Operating Manual

Spectroquant® Prove plus

Spectroquant® Prove
Spectrophotometer 100 plus ● 300 plus ● 600 plus
 Contents 1

1 Spectrophotometers................................................... 8
1.1 Photometry.............................................................................................................. 8
3
1.2 The Spectrophotometers............................................................................................ 9

2 Photometric Test Kits................................................ 10

2.1 Basic Principle........................................................................................................ 10
4
2.1.1 Spectroquant® Cell Tests.............................................................................. 10
2.1.2 Spectroquant® Reagent Tests ....................................................................... 11
2.2 Notes for Practical Use............................................................................................. 12
2.2.1 Measuring Range......................................................................................... 12
5
2.2.2 Influence of pH........................................................................................... 13
2.2.3 Influence of Temperature ............................................................................. 13
2.2.4 Time Stability ............................................................................................ 14
2.2.5 Influence of Foreign Substances.................................................................... 14 6
2.2.6 Dosing the Reagents.................................................................................... 15
2.2.7 Shelf-life of the Reagents ............................................................................ 15

3 Sample Preparation.................................................. 16 7
3.1 Taking Samples ..................................................................................................... 16
3.2 Preliminary Tests ................................................................................................... 16
3.3 Dilution................................................................................................................. 17
3.4 Filtration ............................................................................................................... 18 8
3.5 Homogenization...................................................................................................... 19
3.6 Decomposition ....................................................................................................... 19

4 Pipetting System....................................................... 21 9
5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA).......................... 22
5.1 Quality Control at the Manufacturer .......................................................................... 22
5.2 Quality Control for the User ..................................................................................... 24 10
5.2.1 Checking the Spectrophotometer................................................................... 25
5.2.2 Checking the Overall System........................................................................ 26
5.2.3 Checking the Pipettes.................................................................................. 27
5.2.4 Checking Thermoreactors ............................................................................ 27 11
5.2.5 Testing for Handling Errors .......................................................................... 28
5.3 Determination of Sample Influences (Matrix Effects) ................................................... 28
5.4 Definition of Errors.................................................................................................. 28
12
6 Overview.................................................................. 30
6.1 Scope of Delivery.................................................................................................... 30
6.2 Overview of the Instrument...................................................................................... 30
6.3 Display and User Interface....................................................................................... 31 13
7 Safety....................................................................... 39
7.1 Intended Use......................................................................................................... 40
7.2 General Safety Instructions...................................................................................... 40 14
7.2.1 Function and Operational Safety ................................................................... 40
7.3 Target Group and User Qualification.......................................................................... 40
7.4 Handling Hazardous Substances................................................................................ 41
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8 Getting Started......................................................... 42
8.1 General Notes on Handling....................................................................................... 42
3
8.2 Initial Setup........................................................................................................... 42
8.2.1 Connecting the Power Supply........................................................................ 42
8.2.2 First Power-on............................................................................................ 43
8.2.3 Language Setup.......................................................................................... 44
4
8.2.4 Date, Time and Country-specific Settings........................................................ 44
8.2.5 Self-test..................................................................................................... 45
8.3 Connecting Optional Peripheral Devices...................................................................... 46
5 8.3.1 Communication Ports................................................................................... 46
8.3.2 Printer....................................................................................................... 46
8.3.3 USB Memory Device.................................................................................... 47
8.3.4 Barcode Reader........................................................................................... 47
6
9 Operation.................................................................. 48
9.1 Switching the Spectrophotometer On or Off................................................................ 48
9.2 System Setup ........................................................................................................ 50
7 9.2.1 Information................................................................................................ 51
9.2.2 Interface (Setup 1)...................................................................................... 52
9.2.3 Region (Setup 2)......................................................................................... 52
9.2.4 Quality (Setup 3)........................................................................................ 55
8 9.2.5 Automation (Setup 4).................................................................................. 57
9.2.6 User Management....................................................................................... 59
9.2.7 Service...................................................................................................... 60
9.2.8 Updates..................................................................................................... 62
9 9.2.9 Network and Prove Connect.......................................................................... 63
9.3 Measurements........................................................................................................ 64
9.3.1 Performing a Measurement........................................................................... 65
9.4 Zero Adjustment .................................................................................................... 67
10 9.4.1 Notes on Zero Adjustment ........................................................................... 67
9.4.2 When to Repeat the Zero Adjustment? .......................................................... 68
9.4.3 Zero Adjustment for ­Concentration Measurement Methods................................ 69
9.4.4 Zero Adjustment for Absorbance/Transmission Measurements (Ad hoc ­menu)...... 69
11 9.4.5 Zero Adjustment for Spectrum Measurements ................................................ 70
9.4.6 Zero Adjustment for Kinetic ­Measurements .................................................... 70
9.5 Method List............................................................................................................ 70
9.5.1 Selecting a Method Manually ........................................................................ 70
12 9.5.2 Searching and Filtering the Method List ......................................................... 71

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9.6 Programming a User-defined Method......................................................................... 72

9.6.1 User-defined Concentration Methods.............................................................. 73
9.6.2 Calibration Data and Calibration Function for Single-wavelength Methods............ 73 3
9.6.3 Programming/Modifying User-defined ­Methods (Single Wavelength)................... 74
9.6.4 Calibration Data and Calibration Function for Special Methods
(e. g. Multi-wavelength)................................................................................ 84
9.6.5 Programming/Modifying User-defined Special Methods (e. g. Multi-wavelength).... 84 4
9.6.6 Programming a User-defined Spectrum Method............................................... 88
9.6.7 Programming a User-defined Kinetic Method................................................... 90
9.6.8 Copying/Duplicating a User-defined Method.................................................... 92
9.6.9 Modifying a User-defined Method from the Method List..................................... 93 5
9.6.10 Deleting a User-defined Method from the Method List....................................... 93
9.6.11 Export User-defined Methods to a USB Memory Device..................................... 94
9.7 Measuring in Concentration Mode.............................................................................. 95
9.7.1 Measuring Cell Tests with a Barcode............................................................... 95
6
9.7.2 Measuring Reagent Tests with AutoSelector..................................................... 97
9.7.3 Measuring Reagent-free Tests and User-defined Methods.................................. 98
9.7.4 Exceeding the Upper or ­Lower ­Limits of the Measuring Range............................ 99
7
9.7.5 Method-specific Settings for Concentration Mode............................................100
9.7.6 Measuring Diluted Samples..........................................................................101
9.7.7 Sample Blank Value....................................................................................102
9.7.8 Reagent Blank Value...................................................................................104
8
9.7.9 Automatic Turbidity Correction.....................................................................106
9.7.10 User Recalibration (Standard Adjustment).....................................................107
9.7.11 MatrixCheck..............................................................................................111
9.7.12 User-defined Range....................................................................................114 9
9.7.13 Differentiation............................................................................................116
9.7.14 Plausibility.................................................................................................117
9.8 Ad hoc Measurement (without selecting a specific method)..........................................119
9.8.1 Ad hoc ABS/TRANS ­Measurement................................................................... 120 10
9.8.2 Ad hoc Spectrum Measurement....................................................................121
9.8.3 Ad hoc Kinetic Measurement........................................................................123
9.9 Spectrum..............................................................................................................125
9.9.1 General Information...................................................................................125 11
9.9.2 Recording the Spectrum..............................................................................125
9.9.3 Evaluating a Spectrum................................................................................127

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9.10 Kinetics................................................................................................................128
9.10.1 General Information...................................................................................128
3 9.10.2 Recording Kinetics......................................................................................128
9.10.3 Evaluating a Kinetic....................................................................................130
9.11 AQA ­(Analytical ­Quality ­Assurance)..........................................................................131
9.11.1 Spectrophotometer Monitoring (AQA1)..........................................................131
4 9.11.2 Total System Monitoring (AQA2)...................................................................133
9.11.3 AQA Overview............................................................................................134
9.11.4 Perform AQA1 Status Check.........................................................................135
9.11.5 Perform AQA2 Status Check.........................................................................136
5 9.11.6 AQA1 Selection List....................................................................................137
9.11.7 Activating and Deactivating an AQA1 Test......................................................138
9.11.8 Editing an AQA1 Test..................................................................................138
9.11.9 Performing an AQA1 Test.............................................................................141
6 9.11.10 Creating a User-defined AQA1 Test ..............................................................143
9.11.11 AQA2 Selection List....................................................................................144
9.11.12 Activating and Deactivating an AQA2 Test......................................................145
9.11.13 Editing an AQA2 Test..................................................................................145
7
9.11.14 Performing an AQA2 Test.............................................................................148
9.11.15 Perform PipeCheck.....................................................................................150
9.12 Timer...................................................................................................................153
9.13 Results and Measurement Datasets............................................................................154
8
9.13.1 Displaying the Results ................................................................................155
9.13.2 Show Details of One Result..........................................................................156
9.13.3 Filtering Results to Further Process ­Measurement Datasets..............................157
9 9.13.4 Panorama – Value Control Card ...................................................................158
9.13.5 Print Results and Measurement Datasets.......................................................159
9.13.6 Deleting results .........................................................................................160
9.13.7 Export Results and Measurement Datasets.....................................................160
10 Data Transfer from Spectroquant® Prove plus with USB stick............................160
9.14 User Management..................................................................................................162
9.14.1 Activating/Deactivating the User ­Management Function...................................163
9.14.2 Create an Administrator/User Account...........................................................164
11 9.14.3 Edit or Delete a User...................................................................................165
9.15 Login/Logout.........................................................................................................166
9.15.1 Change Password with User Rights Only........................................................167

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10 Maintenance and Cleaning.................................... 168

10.1 Exchanging the Buffer Battery.................................................................................168
3
10.2 Exchanging the Halogen Lamp (Prove 100 plus).........................................................169
10.3 Cleaning...............................................................................................................170
10.3.1 Cleaning the Housing and Display.................................................................170
10.3.2 Cleaning the Cell Compartment....................................................................171
4
10.3.3 Cleaning the Cell Compartment Cover and the Rear Cavity...............................173
10.3.4 Cleaning the Detector Lens..........................................................................174

11 Error Causes and Trouble-shooting....................... 176 5

12 Technical Data...................................................... 178
12.1 Spectroquant® Prove 100 plus.................................................................................178
12.2 Spectroquant® Prove 300 plus.................................................................................180
6
12.3 Spectroquant® Prove 600 plus.................................................................................182

13 Accessories and Test Media.................................. 184

13.1 Accessories...........................................................................................................184
7
13.2 Optional Equipment/Connection Cables.....................................................................184
13.3 Test Media............................................................................................................185

14 Appendix............................................................... 186 8
15 List of Smart Icons on Display.............................. 188
16 Contents of log files.............................................. 195
16.1 Error log file..........................................................................................................195 9
16.2 User log file..........................................................................................................195
16.3 Service log file.......................................................................................................196

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1 Spectrophotometers

1.1 Photometry
When a beam of light is transmitted through a ized using the transmittance T (or, respectively,
3
­colored solution, then this beam loses its intensi- T in percent).
ty, in other words a part of the light is absorbed
by the solution. Depending on the substance T = I/I0
in question, this absorption occurs at specific
4
wave­lengths. I0 = Initial intensity of the light
I = Intensity of the transmitted light
Monochromators (e. g. narrow-band interference
5 filters, lattices) are used to select the wave- If the light is not absorbed at all by a solution,
length from the total spectrum of a tungsten- then this solution has a transmittance of 100%;
halogen lamp (VIS spectrum), a deuterium lamp a com­plete absorption of the light in the solution
(UV spectrum) or, respectively, a xenon lamp. means 0% transmittance.
6 The intensity of the absorption can be character-
The measure generally used for the absorption
of light is the absorbance (A), since this cor-
relates directly with the concentration of the
7 absorbing substance. The fol­lowing connection
exists between absorbance and transmittance:

A = –log T
8
Experiments by BOUGUER (1698–1758) and
LAMBERT (1728–1777) showed that the ab-
sorbance is dependent on the thickness of the
9 absorbing layer of the cell used. The relationship
between the absorbance and the concentration
of the analyte in ques­tion was discovered by
BEER (1825–1863). The combination of these two
10 l natu­ral laws led to the deri­va­tion of Lambert-
c Beer’s law, which can be described in the form of
l0 the following equation:

11 A = ε λ · c · d

d ε λ = Molar absorptivity, in l/mol × cm

d = Path length of the cell, in cm
12 c = Concentration of the analyte, in mol/l

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 1 Spectrophotometers – 1.2 The Spectrophotometers 1

1.2 The Spectrophotometers

The spectrophotometers that belong to the
3
Spectroquant® analysis system differ from con­
ven­tional spectrophotometers in the following
important aspects:
4
• The calibration functions of all test kits are elec-
tronically stored
• The measurement value can be immediately
read off from the display in the desired form 5
• The method for the test kits (cell tests and
reagent tests)
belonging to the Spectroquant® analysis sys-
tem is automatically selected via the scanning 6
of the bar code
• All cells formats used are automatically identi-
fied and the correct measuring range is select-
ed automatically 7
• Instrument-supported AQA ensures that mea-
surement results can be used as secure, repro-
ducible, and recognized analytical results
• New methods can be downloaded from the 8
internet site www.sigmaaldrich.com/
photometer-service and permanently stored in
the instrument
9
For technical data and instructions for use please
refer to section 6 and the Analytical Procedures
and Appendices.
They can also be found in the internet. 10

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2 Photometric Test Kits

2.1 Basic Principle 2.1.1 Spectroquant® Cell Tests

By means of reagents, the component of a
3
sample to be analyzed is converted into a col-
1
ored compound in a specific reaction. The re-
6
agents or reagent mix­tures contain – in addi-
tion to the reagent selective for a parameter
4
to ­be ­determined – a number of auxiliary sub-
stances that are essential for the course of the 2
reaction. These include, for example, buffers 3 7
5 for adjusting the pH to the optimal value for the
reaction, and masking agents that suppress or 4

minimize the influence of interfering ions.

7

6 The color reactions are in most cases based

8
on standardized analytical methods specifically
optimized in terms of ease of use, a low working
10
effort, and shorter reaction times. Furthermore,
7 methods cited in the literature or developed by
ourselves are also used. Details on the respec-
tive reference procedures are stated in the pack-
age insert or else in the parameter overview.
8
5 9

9 1 I dentification mark for the correct insertion

into the cell c
­ ompartment of the spectropho-
tometer
2 Cat. No. of test kit
10 3 Designation of test kit
4 Risk phrases
5 Special cell in optical quality
6 Leakproof cap
11 7  Bar code for identification in the NOVA and
Pharo ­photo­meters
8 Details regarding contents
9 Highly precise dosage of the reagent
12 10 2D barcode for identification in the Prove plus
spectrophoto­meters

Additional reagent(s)
13
Certain cell tests, e. g. COD or nitrite, already
contain all necessary reagents in the cells, and
the sample must merely be added with a pi-
pette. In other tests, however, for reasons of
14
chemical compatibility it is necessary to sepa-
rate the test into two or three different reagent
mixtures. In such cases, besides the sample a
15 metered reagent must also be added.

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 2 Photometric Test Kits – 2.1 Basic Principle 1

2.1.2 Spectroquant® Reagent Tests

3

The principle behind the reagent tests is that 6

the reagents necessary for the color reaction
are com­bined in the form of liquid concentrates
or solid-substance mixtures. A few drops of the
reagent concentrate are added to the sample. 7
This means that there is no need to dilute the
sample, which in turn enhances the sensitivity
of the detection. The procedure generally used
in classical photometry by which the sample is
8
made up to a defined volume in a volumetric
flask is dispensed with.
9
The method is selected automatically by means
of the scanning of the bar code by the
AutoSelector. All cells formats used are auto-
matically identified and the correct measuring
10
range is selected automatically. Subsequently
the result is automatically shown on the display.

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 1 2 Photometric Test Kits – 2.2 Notes for Practial Use

2.2 Notes for Practical Use

3
2.2.1 Measuring Range

In photometry it is conventional practice to mea-

sure against the reagent blank va­lue. Here the
4
analysis is carried out "blind", i.e. without any
analyte added. In­stead of the sample volume,
the corresponding quantity of distilled or DI wa-
ter is used.
5
This reagent blank value is prestored in the
Absorbance

spectrophoto­meters belonging to the

Spectroquant® analysis system, which means
6 that – due to the high batch reproducibility – it
is possible to dispense with a separate measure-
ment of the reagent blank. At the lower limit
of the measuring range, the accuracy of the
7 determination can be enhanced by performing
the measurement against a separately prepared
reagent blank. In some cases the intensity of
the color of the solution and thus the absorbance
8 can drop again when very high concentrations of
Concentration the analyte are present (see package insert of
test kit).
The intensity of the color of a solution, measured
9 as the absorbance, is proportional to the con-
centration of the respective analyte only within
a specific range. This measuring range (effective
range) is electro­nically stored in the spectropho-
10 tometers for each individual test kit.

Below the specified measuring range, either a

different cell or else another procedure must
11
be used. The lower limit of the measuring
range either takes the form of non­linearity of
the calibration curve, as shown in the figure, or
else is given by the method detection limit. The
12
method detection limit of an analytical meth-
od is the lowest concentration of the analyte in
question that can be measured quantitatively
13 with a defined degree of probability (e. g. 99%).
The upper limit of the measuring range is
the point at which the linear correlation between
the concentration and the absorbance ends. In
14 such a case the sample must be diluted accord-
ingly so that it lies ideally in the middle of the
ef­fective ­range (least-error measurement).

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3
2.2.2 Influence of pH 2.2.3 Influence of Temperature
Chemical reactions follow an optimal course
only within a certain pH range. The rea­gents
contained in the test kits produce an adequate
4
buffering of the sample sol­u­tions and ensure
that the pH optimal for the reaction in question
is obtained.
5

Absorbance
Strongly acidic (pH <2) and strongly alkaline (pH
>12) sample solutions can prevent the pH from
being adjusted to an optimal range, since under
6
certain circumstances the buffering capacity
of the test-kit reagents may not be sufficient.
Any necessary correction is made by the drop-
wise addition of diluted acid (reduces the pH) or 7
diluted lye (raises the pH), testing the pH with
suitable indicator strips after each drop is added.
The addition of the acid or lye results in a dilu-
tion of the test solution. When up to five drops 10 20 30 40
8
are added to 10ml of sample, the change in the Temperature (°C)
volume can be neglected, since the resultant er-
ror is lower than 2%.
The temperature of the sample solution and the
The addition of larger quantities should be duly
reagents may have an effect on the color reac- 9
con­sidered by adjusting the sample volume ac-
tion and thus on the measurement result. The
cordingly.
typical tempe­ra­ture course is illustrated in the
figure.
The specified pH values for the sample solution 10
and, wherever applicable, for the measurement
If the sample temperature is lower than 15 °C,
solution are defined in the respective package
false-low results must be reckoned with. Tem-
inserts and in the Analytical Procedures and Ap-
peratures exceeding 30 °C generally influence
pendices. 11
the stability of the com­pound that is formed in
the reaction. The optimal temperature for the
color reaction is stated in the package inserts of
the respective Spectro­quant® test kits.
12
CAUTION
After thermic decomposition proce­dures, the de­­
termination of COD or total contents of nitro­gen, 13
phos­­pho­rus, or metal, a sufficient wait­ing time
must be allowed for to permit the solution cool to
room temperature.
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 1 2 Photometric Test Kits – 2.2 Notes for Practial Use

2.2.4 Time Stability 2.2.5 Influence of Foreign Substances

3 Foreign substances in the sample solution can

• raise the measurement value as a result of an

amplification of the reaction
4 • lower the measurement value as a result of a
prevention of the reaction
Absorbance

A quantification of these effects is stated in tab-

5 ular form in the respective package inserts for
the most important foreign ions. The tolerance
limits have been deter­mined for the indi­vidual
ions; they may not be evaluated cumulatively.
6
Suitability for use in seawater
A tabular survey (see appendix 1) provides infor­
mation on the suitability of the tests in connec-
7 tion with seawater and also on the tolerances for
30 60 salt concentrations.
Reaction time (minutes)
8
Most of the color reactions require a certain time
to reach the maximum color in­ten­sity. The solid
curve in the figure at the right gives a schematic
9 impression of a typical time course. The behav-
ior of relatively instable color reactions with time
is shown by the dotted curve. The reaction time
specified in the working instruc­tions refers to the
10 period of time from the addition of the last re-
agent until the actual measurement. In addition,
the ­package inserts for the individual test kits
also state the time interval in which the mea­
11 sure­ment value does not change. The maximum
time inter­val is 60 minutes; this time should not
be ex­ceeded, even in the case of stable color
reactions.
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 2 Photometric Test Kits – 2.2 Notes for Practial Use 1

2.2.6 Dosing the Reagents

Small amounts of liquids are dosed by counting At the first use replace the black screw cap of the 3
the number of drops from a leak­proof bottle. reagent bottle by the dose-metering cap. Hold
the reagent bottle vertically and, at each dosage,
press the slide all the way into the dose-metering
cap. Before each dosage ensure that the slide is 4
completely retracted.

CAUTION
5
Reclose the reagent bottle with the black screw
cap at the end of the measurement series, since
the function of the reagent is impaired by the
absorption of atmospheric moisture.
6
CAUTION
When using dropper bottles it is extremely im-
portant that the bottle be held vertically and 7
that the drops be added slowly (approx. 1 drop 2.2.7 Shelf-life of the Reagents
per second). If this is not observed, the correct
The Spectroquant® test kits are in most cases
drop size and thus the correct amount of reagent
stable for three years when stored in a cool, dry
are not achieved. 8
place. A few test kits have a lower shelf-life of 18
or 24 months or must else be stored in a refrig-
A positive-displacement pipette should be used erator.
for larger quantities of liquid or for the exact
dosage of smaller reagent quantities. In these COD Cell Tests must be stored protected from 9
cases the reagent bottles are not fitted light. The expiry date of the package unit is
with a dropper insert. printed on the outer label. The shelf-life may be-
come reduced when the reagent bottles are not
reclosed tightly after use or when the test kit is
10
stored at temperatures higher than those speci-
fied.
11

12

Solid substances are dosed either with the

dose-metering cap or with microspoons that are
integrated into the screw cap of the respective 13
reagent bottle. The dose-metering cap is used
for solid reagents or reagent mixtures that are
free-flowing. In all other cases the substances
are dosed with the microspoon. 14

In this case it is necessary to add only level

microspoonfuls.
To this end the spoon must be drawn over the
15
brim of the reagent bottle.

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3 Sample Preparation

Sample preparation covers all the steps nec-

essary before the actual analysis can be per-
3 formed.

