is a high performance field incubator designed to deliver reliable Total ® and Thermotolerant Coliform results in even the most extreme circumstances. Providing at least 5 cycles of incubation under standard conditions when battery powered, the incubator is simple to operate and provides performance data throughout the incubation cycle.
  • Page 22 Incubation and Incubator Operation • Suitable cables/connectors are supplied in the 6.3 Setup and Operation of Incubator kit for this purpose 6.3.1 Start-up and Mode Page • Ensure the incubator is connected to a reliable power supply. To switch the incubator on, press the POWER button and release 6.2 Recharging the 12V DC Battery Note: For optimal recharging, switch off...
  • Page 23 Incubation and Incubator Operation 6.3.2 Setup Menu • Choose ‘Edit’ and use the UP/DOWN keys to select the required alphanumeric characters • The Setup menu allows the user to set the incubator preferences and validate performance To remove a character press ‘Back’ or briefly press ‘Back’...
  • Page 24 Incubation and Incubator Operation Set Time The Check Calibration function provides a simple electronic check that both thermistors are reading To set the Time: the same temperature as each other within a • Highlight ‘Set Time’ and press ‘OK’ specified tolerance. If the comparison is out of •...
  • Page 25 Incubation and Incubator Operation 6.3.3 Incubation Menu There are five standard prompt cards with corresponding audio, both indexed by letter The ‘Incubation’ menu is accessed from and number. the ‘MODE’ screen, confirms the incubator settings and starts the incubation cycle. The Prompt Cards are grouped as follows: •...
  • Page 26 Incubation and Incubator Operation 6.4 Incubating Samples • The incubator has a default warm-up period of 30 minutes at the start of the incubation The incubation of samples can begin once the process. During this phase the incubator will correct resuscitation period has been observed display ‘warming up’...
  • Page 27 Incubation and Incubator Operation 6.6 Pota Pal Incubator App 6.6 Pota Pal Incubator App The currently installed incubator software version The currently installed incubator software version is shown on start-up and can also be found in is shown on start-up and can also be found in Setup>Version (see section 6.3.2).
  • Page 28 Incubation and Incubator Operation 6.6.3 Upload Audio Instructions • Select ‘View Incubation Data’ • Select ‘View Incubation Data’ • Select the Prompt Card required for • Select the Prompt Card required for the audible instructions (see section the audible instructions (see section •...
  • Page 29 Incubation and Incubator Operation 6.7 Troubleshooting The Potatech + incubator monitors performance Error 107: Validation during all stages of performance and provides The internal validation of thermistor temperature information regarding unexpected condition as monitoring has exceeded the tolerance of the follows: device.
  • Page 30 Incubation and Incubator Operation Error 114: Overheat Incubator Use and Service Incubator is above acceptable temperature for safe The Potatech + incubator contains no user operation. Select ‘Back’ and check air vents for serviceable parts. The automated calibration obstructions or remove from any source of indirect validation will confirm the incubator is operating or direct heat.

  • Page 32: Pocket Ph Sensor

    Pocket pH Sensor 10.0 Pocket pH Sensor 10.0 Pocket pH Sensor 10.1.2 Calibrating Temperature 10.1.2 Calibrating Temperature The Pocket pH Sensor is a waterproof digital The Pocket pH Sensor is a waterproof digital ON/OFF to switch the meter on. ON/OFF to switch the meter on. instrument featuring dual display of pH and instrument featuring dual display of pH and Press HOLD/ENT...

  • Page 33: Pocket Conductivity Sensor

    Pocket Conductivity Sensor 11.0 Pocket Conductivity Sensor 11.0 Pocket Conductivity Sensor 11.1.2 Measurement 11.1.2 Measurement The Pocket Conductivity Sensor is a The Pocket Conductivity Sensor is a 1 Press the ON/OFF key to switch on the tester. 1 Press the ON/OFF key to switch on the tester. waterproof digital instrument featuring dual waterproof digital instrument featuring dual The ‘MEAS’...
  • Page 34 Pocket Conductivity Sensor Manual Calibration 2 Press INC or DEC key to bring the tester to the calibration mode. ‘CAL’ indicator appears 1 Make sure the tester is in measuring mode. in LCD. Immediately press °C/°F key to switch Rinse the electrode with the calibration to the temperature calibration mode.
  • Page 36 www.palintest.com ©Palintest Limited 2022. All rights reserved. Registered office: Palintest House, Kingsway, Team Valley, Tyne & Wear, England NE11 0NS. Registered in England, Number 1204118 ZIINST7210 V1 ZIPTW10480 EN V6 02/23...

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