4 3.1 Taking Samples

The taking of samples is the first and most Parameter Preservation
impor­tant step on the way to obtaining the
COD +2 to +5 °C max. 24 h
5 correct analysis result. Not even the most exact
or
method of analysis can correct any mistakes –18 °C max. 14 days
made in the taking of the sample. The objective
N compounds: analyze immediately, only in ex-
of the sampling proce­dure is to gain a sample
NH4-N, NO3-N, NO2-N ceptional cases
6 with a representative com­position. The most im- +2 to +5 °C max. 6 h
portant pre­condition for gaining a representa-
P compounds: short-term storage, no preserva-
tive ­sample is the identification of the suitable
PO4-P, P total tion;
sampling site. Here it must be borne in mind with nitric acid to pH 1, max. 4
7 that the solution to be investigated can display weeks
varying con­centrations in different places at dif-
Heavy metals short-term storage, no preserva-
ferent times. tion;
with nitric acid to pH 1, max. 4
8 In sampling, a distinction is made between weeks
manual and automatic methods. In many cases
a true picture of the average composition of the
sample can be obtained only once several indi-
9 vidual samples have been collected; this can be
done manually or with an automatic sampler. 3.2 Preliminary Tests
Correct measurement results can be obtained
Clean plastic or glass containers with a volume only within the measuring range spe­ci­fied for
10 of 500 or 1000 ml are generally suitable for each individual parameter. When dealing with
collecting samples. They should be rinsed sev- sample solutions of an unknown concentration,
eral times, under vigorously shaking, with the it is advisable to establish whether the sample
water to be investigated, and then filled free of concentration is indeed within the specified
11 air bubbles and immediately closed tightly. The measuring range, ideally roughly in the middle of
containers must be protected against the effects the range. Preliminary tests enhance the ana-
of air and heat and then be forward­ed for the lytical reliability and make the determination of
further analytical steps as soon as possible. In the necessary dilution ratios in the case of high
12 ex­ceptional cases, preserva­tion measures ­in the concentrations easier. MQuant® Test Strips are
form of short-term refrigeration at +2 to +5 °C very well suited for preliminary tests.
and chemical conservation can be taken.

13 Further useful tips on suitable sample vessels for

specific analytes and possible preservation and
storage conditions can be found in EN ISO
5667-3, Water quality – Sampling – Part 3: Pres-
14
ervation and handling of water samples
(ISO 5667-3:2018).

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 3 Sample Preparation – 3.3 Dilution 1

3.3 Dilution
Dilution of samples is necessary for two reasons: Example
3
Step 1:  ake up 2 ml of sample to 200 ml
M
• The
 concentration of the parameter under with distilled water;
investigation is too high, i. e. it lies out­side the DF = 100, dilution number 1+99.
measuring range
4
• Other substances contained in the sample Step 2:  ake 5 ml of the above solution
T
interfere with the determination (matrix inter- and make up to 100 ml;
ference); false-high or false-low results may DF = 20, dilution number 1+19.
ensue 5
The dilution factor for the total dilution is calcu­
The following auxiliaries are absolute prerequi- lated by multiplying the individual dilutions:
sites for the dilution of the sample:
DFtotal = DF1 × DF2 = 100 × 20 = 2000, 6
•V olumetric flasks of varying sizes (e. g. 50, 100 dilution number 1+1999
and 200 ml)
• Positive-displacement pipette Simplified procedure
• Distilled or DI water Dilutions up to 1:10 can also be prepared without 7
volumetric flasks in a glass beaker, measuring
Only dilutions carried out with these auxiliary the volumes of the sample and the dilution water
pro­ducts are of sufficient reliability in the area of using a previously calibrated positive-displace-
trace analysis, to which photo­metry belongs (for ment pipette (see table for instructions). 8
the sim­pli­fied procedure see page 17).
An important aspect here is that once the volu- Desired Volume Volume Dilution Dilution
metric flask has been filled up to the mark with dilution of of dis- factor number
distilled water the flask must be closed and the sample tilled 9
contents thoroughly mixed. (ml) water
The dilution factor (DF) resulting from the (ml)

dilution procedure is calculated as follows: 1:2 5 5 2 1+1

10
1:3 5 10 3 1+2
DF = Final volume (total volume) 1:4 2 6 4 1+3
Initial volume (sample volume)
1:5 2 8 5 1+4
The analytical result is subsequently multi- 11
1:10 1 9 10 1+9
plied by the dilution factor.
A calculation can be dispensed with when
the dilu­tion is programmed into the spec-
trophotometer. The dilution number (see 12
the table) is entered and the measurement
value is subsequently calculated cor­rectly and
immediately displayed.
All dilutions should be made in such a way that
13
the measurement value lies in the middle of the
measuring range. As a rule, the dilution factor
should never be higher than 100. In the event
14
that yet higher dilu­tions become necessary all
the same, then this must be done in two sepa-
rate steps.
15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 17
 1 3 Sample Preparation – 3.4 Filtration

3.4 Filtration
Strongly turbid samples require pretreatment Procedure for Microfiltration
3
before they can be determined in a spectropho-
tometer, since the effect of ­turbidity can result 1 2
in considerable variations in the measurement
values and in false-high readings. Care must be
4
taken here to ensure that the sub­stance to be
deter­mined is not contained in the suspended
material, in which case a sample decompo­si­tion
5 must be carried out.

Compounds that always occur in dissolved form

(for example ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, chlo- 1  raw out the liquid
D 2 Screw the syringe
6 rine, chlo­ride, cyanide, fluoride, orthophosphate,
to be filtered with tightly into the
and sulfate) permit a previous filtration, even
the syringe. front side of the
when the sample solution is strongly turbid.
membrane filter
attachment.
7 Weak turbidity is eliminated by the automatic
turbidity-­correc­tion feature built into the
3 4
spectrophotometer (see section 9.7.9); in such
cases it is not necessary to filter the sample
8 before analysis.

As a measure to distinguish between dissolved

and undissolved water-borne sub­stances, the
9 water ­sample can be filtered through a simple
paper filter. Following the recommendations
stated in the refe­rence methods, membrane fil-
ters with a pore size of 0.45 µm are required for 3  old the syringe
H 4  ilter the contents
F
10 fine filtration. upright and slowly of the syringe into
depress the piston the intended glass
upwards until the vessel.
membrane filter is
11
fully wetted and
free of air bubbles.

12

13

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18 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 3 Sample Preparation – 3.5 Homogenization – 3.6 Decomposition 1

3.5 Homogenization
As a measure to ensure that a representative
3
sample can be taken in the presence of sus-
pended matter in the water sample in question,
for certain parameters – e. g. COD and the total
content of heavy metals – the sample must be
4
homogenized. This must be carried out using a
high-speed blender (2 minutes at 5000 – 20000
rpm and taking the sample while stirring.
5

3.6 Decomposition
Water-borne substances can be present in the The manner in which the sample is pretreated 6
sample for ­investigation in a variety of forms: as en­ables the three proportions to be distinguished
the ion, bound more or less solidly in a complex, from each other. This can be illustrated using
or as a solid substance. a copper-containing wastewater sample as an
example. 7
Ion Complex
Example
8

Filtration
9

Decomposition Decomposition Filtration

Total content Dissolved proportion Dissolved proportion 10

Solid substance Solid substances
Cu(OH)2 Complexes Cu-
Complexes Cu- EDTA
EDTA Ions Cu2+ Ions Cu2+
Ions Cu2+ Result B Result C 11
Result A

Proportion:
Ionogenic =C
Complex = B–C 12
Solid
substances = A–B
Total content = A

13
Decomposition converts the substance to be
deter­mined into an analyzable form. In most
cases, de­composition agents take the form of
acids in com­bination with oxidiz­ing agents; in 14
exceptional cases (e. g. in the determination of
total nitrogen) an alka­line decomposition is more
effective. The type of decomposition procedure
used de­pends on the analyte to be determined 15
and the sample matrix.

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 19
 1 3 Sample Preparation – 3.6 Decomposition

The ready-to-use sample-decomposition prod- The necessity for decomposition can be checked
3
ucts Spectro­quant® Crack Set 10 and 20 are according to the following diagram.
suited for the preparation of the sample materi-
als for the determinations stated in the table.
Decomposition
4
Determination of Sample preparation with Procedure Procedure
Total phosphorus * Crack Set 10/10C **
Measurement Measurement
5 Total chromium * Crack Set 10/10C
[= sum of chromate and
Result A Result B
chromium(III)]

Total metal Crack Set 10/10C

6 [= sum of free and
complex-bound metal]

Total nitrogen * Crack Set 20 Decomposition No A and B Yes No decomposition

necessary identical? necessary
7 *  The decomposition reagents are already contained in the
packs of the r­ espective cell tests.
** Decomposition cells are included in the pack; empty cells For wastewater with a consistent composition,
are required for the decomposition for Crack Sets 10 and
20. this check as a rule need be carried out only
8 once. It is, however, advisable to check the re-
The decomposition processes are carried out in sult periodically.
the Spectro­quant® thermoreactor (capacity: 12
or 24 decomposition cells) at 120 °C or, respec-
9 tively, 100 °C. Details regarding the heating
times and further treatment can be found in the
package inserts contained in the Spectroquant®
Crack Set packs.
10
In the event that the sample to be analyzed is a
highly contaminated material (high proportion of
organic substances) or water-insoluble samples,
11
decomposition using concentrated acids and
other agents is in­dispensible. Corresponding ex-
amples from the collection of applications for
12 real samples are available on request.

13

14

15

16
20 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 1
4 Pipetting System

Positive-displacement pipettes permit

3
• an exact dosage of the sample volume
• a precise measurement of sample and reagent
volumes and of the volumes of water for dilu-
4
tion purposes

Pipettes of varying volumes and also ones with a

fixed volume are available. 5
Sources of error and hints on how to avoid
them:
Closely follow the instructions for use contained 6
with the pipette in question.

• Check the pipetted volumes

a) by weighing using analytical scales (weighing 7
ac­cu­racy ±1 mg), 1 ml of water at 20 °C =
1000 g ±1 mg
b) using Spectroquant ® PipeCheck; this is a
pho­tometric check of the pipette, and scales 8
are not necessary (see section 5.2.3)
• Avoidance of spread effects by rinsing the
pipette several times with the solution to be
pipetted 9
• Always exchange the pipette tip
• Draw up the liquid slowly and depress piston
completely to discharge the liquid
10

11

12

13

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 21
 1
5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA)

3
The objective of analysis must always be to de-
termine the true content of the analyte in ques- Certificate of Final Inspection (full details)
tion as accurately and precisely as possible.
Device Name: Spectroquant® Prove 600

4 Serial no: 2005614705

Analytical Quality Assurance represents a suit- Software version: 1.4.5

able and indispensible method by which the Wavelength Accuracy ⃰

quality of the user's own work can be assessed, Equipment Nominal value Tolerance limit ⃰ ⃰ Actual value Result

errors in the measurement system diagnosed,

241.15 nm 240.0 - 242.4 nm 241.9 nm P

5 Holmium Oxide Liquid Filter

Hellma 667-UV5
361.30 nm 360.1 - 362.5 nm 361.4 nm P

and the comparability with the results obtained 640.55 nm 639.4 - 641.8 nm 641.1 nm P

using the respec­tive ­refe­rence methods demon- Wavelength Precision / Reproducibility ⃰

strated. Equipment Wavelength Nominal value Actual value Result

6 Holmium Oxide Liquid Filter

241.15 nm ≤0.10 nm

≤0.10 nm
0.01 nm P

P
Details regarding the necessity of AQA can be
361.30 nm 0.02 nm
Hellma 667-UV5
640.55 nm ≤0.10 nm 0.06 nm P

found in Memorandum A 704 of the German As-

Photometric Accuracy ⃰
sociation for the Water Sector, Wastewater, and Equipment Wavelength Nominal value Tolerance limit ⃰ ⃰ Actual value Result

7 Waste Materials (Deutsche Vereinigung für Was- 440 nm 1.093 A 1.082 - 1.104 A 1.092 A P

serwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V., DWA)

Neutral Density 1.0 Abs.
546 nm 1.003 A 0.996 - 1.011 A 1.004 A P
Hellma 666-F4
635 nm 1.024 A 1.016 - 1.031 A 1.023 A P
and in ­the corresponding self-con­trol/self-mon- 440 nm 2.252 A 2.236 - 2.268 A 2.248 A P

itoring regulations of the Ger­man federal states Neutral Density 2.0 Abs.
Hellma 666-F203
546 nm 1.994 A 1.982 - 2.005 A 1.995 A P

8 (available in English).
635 nm 1.928 A 1.916 - 1.940 A 1.931 A P

Photometric Precision / Reproducibility ⃰ @ 1.0 A

Causes for errors can include: Equipment Wavelength Nominal value Actual value Result

440 nm ≤0.003 A 0.000 A P

• the working materials used Neutral Density 1.0 Abs.
546 nm ≤0.003 A 0.000 A P

9
Hellma 666-F4

• the handling 635 nm ≤0.003 A 0.001 A P

• the sample under investigation

These errors have effects on both the accuracy

10 and precision of the results obtained.
* procedure according to ASTM E275-08
** values represent the sum of the tolerances of the equipment and the photometer
*** procedure according to ASTM E958-13, chapter 5.2

Page 1 of 2

11
5.1 Quality Control at the
Stray Light ⃰
Manufacturer Equipment Wavelength Nominal value Actual value Result

Spectrophotometers and photometric test kits Potassium Chloride

Hellma 667-UV1
198.00 nm ≤1.00 %T 1.00 %T P

12 possess specifications that are adhered to and Sodium Nitrite 340.00 nm ≤0.10 %T 0.00 %T P

above all else also documented by the manufac-

Hellma 667-UV11

turer. Spectral Bandwidth ⃰ ⃰ ⃰

Equipment Nominal value Actual value Result

13 The certificate for the spectrophotometer Toluene in n-Hexane

Hellma 667-UV6
≤1.8 nm 1.1 nm P

enclosed with each device documents the quali­t y Selftest Hardware P

of the measuring device. No visual flaws, no burrs, no loose parts and fastenings P

14 Date: 29/01/2020
Inspector: gberg

- This document has been generated using electronic data processing and is valid without signature. -

15 Merck KGaA, 64271 Darmstadt, Germany

www.analytical-test-kits.com
EMD Millipore Billerica. MA 01821 - USA

Merck KGaA is ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 certified

16
22 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) – 5.1 Quality Control at the Manufacturer 1

3
The certificate for the test kit, available for Calibration function:
each lot produced, documents the quality of the The calculated function must agree, within speci-
reagents contained in the test kit. fied tolerances, with the function electronically
stored in the spectrophotometer. 4
Confidence interval:
Lot Certi fi cate Maximum deviation from the desired value over
Chargenzertifikat / Certificado del lote
Spectroquant® COD Cell Test
the entire m
­ ea­suring range; every measurement 5
®
Spectroquant CSB-Küvettentest value can be affected by this deviation; this pa-
®
Spectroquant Test en cubetas DQO
Cat.No. / Art.Nr. / Art. Nro. 1.14541.0001 n = 10 rameter is a measure for the accuracy.
Target value Sollwert Result Messergebnis /
Measuring Range / Messbereich / Intervalo de Valor nominal Resultado
25 - 1500 mg/l CSB / COD / DQO

6
medida (Standard / Patrón) (Standard / Patrón)

Standard deviation for the procedure:

mg/l COD/CSB/DQO mg/l COD/CSB/DQO

Lot no./ Charge-Nr. / Lote nro. HC613856 25 19

Expiry date / Verwendbarkeit / Fecha de caducidad 2019/11/30

190
350
184
351 Measurement for the dispersion of the measure-
Standard / Standard / Patrón Potassium hydrogen phthalate 1.02400 Lot 142400Z 510 508
Photometer / Photometer / Fotómetro
Wavelength / Wellenlänge / Longitud de onda
Reference / Referenz / Referencia
605 nm
675
840
674
838
ment values over the entire measuring range,
expressed in ± mg/l.
Cell / Küvette / Cubeta 16 mm (round / rund / redonda) 1.005 1.005
Tester / Prüfer / Verificador Fr. Brandner 1.170 1.163
Date / Datum / Fecha
File / Datei / Fichero
2016/11/17
1145410001_HC613856_EN
1.335
1.500
1.324
1.483 7
Target value Lot value
Calibration Function / Kalibrierfunktion / Función de calibración

Coefficient of variation for the procedure:

Sollwert Chargenwert
ISO 8466-1 / DIN 38402 A51
Valor nominal Valor del lote
Slope / Steigung / Pendiente Tolerance +/- / Tolerancia 1,00 ± 0,03 0,99 

Measurement for the dispersion of the measure-

Ordinate segment / Ordinatenabschnitt / Intersecto en ordenadas 0
Reagent blank / Reag.blindwert / Valor en blanco del react Tolerance +/- / Tolerancia 0,010 ± 0,010 A 0,010 A 
Confidential interval (P=95%)
± 25 mg/l ± 12 mg/l 

ment values over the entire measuring range,

Vertrauensbereich (95% Wahrscheinlichkeit) / Intervalo de confianza (95 % de probabilidad)

8
Standard Deviation of the Method
± 4,9 mg/l 
Verfahrensstandardabweichung / Desviación estándar del procedimiento

ex­pressed in %. The smaller the standard devia-

Variation Coefficient of the Method
± 2,5 % ± 0,7% 
Verfahrensvariationskoeffizient / Coeficiente de variación del procedimiento

1500 tion/coefficient of variation for the procedure,

1200 the more pronounced the linearity of the calibra-
tion curve.
9
Result (mg/l)

900

600

300

10
0
0 300 600 900 1200 1500
Target value (mg/l)

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Quality control Head of Lab. / Laborleiter /

Qualitätskontrolle / Control de calidad Jefe de laboratorio

Merck KGaA, 64271 Darmstadt, Germany, Tel.: +49 (0)6151 72-2440

EMD Millipore Corporation, 400 Summit Drive, Burlington MA 01803, USA, Tel.: +1-978-715-4321
11
Sigma-Aldrich Canada Co. or Millipore (Canada) Ltd., 2149 Winston Park, Dr. Oakville,
Ontario, L6H 6J8, Phone: +1 800-565-1400
1/2

12

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 23
 1 5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) – 5.2 Quality Control for the User

5.2 Quality Control for the User

A complete check comprises the entire system,
3 Checking the Checking the ­handling Influence
i. e. the working equipment and the mode of working equip- operations of the
ment sample
operation. The spectrophotometer offers an
optimum degree of support in this re­gard, in the
form of the different quality mode. The instru-
4
ment, or the whole system (includ­ing reagents
and all accessories) are checked, depending
on which quality mode is selected. All checking
5 operations can thus be supported by the spec- Pipette Suspend
Suspendthethe bottom
bottom sedi-
Carefully pipette 3.0 ml
of the sample into a
Heat the reaction cell in
ment sediment
in the incellthe cell by
by swirling. the thermoreactor at
trophotometer and the check values accordingly swirling. reaction cell, close tight- 148 °C for 2 hours.
ly with the screw cap,
and mix vigorously.
docu­mented as per GLP (Good Laboratory Prac- Caution, the cell
becomes very hot!

tice) recommendations (see section 9.11).

6
The following diagram provides an overview re-
garding internal quality-assurance aspects:
Suspend the bottomCarefully pipette
Carefully pipette 3.03.0ml ml ofthe reaction cell in
Heat Remove the reaction
sediment in the cell by of the sample into a the thermoreactor at cell from the thermo-
the sample intocloseatight-
reaction
7
swirling. reaction cell, 148 °C for 2 hours. reactor and place in a
Test kit cell, close tightly with the
ly with the screw cap,
and mix vigorously.
test-tube rack to cool.
screw cap, the
Caution, andcellmix vigor-
becomes very hot!
ously. Caution, the cell
becomes very hot!

8
Test for
recovery

9 Suspend the bottom Carefully pipette 3.0Heat

ml the
Heat reaction cell
the reaction cell in inRemove
the the reaction Swirl the cell after
sediment in the cell by of the sample into a the thermoreactor at cell from the thermo- 10 minutes.
swirling. reaction cell, close ther­
tight- m148
o­reactor at 148
°C for 2 hours.
°C for
reactor and place in a
C2/25 CSB 1500

Me§bereich 100 1500

ly with the screw cap,
and mix vigorously.
Chemischer Sauerstoffbedarf

mg/l CSB 14 mm
2 hours. test-tube rack to cool.
2 ml Probelösung
in ein Reaktions-
küvette geben
Caution, the cell
Mischen
Küvette wird heiß,
am Verschluss
anfassen
im Thermoreaktor
erhitzen
148 C, 120 min
mind. 10 min
abkühlen

Mischen
becomes very hot!
Abkühlen auf
Raumtemperatur
(mind. 30 min)
Messen

10 1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
. 0 C

Photometers

11 Suspend the bottom Carefully pipette 3.0 ml Remove

Heat the reaction cell in Remove the
the reaction
reaction cell
Swirl the cell after
sediment in the cell by of the sample into a the thermoreactor at cell from the thermo-
swirling. reaction cell, close tight- from the
148 °C for 2 hours.
thermoreactor10and
reactor and place in a
minutes.
ly with the screw cap,
and mix vigorously.
place test-tube
in a test-tube
rack to cool.rack to
Caution, the cell cool.
becomes very hot!

12

13 Thermoreactor
Suspend the bottom Carefully pipette 3.0 ml Heat the reaction cell in Remove the reaction Swirl the
Swirl the cellcell
after after
sediment in the cell by of the sample into a the thermoreactor at cell from the thermo- 10 minutes.
swirling. reaction cell, close tight- 148 °C for 2 hours. reactor and place in a
10 minutes.
ly with the screw cap, test-tube rack to cool.
and mix vigorously.
Caution, the cell
becomes very hot!

14
=
Test for the
15 overall system

16
24 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) – 5.2 Quality Control for the User 1

3
5.2.1 Checking the Spectrophotometer
As soon as the spectrophotometer is activated
it runs a Self-Check. This means the hardware
and the soft­ware of the spectrophoto­meter are 4
checked and compared with internal standards.

The spectrophotometer itself is checked in the

AQA1 mode with the Spec­tro­quant® 5
Photo­Check: the pack in­cludes round cells
con­tain­ing stable test solu­tions (secondary
­stan­dards) for checking the spectrophotom-
eter at the 445, 525, and 690 nm wave­lengths. 6
The test solutions are measured in a ­refe­rence
spectrophotometer monitored with primary
standards, and the certificate stating the ab-
sorbance values is enclosed with the package 7
unit. These desired values with the per­missible
­tolerances are entered into the spectrophotom-
eter or else ­handwritten into the control chart.
For the measurement the cell is placed in the
8
compartment for the round cell and identified
by the spectrophotometer via the bar code, and
the measured absorbance is compared with the
9
de­sired value. The ab­sorbance is shown on the
display and can be entered into the correspond-
ing control chart.
10
The measurement of four cells for a given wave-
length tests – in addition to the wavelength
accuracy – also the linearity of the absorbance
over the effective range. 11
The verification of the instrument, as required by
DIN/ISO 9000 or GLP, can be easily performed
by using the Spectro­quant® Photo­Check. The 12
PhotoCheck hence offers the possibility to check
the instrument. All of the corresponding docu-
mentation required by these certification guide-
lines is done by the spectrophotometer auto­ma­ 13
tically.

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 25
 1 5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) – 5.2 Quality Control for the User

5.2.2 Checking the Overall System

The testing of the overall system includes check- They can be diluted to different final con­cen­
3
ing the working ­equipment and checking the trations, which should preferably lie approxi-
handling operations. mately in the middle of the measuring range of
the respective test kit. The table presented in
The overall system can be checked using ­Appendix 2 provides an overview of the available
4
standard solutions of a known content, prefer- CombiCheck and ready-to-use standard solutions.
ably with the Spectroquant® ­CombiCheck; this
corres­ponds with the AQA2 mode in the spec- Due to limited shelf-life characteristics, there are
5 trophotometer. no ­CombiCheck or ready-to-use standard solu-
tions available for certain para­meters. Appendix
Spectroquant® CombiCheck are ready-to-use 3 is a compilation of standard working proce­
­standard ­solutions that in terms of the ana- dures necessary to make your own solutions of
6 lyte concentration are ­finely adjusted to the a defined concentration. This allows the control
individual test kits. They contain a mixture of of parameters where there are no simple-to-
several analytes that do not interfere with each prepare solutions available.
other. The ­stan­dard solution (R-1) is used in the
7 same way as a ­sample. A double determination If the test for the overall system shows that all
is recommended as a measure to ­diagnose any requirements are fulfilled, the individual results
random errors. are flagged as AQA2. If not, an error message
is given and the individual components of
8 Standard solutions for photometric applica- the ­instrument have to be checked in detail.
tions are ready-to-use ­standard solutions that
in terms of the analyte concentration are finely
adjusted to the individual test kits. The standard
9 solution is used in the same way as a sample. A
double determination is recommended as a mea-
sure to diagnose any random errors.

10 In addition to the CombiCheck and the standard

solutions for photometric applications, it is also
possible to use Certipur® standard solutions
for this checking procedure. These contain
11 1000 mg of the respective analyte per liter of
solution.

12

13

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26 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) – 5.2 Quality Control for the User 1

5.2.3 Checking the Pipettes 5.2.4 Checking Thermoreactors

This is checked by means of the thermosensor.
3

The S­ pectroquant® PipeCheck is used to The thermoreactor is preheated as described in

check the pipettes. The pack contains cells filled the Instruction Manual. When the control lamp 7
with color-dye concentrates. After the addition goes out, the temperature is measured in any
of a predefined volume of water using the pi- one of the bores of the thermoreactor. The fol-
pette in question, the cell is measured against lowing desired temperatures must be achieved:
8
a corre­sponding reference cell also contained
in the pack. The difference in the absorbance Block temperature 100 °C =
values of the measurement cell and reference Desired temperature 100 ± 3 °C
cell must not exceed the tolerances given in the
9
package insert. If the toler­ances are exceeded, Block temperature 120 °C =
the instructions given in the section 4 must be Desired temperature 120 ± 3 °C
followed accordingly.
Block temperature 148 °C = 10
Desired temperature 148 ± 3 °C

The even distribution of the temperature over all

bores can also be documented using the ther-
11
mosensor.

12

13

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 27
 1 5 Analytical Q
 uality Assurance (AQA) – 5.2 Quality Control for the User – 5.3 Determination of
Sample ­Influences (Matrix Effects) – 5.4 Definition of Errors

3 5.2.5 Testing for Handling Errors

The user’s own mode of operation must also be If the calculated difference is equal to the
subjected to an exact analysis. concen­tration of analyte of the addition solution
that was added, the recovery rate is 100 %. In
4 The following questions may serve as a guide: the case that the recovery rate lies outside a
• Is the test kit optimal for the measurement range of approx. 90 – 110%, a matrix interfer-
assignment in question? ence is present.
• Is the test kit’s measuring range suitable?
5 • Were the operating instructions for the test
followed?
• Was the sample volume correct? 5.4 Definition of Errors
• Was the pipette handled properly? It is obvious that measurement results as a
6 • Was a new pipette tip used? rule may be associated with errors. This ap-
• Is the pH of the sample and measurement plies equally to standardized methods of analysis
solution correct? (reference methods) and to rou­tine analysis. The
• Was the reaction time adhered to? discovery and the minimization of errors must
7 • Does the sample and reagent temperature lie be the objective here.
within the ­correct range?
• Is the cell clean and free from scratches? A distinction is made between systematic errors
• Has the expiry date for the test kit been and random errors.
8 exceeded?
• Were suitable sample vessels used? Systematic errors are present when all the
• Were the vessels used for the samples results of an analysis deviate from the true value
and preparation steps clean and free from with the same algebraic sign. ­Examples here
9 detergent residues? include: a wrong sample volume, a wrong pH, a
wrong reaction time, a sample-matrix influence,
etc. Systematic errors thus affect the accuracy
10 of the method of analysis.
5.3 Determination of Sample
Influences (Matrix Effects) Accuracy = Deviation of the measured concen-
tration from the true concentration
The influence of other substances contained in
11 the sample may, under certain cir­cumstances,
Random errors manifest themselves in the
be so great that their recovery rates lie in the
form of a wide range of deviation of the results
region of several percent. It is recommended
of a given sample. These can be kept to a mini-
to check for any influence by using the addition
12 mum by ensuring good operat­ing techniques and
solution contain­ed in the Spectroquant®
­multiple determination with calculation of the
CombiCheck pack.
mean values. Random errors make the result of
the analysis unreliable; they influence the preci-
A defined quantity of the addition solution
13 (R-2), which contains a known concen­tration of
sion.
the respective analyte, is added to the sample
Precision = Dispersion of the results among
and the recovery rate is de­termined. The follow-
each other
ing difference is then calculated:
14 Result (sample + addition solution) –
Result (sample)

15

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28 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 5 Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) – 5.4 Definition of Errors 1

3
The following diagram illustrates the aspects of
accuracy and precision:

1 3
6

Accuracy: poor Accuracy: poor

Precision: poor Precision: good 7
Major errors have been made! The high degree of precision mis­takenly indi-

2 4 10

Accuracy: good cates a correct value!

Precision: poor Accuracy: good
Calculation of the mean values from at Precision: good 11
least three – or better even more – parallel The ideal objective!
determina­tions yields an approximation of the
true value.
12

13

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 29
 1
6 Overview

6.1 Scope of Delivery 6.2 Overview of the Instrument

• Spectrophotometer Packaging
3 The spectrophotometer is shipped in protective
• Power adapter
• Power connectors (3 pieces) transport packaging.
• Dust cover
• Zero cell CAUTION
4
• Quick Guide (A4 format) Retain the original packaging including the inner
• Safety instructions packaging to ­protect the instrument against hard
• Certificate of final inspection knocks if it has to be transported. Please note that
5 damage caused by improper transport voids all
­warranty claims.

Front of the instrument

6
1  isplay and user
D 2 Flip-up cover
interface
7

10

11

12

13

14
3  Shaft for rectangular 4 Shaft for round cells
cells
15

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30 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 6 Overview – 6.2 Overview of the Instrument – 1
6.3 Display and User Interface

6.3 Display and User Interface

3
5 6 7 8
NOTE
The entire display is touch-sensitive. Make selec-
tions using a f­ ingertip or special touch pen. Do
not touch the display with sharp objects (e. g. 4
the tip of a ballpoint pen).

•D  o not place objects on the display, as doing 5

so may scratch it
• Touch buttons, words or symbols to select
them
• Scrollbars are provided to assist quick move- 6
ment through long lists
Ports at the rear of the instrument • Touch the arrow in the scrollbar to scroll up-
5 Socket for plug-in power supply unit wards or downwards through the list
6 LAN port • Following selection, the item is activated im- 7
7 USB Mini B port mediately
8 USB-A ports • Touching a main button outlines it in blue
• Selecting an item inverts it (with dark text be-
NOTE ing shown on a light background) 8
All connections comply with SELV. • Selecting a text inverts it (with dark text
being shown on a light background), e. g.
method-specific settings for concentration
mode "Show Absorbance" 9
• "0" is OFF, "I" is ON – the active selection is
displayed light grey with dark figure, in this
case the Show Absorbance is ON
10

11

12

13

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 31
 1 6 Overview – 6.3 Display and User Interface

Main menu navigation

The main menu is always visible on the left: It "Methods" and "Results" are the most often used
3 consist of two pages with four smart icons each. modes and they are at the top of the main menu
To switch between the two pages push at navigation.
the bottom on the left.

4 Methods Results List

List

5 System
Methods Setup
Settings

6 Ad hoc Login/Log-
out
AQA
7 Timer

NOTE
10 The menu selected is always outlined in
blue.

NOTE
11
Action buttons like "Start", "Save", "Print" give
the following touch feedback:

12 Normal
Remains static

Active fields are always shown in bright color.

13
Pressed fields invert the color as long as the
chosen action is performed.
14
Disabled
Draws 30% of the normal state

Inactive, disabled fields show faint color.

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32 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 6 Overview – 6.3 Display and User Interface 1

NOTE
The main menus "Settings (Method Settings)", 3
"Ad hoc", "AQA", "System (Instrument Settings)",
"Login/Logout", "Timer" open up a submenu.
Example "Settings":
4
To leave these, the submenu has to be closed
by t­ ouching the main menu button again, in this
case: 5

The main menu "Methods" comprises two main overview panels arranged as shown below: 8
the Concentration Measurement Overview and the Method List Overview.

Screen layout concentration measurement overview

9
2 Alerts

1 Menu 3 Time-
title stamp 10
4 Measure-
ment range

5 Results 11
12 Main
menu but-
tons 6 Citation
12

7 Action
buttons
13
11 Main
menu
selection
button: 10 Brief
infor- 9  otification symbols/
N 8 Info bar with
14
Switch be- mation settings Information
tween the button
two main
menu 15
overviews

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 33
 1 6 Overview – 6.3 Display and User Interface

Screen layout method list overview

3 2  ropdown
D 3  ropdown
D
box box
(closed) (closed)
1 Menu
4 title
7  ocuses
F 4 Selection
selected
buttons
main menu
5 button

6 Name of
method 5 Scrollbar
7

10
Screen layout results overview

2 Filter menu

11 1 Menu
title
7  ocuses
F 3 Selection
selected buttons
12
main menu
button

6 Result 4 Scrollbar
13 list

14
5 Action
buttons

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34 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 6 Overview – 6.3 Display and User Interface 1

Main menu buttons

6
Method list Settings
List of all methods, irrespective of This button is used to activate meth-
mode od-specific settings (e. g. sample dilu-
tion, turbidity correction, zero adjust-
7
ment, sample blank, reagent blank)

10

11
Ad hoc AQA
 or performing measurements (ab-
F Overview and list of all Analytical
sorbance/transmission, spectrum, Quality Assurance (AQA) modes
kinetics) 12
Allows measurements to be per-
formed without the need to create
methods
13

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 35
 1 6 Overview – 6.3 Display and User Interface

Main menu buttons

6
Results list System setup
List of all stored results This button is for optional instrument
settings (e. g. date, time, updates
7 etc.)

10

11 Login/logout Timer list

Check users in and out List of stopwatch functions

12

13

14

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36 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 6 Overview – 6.3 Display and User Interface 1

Overview of main buttons

3
Buttons Description

Method list
List of all methods, irrespective of mode
4
Settings
This button is used to activate method-specific settings
(e. g. sample dilution, turbidity correction, zero adjustment, sample blank, reagent blank)

Ad hoc
5
For performing measurements (absorbance/transmission, spectrum, kinetics)
Allows measurements to be performed without the need to create methods

Absorbance/Transmission Mode
Ad hoc submenu: perform absorbance or transmission measurements
6

Spectrum Mode
Ad hoc submenu: record spectrum
Method list: create methods -> Spectrum Mode
7
Kinetic Mode
Ad hoc submenu: perform kinetic measurement
Method list: create methods -> Kinetic Mode
8
AQA
Overview and list of all Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) modes

AQA Status 1&2 9

AQA submenus: Status display of the period of validity and the outcome (passed/failed)

AQA1
AQA submenu: List of AQA1 methods 10

AQA2
AQA submenu: List of AQA2 methods
11
Pipette check
AQA submenu: List of pipette-checking methods

Result list
12
List of all stored results

System setup
This button is for optional instrument settings (e. g. date, time, updates etc.)
13

Login/logout
Log users in and out
14
Timer list
List of stopwatch functions

15

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 37
 1 6 Overview – 6.3 Display and User Interface

Overview of action & selection buttons

3
Action & Selection Buttons Description

Start button
Start an action (e. g. measurement)
4
Start zero
Start zero adjustment for a method

5 Apply

Save
6

Stop

7
Close

8 Logout
User logout

Search method
9

Search/results list
Search function, search criterion: method name, method number or item number
10
Filter cancellation button
Cancel all set filter options

11 Edit
For editing parameters

Create method
12

Print
Print to pdf (USB device) or printer
13
Export button
All selected results are exported to an external memory device as .csv file

14 Import button
Updates/Methods are imported from an external memory device into the instru-
ment
Delete
15 The selected items are deleted

16
38 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 1
7 Safety
1

2
2

This operating manual contains basic instruc- Safety instructions 3

tions that you must follow during the commis- Safety instructions in this operating manual are 3
sioning, operation and maintenance of the spec- indicated by the warning symbol (triangle) in the
trophotometer. Consequently, all responsible left margin. The signal word (such as
personnel must read this operating manual care- "CAUTION") indicates the danger level. 4
fully before working with the meter. Keep this The following warning symbols are used: 4
operating manual in the vicinity of the meter.

This is a class A device. This equipment may

5
cause interference in a residential installation. In 5
this case the user is encouraged to perform ap-
propriate measures to correct the interference.
6
6
Symbols Description

WARNING
Hazardous area (general). The xenon lamp (UV/VIS) emits radiation in the ultraviolet 7
region, which may cause damage to the eyes. Never look directly in the radiation of this
light source without wearing proper eye protection. Protect your skin from the direct ex-
posure to UV light.

WARNING
8
Dangerous electrical voltage.
8

WARNING
9
WARNING
Signifies instructions that must be followed precisely in order to prevent serious dangers
9
to personnel.

10
CAUTION CAUTION
Signifies instructions that must be followed precisely in order to avoid minor injuries to
10
personnel or damage to the instrument or the environment.

CAUTION
11
CAUTION
This is a cautionary notice with a warning symbol drawing your attention to the risk of
11
(limited) harm to personnel.

12
NOTE NOTE
Signifies a notice drawing your attention to special characteristics. 12

REFERENCE
13
Used to indicate references to other documents. 13

14
Please pay attention to the separate safety instructions leaflet (part of delivery scope) and read it 14
carefully.
15
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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 39
 1 7 Safety – 7
 .1 Intended Use – 7.2 General Safety Instructions –
7.3 Target Group and User Qualification

7.1 Intended Use

The intended use of the spectrophotometer con- Safe operation
3
sists exclusively of the carrying out of photomet- If safe operation is no longer possible, the spec-
ric measurements according to this operating trophotometer must be taken out of service and
manual. Observe the technical specifications of secured against inadvertent use.
the cells in the operating manual. Any other use Safe operation is no longer possible if the spec-
4
is considered to be unauthorized. The spectro- trophotometer:
photometer was developed for performing water • Has been damaged in transport
analyses in the laboratory. • Has been stored under adverse conditions over
5 a lengthy ­period of time
• Is visibly damaged
• No longer functions as described in this manual

6 If you are in any doubt, contact the supplier of

your spectrophoto­meter.
7.2 General Safety Instructions
The spectrophotometer is built and inspected ac-
7 cording to the relevant guidelines and norms for
electronic instruments (see section 12). It left
the factory in a safe and secure tech­nical condi-
tion.
8 7.3 Target Group and User
NOTE Qualification
The spectrophotometer must be opened, adjust- The spectrophotometer was developed for use
ed, or repaired only by specialist personnel au- in the laboratory. Performing photometric deter-
9
thorized by the manufacturer. Noncompliance in- minations using test kits frequently involves the
validates any claim under warranty. handling of hazardous substances. We presume
that the operating personnel are familiar with
10 handling hazardous substances as a result of
their professional training and experience. In
particular, the operating personnel must be able
7.2.1 Function and Operational Safety to understand and correctly follow the safety
11 The smooth functioning and operational safety of labels and safety instructions on the packages
the spectrophotometer can only be guaranteed and test kit inserts.
if the generally applicable safety measures and
the specific safety instructions in this operat-
12 ing manual are followed during operation. The
smooth functioning and operational safety of the
spectrophotometer can only be guaranteed un-
der the environmental conditions that are speci-
13 fied in the operating manual. If the spectropho-
tometer is moved from a cold environment to a
warm environment, the formation of condensate
can cause it to function incorrectly. In this event,
14 wait until the meter reaches room temperature
before using it again.

15

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40 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 7 Safety – 7.4 Handling Hazardous Substances 1

7.4 Handling Hazardous Substances 4

When developing Spectroquant® test kits, the
manufacturer works diligently to ensure that the
tests can be carried out as safely as possible.
Some dangers posed by hazardous substances 5
cannot always be avoided, however.

WARNING
6
Improper handling of certain reagents can ad-
versely affect your health. Always follow the
safety labels on the packaging and the safety in-
structions on the package insert. The protective 7
measures specified there must be carefully fol-
lowed.

Safety data sheets 8

The chemical data sheets contain all the instruc-
tions needed to handle them safely, and give
details of potential risks as well as actions to
be taken preventively and if a danger is posed.
9
Work safely by following these instructions.

10

11

12

13

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 41
 1
8 Getting Started

8.1 General Notes on Handling 8.2 Initial Setup

The Spectroquant Prove plus spectrophoto-
® Proceed as follows:
3 • Connect the power adapter (see section 8.2.1)
meter is an optical precision instrument. It
should always be handled with care, especially • Switch on the spectrophotometer (see section
when in mobile use. Always protect the instru- 8.2.2)
ment from conditions that could damage the • Set the language (see section 8.2.3)
4
mechanical, optical and electrical components. • Set the date and time (see section 8.2.4)
Please note the following in particular: • Run the self-test (see section 8.2.5)
• The temperature and humidity during opera-
5 tion and storage must be within the limits NOTE
specified in the "Technical Data" section (see
For our Operating Manual and more information
section 12)
The instrument must never be exposed to about the technical videos please visit:
the following: www.sigmaaldrich.com/spectroquant
6
• Extreme dust, humidity and moisture
• Intense light and heat
• Fumes that are corrosive or contain high con-
7 centrations of solvents 8.2.1 Connecting the Power Supply
In addition take care of the following:
Power is supplied through the power adapter
• For measuring, the instrument must be placed
provided. The power adapter supplies the spec-
on a flat surface
trophotometer with the required voltage and
8 • Spilled liquid or other material should be re-
type of current (24 V DC).
moved immediately (see section 10.3)
• If a cell has broken in the cell holder, the cell
holder should be cleaned immediately (see CAUTION
9 section 10.3) The line voltage at the user location must fulfil
• The cover should always be closed when the the specifications stated on the power adapter
spectrophoto­meter is not in use (the specifications are also indicated in the oper-
• When the spectrophotometer is being trans- ating manual). Only ever use the 24 V power
10 ported, the cell compartment must be empty adapter provided. Please note that damage
caused by using a different power adapter than
the one supplied voids all warranty claims.

11

12

13

14

15

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42 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 8 Getting Started – 8.2 Initial Setup 1

8.2.2 First Power-on

After switching on the spectrophotometer for the 3
first time you are automatically guided through
the language, date and time setup procedures.

1 5

7
1. Press the ON/OFF button 1 . The spectro-
photometer gives an audible signal (beep)
2
and starts booting for approximately 2 min-
utes. You will see the following display: 8

9
1

10
Connecting the power adapter:
1. Connect the miniplug 1 of the power adapter
to the socket 2 of the spectrophotometer. 11
2. Connect the power adapter to a wall socket.

2. T
 he display switches to language setup (see
12
section 8.2.3).

13

14

15

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 43
 1 8 Getting Started – 8.2 Initial Setup

8.2.3 Language Setup 8.2.4  ate, Time and Country-specific

D
3 The software supports several languages. When Settings
you switch on the spectrophotometer for the During initial setup, having set the language op-
first time, a list of language options is automati- tion you are ­automatically guided through the
cally displayed after the boot procedure. date and time setup procedure.
4

5 1

6
2

1. Select the desired language 1 . 1. Tap on the Date format button 1 .

2. Tap on the Save button 2 to confirm. 2. The calendar view pops up 2 . You can now
8 enter the date.
NOTE
The saving process of changing the language re-
9 quires some ­seconds.
2

10 4

3
11

12 3. Tap on OK 3 to confirm.
4. Tap on the Arrow button 4 to choose the
country-specific basic date setting. The date
format can be set and displayed for EU and
13 US.

14

15

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44 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 8 Getting Started – 8.2 Initial Setup 1

8.2.5 Self-test
Following language, date and time setup the
3
spectrophotometer performs a self-test.

6 4

8 5
10
9
5
7

1
6
5. Tap on the Time format button 5 . The nu-
meric key panel 6 pops up. Now you can
enter the time.
6. Tap on OK 7 to confirm. 1.  emove all cells and close the cell compart-
R 7
7. Tap on the Arrow button 8 to choose the ment cover.
country-specific basic time setting. The time 2. Start the self-test with the Start button 1 .
format can be set and displayed for EU and 3. The spectrophotometer performs the self-
US. test. 8
8. Tap on the Arrow button 9 to choose the
decimal separator "."/"," used in your coun- Self-test
try. The self-test covers:
9. Tap on the Save button 10 to confirm. • Checks on memory, processor, internal inter- 9
faces, filter and lamp
After initial setup is complete, you can change • A calibration of the wavelengths
the date and time at any time in the setup/date/
time menu (see section 9.2.3). When the self-test has ended, the display shows 10
the main menu.

11

12

13

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 45
 1 8 Getting Started – 8.3 Connecting Optional Peripheral Devices

8.3 Connecting Optional

NOTE Peripheral Devices
3
The spectrophotometer also automatically runs a
calibration of the wavelengths after every 100th 8.3.1 Communication Ports
measurement. A corresponding message pops
4 up in the display as long as the calibration
operation is in progress.

7
You can connect the following peripheral devices
to the ­spectrophotometer:
• Printer (see section 8.3.2)
8 • USB mass storage device (see section 8.3.3)
• Barcode reader (see section 8.3.4)

NOTE
9 If you want to connect several USB devices such
as a USB PC keyboard and a USB memory de-
vice to the instrument, you can increase the
number of USB-A sockets by attaching a com-
10 mercially available USB-2 hub with separate
power supply.

11

8.3.2 Printer
Printers can be connected to the spectrophoto-
12 meter as follows:

Connecting the Spectroquant® Prove plus using

a commercially available USB-A to USB Mini B
13 cable enables its data to be printed out.

NOTE
14 All postscript printers can be used with
Spectroquant® Prove plus.

15

16
46 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 8 Getting Started – 8.3 Connecting Optional Peripheral Devices 1

3
8.3.3 USB Memory Device
Using a USB memory device (e. g. a USB mass
storage device), you can 4
• Update the instrument firmware and method
data (see section 9.2.8)
• Transfer data to the USB memory device
(see section 9.13.7) 5

USB memory devices are connected to the

USB-A port.
6
NOTE
Please follow the instructions on using USB
memory devices (see section 9.13.7). 7

8
8.3.4 Barcode Reader
The barcode reader enables the simplified ac-
quisition of alphanumerical character strings and
can be used in all operating situations that re- 9
quire the entry of text or numerals. The barcode
reader is connected to the USB-A port.

NOTE 10
The barcode reader must support USB/HID.

11

12

13

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 47
 1
9 Operation

9.1 Switching the Spectrophoto-

meter On or Off
3

2
6

Switching on 4. Start the self-test with the Start button 2 .

1. Press the ON/OFF button 1 . The spectro- 5. The spectrophotometer performs the self-
7
photometer gives an audible signal (beep) test.
and starts booting for approximately 2 min-
utes. You will see the following display:
Self-test
8 The self-test covers:
• Checks on memory, processor, internal inter-
faces, filter and lamp
• A calibration of the wavelengths
9
9
NOTE
The spectrophotometer also automatically runs a
10 calibration of the wavelengths after every 100th
measurement. A corresponding message pops
up in the display as long as the calibration
operation is in progress (see section 8.2.5).
11
When the self-test has ended, the display shows
2. After the booting process the screen shows the main menu.
the self-test ­dialog.
12
Starting the self-test
3. Remove all cells and close the cell compart-
13 ment cover.

14

15

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48 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.1 Switching the Spectrophotometer On or Off 1

3
NOTE NOTE
After the self-test, the system automatically You can set a user-defined time for this function ­
checks the status of activated AQA tests. An (see section 9.2.5). 4
overview of any failed and/or expired AQA tests
automatically opens (see section 9.11).
Switching off
5

6
4

Energy-saving mode – display

Press the ON/OFF button 4 to switch the spectro-
photometer off.
9
9
NOTE
The instrument has an Auto-Power-Off function,
which switches it automatically off after a user- 10
3
defined time. This function is not active out of
the box, but you can turn it on in "System
(Instrument settings)".
11

12

13

The spectrophotometer automatically switches

off the backlight of the display 3 when no but-
ton has been tapped within a period of 10 min- 14
utes. The backlight is switched on again with the
next tap.
The button functions are activated only following
a further tap. 15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 49
 1 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup

9.2 System Setup

3 General instrument setup is carried
out in the "System" menu.

6
Buttons Description

Information
This submenu displays the following information about the device:
7 Software/method versions, device class, lamp counter and serial number

Interface
This submenu displays the following settings options and standard settings:
8 Audible signals – ON, Backlight – 100%, Print to pdf – ON

Region
9 This submenu displays the following settings options and standard settings:
Language, date, time and country zone EU/US, decimal separator – "."/"," (dot or comma)

Quality
10 This submenu displays the following settings options and standard settings:
Quick zero – OFF, AQA1 and AQA2 lock – OFF, Zero Adjustment expiry – ON (interval:
7 days), Use expired reagents – OFF, Service reminder – ON

Automation (Setup 4)
11 This submenu displays the following settings options and standard settings:
Energy saving mode – ON (10 minutes), Auto Power off – OFF, Auto log off – OFF,
Auto store – ON, Auto print – OFF, Sample ID popup – OFF

User management
12 This submenu displays the following settings options and standard settings:
Activation of user management and administrator settings, User login required – OFF

13 Service
This submenu displays the following settings options:
Various service functions such as backup, restore, export of log or system data and
import of methods

14 Update
This submenu displays the option for performing software and method updates

15

16
50 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup 1

Buttons Description 3
Network
This submenu displays the setting options for connecting the Prove plus device with a network

4
Prove Connect
This submenu displays the settings options for connecting the Prove plus device with the Prove
Connect software (the Prove Connect software is optionally available, order No. Prove Connect
to LIMS Y110860001) 5

9.2.1 Information 6
This submenu displays the following
information and settings options:
7

2 8
8
3

5
9
6

7
8  eset button for lamp counter in
R
Prove 100 plus 10
Press this button after the change of the halogen
lamp to reset the lamp counter to zero.
1 Update Version
Instrument version number
11
2 MMI Version
Man-machine interfaces version number
3 MCS Version
Measurement and control software version 12
number
4 Methods Version
Method version currently in use
5 Device
13
Class of device being used
(Prove 100 plus | 300 plus | 600 plus)
6 Lamp counter
Lifetime/service performance of the lamp 14
7 MCS Serial
Instrument serial number

15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 51
 1 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup

9.2.2 Interface 9.2.3 Region

This submenu displays the following This submenu displays the following
3
information and settings options: information and settings options.

4
9
1
11

5 10 3 2

3 2

4
6

7 9 Audible signals 1 Language

Ticking/unticking the box switches the audible 2 Date/time
alert on or off. 3 Country zone EU/US
10 Print to pdf file 4 Decimal separator
8
Activating the pdf printer transfers all print jobs
to the external memory device (e. g. USB mass Language
storage device) in pdf format. To change the user language, proceed as follows:
11 Backlight
9
This setting enables you to adjust the backlight
brightness to the ambient light conditions.

10 1 2

12

11

12 13

1. Select System 1 .
2. Select Region (Setup 2) 2 .
13
1. Select System.
2. Select Interface (Setup 1).
3. Set the backlight contrast 11 to the desired
14 level using the drop-down menu 12 .
4. Tap on the Save button 13 to store and close
the settings.

15

16
52 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup 1

Country zone EU/US, decimal separator

3
Opening the drop-down menu allows the country
settings to be changed.
3

4
5
3

5
3.  elect the desired language in the drop-
S 6
down menu 3 .
4. Tap on the Save button 4 to store your
changes and close the settings by touching
the System button again. 7
• Date display US/EU 3
• Time display US/EU 4
Date/time
• Decimal separator "."/"," (dot or comma) 5
Depending on country, the date format is pre-
sented in the ­sequence e. g. Day.Month.Year
8
(DD.MM.YY) or Month/Day/Year (MM/DD/YY or NOTE
MM.DD.YY). To reset or change the figures, pro- Make sure that the decimal separator used is the
ceed as follows: same which is used in your Excel software to
9
avoid any problems with the format of your csv
files.

10
1 2
7

11
6

8 12

1. Select System 1 .
2. Select Region (Setup 2) 2 . 13
3.  apping on the Date field 6 pops up a calen-
T
dar 7 . Here you can set the date and tap on
OK 8 to confirm your selection.
14

15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 53
 1 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup

10

5 11

6 4.  apping on the Time field 9 pops up a selec-

T
tion field 10 . Here you can set the time and
tap on OK 11 to confirm your selection.
7

9 12

10
5. Tap on the Save button 12 to store all of the
changed settings.
11

12

13

14

15

16
54 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup 1

9.2.4 Quality
This submenu displays the following
3
information and settings options:

To activate a function, tap on the input field 1 .

A tick 2 appears when the setting option is ac-
4
1
5 11
tivated. To cancel settings, tap on the C button
6 12 3 . This works only for changes that have been
made but not yet stored. To accept the settings,
7 5
2 13 tap on the Save button 4 .
8

9 4 3

10 6

7
Possible settings (items 5 to 12 ):

Pos. Name Function – active Function – inactive

5 QuickZero Performance and direct saving of the zero Performance and saving of the zero adjust- 8
(Possible only for adjustment for: ment only for the currently selected con-
­concentration meth- • all 12 wavelengths that are used for mea- centration method.
ods) suring ­Spectroquant® test kits
• the wavelength currently being used in 9
the ­Concentration mode

6 AQA1 – Lock device If an invalid AQA1 test is present, a warning If an invalid AQA1 test is present, a warning
message appears. The instrument is locked message appears. Measurements can still
for all measurements except AQA1 tests. be performed. The ­instrument is not locked. 10
7 AQA2 – Lock If an invalid AQA2 test is present for a If an invalid AQA2 test is present for a
method concentration method, a warning message concentration method, a warning message
appears when this method is selected. The appears when this method is selected.
performance of a concentration measure- Measurements can still be performed. The
11
ment using this method is locked. instrument is not locked.

8 Zero adjustment When the pre-set expiry date in days 13 An already performed zero adjustment
EXP is reached, the zero adjustment must be does not have to be repeated.
repeated.
(Possible only for
12
­concentration meth-
ods)

9 Use expired re- The use of Spectroquant® test kits beyond The use of Spectroquant® test kits beyond
agents the date of expiry is allowed. A warn- the date of expiry is not allowed. A warn-
13
ing message appears when the barcoded ing message appears when the barcoded
Spectroquant® cell or the AutoSelector Spectroquant® cell or the AutoSelector is
is inserted into the instrument; after the ­inserted into the instrument. No measure-
warning message is confirmed, however, ment can be made.
the measurement is still carried out. 14
10 Service reminder The instrument automatically signals the The instrument does not signal the need to
need to service the instrument. service the instrument.

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 1 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup

3 Pos. Name Function – active Function – inactive

11 Deactivate message When results are higher than the measuring Results beyond the measuring range of
indicating results range of the selected method, the display the selected method are also shown as a
beyond measuring of the device shows “HI”. numerical value. Negative measurement
4 range When results are lower than the measuring results may also be shown here.
range of the selected method, the display (This function can be of help in calculating
of the device shows “LO”. statistical parameters, e. g. in determining
limits of detection.)

5 12 Allow deletion of When the user management is activated, No results in the result list can be deleted.
results in the result results in the result list can be deleted.
list (This function can be activated only when
the user management is activated by a user
with administrator status.)
6

10

11

12

13

14

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56 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup 1

9.2.5 Automation
This submenu displays the following 3
information and settings options:

7 Auto logoff
The instrument logs the active user out after the
4
1 1
5 10
user-defined time has elapsed and no entry has
2
6 11 been made. The screen changes to the login/
logout screen.
7 12 5
When the function is activated, a field pops
8
up for setting the time. Here you can enter
9 4 3 your individual time in minutes and confirm by
tapping the OK button. Accept the time setting 6
by tapping on the Save button.
8 Prefix S-ID
This function enables you to prefix a sample ID
with a recurrent character string (e. g. Well), 7
which is then saved together with the sample ID.
1 Energy-saving mode
When the function is activated, a field pops up
To activate a function, tap on the input field 1 .
to enter data. Here you can enter the individual
A tick 2 appears when the setting option is acti-
vated. To cancel settings, tap on the C button
string of characters or description, confirming 8
your entry by tapping the OK button. Accept the
3 . This works only for changes that have been
entry by tapping on the Save button.
made but not yet stored. To accept the settings,
9 SampleID popup
tap on the Save button 4 .
5 Energy-saving mode After each measurement, an input window 9

automatically pops up to enter the sampleID.
After a user-defined time has elapsed, the back-
The data can be entered via the virtual keyboard
light of the display switches off automatically.
of the display, a keyboard connected via the USB
The backlight is switched on again with the next
port, or a hand-held scanner connected via the 10
tap.
USB port.
When the function is activated, a field pops
up for setting the time. Here you can enter
your individual time in minutes and confirm by
11
tapping the OK button. Accept the time setting
by tapping on the Save button.
6 Auto power off
After a user-defined time has elapsed, the 12
instrument switches off automatically.
When the function is activated, a field pops
up for setting the time. Here you can enter
your individual time in minutes and confirm by 13
tapping the OK button. Accept the time setting
by tapping on the Save button.

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 57
 1 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup

3 10 Auto store 13

The instrument automatically saves the

measurement results in the Concentration mode
in the result list.
4
NOTE
The instrument is capable of storing 2,000 indi-
5 vidual measurements of the measurement
modes concentration, absorbance/transmission,
and/or multiple wavelengths as well as 20 data
sets with results of the spectrum or kinetics
6 methods for each of these modes. It operates on
the FIFO storage principle (first in – first out), When the barcode scanner is deactivated, a
meaning that when all storage locations are corresponding symbol 13 is constantly shown in
occupied, the next time a result is to be stored the upper status bar of the display.
7 the oldest result on the list is automatically
overwritten. Accordingly it is advisable to
regularly back up stored data sets on external
media (see section 9.13.7).
8 The results of the measurement modi AQA1,
AQA2, MatrixCheck, and PipeCheck are managed
separately. A total of 500 results are stored.
Results that determine a system or method
9 status are not overwritten, even when all
storage locations are already occupied.

11 Auto print
10
The instrument automatically starts a print
operation after the measurement has been
completed. Precondition: a USB ­memory device
(print as pdf) or PostScript printer (print on
11
paper) is connected.
12 Barcode scanner
This function enables the barcode scanner
12 for decoding round cells and AutoSelectors to
be deactivated. When the barcode scanner is
deactivated, the automatic method recognition
of barcoded round cells and AutoSelectors is
13 switched off and the method must be selected
manually.
This function comes in handy when e. g. you
wish to run your own methods in round cells.
14

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58 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup 1

9.2.6 User Management

 his submenu offers the following
T 3
setting options and is only acces-
sible to administrators once "Login
required" is active:
4
4. Enter the user password 4 .
5. Confirm the user password 5 .
6. Tap on OK to confirm 6 .
7. The newly created user appears in the pick- 5
list 7 .
1

6
1

7
3
Activate user management:
4
When the "Login required" box 1 is ticked, us-
2 5
ers have to log in in the "Login/Logout" menu
8
with their name and password to get certain ac-
cess user rights (see section 9.14.1).

NOTE
Edit user, e. g. change password:
9
Once "Login required" is ticked, it can only be 1. Select the user 1 whose password is to be
deactivated by an administrator. changed.
2. Tap on edit 2 to edit the user.
10
3. Enter the new user password 3 .
7 2 4. Confirm the password 4 .
5. Tap on OK 5 to confirm.
3
11
4
5
1 6

12

Create user: 13
1. Tap on the Add new user field 1 .
2. Assign the user rights by tapping on the but-
ton 2 : full rights = administrator; restricted
rights = user (see section 9.14). 14
3. Enter the user name 3 .

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 59
 1 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup

9.2.7 Service
3
This submenu offers the following
setting options:

4
4 6
1 1
7 7 4
2

5 3
6

5
3

2
6

7 Delete user: To export or import data you need a commer-

1. Select the user to be deleted 1 . cially available USB mass storage device.
2. Tap on the Delete button 2 .
3. A window pops up asking "Do you really 1 Backup/restore
8 want to delete user?". Create a backup on the USB device.
Tap on OK 3 to confirm. 1. Attach a blank (no data present) USB mass
4. The user is deleted from the pick-list 1 . storage device to the spectrophotometer.
2. Tapping on the Export button 4 automati-
9
cally stores the ­spectrophotometer data on
the USB mass storage device.
3. A message appears in the info window 5
10 when the data have been successfully trans-
ferred.

Importing a backup from the memory device.

1. Attach the USB mass storage device contain-
11
ing the backed up data to the spectropho-
tometer.
2. Tapping on the Import button 6 automati-
12 cally imports the ­spectrophotometer data to
the instrument and stores them there.
3. A message appears in the info window 5
when the data have been successfully trans-
13 ferred.

14

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60 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup 1

2 Exporting log and/or system files 3 Importing user-defined methods 4

1. Tick the Log or SysData box 7 . 1. Attach the USB mass storage device contain-
2. Attach a blank (no data present) USB mass ing the method list with the user-defined
storage device to the spectrophotometer. methods to the ­spectrophotometer.
The memory capacity of USB mass storage 2. Tapping on the Import button 6 automati- 5
device should be at least 512 MB. cally imports the ­spectrophotometer data to
3. Tapping on the Export button 4 automati- the instrument and stores them there.
cally stores the ­spectrophotometer data on 3. A message appears in the info window 5
the USB mass storage device. when the data have been successfully trans- 6
4. A message appears in the info window 5 ferred.
when the data have been successfully trans-
ferred. NOTE
7
Only users from the Administrator group have
NOTE the right to p
­ erform the setting options in the
When log files are exported, three separate log Service submenu.
files are created and exported: an error log file, 8
a user log file, and a service log file. The files
are saved on the USB mass storage medium in
the following folder structure:
Parent folder: PROVE 9
Subfolder: Log
Subfolder: Serial number of the device,
underscore, “Date”, underscore YYMMDD,
underscore hhmm 10
Example: “PROVE\Log\SN1529610052_
Date_201208_1001”

11

12

The error and service log files contain

information that can be of use in dealing with 13
service issues. The user log file contains
information on activities carried out by the user,
e. g. changes in the system settings. For further
details on the contents of the log files and their 14
interpretation please refer to section 16.

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 61
 1 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup

9.2.8 Updates
3 Firmware and method updates
ensure your s
­ pectrophotometer is
always up-to-date.

4 NOTE 1.  ownload the update file from the website

D
Only users from the Administrator user group onto a USB ­memory device.
may perform ­f irmware and method updates. 2. Unzip the file with the entire folder structure
into the main directory of the USB mem-
5 The update comprises: ory device. After unzipping, a folder titled
• The latest firmware “PROVE” with a subfolder titled “Update”
• New or modified method data appears in the main directory of the USB
memory device.
6 3. Select System 1 .
NOTE
4. Tap on the Update button 2 .
A firmware and method update does not alter 5. Attach the USB memory device with the up-
user-defined data (such as settings, custom date to the spectrophotometer.
7 methods or measurement data).

The update is transferred to the spectro-

photometer by using a USB mass storage 3
8 device for temporary storage.

NOTE
To keep the instrument always up-to-date, we
9
recommend always installing the latest update.
The relevant updates are available on
www.sigmaaldrich.com/photometer-service.
10
Firmware and method update spectro-
photometer 6. T
 ap on the Import field 3 starts the search
11 for update files on USB device. Search needs
some time (approx. 1 ­minute).
7. You will be asked whether you want to install
the update ­version on the Prove plus. Con-
12 firm with OK.
1
8. The installation process is reported in the in-
formation window and confirmed by the final
2 message that the data have been success-
13 fully transferred.
9. Confirm with OK.

14

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62 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.2 System Setup 1

9.2.9  etwork and

N
Prove Connect
3
Connect the Prove plus
spectrophotometer with a network
and the Prove Connect software
(optionally available, order No. Prove 4
Connect to LIMS Y110860001)

The broad range of settings options are

described in a separate manual.
5

7
10. T
 he instrument then shuts down and re-
boots. The boot screen appears in the dis-
play. Depending on the data volume, this
procedure may take several minutes. 8

10
4

11

11. If the import was unsuccessful, a corre-

sponding message 4 appears. Try again.
12
Before this, check whether the folder struc-
ture described above in item 2 is present on
the USB memory device.
13

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 63
 1 9 Operation – 9.3 Measurements

9.3 Measurements
The spectrophotometer can be used to perform the measurements listed below.
3
Type of Measurement Description

Concentration  re-programmed methods that can be executed using Spectroquant® test kits or self-
• P
4 prepared reagents
• User-programmed methods

Absorbance/transmission • Single-wavelength measurements for establishing the absorbance or transmission of

solutions
5 • Multiple-wavelength measurements for establishing the absorbance or transmission of
solutions

Spectrum • P
 rogrammed methods for establishing the absorbance or transmission of solutions over a
defined wavelength range
6
Kinetics • P
 rogrammed methods for establishing the absorbance or transmission of solutions over a
defined period

Quality checks Instrument-supported analytical quality assurance:

• Instrument check (AQA1)
7 • Method-specific system check – pre-programmed for all Spectroquant® standards (AQA2)
• Pipette volume control (PipeCheck)
• Check interferences from foreign substances (MatrixCheck)

10

11

12

13

14

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64 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.3 Measurements 1

9.3.1 Performing a Measurement 3

Measurements can be performed using rectan-
gular cells of various path lengths (10, 20, 50
mm/100 mm Prove 600 plus) and Spectroquant®
round cells. Insert cells as follows to start the 4
Measuring with rectangular cells with open
measurement:
lid:
Measuring with a round cell with closed lid insert AutoSelector
5

6
6
2

4
7

10

5
7
1 11
3

•O pen the flip-up cover 4 by pushing it back

with your fingers
• I nsert the barcoded Spectroquant® round cell 12
• Insert the AutoSelector vertically into the cell
through the opening 1 , ensuring that the
compartment 5 , ensuring that the white posi-
white position mark 2 on the cell is aligned
tion mark 6 on the AutoSelector is aligned with
with the positioning mark on the spectrophoto­
the positioning mark on the spectrophotometer 13
meter 3
7
• Measurement starts automatically, and the
• The photometer is ready to measure
measurement result is displayed in the concen-
tration measurement overview (see page 33)
NOTE 14
If the barcode cannot be read, please see section
9.7.1.

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 65
 1 9 Operation – 9.3 Measurements

3
Measuring with rectangular cells with open Measuring with rectangular cells with open
lid: lid:
Insert rectangular cells (10, 20, 50 mm) Insert 100 mm rectangular cells
4 (Prove 600 plus)

10

9
11

10

9 •R  emove the top of the round cell compartment

8 including the AutoSelector 10
11 • Insert the 100 mm rectangular cell vertically
into the cell holder 11 . Make sure that you hold
it with both hands on the small edges while
• Insert the rectangular cell vertically into the inserting it carefully
12 cell compartment 8 , ensuring that the cell is • Measurement starts automatically, and the
flush against the left side of the cell holder 9 measurement result is displayed in the concen-
at all times tration measurement overview (see page 33)
• Measurement starts automatically, and the
13 measurement result is displayed in the concen-
NOTE
tration measurement overview (see page 33)
Please see Analytical Procedures and Appendices
for ­detailed measurement procedures.
14

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66 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.3 Measurements – 9.4 Zero Adjustment 1

9.4 Zero Adjustment

Minimum filling volumes for the cells used A valid zero adjustment is required for calcula-
3
tion of measurement values in Concentration,
Absorbance/% Transmission, Special/Multi-
Cell Filling
volume wavelength and Kinetic modes. During zero
­adjustment, the absorbance of a cell filled with
(minimum
4
distilled water ("zero cell") is measured and
10 mm Rectangular Standard 2 ml
stored.
10 mm Rectangular Semimicro 1 ml A zero adjustment must be performed for each
cell type. The zero adjustment for concentration 5
20 mm Rectangular Standard 4 ml
methods is stored within the spectrophotom-
20 mm Rectangular Semimicro 2 ml eter separately for each cell type. The period of
50 mm Rectangular Standard 8 ml validity of the zero adjustment for concentration
methods can be edited in the System settings 6
50 mm Rectangular Semimicro 4 ml
(see section 9.2.4). When a zero adjustment has
100 mm Rectangular Standard 16 ml already been performed for the inserted cell
round 4 ml type and the selected method, the date of the
most recent zero adjustment 1 is displayed in 7
the info line 2 .

10
2
1

9.4.1 Notes on Zero Adjustment 11

Zero adjustment with round cells
•O  nly use clean, scratch-free round cells and
distilled water. 12
The minimum filling level is 20 mm. A ready
zero cell is ­contained within the scope of deliv-
ery of the spectrophoto­meter
• A ready zero cell can, in principle, be used for 13
an indefinite ­period of time. We recommend,
however, that you regularly check the zero cell
for visible contamination and scratches and
refill or exchange it if necessary (at least every 14
24 months)
• Insert the round cell until it touches the bot-
tom of the round cell compartment
15

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 67
 1 9 Operation – 9.4 Zero Adjustment

3
Zero adjustment with rectangular cells 9.4.2 When to Repeat the Zero
•W  ith rectangular cells, zero adjustment must Adjustment?
be carried out using the same cell type (manu- We recommend that you repeat the zero
facturer and cell material [e. g. optical glass, adjustment in the following cases:
4 quartz glass, plastic]) as the one that will be • If the spectrophotometer was subject to me-
used for measurement. This is important be- chanical stress such as strong shock or trans-
cause cells of ­different manufacturers have dif- port
ferent absorption characteristics. When chang- • If the ambient temperature has changed by
5 ing the cell type, repeat the zero adjustment more than 5 °C since the last zero adjustment
with the new type • At least once a week. The interval to repeat a
• Prior to zero adjustment, clean the rectangular zero adjustment is set in the instrument to 7
cell and fill it with distilled water. The minimum days. You can change this under "System (In-
6 filling level is 20 mm strument Settings)"
• Rectangular cells always have to be inserted in • If a new cell type (different manufacturer, dif-
the cell compartment with the same orienta- ferent glass type) is used
tion for measurement and zero adjustment • Basically, each time you want to measure with
7 (e. g. cell inscription always on the left side) the highest possible accuracy
• Insert the rectangular cell until it touches the
bottom and left edge of the holder. The opaque
NOTE
sides of the rectangular cell must point to the
8 front and rear. The spectrophotometer detects If an interval to repeat a zero adjustment is set
stray light. If there is too much stray light, a you will be prompted to repeat it after the inter-
message prompts you to close the cell com- val has passed. You can also repeat a zero ad-
partment cover justment by selecting a method, then touching
9 the "Settings" icon. Choose "Zero adjustment"
and insert a zero cell to start the measurement.
NOTE
Ordering information for cells is provided in sec-
10 tion 13. The cells listed in section 13 are special-
ly intended for use with the Spectroquant® test
kit system. Note that the spectral transparency
of the cell must be suitable for the intended ap-
11 plication (example, quartz cell for UV range).

12

13

14

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68 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.4 Zero Adjustment 1

9.4.3  ero Adjustment for Concen-

Z 3
tration Measurement Methods
A concentration method must be selected to
start the zero adjustment. There are two ways
to select the concentration method: 4
• By inserting a barcoded cell or the barcoded 5 4

AutoSelector
• By manually selecting the concentration meth-
od via the ­method list (see section 9.5) 5

6
1
2
4. I nsert the zero cell according to cell type.
Zero adjustment starts automatically and, 7
if the zero adjustment is passed, a tick 4
appears in the status display field for the
Zero adjustment 3 .
In the case of a method which only mea- 8
sures the sample at a single wavelength
the absorbance of the Zero value 5 is also
1.  nce the concentration method is selected
O displayed.
touch Settings 1 . 5. With a cell inserted, the zero adjustment 9
2. Tap on the Zero adjustment button 2 . can be repeated ­manually by tapping on the
Start zero button 6 .
6. Tapping on the OK button accepts the zero
adjustment value for the method.
10
3 7. The screen changes to show the concentra-
tion measurement screen.
8. The instrument is ready to start measuring
11
the sample.

9.4.4  ero Adjustment for Absorbance/

Z
12
Transmission Measurements
(Ad hoc menu)
Zero adjustment must always be done
before starting a measurement series and is 13
3.  he Zero Adjustment screen opens. The
T
automatically prompted by the instrument (see
status display field for the Zero adjustment
section 9.8.1).
is blank 3 .
NOTE 14
Cells must be absolutely clean and scratch-free.
For zero adjustment, always use a cell of the
same type to measure the sample.
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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 69
 1 9 Operation – 9.4 Zero Adjustment – 9.5 Method List

9.5 Method List

3
9.4.5  ero Adjustment for
Z 9.5.1  electing a Method
S
Spectrum Measurements Manually
Zero adjustment must always be done Select a method from the method list.
4 before starting a measurement series and is
automatically prompted by the instrument (see 2
sections 9.8.2 and 9.9.2). 1
3
5 NOTE 4 5 6 7 8

Cells must be absolutely clean and scratch-free.

For zero adjustment, always use a cell of the
same type to measure the sample.
6

9.4.6  ero Adjustment for Kinetic

Z
7 Measurements
Zero adjustment must always be done
before starting a measurement series and is 1. In the main menu tap on the Method button
automatically prompted by the instrument (see 1 .
8 sections 9.8.3 and 9.10.2). 2. The screen 2 changes and the list of all
methods is displayed. The methods are listed
NOTE alphabetically. The arrow bar 3 on the right
9 Cells must be absolutely clean and scratch-free. edge indicates that the list contains more
For zero adjustment, always use a cell of the methods further up or down.
same type to measure the sample. 3. Select the required method.
4. The screen changes to show the method.
10 5. The instrument is ready to start measuring.

NOTE
The method designation contains the following
11 information
4 Method number
5 Method name
6 Measuring range + unit (if the method is
12 suited for several cell formats, the measuring
range over all cell formats is displayed)
7 Citation (convertible)
8 Cat. No. (6 digits) or reference to application
13 (“App” for test-kit-free methods)

14

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70 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.5 Method List 1

3
9.5.2  earching and Filtering the
S
Method List
You can search and filter the method list in order
to make it easier to find the method you are 10
4
looking for:

5
9

7
2. Set filter by criteria 10 :
• All methods
• L ast used methods: last six used in alphabetic
order 8
1. Filter by method type 9 : • Frequently used methods: six most frequently
• All used in ­alphabetic order
• Concentration • Factory pre-programmed methods only
• Kinetic • User-specific methods only 9
• Spectrum • Area of application (e. g. brewery, color, oils,
sugar)

10

11

12

13

14

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 1 9 Operation – 9.5 Method List – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

9.6  rogramming a User-defined

P
Method
3

11 14 1 2

4
12

13

3. Search by character string 11 . Proceed 1. Select Methods 1 in the main menu.

7 as follows: 2. Tap on Add New Method 2 in the method
1. Tap on the button 11 . list.
2. The key pad 12 pops up.
3. Enter search criteria: method name, method
8 number, item number (first six digits without
any decimal point). If you type in fewer than
4 5 6
three characters, the search runs only at the
start of all search criteria (e. g. “ch” yields
9 hits such as “Chlorine”, “Chloride” etc.).
Typing in three or more characters starts a
search over the entire character string of the
search criteria (e. g. “nitr” yields hits such as
10 “Nitrate”, “Nitrite”, “Free amino nitrogen”
etc.).
4. Tap on OK 13 to activate the search filter.
5. The method list shows all methods matching
11 the search c ­ riteria. 3. The input window opens.
4. Select the type of method.
• Concentration method 4
NOTE
• Spectrum method 5
12 Searching with subscripted characters is also • Kinetic method 6
possible. To search for a method with subscript- 5. The screen changes.
ed characters you need to place an ­underscore 6.  To continue with the programming turn to
in front of the character to be subscripted. Tap the corresponding Sections 9.6.1 to 9.6.7.
13 on the C button 14 to deactivate the search fil-
ter.

14

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72 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

9.6.1 User-defined Concentration 3

Methods
Overview Line types
For Concentration Mode you can develop and The dependency between the nominal value and
store your own user-defined methods under absorbance is often linear in a wide range as 4
method numbers 1001 to 1100. shown in 1 or non-linear as in 2 .
The spectrophotometer software supports you • Example of a linear calibration function after a
in creating the methods. Two different method 10-point calibration 1 . In the case of a linear
types can be programmed. dependency, the calibration function is deter- 5
mined by means of linear regression. The slope
• Single-wavelength methods and axis intercept (E0) are the characteristics
• Multi-wavelength methods (max. 5 wave- of the calibration line:
lengths)
6
1

9.6.2  alibration Data and Calibration

C 7
Absorbance

Function for Single-wavelength

Methods
In photometry, the calibration function describes
the dependency between the measured param- 8
eter (e. g. concentration) and the photometric
measurement result (e. g. absorbance) of a
sample.
Nominal value (e. g. concentration) 9
The knowledge of this dependency is a pre-
requisite for the development of a photometric
method. The calibration function is usually de- • 
Example of a non-linear calibration function
termined by means of a series of measurements after 10-point calibration 2 . In the case of a
with standard solutions of known concentrations non-linear dependency, the calibration func- 10
(nominal value), e. g. as a 10-point calibration. tion is calculated by a polynomial function:

2
11
Absorbance

12

13
Nominal value (e. g. concentration)

NOTE 14
In measuring operation, the reverse calibration
function is used to output a measured absor-
bance as a concentration value. 15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 73
 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

3 9.6.3  rogramming/Modifying User-defined ­Methods (Single

P
Wavelength)
To program a user-defined single-wavelength method, proceed as follows:
1. Select the method type "Concentration" (see section 9.6).
4 2. The screen changes.

5
1

5
3
4
6
2
6

9
7
7 8

9 3. Fill out input field items 1 – 8 .

Item Input field Possible input

1 Name Any name

NOTE
10 2 Wavelength Freely selectable (in nm) It is also possible to display characters in
subscript and superscript. To put a character in
16 (round), 10, 20, 50 or
3 Cell subscript, an underscore “_” must be placed in
100 mm
front of the character in question (e. g. entry for
11 4 Citation form * e. g. PO4-P H2O = H_2O). To put a character in superscript,
a circumflex “^” must be placed in front of the
5 Unit * e. g. mg/l character in question (e. g. entry for m2 = m^2).
0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5
12 6 Resolution
or 1 4.  apping on the calibration field
T 9 changes
Lower and upper Any value between zero and the screen.
7
limit of the mea- the highest concentration of
suring range the standard solutions used
13
8 User-defined Any value between zero and
range * the highest concentration of
the standard solutions used

14 9
Calibration func- (See examples on the fol-
tion lowing pages)

* Optional

15

16
74 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

4
11

10
5

5. You now have the following options for plot-

7
ting a calibration curve:
• Entry or measurement of value pairs 10
• Enter a function directly into the fields E0,
A0 – A5 11
8

10

11

12

13

14

15

16
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 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

Enter value pairs

4 7
6

8 1
2

3
5 9
5
10
11
6
6

7
4 15 14 13 12

Enter the value pairs, nominal value (concentra- 3. " Fit E0" 5 can be activated as an additional
8 tion)/measured absorbance einer of an already option. With "Fit E0" activated, concentra-
available test series with the following value tion 0 (= reagent blank value) intercepts the
pairs: absorbance axis at the associated E0 value.
• E0 2 = reagent blank (see section 9.7.8) 4. Once all values are available, tapping on the
9 • At least one, max. eleven value pairs in various field “Function” 9 calls up an overview of
concentrations the calculated coefficients. Tapping on the
field “Graph” 10 shows the calibration curve.
1. Enter E0 2 , concentration of the standard
10 solution 3 and associated absorbance 4 us-
ing the keypad 1 . Tapping on the + button NOTE
5 allows further (up to eleven) value pairs The calculated function maps the calculation of a
to be entered. The UP&DOWN buttons 6 are result (e. g. concentration) via a measured ab-
11 activated if more than four value pairs are sorbance in the form of a polynomial equation of
entered. the following type:
2. Activate the field “Linear” 7 to calculate a
linear function. When “Linear” is not activat- C = A0 + A1 x (Abs – E0) + A2 x (Abs – E0)2
12
ed, a non-linear function of the second order
is automatically calculated (square function). where:
C = measurement result (e. g. concentration)
NOTE A0, A1, A2 = coefficients (polynomial)
13
If you wish to calculate a linear function, you Abs = measured absorbance
require at least the E0 value and 2 value pairs. If E0 = absorbance of the reagent blank value
you wish to calculate a non-linear function, you
14 require at least the E0 value and 3 value pairs. 5.  ou can now enter an ID or a specific batch
Y
code for the calibration. Tapping on the field
“Batch ID” 11 opens a virtual keyboard.
Enter the code and confirm by tapping on
15 the OK button.

16
76 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

6. T  o close the determination of the You now have the following options: 3
coefficients, confirm the data by tapping on
the OK button 12 . • C lose the programming/processing of the
7. Tap on the Export button 14 to transfer method by tapping on the Save button 17 .
the data in the CSV format to an external All entered data are accepted. A method 4
storage medium. number appears 18 .
8. Tap on the Print button 15 to print out the Close the screen by tapping on the X
data. button 19 . The screen changes to the
9. To close the operation without accepting the method list.
5
data, tap on the X button 13 . All entered • To call up coefficients, value pairs, or the
data are deleted. graph again, tap on the field “Calibration”
16 .
6
• Cancel the programming/processing of the
method by tapping on the X button 19 .
All entered data are deleted. The screen
changes to the method list. 7

16

8
17 19

18

10

11

12

10. Tapping on the OK button 12 confirms the

entered data, and the screen changes to the 13
method screen. A check appears in the field
“Calibration” 16 .

14

15

16
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 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

Measure value pairs (see section 9.7.10)

4 7
6

8 1
2

3
5 9
5
10
11
6
6

7
4 15 14 13 12

1.  ctivate the Absorbance button E0 2 (a blue

A
8 frame appears).
2. Insert the cell with E0 (reagent blank value).

NOTE
9 16

If no zero adjustment has been made for the set 18

measurement conditions (wavelength and optical 19 20
path length), a zero adjustment is automatically
10 prompted. Please follow the instructions that 17 22 21

appear.

11 3. The screen changes. Measurement starts

automatically.
The measured absorbance is shown 16 .
You have the option to perform multiple or
12 repeated measurements.
These can be performed by reinserting the
cell or, if the cell has already been inserted,
by tapping on the Start button 17 .
13 The median value 18 ,and also the number
19 of measurements that have already been
performed are shown.
Tapping on the arrow button 20 shows the
14 individual results of the measurements that
have been made.
Tap on the OK button 21 to confirm the
median value.
15 Tapping on the X button 22 closes the
operation.
The screen changes.

16
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 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

10. You can now enter an ID or a specific batch 3

4.  se the numerical keypad 1 to enter the
U
next concentration 3 and activate the code for the calibration. Tapping on the field
corresponding absorbance field 4 (a blue “Batch ID” 11 opens a virtual keyboard.
frame appears). Enter the code and confirm by tapping on the
OK button. 4
5. Insert the cell with the measurement
solution of the corresponding concentration. 11. To close the determination of the
Follow the procedure described above in coefficients, confirm the data by tapping on
step 3. the OK button 12 .
12. Tap on the Export button 14 to transfer
5
6. Perform steps 4 and 5 for all values that are
required. the data in the CSV format to an external
7. Activate the field “Linear” 7 to calculate storage medium.
13. Tap on the Print button 15 to print out the
a linear function. When “Linear” is not 6
activated, a non-linear function of the data.
second order is automatically calculated 14. To close the operation without accepting the
(square function). data, tap on the X button 13 . All entered
data are deleted. 7
NOTE
If you wish to calculate a linear function, you
require at least the E0 value and 2 value pairs. If
you wish to calculate a non-linear function, you 8
require at least the E0 value and 3 value pairs.

8. „ Fit E0“ 8 can also be selected as a further 23

9
option. With "Fit E0" activated, concentration
0 (= reagent blank value) intercepts the
absorbance axis at the associated E0 value. 24 26
9. Once all values are available, tapping on the 10
field “Function” 9 calls up an overview of
the calculated coefficients. Tapping on the
field “Graph” 10 shows the calibration curve.
25
11
NOTE
The calculated function maps the calculation of a
result (e. g. concentration) via a measured
absorbance in the form of a polynomial equation 12
of the following type:

C = A0 + A1 x (Abs – E0) + A2 x (Abs – E0)2

13
where:
C = measurement result (e. g. concentration)
A0, A1, A2 = coefficients (polynomial)
Abs = measured absorbance Tapping on the OK button 12 confirms the 14
E0 = absorbance of the reagent blank value entered data, and the screen changes to the
method screen. A check appears in the field
“Calibration” 23 .
15

16
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 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

Enter a function:

3 You now have the following options: This option can be used when an evaluation
function is already available or has already been
• Close the programming/processing of the calculated previously by a calculation pro-
method by tapping on the Save button 24 . All gramme on the basis of available data.
4 entered data are accepted. A method number Enter a function to calculate the concentration
appears 25 . from the absorbance (reverse calibration func-
Close the screen by tapping on the X button tion). You can enter on the spectrophotometer
26 . The screen changes to the method list. the coefficients of a polynomial equation
5 • To call up coefficients, value pairs, or the of the following type:
graph again, tap on the field “Calibration” 23 .
• Cancel the programming/processing of the C = A0 + A1 x (Abs – E0) + A2 x (Abs – E0)2 +
method by tapping on the X button 26 . A3 x (Abs – E0)3 + A4 x (Abs – E0)4 + A5 x
6
All entered data are deleted. The screen (Abs – E0)5
changes to the method list.
where:
7 C = measurement result (e. g. concentration)
A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 = coefficients
(polynomial)
Abs = measured absorbance
8 E0 = absorbance of the reagent blank value

10

11

12

13

14

15

16
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 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

Enter coefficients:

1 4
3

5
2

5
4
6

7
9 8 7 6

1.  nter E0 1 and the required coefficients

E
A0 – A5 2 on the keypad 3 . At least one
8
coefficient (A1) must be entered.
2. You can now enter an ID or a specific batch
code for the calibration. Tapping on the field
9
“Batch ID” 4 opens a virtual keyboard. 10
Enter the code and confirm by tapping on
the OK button.
3. Once all coefficients have been entered, 10
tapping on the field “Graph” 5 shows the 11 13

calibration curve.
4. To close the determination of the coefficients,
confirm the data by tapping on the OK button 11
6 . 12
5. Tap on the Export button 8 to transfer
the data in the CSV format to an external
storage medium. 12
6. Tap on the Print button 9 to print out the
data.
7. To close the operation without accepting the
data, tap on the X button 7 . All entered 13
data are deleted.

14
8. Tapping on the OK button 6 confirms the
entered data, and the screen changes to the
method screen. A check appears in the field 15
“Calibration” 10 .

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 81
 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

3 You now have the following options: Example 2 (non-linear calibration function)
The coefficients of the reverse calibration func-
• Close the programming/processing of the tion are determined by multiple regression.
method by tapping on the Save button 11 . All When doing so, the concentration has to be on
4 entered data are accepted. A method number the Y axis and the absorbance on the X axis. The
appears 12 . absorbance of the individual value pairs must
Close the screen by tapping on the X button always be corrected by the reagent blank.
13 . The screen changes to the method list.
5 • To call up coefficients, value pairs, or the X value Y value
graph again, tap on the field “Calibration” 11 .
Absorbance Absorbance - RB * Concentration
• Cancel the programming/processing of the
method by tapping on the X button 13 . 0.010 0.000 0.0 mg/l
6
All entered data are deleted. The screen 0.020 0.010 0.1 mg/l
changes to the method list.
0.070 0.060 0.2 mg/l

Example 1 (linear calibration function) 0.150 0.140 1.0 mg/l

7
For entry as a formula, you can determine the
0.325 0.315 2.0 mg/l
coefficients of the reverse calibration function by
linear regression. When doing so, the concentra- 0.490 0.480 3.0 mg/l

8 tion has to be on the Y axis and the absorbance 0.655 0.645 4.0 mg/l
on the X axis. The absorbance of the individual
0.825 0.815 5.0 mg/l
value pairs must always be corrected by the
reagent blank. * = reagent blank

9
X value Y value Calculated calibration function (third order
polynomial):
Absorbance Absorbance - RB * Concentration
C = -0.044983 + 7.4807 × A -4.5229 × A2 +
10 0.050 0.000 0.0 mg/l * 3.8305 × A3
0.250 0.200 1.0 mg/l
or
0.451 0.401 2.0 mg/l

11 0.648 0.598 3.0 mg/l Calculated calibration function (fifth order

0.850 0.800 4.0 mg/l polynomial):
C = -0.093083 + 9.9988 × A -27.549 × A2 +
1.053 1.003 5.0 mg/l
78.315 × A3 -99.226 × A4 + 46.604 × A5
12 * = reagent blank

Calculated calibration function:

C = 0.0027 + 4.9914 × A
13

14

15

16
82 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

Graphic presentation of the calibration function

As already described in the sections above, after 3

entering/measuring value pairs or entering a func-
tion, the calibration curve can be graphically called
up by tapping on the “Graph” button .
4

5
1
2

6 5 4 7 3 9 8 10
9

1. The calibration function 1 appears in the 2. T he X axis shows the absorbance values,
graph. When the function has been calculat- the Y axis the corresponding results (e. g.
ed using value pairs, the coefficient of deter- concentration). Tapping on the X/Y button 10
3 changes the presentation of the axes
mination “R2” 2 is also shown.
around.
NOTE The formula of the calibration function 1
The function determined in this way is used for
that is shown remains unchanged. 11
3. When the function has been calculated
calculating a result (e. g. concentration) via a
via value pairs, these pairs are shown in a
measured absorbance in the form of a polynomi-
separate field 4 . The forward and back keys
al equation of the following type:
5 , 6 can be used to call up the next value 12
pair. Tap on the C button 7 to reset the
C = Polynomial (Abs)
view.
4. Tap on the Export button 8 to transfer
where:
the data in the CSV format to an external 13
C = measurement result (e. g. concentration)
storage medium.
Abs = [measured absorbance of the sample or
5. Tap on the Print button 9 to print out the
standard] minus [absorbance of the reagent
data.
blank value (E0)] 14
6. Tap on the X button 10 to close the view
of the graphic presentation. The screen
changes.

15

16
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 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

3 9.6.4  alibration Data and Calibration

C 9.6.5 P
 rogramming/Modifying User-
Function for Special Methods defined Special Methods
(e. g. Multi-wavelength) (e. g. Multi-wavelength)
In this mode you can carry out measurements Proceed in the following manner to programme a
4 with special methods and functions. You can use special method:
the following functions for these methods:

• Measurements at different wavelengths

5 • Multiple measurements at one wavelength
(e. g. before and after adding a reagent)
• Use of procedure variables. Procedure vari- 1

ables provide a value that has to be en-

6 tered prior to each measurement on the
­spectrophotometer (e. g. volume, pH value or
temperature)
• Check whether a value meets a condition. With
7 a condition you can check a value for validity
(e. g. absorbance value, procedure variable or
the result of a formula)
1.  elect the method type "Concentration"
S 1
8
Formula editor for convenient programming of (see section 9.6).
any user-defined methods (see section 9.6.5).

10
3

11

12 2. Tapping on arrow 2 beside Concentration

opens the selection list.
3. Select Special Method 3 from the displayed
selection list.
13

14

15

16
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 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

5.  ill out input field items 4 – 13 . Tapping on

F
the input fields 5 , 11 , 12 , 13 changes the
4
4
screen. These can be programmed as de-
8 7 6
scribed in steps on the following pages.
5 9
5
NOTE
11 12
It is also possible to display characters in
10 13 subscript and superscript. To put a character in
subscript, an underscore “_” must be placed in 6
front of the character in question (e. g. entry for
H2O = H_2O). To put a character in superscript,
a circumflex “^” must be placed in front of the
4. The screen changes. character in question (e. g. entry for m2 = m^2). 7

Item Input field Possible input

4 Name Any name 8

5 Wavelength Up to 5 wavelengths definable

6 Cell 16 (round), 10, 20, 50 or 100 mm 9

7 Citation form * e. g. PO4-P

8 Unit * e. g. mg/l
10
9 Resolution 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 or 1

Lower and upper limit of the mea- Any value between zero and the highest concentration of the standard
10
suring range solutions used
11
11 Procedure variable * Procedure variables provide a value that has to be entered prior to each
measurement on the ­spectrophotometer (e. g. volume, pH value or tem-
perature)

12 Formula function Formula editor for convenient programming of any user-defined methods 12
13 Condition * With a condition you can check a value for validity (e. g. absorbance value,
procedure variable or the result of a formula).

* Optional 13

14

15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 85
 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

4 19
15

5 16 14 17 18 21 20 22 23

6
6. I nput field 5 – wavelength: Up to five Additional entry fields 19 are added by tapping
wavelengths can be set. Add further entry on the + button 20 .
fields for wavelengths 15 by tapping on the Tapping the Delete button 21 removes the most
7 + button 14 . Tapping the Delete button 16 recently programmed input row 19 . Tapping on
removes the most recently programmed the Save button 22 ­accepts the input. Tapping on
­entry field 15 . Tapping on the Save b
­ utton 17 the X button 23 closes the screen and opens the
accepts the input. Tapping on the X button previous input mask.
8 18 closes the screen and opens the previous
input mask.

10 5

11 11 24

11

12 7. The number of wavelengths created appears 9. T

 he number of variables created appears in
in the display field 5 . the display field 11 .
8. Tapping on the Procedure variable button 11 10. Tapping on the Formula button 24 changes
changes the screen. Here you can program the screen. Using the formula editor, you
13 up to five different procedure variables 19 . can now create a freely definable function
Define the following values. from the variables and wavelengths you have
• Name = name of the variable defined.
(e. g. temperature)
14
• Min = lower limit of the variable value
• Max = upper limit of the variable value
• RES = decimal places in the variable value
(e. g. 0.1)
15
• Unit * (optional) = unit of the variable value (°C)

16
86 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

30

29
4

25 26 31 32 5

6
11. T
 apping on the OK button 25 accepts the 13. O
 ptional tapping on the Condition button 28
input. Tapping on the X button 26 closes the changes the screen. Here you can define a
screen and opens the previous input mask. condition for valid measurements (e. g. absor-
bance wavelength 1 ≤ 2.50). Tapping on the 7
Variable and/or wavelength button 29 accepts
the selection and displays it in the pre-select-
ed output field 30 .
8
NOTE
When methods are used that are subject to a
27
condition, the measurement result is calculated
only when the condition is met. 9
28

14. T
 apping on the OK button 31 accepts the
input. Tapping on the X button 32 closes the 10
screen and opens the previous input mask.
12. A
 n excerpt of the formula you have defined
appears in the display field 27 .
11

12

13

14

15

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 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

9.6.6  rogramming a User-defined

P
Spectrum Method
3
For Spectrum Mode you can develop and store
your own user­defined methods under method
34
numbers 1101 to 1120.
4 The spectrophotometer software supports you in
creating the methods. To create a user-defined
spectrum method, proceed
as follows:
5
33 35
1

15. Tap on the Save button 33 . The method is

automatically given a number generated by
7 the system 34 . All values are stored.
16. Tap on the X button 35 to leave the edit
method screen.

8
36
1. Define the method type (see section 9.6).
2. Enter a name for the method 1 . This name
9 is displayed in the method list.

10

11
17. The screen changes to show the method list
36 .
18. The method is now created and stored in the
12
instrument.

NOTE
13 To find the method more quickly, use the filter
function (­see section 9.5.2).

14

15

16
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 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

3
8

6
4
2

4
5 5
9 7 9 7

Item Input Possible input 7. Tap on the Save button 7 . The method is
field automatically given a number generated by
the system 8 . All values are stored. 7
1 Name Any name
8. Tap on the X button 9 to leave the edit
2 Start & Wavelength range Prove 300 plus | method screen.
3 Stop 600 plus: 190 – 1100 nm
Wavelength range Prove 100 plus: 8
320 – 1100 nm
11 10
Peak
4 Threshold value for peak detection
­detection

Sampling rate for the wavelength

9
5 Interval
range

6 Selection Choice between absorbance or trans-

button mission
10

3.  efine the wavelength range for the method.

D
Start 2 & Stop 3 .
4. Determine the sensitivity 4 of the 11
method. 9. The screen changes to show the method list
5. Set the interval 5 . Here you can choose 10 .
between 0.1 nm, 1 nm, 5 nm. 10. The method is now created and stored in the
6. Set the choice between absorbance or trans- instrument.
12
mission 6 .
NOTE
To find the method more quickly, use the filter 13
function 11 (see section 9.5.2).

NOTE
A spectrum can comprise up to a maximum of 14
1000 measurement points. If the entry is invalid,
it is shown in red and cannot be accepted.

15

16
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 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

9.6.7  rogramming a User-defined

P
Kinetic Method
3
10

4
1

2 5
5
6
3

7
6
8

7 9

8 4 11

For Kinetic Mode you can develop and store 4. Create the user-defined parameters
your own user-­defined methods under method • Wavelength 3
9 numbers 1201 to 1220. The s ­ pectrophotometer • Unit 4
software supports you in creating the methods. • Interval 5
­To create a user-defined kinetic method, proceed Prove 100 plus Minimum: 00:00:10 (hh:mm:ss)
as follows: Prove 300/600 plus Minimum: 00:00:05
10 (hh:mm:ss)
1. Define the method type (see section 9.6). • Delay 6
2. Enter a name for the method 1 . This name • Duration 7
is displayed in the method list. • Slope factor 8
11 3. Select type of measurement: absorbance or 5. Tap on the Save button 9 . The method is
transmission measurement 2 by tapping on automatically given a number generated by
the button for the required measurement the system 10 . All values are stored.
(the activated selection is light grey). 6. Tap on the X button 11 to leave the edit
12 method screen.

NOTE
Invalid entries are shown in red and cannot be
13
accepted.

14

15

16
90 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

3
Item Input field Possible input

1 Name Any name

4
2 Selection button Choice between absorbance or transmission

3 Wavelength Wavelength range Prove 300 plus | 600 plus: 190 – 1100 nm
Wavelength range Prove 100 plus: 320 – 1100 nm
5
4 Unit * User-defined input when an end result is to be calculated (e. g. enzyme activity U/ml)

5 Interval Time intervals between the measuring points (hh:mm:ss)

6 Wait Lead time to start of the series of measurements (hh:mm:ss) 6

Difference in time between the first and last measuring point in the series of measurements
7 Duration
(hh:mm:ss)

8 Slope factor * User-defined input for calculating a result = "slope factor" × "∆ A/min" (instrument automati- 7
cally calculates the difference in absorbance/minute = ∆ A/min)

* = Optional (only useful for absorbance)

8
13 12

10

11
7. The screen changes to show the method list
12 .
8. The kinetic method is now created and 12
stored in the ­instrument.

NOTE
13
To find the method more quickly, use the filter
function 13 (see section 9.5.2).

14

15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 91
 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

9.6.8  opying/Duplicating a
C
User-defined Method
3
1.  earch and select the method (see section
S
9.5.2).

5 4

7
5.  he method is created under the method
T
name with the ­addition "name-copy" 4 and
appears in the method list.
8 1 6. Modify the duplicated method as needed
3
2
(see section 9.6.3).

10
2. A ctivate the method by tapping on the arrow
in the right column of the method list 1 .
11 3. A selection of various method editing possi-
bilities shows up 2 .
4. To copy the method, tap on the Copy button
3 .

12

13

14

15

16
92 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method 1

9.6.9  odifying a User-defined Method

M 9.6.10 D
 eleting a User-defined Method
from the Method List from the Method List
3
1.  earch and select the method (see section
S 1.  earch and select the method (see section
S
9.5.2). 9.5.2).

1
3
2
1
5
3
2

7
2. A  ctivate the method by tapping on the arrow 2. A ctivate the method by tapping on the arrow
in the right column of the method list 1 . in the right column of the method list 1 .
3. A selection of various method modification 3. A selection of various method modification
possibilities shows up 2 . possibilities shows up 2 . 8
4. To modify the method, tap on the Edit but- 4. To delete the method, tap on the Delete but-
ton 3 . ton 3 .
5. Now follow the description in the sections on
programming a: 9
• User-defined concentration method (see sec-
tion 9.6.1)
• User-defined spectrum method (see section
9.6.6) 10
• User-defined kinetic method (see section 9.6.7)
5 4

11

12
5.  he confirmation box asking if you really
T
want to delete the selected method pops up.
6. To delete the method, tap on the OK button
4 to confirm or on the X button 5 to cancel 13
the deletion process.

CAUTION
14
Following your confirmation the method is per-
manently deleted. ­Before deleting any method,
we recommend you export a backup copy of it to
an external memory device. 15

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 93
 1 9 Operation – 9.6 Programming a User-defined Method

3
9.6.11 E
 xport User-defined Methods to
a USB Memory Device
4
1

5 2

7.  fter the OK button 4 has been pressed,

A 1.  ilter the user-defined method in the method
F
the screen changes to Method List. The list, e. g. by using the search filter User 1 .
8 deleted method no longer appears in the 2. Activate the method by tapping on the arrow
2 .
method list.

10

3
11 4

12 3.  selection of various method modification

A
possibilities shows up 3 .
4. Make sure that an USB memory device is
connected to the spectrophotometer.
13 5. To export the method, tap on the Export
button 4 .

14

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9.7 Measuring in Concentration

Mode
3

4
2

3 5
1 4

5 7

9.7.1 Measuring Cell Tests with a

Barcode 8
Inserting a cell with a barcode starts a measure- 2. The measurement result 1 is displayed. The
ment (see section 9.3). position of the measurement result in the
1. Insert the barcoded round cell through the measuring range is shown on the measuring
opening in the c ­ over. The white position line range display bar 2 with a blue line. 9
on the cell has to be aligned with the posi-
tion mark on the spectrophotometer. Insert NOTE
the cell until it touches the bottom of the
round cell compartment. The spectropho-
Measurement results beyond the measuring 10
range are marked separately in the display (see
tometer selects the method based on the
section 9.7.4).
barcode and automatically starts measuring.

3. Further options: 11
NOTE
• Select a different citation form by tapping on
If the barcode cannot be read, a message the citation form display field 4 (e. g. NH4 <–>
appears. In this case you can make a new NH4-N)
attempt by using the Spectroquant® round cell • Select a different measuring unit by tapping on 12
bearing the barcode or the AutoSelector as the unit display field 3 (e. g. mg/l <–> mmol/l)
described. Care must be taken to ensure that • Make further settings such as dilution or blank
the positioning mark on the round cell/ value measurements with "Settings" (see sec-
AutoSelector is aligned with the position mark on tion 9.7.5)
13
the spectrophotometer.
Alternatively, you can close the message and
then select the required method manually from
the method list. 14

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3
4. Content of the information bar in the
concentration mode:

7
5

8
Tapping on the Information bar button 5
opens the extended information bar. In the
concentration mode the following information is
9 displayed:

100049 Calcium S-ID 0063 1+9

10 Article number
(first 6 digits of order Method Name Sample ID with prefix "S-ID" Sample Dilution
no.)

HC123456 EXP 12/31/2015 AQA2 EXP 08/19/2015 10 mm

11 Lot number test kit Expiration date test kit AQA2 status (valid until date/no. Path length of inserted cell
with Prefix "EXP" of measurements) with Prefix "AQA2
EXP"

ZA 08/20/2015 U-CAL 08/20/2015 RB 0,050 A 08/20/2015 SB 0,010 A

12 Date of Zero Adjust- Date user calibration Date + value user reagent blank with Value sample blank with
ment with Prefix "ZA" with Prefix "U-CAL" Prefix "RB" Prefix "SB"

13

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9.7.2 Measuring Reagent Tests with

AutoSelector
3
Select the method by inserting the AutoSelector NOTE
and the ­spectrophotometer is ready to start Measurement results beyond the measuring
measuring. range are marked separately in the display (see
section 9.7.4). 4
1. Open the cell compartment cover.
2. Insert the AutoSelector in the cell compart-
4. Further options:
ment for round cell. The white position line
• Select a different citation form by tapping on
has to be aligned with the position mark on 5
the citation form display field 4 (e. g. NH4 <–>
the spectrophotometer. Insert the
NH4-N)
AutoSelector until it touches the bottom.
• Select a different measuring unit by tapping on
the unit display field 3 (e. g. mg/l <–> mmol/l)
NOTE 6
• Perform further settings such as dilution or
If the barcode cannot be read, a message blank value measurements through Settings
appears. In this case you can make a new (see section 9.7.5)
attempt by using the Spectroquant® round cell 7
bearing the barcode or the AutoSelector as
described. Care must be taken to ensure that
the positioning mark on the round cell/
AutoSelector is aligned with the position mark on 8
the spectrophotometer.
Alternatively, you can close the message and
then select the required method manually from
the method list. 9

3. Insert the rectangular cell until it touches

the bottom and left edge of the holder. The
opaque sides of the rectangular cell must 10
point to the front and rear. Inserting the
rectangular cell (1, 2, 5, [10 cm Prove 600
plus only]) automatically selects the correct
measuring range. The spectrophotometer 11
starts measuring automatically. As the spec-
trophotometer has an inbuilt ambient light
protection there is no need to close the cell
compartment cover. 12

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9.7.3  easuring Reagent-free Tests and

M
User-defined Methods
3
User-defined methods and reagent-free methods 4. Further options:
generally have no barcode and hence no auto- • Select a different citation form by tapping on
matic method recognition. In such a case, select the citation form display field 4 (e. g. NH4 <–>
4 the method manually. NH4-N)
• Select a different measuring unit by tapping on
1.  elect the method manually (see section
S the unit display field 3 (e. g. mg/l <–> mmol/l)
9.5.1). • Perform further settings such as dilution or
5 2. The spectrophotometer is ready to start blank value
measuring. measurements through Settings (see section
3. Depending on the type, insert the cell as fol- 9.7.5)
lows: • Detailed information on the individual mea-
6 surement is shown in the information bar 5
Round cell: (see section 9.7.1)
Insert the round cell in the cell compartment for
round cells until it touches the bottom. NOTE
7 For some methods, e. g. chlorophyll, the options
Rectangular cell: listed under item 4 are not possible.
Insert the rectangular cell vertically so it touches
the bottom and left edge of the cell compart-
8 ment. The opaque sides of the rectangular cell
must point to the front and rear. As the spectro-
photometer has an inbuilt ambient light protec-
tion there is no need to close the cell compart-
9 ment cover.

NOTE
10 Measurement results beyond the measuring
range are marked separately in the display (see
section 9.7.4).

11

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9.7.4  xceeding the Upper or

E
­Lower ­Limits of the Measuring
3
Range

Measurement results outside the measuring

range are shown separately in the display.
2 4
If a result is beneath the lower limit of the
measuring range, a blue arrow 3 appears at the
lower measuring range limit, while a result above
the higher limit of the measuring range prompts
1
5
a blue arrow at the higher measuring range limit
5 .
A measurement result lying far outside the
measuring range is not shown, and instead 6
either the text “Lo” (for very low results) or
respectively “Hi” 4 (for very high results)
appears.
Depending on the method, the measurement
7
result is displayed 1 as long as it remains inside NOTE
the measuring range between the upper and
In the event that the display of “HI” or “LO” for
lower limit. The position of the measurement
results lying beyond the measurement range is
result in display bar 2 . 8
deactivated in the “Quality” menu of the system
settings (see section 9.2.4), under certain cir-
cumstances - e. g. the measurement of analyte-
free samples - measurement results with a mi-
nus sign may also appear. This is entirely inten- 9
tional and is not a defect of the Prove plus spec-
trophotometer. Experienced users know that
every measurement result is subject to a so-
called measurement uncertainty (actual result = 10
displayed result ± measurement uncertainty).
3
Many users also need to determine measure-
ment results for analyte-free samples, e. g. in
connection with method-validation operations. 11
This is why the display of measurement results
with a minus sign, which in certain conditions
may be due to the measurement uncertainty of
the measurement system, is allowed when the
12
5
HI/LO display is deactivated.

4
NOTE 13
For methods involving a special measurement
procedure, e. g. the chlorophyll analysis, results
beyond the measuring range are shown by “ --- ”.
14

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9.7.5  ethod-specific Settings for

M
Concentration Mode
3

1 9

5
2 10

3 11

6
4

5
7
6

8 7

10 When a method is selected, the Settings menu

can be activated. Depending on the method se-
lected, the settings available for the method are
as follows:
11 6 Reagent blank
1 Dilution 7 Recalibration
2 Turbidity correction (global setting) 8 MatrixCheck
3 Show absorbance (global setting) 9 User-defined range
12 4 Zero adjustment (see section 9.4) 10 Differentiation
5 Sample blank 11 Plausibility (general setting)

13 NOTE
The individual settings are greyed out if they are
not available for the selected method. Switching
a gobal setting (turbidity correction, show absor-
14 bance) ON activates it for ALL methods where it
is applicable.

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9.7.6 Measuring Diluted Samples

If the concentration of a sample exceeds the
3
measuring range of a method, you can specifi-
3
cally dilute the sample so that the concentration
of the diluted sample is within the measuring 4

range of the method. A valid measurement can

4
be performed by this means. Once the factor for
the dilution has been entered, the meter con-
verts the concentration to that of the undiluted
sample. 5
5

NOTE
Optimum measurement results are achieved if
the concentration of the diluted sample is in the 6
middle of the measuring range of the method af- 2. Select Dilution 2 and confirm. The input
ter diluting. screen 3 for Dilution appears.
3. Tap on the dilution value in the display fields
4 , enter the ­
factor on the keypad and tap 7
Having selected the method, enter the dilution
on OK button 5 .
as follows:

8
2
7
1
9

10

11
1. Open the Settings menu 1 . 4.  he spectrophotometer is ready to start
T
measuring.
The display 6 changes to measuring mode.
12
The dilution that was just entered is used for the
next measurement.

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9.7.7 Sample Blank Value

The value entered for the dilution is only valid By measuring and using a sample blank value,
3
for the selected method. The dilution factor is measurement errors due to coloring and turbid-
deleted: ity of the sample matrix can be largely elimi-
• When the spectrophotometer is switched off nated. The sample blank value is a characteristic
• When dilution value 0 (= no dilution) is entered of the sample (coloration) to be currently deter-
4
in the Dilution screen. mined. The sample blank is diluted depending on
the method being used, but does not contain any
NOTE color reagents. The pH is the same as that of the ­
5 test sample.
If a dilution factor is active, it is indicated on the
display during measurement in the form [1 + x]
7 . The dilution factor is also shown in the infor- NOTE
mation bar at the bottom (see section 9.7.1). The Adding reagents dilutes the sample. This can
6 maximum dilution is 1 + 999. change the pH of the sample. For this reason the
sample blank also has to be diluted and the pH
value adjusted accordingly. The sample blank
value is valid for the next measurement only.
7 The sample blank value can be determined by
single or multiple determination. With ­multiple
determination, the sample blank value is calcu-
lated as the median from the single measured
8 values. Having selected ­
the method, measure the sample blank value as
follows:
9

10 1

11

12

1. Open the Settings menu 1 .

13

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NOTE
3
The use of the sample blank value is indicated by
the symbol 8 in the display being lit. The sam-
4
ple blank value is also shown with prefix "SB" in
the information bar at the bottom (see section 4
5 9.7.1).

6 5

6
2. Select Sample Blank Value 2 .
3. Insert the cell with a suitable sample blank.
The sample blank measurement starts auto-
matically. The value is used only for the next 7
measurement.
4. The first single measurement for the sample
blank value is performed. The following data
is displayed as the result: 8
• The measured absorbance from the (last)
single measurement 4
• The median from all single measurements
carried out so far 5 9
5. If necessary, carry out further single mea-
surements to calculate the median.

10

8
11

12

13
6. Tap on OK 6 to accept the measurement.
7. The screen changes to the measuring mode
7 . 14
8. The spectrophotometer is ready to start
measuring.

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9.7.8 Reagent Blank Value

The evaluation of the photometric measurement Having selected the method, measure the re-
3
always refers to the comparison value of a test agent blank value as follows:
solution without the substance to be determined
(reagent blank value). Thus the influence of the
basic absorbance of the reagents on photometric
4
measurement is compensated for. In practice,
the reagent blank value is measured with the
1
same amount of distilled or DI water instead of
5 sample. With photometric concentration deter-
mination, the reagent blank value is a constant.
The method data for all measurements with 2
Spectroquant® test kits (Concentration Mode)
6 include an exactly determined reagent blank
value. This value is overwritten if you measure
the reagent blank value yourself.

7 NOTE 1. Open the Settings menu 1 .

You can increase precision if you determine the 2. Select Reagent Blank Value 2 .
reagent blank value with a test from a new lot
and use the reagent blank value for all further
8 measurements with that lot. This is especially
recommended for measurements in the vicinity
of the lower limit of the measuring range. To en-
4
able the assignment in the result documentation
9 at a later time, the batch code saved in the bar- 5
3
code of the inserted round cell or of the AutoSe-
lector is also documented; alternatively, you can 6
also enter the Lot Number on the reagent pack-
10 aging (Lot ID) when determining the blank value.
7

The factory blank values always remain stored in

11 the instrument and can be activated at any time.
3. Insert the cell with a suitable reagent blank.
The reagent blank values you measured yourself
The reagent blank measurement starts auto-
also remain stored in the spectrophotometer
matically.
until they are overwritten by a new blank value
4. The Lot ID 3 is read from the barcode. It
12 measurement.
can be edited manually, however.
5. The first single measurement for the reagent
The reagent blank value can be determined by
blank value is performed. The following data
single or multiple determination. With multiple
is displayed as the result:
13 determination, the reagent blank value is calcu-
• The measured absorbance from the (last)
lated as the median from the single measured
single measure­­ment 4
values.
• The median from all single measurements car-
ried out so far 5
14 6. The function “User RB” is activated 6 .
7. If necessary, carry out further single mea-
surements to calculate the median.
8. Tap on OK 7 to accept the measurement.
15

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NOTE
3
In the event that a Lot ID different from the one
9
used to measure the reagent blank value is used
in a subsequent measurement, this is recognized
by the barcode of the inserted round cell or of 4
the AutoSelector. The activated user reagent
8 blank value is then automatically deactivated
and a corresponding message appears in the
display. Tapping “OK” clears the message and 5
the measurement is performed automatically
without taking a user reagent blank value into
account.
6
9. The screen changes to the measuring mode
8 .
10. The spectrophotometer is ready to start
measuring. 7

NOTE
The use of the reagent blank value is indicated
by the symbol 9 in the display being lit. The re- 8
agent blank value and its date of measurement
are also shown with prefix "RB" in the informa-
tion bar at the bottom (see section 9.7.1).
9

10

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9.7.9 Automatic Turbidity Correction

The turbidity correction function activates the
3
automatic recognition and compensation of the
light absorption caused by turbid substances.

Following activation, the function remains per-

4
manently switched on. Measured values that 3
were measured with turbidity correc­tion are la-
beled with the turbidity correction button on the
5 display 6 and in the documentation (printout
4
and memory).

NOTE
6 The turbidity correction function is not active
when the spectrophotometer leaves the factory. 3. Select turbidity correction 3 with 0 = deac-
The setting for automatic turbidity correction is tivated and 1 = activated (in light grey).
possible with all methods where the turbidity 4. Accept the settings with OK 4 .
7 correction makes sense. Where a method does
not permit turbidity correction, the button 2 is
greyed out.

8 Having selected the method, activate the turbid-

6

ity correction function as follows:

9 5

2
1
10

5. The screen changes to the measuring mode

5 .
11 6. The spectrophotometer is ready to start
measuring.

NOTE
12
The use of the turbidity correction is indicated
1. Open settings 1 .
by the symbol 6 in the display.
2. Select turbidity correction 2 .

13

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9.7.10 U
 ser Recalibration (Standard
Adjustment)
3
A few pre-programmed methods and the user- Calibration for user-defined methods
defined methods for concentration measurement
provide the option to optimize the original cali- 1.  elect the method manually (see section
S
bration stored with the method by means of a 9.5.1).
4
user recalibration. When creating a user-defined
method you can also allow a user recalibration NOTE
(see section 9.6). If a zero adjustment has not been performed,
When a method is called up for which a user the spectrophoto­meter informs you that you 5
recalibration is required, measurement is only need to perform a zero adjustment.
possible with a valid user calibration. The use of
the user recalibration is documented along with
the measured value and indicated in by the cor- 6
responding symbol in the display. Activation
of user recalibration and its date are also shown
with prefix "U-CAL" in the information bar at the
bottom (see section 9.7.1). 7

NOTE
A user calibration is always stored for the meth- 1
od presently called up. A user calibration is 8
erased only if a new user recalibration is carried
out.

9
2. Tap on "Recalibration" 1 .
3. The screen changes.

10

11

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Calibration for Spectroquant® methods

3
NOTE
2
This option is applicable only for very few
4 Spectroquant® methods.
3

4
1. S
 elect the method manually (see section
9.5.1), or by inserting a barcoded cell/
5 AutoSelector.
6 5
NOTE
6 If a zero adjustment has not been performed,
4.  he data 2 of the current calibration are
T the spectrophoto­meter informs you that you
shown. need to perform a zero adjustment.
5. Tap on the “Value pair” button 3 to switch
7 to the view of the value pairs.
6. T
 ap on the “Graph” button 4 to switch to
the graphic presentation of the calibration
curve. 1
8 7.  ap on the Export button 5 to transfer
T
the data in the CSV format to an external
storage medium.
9 8. Tap on the Print button 6 to print out the 2
data.

 user recalibration can be performed by any

A
10 of the means b ­ elow. User recalibration by
• Entry of a function (see section 9.6.3)
2. Tap on the Settings button 1 . The screen
• Entry as a value pair (see section 9.6.3)
changes.
• Measurement of value pairs (see section 9.6.3)
3. Tap on the Recalibration button 2 . The
11
screen changes.

12

13

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10
4
7
4

3 5 5
12

13

11 6 8 16 15 17 14 7

4.  nter the user-defined nominal values (min

E NOTE
1/max 11) in the input fields provided 3 via To calibrate further user-defined nominal values
the keyboard 4 . Tap on the “+” button 5 8
(max. 11), repeat steps 11 – 14 of the
of the numerical keyboard to add lines for procedure. Be sure to activate each input field
further value pairs. Use the cursor buttons for the measurement values.
6 to navigate the screen up and down for
the lines of the value pairs.
9
11. A
 ctivate the field “Linear” 9 to calculate
5. Activate the Absorbance button E0 7 (a blue
a linear function. When “Linear” is not
frame appears).
activated, a non-linear function of the
6. Insert the cell with E0 (reagent blank value).
second order is automatically calculated 10
Measurement starts automatically.
(square function).
7. The measurement result appears in the
activated input field.
NOTE
8. Activate the input field 8 of the absorbance 11
of the next concentration. If you wish to calculate a linear function, you
9. Insert the cell with the measurement require at least the E0 value and 2 value pairs. If
solution (= standard + reagents acc. to the you wish to calculate a non-linear function, you
method description of the selected method) require at least the E0 value and 3 value pairs.
12
of the activated concentration.
10. Insert cell with Standard 1 measuring 12. "Fit
 E0" 10 can be activated as an additional
solution. Measurement starts automatically. option. With "Fit E0" activated, concentration
0 (= reagent blank value) intercepts the 13
absorbance axis at the associated E0 value.

14

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 1 9 Operation – 9.7 Measuring in Concentration Mode

3 13. Activating the UserCalOn button 11 calculates

the measurement results for the method
based on the user-defined calibration 18
that was performed. To restore the factory-
4 set calibration for the method, deactivate the
UserCalOn button 11 .
14. Once all values are available, you can tap on
the field “Graph” 12 to view the calibration
5 curve.

NOTE
The calculated function maps the calculation of a
6 result (e. g. concentration) via a measured 16. T
 o close the determination of the
absorbance in the form of a polynomial equation coefficients, confirm the data by tapping on
of the following type: the OK button 14 . If the field “U-CAL on” has
been activated, an icon 18 pops up in the
7 C = A0 + A1 x (Abs – E0) + A2 x (Abs – E0)2 measurement display.
17. T
 o call up the calibration data again, select
where: Settings 1 and Recalibration 2 again.
C = measurement result (e. g. concentration) 18. T
 ap on the Export button 15 to transfer
8
A0, A1, A2 = coefficients (polynomial) the data in the CSV format to an external
Abs = measured absorbance storage medium.
E0 = absorbance of the reagent blank value
19. Tap on the Print button 16 to print out the
9 data.
15. You can now enter an ID or a specific batch
20. To close the operation without accepting the
code for the calibration. Tapping on the field
data, tap on the X button 17 . All entered
“Batch ID” 13 öopens a virtual keyboard.
data are deleted.
10 Enter the code and confirm by tapping on the
OK button 14 .

11

12

13

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9.7.11 MatrixCheck
The MatrixCheck function is used to check if Practical instructions
3
the photometric determination is disturbed by • After evaluating the measured value of the
other substances present in the sample (sample sample, the
matrix). The MatrixCheck can be carried out by spectrophotometer suggests for the Matrix-
spiking or by diluting. The spectrophotometer Check to spike
4
enables a simplified MatrixCheck with the aid of or dilute the sample and standard with suitable
the Spectroquant® CombiCheck R-2 addition so- volumes.
lution or a pre-programmed ready-to-use stan- For each spiking or dilution, the relevant nomi-
dard. The MatrixCheck can be carried out im- nal concentration value is displayed 5
mediately. The volumes required for the sample • To be able to reliably recognize matrix effects
and standards are displayed on the screen. The by spiking, the increase in volume after spiking
MatrixCheck is then carried out with a single should be small
spiking. For the MatrixCheck with a standard of • To be able to reliably recognize matrix effects 6
your own, however, you can enter the number of by diluting, the dilution factor should be high
spikings or dilutions yourself (max. 3). • You can carry out the MatrixCheck as a series
of measurements, consisting of up to three
MatrixCheck by spiking determinations with different spiking volumes 7
For the MatrixCheck by spiking, the photomet- or dilutions respectively
ric determination is repeated after a defined • Prepare all test sample solutions simultane-
amount of analyte has been added to the test ously at the
sample in the form of standard solutions. Recov- beginning of the series of measurements 8
ery of the addition is automatically calculated as
follows: NOTE
The spectrophotometer suggests the optimal
Recovery of addition [%] = 100 x 9
version for the ­MatrixCheck. Depending on the
{measurement value (sample + standard solution) – concentration of the sample in relation to the
measurement value (sample)}/{nominal value measuring range the spectrophotometer sets
(sample + standard solution) – measurement spiking or dilution. If both are possible you can
value (sample)} 10
make your own choice.

A matrix disturbance is likely if recovery is less

than 90% or more than 110%.
11
MatrixCheck by diluting
For the MatrixCheck by dilution, the photometric
determination is repeated after the test sample
12
has been diluted with distilled water.

The nominal value for the determination is calcu-

lated from the dilution, provided that there is no 13
disturbance due to the sample matrix. After the
photometric determination the measured value
is compared with the nominal value and the re-
covery rate is calculated. A matrix disturbance is 14
likely if recovery is less than 90% or more than
110%.

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Performing the MatrixCheck

3
1. Measure the original sample without spiking
or diluting it (see section 9.7).
4 2. The measured value is displayed.
3. Tap on the Settings button 1 .
1
4. The screen changes.
5. Tap on MatrixCheck 2 .
5 6. The screen changes. The following fields ap-
pear:
7. Perform the required settings if you wish to
2 make your own choice 3 , 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 .
6 8. Tap on the Start button 11 .
9. The screen changes.

5 9
7

8 4 3

10

10
11

11
6 7 8

12

13

14

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16
112 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 9 Operation – 9.7 Measuring in Concentration Mode 1

Item Field name Description

3 Toggle switch Dilution/Spiking Dilution/Spiking option. (Acceptance of the instrument pre-sets is recommend-
ed. Switching the option is possible only as long as this does not cause values 4
to be outside the measuring range.)

4 max. difference Permitted deviation from the nominal value in%

5 Standard ID Selection menu for factory-programmed standards or user-defined standard 5

(concentration definable). This option is only active for spiking

6 Sample (ml) Figure for the sample volume

Figure for the standard volume, in case of dilution the volume of distilled water 6
7 Standard (ml)
is displayed

8 Target value (mg/l) Expected measurement value

7
9 Concentration Only active for user-defined standard (concentration definable).

10 Delete button Remove rows that are not required

8
If Spiking is Active:

9
1 2

3 4
10

11

1.  ix the sample with the defined standard 1

M 5.  he display shows the actual value 2 , re-
T
12
and perform the test procedure as described covery in% 3 and the assessment of the
in the package insert. MatrixCheck 4 (ok/fail).
2. Insert the prepared cell.
13
3. The instrument starts measuring automati-
cally.
4. Repeat this procedure for each standard ad-
dition.
14

15

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9.7.12 User-defined Range

If Diluting is Active: The function “User-defined range” can be
3
used to set acceptance ranges (limits) for
measurement results. These acceptance
ranges can be oriented to legal and/or other
specifications.
4 1 5 With the function activated and the lower and
6 7 upper limits for measurement results set, the
setting “User-defined range” is also shown
5 in the measurement-range bar of the result
screen. After the measurement has been made,
the position of the measurement result on the
8 9 10
measurement-range screen can be used to
6 check whether it is within the defined limits.
After selecting the method, the user-defined
range can be activated as follows:
1.  ilute the sample as required 1 and per-
D
7 form the test procedure as described in the
package insert. 2
2. Insert the prepared cell.
3. The instrument starts measuring automati- 1
8 cally.
4. The display shows the actual value 5 , re-
covery in % 6 and the assessment of the
MatrixCheck 7 (ok/fail).
9
NOTE
If the AutoStore function is active the results are
10 stored ­automatically and can be recalled from
the result list. If ­AutoStore is not active, the re- 1. Open the menu “Method settings” 1 .
sults are lost when the Close b ­ utton 10 is 2. Select “User-defined range” 2 .
touched. In this case touch Printer 8 or
11 Save button 9 to store or print the results be-
fore closing the MatrixCheck.

12
1 2

13

14
3. Activate the input field 3 for the lower limit.

15

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9.  he spectrophotometer is now ready to start

T
3
the measurement.
4

5
5
8

6
4.  virtual numerical keypad 4 pops up.
A
Now enter the numerical value for the lower
limit and tap the OK button 5 to confirm.
5. Repeat this procedure to enter the upper 10. After the measurement, the position of 7
limit. the measurement result is shown on the
measurement-range screen 8 .
11. To deactivate the user-defined range, open
the “Settings” menu 1 and select “User- 8
defined range” 2 .

6 10

9
11

12. T
 ap on the “C” button 9 . The user-defined 12
range is reset. The upper and lower limits
are shown as zero values.
7
13

14

6. Tap the OK button 6 to accept the settings.

7. The screen changes to the Measurement mode.
8. The “User-defined range” setting is shown in 15
the measurement-range bar 7 of the result
screen.

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9.7.13 Differentiation
For certain methods there is a special
3
“Differentiation” function that enables the
user to differentiate between varying chemical
formulas of the analyte when interpreting
measurement results. In some methods for the
4
determination of chlorine, for example, total
chlorine can be distinguished from free chlorine
and the proportion of bound chlorine can be
5 10 automatically calculated and displayed.
After selecting the method, you can activate the
differentiation mode in the following manner:

6
13. Accept settings by tapping on the OK button
10 .
2
14. The screen changes to the Measurement
1
7 mode.
15. The spectrophotometer is now ready to start
the measurement.

9
1. Open the menu “Method settings” 1 .
2. Select “Differentiation” 2 .

10

11
3

12 4

13
3.  ctivate the differentiation function by
A
tapping on the shift key 3 . The function is
activated when “I” appears against a light
14 gray background 3 .
4. Accept the settings by tapping on the OK
button 4 .
5. The screen changes to the mode “Measure-
15 ment with differentiation”.
6. The spectrophotometer is now ready to start
the measurement.

16
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9.7.14 Plausibility
NOTE The function “Plausibility” is available for the
3
For those methods for which the differentiation ammonium methods.
option is available, the procedures for activation Once it has been activated, the function remains
and the measurement are individually described permanently switched on for all ammonium
in detail in the manual section “Analyical methods.
4
Procedures and Appendices”.
NOTE
In the practical environment it has emerged that
when the sample contains very high ammonium 5
concentrations a different color occurs and the
measurement signal in the photometric
5 6 measurement is no longer proportional to the
ammonium concentration. 6
In these cases, the reaction solution is no longer
yellow-green to green in color, the yellow
component becomes diminished, and the
solution turns turquoise to blue in color. 7
In this case a reliable statement on the
ammonium content is no longer possible, in the
worst case resulting in a substantial
7.  o deactivate the differentiation function,
T misinterpretation of the ammonium content with 8
open the menu “Method settings” 5 . serious consequences for the environment.
The submenu shows the available settings When the optional plausibility check in the
options. Prove plus spectrophotometer is activated,
8. Select “Differentiation” 6 . the measurement is carried out at several 9
9. Deactivate the differentiation function by wavelengths and the yellow component of the
tapping on the shift key 3 . The function is reaction solution is also measured. The Prove plus
deactivated when “0” appears against a light spectrophotometers are thus capable of
gray background. recognizing this deviation in the color and giving 10
10. Accept the settings by tapping on the OK a corresponding warning signal.
button 4 . This plausibility check helps the user to avoid
11. The screen changes to the Measurement misinterpreting the results of the ammonium
mode. concentration.
11
12. The spectrophotometer is now ready to start
the measurement.
12

13

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After selecting the method, you can activate the

3
plausibility check in the following manner:

1
2

6
NOTE
The active status of the plausibility check func-
tion is shown on the display by the symbol 5 .
7 1. Open the menu “Method settings” 1 .
2. Select “Plausibility” 2 .

9
3

10 4

11
3.  ctivate/deactivate 3 the plausibility
A
check function with 0 = deactivated or 1 =
activated (light gray).
12 4. Accept the settings by tapping on the OK 7

button 4 .
5. The screen changes.
6. The spectrophotometer is now ready to start
13 the measurement.

NOTE
14 If the plausibility check func¬tion is active and a
very high ammonium concentration is present in
the sample (concentration considerably beyond
the measuring range of the selected method), a
15 window with a warning message 6 pops up.
After confirming by tapping on the OK button,
the measurement result is shown as “--- ” 7 .

16
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(without selecting a specific method)

NOTE
3
If a zero cell (cell with distilled water) is
measured as the sample when the plausibility
check func-tion is active, the warning message
and the result “---” 7 also appear. 4
The reason for this is that the zero cell does not
show the yellow color described above.

9.8 Ad hoc Measurement (without selecting

a specific method) 6
Tapping on the ad hoc button in the main menu changes the
screen and the folder that allows the type of ad hoc measure-
ment to be selected.
7
Absorbance/
Transmission Spectrum Kinetic

10

11

1 2 3

12

13

14

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9.8.1 Ad hoc ABS/TRANS

­ easurement
M
3
Proceed as follows to perform an
ad hoc ABS/TRANS measurement.

4
8
1

2 5 3
5

6 4 7 6 9

7
1.  elect type of measurement: absorbance or
S 4. The screen changes 8 .
transmission measurement by tapping on 5. Perform zero adjustment by inserting a cell
the button 1 for the required measurement with ­distilled water or tapping on the Start
8 (the activated selection is light grey). zero button 9 .
2. Define the wavelength(s) for the measure-
ment(s). Do this by tapping on the button 2 .
A blue frame appears. Now enter the re- 10
9 quired wavelength by tapping on the keypad
3 .

NOTE
10 Tapping on the + button 4 brings up a new input
field. Different wavelengths can be programmed
11
for the measurement. The ­selection can be delet-
ed by tapping on the Delete symbol 5 .
11
NOTE
Invalid entries are shown in red and cannot be 6.  he Start zero button changes to the Start
T
12 accepted. button. The instrument is ready to start mea-
suring.
7. Start the measurement by inserting a cell
3.  onfirm your input by tapping on the Start
C
with sample or t­ apping on the Start button
button 6 .
13 To cancel, tap on the X button 7 .
11 . The measurement results are displayed
in the absorbance column 10 .

14

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9.8.2  d hoc Spectrum

A
Content of the information bar in ABS/ Measurement
TRANS measurements
3
Proceed as follows to perform a
spectrum ­measurement.

4
1

2
5
2

3
4

5 6

7
16 mm S-ID 0125 NOTE
Path length of inserted cell Sample ID with prefix "S-ID" A spectrum can comprise up to a maximum of
empty
1000 measurement points. If the entry is invalid,
it is shown in red and cannot be accepted. 8
empty

1.  elect type of measurement: absorbance or

S
transmission measurement by tapping on
the button 1 for the required measurement 9
(the activated selection is light grey).
2. Define the wavelength range for the method.
Start & Stop 2 .
3. Determine the sensitivity of the measure-
10
ment 3 .
4. Set the interval 4 . Here you can choose
between 0.1 nm, 1 nm, and 5 nm 4 .
11

12

13

14

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 1 9 Operation – 9.8 Ad hoc Measurement (without selecting a specific method)

Content of the information bar for Ad hoc

3
Spectrum Measurements

4
6

6 7

7
5. Tap on the Start button 5 . ADHOC SPECTRUM S-ID 0033
6. The screen changes 6 . Measurement mode Sample ID
7. Perform zero adjustment by inserting a cell with prefix
8 with distilled water or tapping on the Start "S-ID"

zero button 7 (baseline determined). 10 mm 400 - 900 nm 1 nm

Path length of in- Scan range Scan
serted cell interval
9 empty

10

8
11

12 8. Start the measurement by inserting a cell

with sample or t­ apping on the Start button
8 .
9. The screen changes, the instrument is ready
13 to start measuring.

14

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9.8.3  d hoc Kinetic

A
Measurement
3
Proceed as follows to perform a ki-
netic ­measurement.

4
9
1
3 4

2 5 5
6

7
8
10 6

7
4. The screen changes 9 .
5. Perform zero adjustment by inserting a cell
with distilled water or tapping on the Start
zero button 10 . 8

10
1.  elect type of measurement: absorbance or
S
11
transmission measurement by tapping on
the button 1 for the required measurement 11
(the activated selection is light grey).
2. Set the measuring range and the duration.
• Wavelength 2 6. Start the measurement by inserting a cell
• Unit 3 with sample or t­ apping on the Start button 12
• Interval 4 11 .
• Delay 5 7. The screen changes, the instrument is ready
• Duration 6 to start measuring.
• Slope factor 7 13

NOTE
Invalid entries are shown in red and cannot be
accepted. 14

3. Tap on the Start button 8 .

15

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Content of the information bar for Ad hoc

3
Kinetics Measurements

7
ADHOC KINETIC S-ID 0034
Measurement mode Sample ID
with prefix
8 "S-ID"

10 mm 00:00:30 00:00:05
Path length of Duration Time
inserted cell interval
9 empty

10

11

12

13

14

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9.9 Spectrum

9.9.2 Recording the Spectrum 3

9.9.1 General Information
With the Spectrum function, the absorbance or 1. Select the method from the method list.
transmission in dependency on the wavelength is
measured and recorded. Record the baseline: 4
The wavelength range can be freely selected
within the measuring range of the spectropho-
tometer. The interval is selectable (0.1 nm,
1 nm, 5 nm). 5

A spectrum can be recorded in ad hoc mode (see

section 9.8), or loaded as a stored method (see
section 9.6.6). 6

Baseline
A baseline has to be recorded before a spectrum
can be ­recorded. The baseline has to cover at 7
least the wavelength range of the spectrum be-
ing recorded. Once the baseline is measured, it
remains stored in the spectrophotometer until
• A new baseline is recorded 8
• Ad hoc Spectrum Mode is exited
• The loaded Spectrum method is exited
• The spectrophotometer is switched off
9

1
10

2. Z eroing against air: Tap on the Start zero 11

button 1 .
The spectro­photometer records the baseline.
Or
 Zeroing against reference solution: 12
Insert cell with reference solution. The
spectrophotometer records the baseline
automatically.
3. Wait until the baseline has been fully record- 13
ed. Once the ­baseline has been recorded,
the spectrophotometer is ready to start
measuring.
14

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 1 9 Operation – 9.9 Spectrum

3 Content of the information bar in spectrum

measurements

6
4. Insert the cell with the sample vertically
until it touches the bottom (rectangular cells
should touch the left edge of the cell com-
7
partment; the opaque sides of the rectangu- 1103 user spectrum S-ID 0187 S1
lar cell must point to the front and rear). Sample ID with prefix
Method number Method name
"S-ID"

8 16 mm 400 – 500 nm 1 nm
Path length of Scan range Scan interval
inserted cell
empty
9

10 2

11
5. Recording of the spectrum starts automati-
cally.
6. Once the spectrum of your sample has been
12 recorded you have the following options:
• Evaluate the spectrum on the display immedi-
ately (see section 9.9.3)
• Print the spectrum by tapping on the Printer
13 button 2 either as a graph on a connected
printer – or as a pdf file, if Print to pdf is acti-
vated and a USB device is connected
• Save the spectrum to the result list. If
14 AutoStore is on, this is done automatically

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9.9.3 Evaluating a Spectrum

3

4
15 9

14 8
5
13 7

12 6 6
3

11 10

2 4 1 5 2

9
A spectrum can be evaluated immediately after 5. The following mathematical functions for
measurement. Stored spectra can be loaded and various evaluating and calculating operations
evaluated from the results list as well. The fol- are available for selection: 10
lowing tools are available for editing: • 
Derivate 12 : calculates the derivative of the
total spectrum. To calculate the second and
1. Moving to individual measurement points: third derivative, the function can be carried
• Activate action icon 1 and use the next left/ out several times 11
next right icons 2 to move to all individual • Compare spectrum 13 : loads a second spec-
measurement points. The coordinates (wave- trum into the same diagram for direct com-
length and absorbance) of the respective mea- parison
surement point appear in the Info box 3 • Subtract spectrum 14 : subtracts a stored 12
• Activate icon 4 to move to maximum values spectrum from the current spectrum
and icon 5 to move to minimum values • Add spectrum 15 : adds a stored spectrum to
2. Switch between graph view 6 and table the current
view 7 . spectrum 13
3. In the graph view use icons 8 to zoom out
and 9 to zoom in. Use navigation icon 10 to NOTE
optimize the position of sections of the graph The addition and subtraction of two spectra can
in the display. be ­applied only to the common wavelength
14
4. Tap icon 11 to return to the original spectrum. range of both spectra.

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9.10 Kinetics
3
9.10.1 General Information
The kinetics function enables the temporal trac-
ing of the absor­bance or transmission of a sam-
4 ple at a certain wavelength.
The spectrophotometer automatically calcu-
lates the slope between two adjacent measuring
points from the available measurement data.
5 The catalytic activity can also be determined and
displayed if required. To record the kinetics, the
spectrophotometer carries out single measure- 2
ments at regular intervals (measuring interval)
6 and stores the measured values as a time func-
tion.

Kinetics can be recorded in ad hoc mode (see 2. O

 nce the kinetic method has been selected,
7 section 9.8), or loaded as a stored method (see the screen changes from the method list to
section 9.6.7). the Kinetics screen. The Start zero button 2
is active.
3. Insert the zero cell according to cell type.
8 9.10.2 Recording Kinetics Zero adjustment starts automatically.

NOTE
9 1 The zero adjustment can also be performed
without a cell being inserted (measurement
against air). Tap on the Start zero button to start
the procedure.
10

11

12 1.  elect the method from the method list by

S
using the filter option 1 .

13

14

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 9 Operation – 9.10 Kinetics 1

Content of the information bar in kinetics

3
measurements

1201 Kinetik 1 S-ID Demo 4

Sample ID with pre-
Method number Method name
fix "S-ID"

10 mm 00:01:00 00:00:05
Path length of Duration Time interval 5
inserted cell
empty

3 6

7
4.  ollowing successful zero adjustment the
F
Start zero button 2 becomes the Start but-
ton 3 .
5. The instrument is ready to start measuring 8
the sample.
6. Insert the cell vertically until it touches
the bottom (rectangular cells should touch
the left edge of the cell compartment; the 9
opaque sides of the rectangular cell must
point to the front and rear).
7. Recording of kinetics starts automatically.
10

11

12

13

14

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 1 9 Operation – 9.10 Kinetics

9.10.3 Evaluating a Kinetic

3

4
5

5 6

6
8

10 9
7

4 4
8

A kinetic can be evaluated immediately after • Change to tabular view 7

10
measurement. Stored kinetics can be loaded and • Change to graphic display 8
evaluated from the results list as well. The fol- • Cursor function 9 for incremental moves to
lowing tools are available for editing: ranges
• Left/Right tab function 4 to gradually scan the • Call up original screen 10
11
kinetics with the indication of x and y values
• Zoom function to scale a section up 5 or
down 6
12

13

14

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9.11 AQA (Analytical

Quality ­Assurance)
3

General information 9.11.1 Spectrophotometer Monitoring

The objective of analytical quality assurance (AQA1) 4
(AQA) is to secure correct and precise measure-
ment results (see section 5). At least one set of test standards such as
Spectroquant® PhotoCheck or Certipur® is re-
NOTE quired for spectrophotometer moni­toring. The 5
administrator specifies which test standard has
Only persons in the administrator user group
to be used as the minimum requirement for
have access to the settings for AQA checks. Ev-
AQA1 monitoring. The extent of the monitoring
ery registered user can carry out the AQA check
can be expanded with further test standards. 6
(see section 9.14).
The following can be tested:
• Photometric accuracy
Analytical quality assurance (AQA) can be car-
• Wavelength accuracy
ried out in two steps independent of each other:
• Stray light test 7
• AQA1: Monitoring of the spectrophotometer
• Spectral resolution (only Prove 600 plus)
• AQA2: Total system monitoring.
AQA2 covers the spectrophotometer, the test
NOTE
that is used, the accessories and the user's way 8
of working. Monitoring includes a check proce- Only persons in the administrator user group
dure that has to be successfully repeated by the have access to the settings for AQA checks. Ev-
user within a certain period (AQA interval). ery registered user can carry out the AQA check
(see section 9.14).
9
NOTE
AQA monitoring is not active in the delivery Photometric accuracy
state. Normally test items of known absorbance val-
ues at ­defined wavelengths are used to monitor 10
photometric ­accuracy. The ­instrument is pre-
programmed with standard AQA1 tests that can
be performed using Spectroquant® test items.
Such test items are, for instance: Spectroquant® 11
PhotoCheck, ­Certipur® UV/VIS-Standard 1A,
Certipur® UV/VIS-Standard 1.
Each pack is provided with a lot-dependent test
certificate with all nominal values (absorbances) 12
and tolerances of the test standards. These
nominal values and tolerances are ­already pre­-
programmed in the spectrophotometer. Compare
them with the lot-dependent values and adjust 13
them if needed (see ­section 9.11.8).

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 131
 1 9 Operation – 9.11 AQA (Analytical Quality Assurance)

NOTE Stray light test

3
The value of the tolerance consists of the toler- Normally test items with edge filter properties
ance of the standard (listed in the lot-specific are used to monitor the effects of stray light.
certificate) and the specified tolerance of the The instrument is pre-programmed with stan-
spectrophotometer (see Technical Data Section dard AQA1 tests that can be performed using
4
12). Spectroquant® test items. Such test items are,
for instance: Certipur® UV/VIS-Standard 2. Each
NOTE pack is provided with a lot-dependent test cer-
5 tificate with all nominal values and tolerances
Pay attention to the stability of the test stan-
of the test standards. These nominal values are
dard. A check on the values in the spectropho-
already pre-programmed in the spectrophotom-
tometer is required whenever a new pack of test
eter. Compare them with the technical data of
standards is used. The values must be adjusted
6 the spectrophotometer (see section 12).
if necessary.

NOTE
Wavelength accuracy
The value of the tolerance consists of the toler-
Normally test items of known absorbance max-
7 ance of the standard (listed in the lot-specific
ima at defined wavelengths are used to monitor
certificate) and the specified tolerance of the
wavelength accuracy. The instrument is pre-pro-
spectrophotometer (see section 12).
grammed with standard AQA1 tests that can be
8 performed using Spectroquant® test items. Such
test items are, for instance: Certipur® UV/VIS- Spectral resolution
Standard 6. Spectral resolution can be monitored using the
Each pack is provided with a lot-dependent test spectrum of a 0.02% solution of toluene in hex-
certificate with all nominal values (wavelengths ane. The minimum ratio between the absorbance
9
with absorbance maxima) and tolerances of in the maximum at 269 nm and the absorbance
the test standards. These nominal values and in the minimum at 266 nm is a measure for
­tolerances are already pre-programmed in the the spectral resolution. The instrument is pre-
10 spectrophoto­meter. Compare them with the programmed with standard AQA1 tests that can
lot-dependent values and adjust them if needed be performed using Spectroquant® test items.
(see section 9.11.8). The test item used here is: Certipur® UV/VIS-
Standard 5.
11 NOTE
The value of the tolerance consists of the toler-
ance of the standard (listed in the lot-specific
certificate) and the specified tolerance of the
12 spectrophotometer (see section 12).

13

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9.11.2 Total System Monitoring (AQA2)

For total system monitoring, standard solutions
3
with a defined analyte content are required.

NOTE
Only persons in the administrator user group 4
have access to the settings for AQA checks. Any
registered user can perform the AQA2 test.
Spectroquant® CombiCheck standards are ready-
to-use multiparameter standards, i.e. they can 5
be used for several test kits (methods). Standard
solutions are ready-to-use single-parameter
standards, i.e. they can be used for single test
kits (methods). In addition to the above solu- 6
tions, single-para­meter standard solutions (z.B.
Certipur®) can also be used. They are adjusted
by dilution to the respective end concentration.
The end concentration should be approximately 7
in the middle of the measuring range.

NOTE 8
Suitable CombiCheck standards and single-pa-
rameter standards are listed in the catalog
"Water, Food and Enviromental Analytics" or on
the Internet. 9

10

11

12

13

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 1 9 Operation – 9.11 AQA (Analytical Quality Assurance)

9.11.3 AQA Overview

This main menu offers the follow-
3
ing submenus:

6
4

7 1 2 3 4 5

Item Designation Description

9
1 AQA1 status Summary of the status of all activated AQA1 tests. (OK, fail, expired, next test in xx days)

2 AQA2 status Summary of the status of all activated AQA2 tests. (OK, fail, expired, next test in xx days)
10
3 AQA1 Activate, edit, perform and create AQA1 tests

4 AQA2 Activate, edit, perform and create AQA2 tests

11 5 PipeCheck Perform pipette check tests

Activated AQA1 test(s) and/or AQS2 test(s) are failed or expired. Tapping the symbol
6 Attention
changes the display and opens an overview of the AQA tests involved.

12

13

14

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 9 Operation – 9.11 AQA (Analytical Quality Assurance) 1

9.11.4 Perform AQA1 Status

Check
3
To check the current AQA1 status of
the instrument, proceed as follows.

1
6

7
1. Tap on the AQA1 status button 1 .
2. The screen changes and a status overview of
the activated AQA1 tests is shown.
8

9
4

5
10
2

11

12
3

3. The screen shows the following information: • Three different status symbols 5 : 13
• AQA1 method number 2 ! = expired/invalid; ü = test OK; - = test
• Name of the AQA1 test 3 failed
• Number of days for which the AQA1 test is still 4. For quality or documentation purposes we
valid before a new test has to be performed 4 recommend ­printing the list.
14

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 1 9 Operation – 9.11 AQA (Analytical Quality Assurance)

9.11.5 Perform AQA2 Status

Check
3
To check the current AQA2 status of
the instrument, proceed as follows.

6 1

7
1. Tap on the AQA2 status button 1 .
2. The screen changes and a status ­overview of
the activated AQA2 tests is shown.
8

7
10

11

12
3 4 5 6

13 3. The screen shows the following information: • Three different status symbols 7 :
• AQA2 method number 2 ! = expired/invalid; ü = test OK; - = test
• Name of the AQA2 test 3 failed
• Measuring range of the AQA2 check function 4 4. For quality or documentation purposes we
14 • Number of days for which the AQA2 test is still recommend ­printing the list.
valid before a new test has to be performed
5 , or number of measurements before a new
test has to be performed 6
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9.11.6 AQA1 Selection List

3

1
6

7
1. Tap on the AQA1 button 1 .
2. The screen changes and a list of all AQA1
tests stored in the instrument is shown.
8

4 9
2 6

10

11

12
3 5

3. The screen shows the following information: • Three different status symbols 5 to remind 13
• AQA1 method number 2 you that a test is due. ! = expired/invalid;
• Name of the AQA1 test 3 ü = test OK; - = test failed
• Number of days for which the AQA1 test is still • An empty circle means that the AQA1 test is
valid before a new test has to be performed 4 not activated 14
• Input buttons for editing 6 and creating 7
AQA1 tests

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9.11.7 A
 ctivating and Deactivating an 9.11.8 Editing an AQA1 Test
AQA1 Test
3
Depending on the test type selected

• Photometric accuracy
4
6 • Wavelength accuracy
• Stray light test
• Spectral resolution (Prove 600 plus only)
5
the particular display screen changes. The input
values should be taken from the lot-specific cer-
tificates for the test items and adjusted to suit
6 as follows:

1. Tap on the Edit button 6 .

7
1

8
8

1. Tap on the Edit button 1 .

10 2. The screen changes. Depending on the AQA1
test selected a type-specific screen appears.
2. The screen changes. Make the AQA1 type specific changes in the
3. Tapping on the ON/OFF button 8 activates/ corresponding screen (see following screens
11 deactivates the AQA1 test. (I = on, 0= off, and table).
the light grey background shows which state
is active).

12 NOTE
Before activating the lot-specific values for the
current test item, compare with the existing en-
13 tries for the input fields and make changes ac-
cordingly (see section 9.11.8).

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Photometric accuracy (P) Stray light test (S)

3

1 1

6 7 8
2 3 4 2 3 4
4
5 5
13
12 5
12

9 10 11 9 10 11

Wavelength accuracy (W) Spectral resolution (Prove 600 plus only) (R)
7

1 1

6 7 8
2 3 4 2 3 4 8

5 5
14
12 9
12

9 10 11 9 10 11

10

11

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3
Item Display field Description Test
type
P, W,
1 Name Name of the test item
S, R
4 P, W,
2 EXP Expiry of the test item as shown in the certificate
S, R
P, W,
3 Lot number Lot number of the test item as shown in the certificate
S, R
P, W,
5 4 "0"/"I" (OFF/ON) Deactivate/activate the test
S, R
Test interval (input in weeks). For an active test the instrument reminds you when an P, W,
5 Interval
AQA1 test is due. S, R
6 Cell Pre-set name of the cell P, W
6 7 Target values Lot-specific nominal values P, W
8 Tolerance Tolerance range for the measurement value. P, W
(Tolerance = measurement uncertainty of the test item + specification of the spectro-
photometer)
7 9 Save Adopt values into the instrument
P, W,
S, R
10 Delete Delete user-defined AQA1 tests P, S
P, W,
11 Close Close display field
S, R
8 P, W,
12 Numeric field Touch the individual field to enter values
S, R
13 Transmission Pre-set instrument-specific value (in% transmission) S
Nominal (Amax/ Pre-set instrument-specific value (minimum ratio between absorbance in the maximum
9 14
Amin) and absorbance in the minimum)
R

3.  ake your individual changes in the type-

M NOTE
specific screens and store them by the Save AQA1 tests pre-programmed by the manufactur-
10
button 9 . To close the editing screen touch er (e. g. Photo­Check) cannot be deleted.
the Close button 11 .

11

12

13

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9.11.9 Performing an AQA1 Test

3
3

1
5

6
NOTE 4.  he screen changes. A type-specific screen
T
In order to perform an AQA1 test it must be ac- appears.
tivated (see section 9.11.7). 5. For further actions follow the on-screen
7
commands 3 .
6.  Insert the corresponding reference cell (e. g.
1. Tap on the AQA1 button 1 .
the zero cell as reference cell in the Photo-
Check). 8
7.  Insert following test cell as prompted in the
command line.

9
5

2 4

10

11

12
2. T he screen changes and you are presented 8. A tick appears following a successful test 4 .
with a list of all AQA1 tests stored in the 9. If all test steps are successful and the AQA1
instrument. test is passed, a tick appears in the com-
3. Select an AQA1 test by tapping on its name mand line 5 . 13
2 .

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Content of the information bar in AQA1

3 NOTE measurements
If the test has failed, a - symbol appears in the
display instead of the tick 4 symbol for a suc-
4 cessful test. If it is necessary to insert multiple
cells in succession during the test and one of the
individual test steps does not pass, check wheth-
er you have used the correct cell as prompted in
5 the command line. Repeat the measurement
with the correct cell. If one of the individual test
steps in a multiple series is not passed, the
AQA1 is not passed and the procedure is termi-
6 nated.

7 114693 PhotoCheck
Article number Method name
(first 6 digits of order
no.)

8 HC123456 EXP 11/28/2016 12

week(s)
Lot number item Expiration date item Interval
with Prefix "EXP"
9 Absorbance check
12
week(s)
Description of the
Interval
checked function
10

11

12

13

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9.11.10 C
 reating a User-defined AQA1
Test
3

3 4 4

5
1

It is possible to create two different user-defined 4.  he screen changes. In addition, selection

T
types of AQA1 tests. options appear for the two types listed above 7
• Photometric accuracy (photometric accuracy 3 ; stray light test 4 ).
• Stray light test 5. Tapping on the particular Option buttons 3
1. Tap on the AQA1 button 1 . or 4 changes the screen. The entry mask
for that type appears. 8

10

11

2. T
 he screen changes and you are presented 6. For editing (see section 9.11.8).
with a list of all AQA1 tests stored in the 12
instrument. NOTE
3. Tap on the Add button 2 . In the case of the user-defined AQA1 test for
photometric accuracy the input fields for the test
conditions (cell designation, 13
testing wavelength, nominal values for absor-
bance and absorbance tolerance) are added to
the screen by tapping on the
+ button 5 . 14

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9.11.11 AQA2 Selection List

3

1. Tap on the AQA2 button 1 .

4 2. The screen changes and a list of all AQA2
tests stored in the instrument is shown.

1
6

7 5 6

9 3 7

4 8

10

11

3. The screen shows the following information: • Number of measurements before a new AQA2
12 • Number of the method being tested 2 test has to be performed 6
• Name of the method being tested 3 • Four different status symbols 7 : ! = test
• Display of the measuring range of the method expired/invalid; ü = test OK; - = test failed;
being tested 4 = not activated
13 • Number of days for which the AQA2 test is still • Buttons to edit 8 AQA2 tests
valid before a new test has to be performed 5

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9.11.12 A
 ctivating and Deactivating an 9.11.13 Editing an AQA2 Test
AQA2 Test
3

2
4

2
1
5

3 4

1. Tap on the Edit button 1 . The input values should be taken from the lot-
specific certificates for the AQA2 test items and
2. The screen changes. 7
3. Tapping on the ON/OFF button 2 activates/ adjusted to suit as follows.
deactivates the AQA2 test. (I = on, 0 = off, 1. Tap on the Edit button 1 .
the light grey background shows which state 2. The screen changes. A method-specific
is active). screen appears. 8
See example screen on the next page.
NOTE 3. This submenu offers the following setting
options:
Before activating the lot-specific values for the
See description in the table below the ex- 9
current test item, compare with the existing en-
ample screens on the next page.
tries for the input fields and make changes ac-
4.  Make your individual changes in the type-
cordingly (see section 9.11.13).
specific screens and store them by the Save
button 3 . 10
5. To close the editing screen touch the Close
button 4 .

11

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13

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1
4
3 4

8 12
5
9

6 11

7
13

2 5
8

9 7

10

10

11

12

13

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3
Item Display field Description

1 Name Name of the method being tested

Selection of Selection of the AQA2 standard (a choice can be made between Spectroquant®
2 4
­standards pre-programmed standards such as
CombiCheck and a freely definable standard)

3 EXP Expiry of the standard as shown in the certificate for the standard

4 Lot number Lot number of the standard as shown in the certificate for the standard 5
5 "0"/"I" (ON/OFF) Deactivate/activate the test

6 Interval mode Test interval choice between weeks and and number of measurements
6
7 Interval (values) Enter test interval. For an active test the instrument reminds you when an AQA2 test is due.

8 Target value Lot-specific nominal value

9 Tolerance Tolerance range for the nominal value* 7

10 Save Adopt values into the instrument

11 Close Close display field

8
12 Numeric field Touch the individual field to enter values

First 6 digits of the order number of the pre-programmed test kit corresponding to the se-
13 Article number
lected method

* The user must edit the tolerance range according to his/her requirements. The tolerance range should include typical errors 9
(measurement uncertainty) of the test medium used and of the method being checked. The typical error of the test medium
used can be taken from the batch-specific certificate of the test medium. The typical error of the method being checked
must be calculated by the user under his/her conditions.
10

11

12

13

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9.11.14 Performing an AQA2 Test

3

4 3

5 1

6
NOTE 5.  erform an analysis as per the method de-
P
In order to perform an AQA2 test it must be ac- scription using the selected AQA2 standard
tivated (see section 9.11.12). as sample and insert the cell.
7 6. Measurement starts automatically.
7. The measurement result appears in the dis-
1. Tap on the AQA2 button 1 .
play.
8. A tick appears following a successful test 4 .
8

9
2

4
10

11

2. T he screen changes and a list of all AQA2 NOTE

tests stored in the instrument is shown. If the test has failed, a - symbol appears in the
12 3. Select an AQA2 test by tapping on its name display instead of the tick 4 symbol for a suc-
2 .
cessful test.
4. The screen changes and shows the nominal
values and the tolerances 3 for the mea-
13 surement with the selected AQA2 standard.

14

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Content of the information bar in AQA2

3
measurements

7
114942 Nitrate CombiCheck 20
Article number Method name AQA2 Standard Name
(first 6 digits of order
no.)
8
HC123456 EXP 12/31/2015 AQA2 EXP 08/28/2015 10 mm
Lot number test kit Expiration date Interval Path length
test kit with Prefix of inserted
"EXP" cell 9
ZA 08/21/2015 RB 0,100 A 08/21/2015
Date of Zero Adjust- Date + value user reagent
ment with Prefix "ZA" blank with Prefix "RB"
10

11

12

13

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9.11.15 Perform PipeCheck

3
4. The screen changes 3 .

7 7
4
5 5
6

1
6

7
1. Tap on the PipeCheck button 1 . 5. Insert the reference cell.
2. The screen changes and a list of all Pipe- 6. After the reference cell has been successful-
Check tests stored in the instrument is ly measured, tick 4 appears on the display.
8 shown.

9
2

10

11

3. Select a PipeCheck by tapping on the name 7.  window pops up in which a name or code
A
12 2 . can be entered for the pipet being tested
(e. g. manufacturer, serial number or similar).
Tap on the input field 8 and enter the name
or code. Tap the OK button to accept the
13 3
entry.
8. The screen changes.

14

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16
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3
9. Insert the "Check" cell.
10. After the "Check" cell has been successfully
measured, tick 5 appears on the display.
11. The difference between reference and Check 4
cell is calculated automatically. If this value
6 is within the pre-programmed tolerance,
the PipeCheck is passed shown by text and
tick 7 . 5

6
9

NOTE
9
If this value of the difference is outside the tol-
erance, the test has failed and a - 9 appears.

10

11

12

13

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Content of the information bar in PipeCheck

3 measurements

7 114692 PipeCheck 2.0 S-ID SN123

Article number Method name Pipet designation/
(first 6 digits of order no.) (incl. ­pipette volume) identification

HC123456 EXP 31.12.2017

8 Lot number item Expiration date item
with ­Prefix "EXP"
empty

10

11

12

13

14

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16
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 9 Operation – 9.12 Timer 1

9.12 Timer
You can use the timers to remind you
3
by an acoustic signal of a time inter-
val that has expired.

The spectrophotometer has two types of timers: 5

4
• The user-defined timer is a timer that can be
freely assigned
• Pre-programmed timer is a timer which offers
preset reaction times (<= 15 min) for pre-pro- 5
grammed factory methods

6
2

4. The screen changes back to the timer over-

view.
5. Tap on the timer name 5 and the screen 7
changes 6 .

8
6

The spectrophotometer manages all timers in 9

the timer list. The timer list is opened with the
Timer list button 1 .
If you want to manually enter time intervals, use
the user-­defined timer function. 7 8 9 10
1. Tap on the Edit button 2 .

3 11
6. Tap on the Start button 7 to start the timer.
Tap on the Stop button 8 to stop the timer.
The count down is interrupted.
Tap on Start button 7 again will continue 12
4
the count down. When the count down is
finished an acoustic signal sounds. The
insertion of a barcoded round cell enables
a measurement to be started immediately. 13
The insertion of an AutoSelector enables a
method to be selected immediately. Tapping
on the Start button 7 is active again and the
timer can be started once more. 14
2. The input window 3 opens. 7.  Tap on the X button 9 to close the timer.
3. Enter the required time by tapping on the The display changes to timer list.
corresponding field and confirm with OK 4 .
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 1 9 Operation – 9.13 Results and Measurement Datasets

9.13  esults and Measurement

R
Datasets
3
All results and measurement datasets in all mea-
surement modes are stored automatically in the
result list, as the instruments are delivered with
4 a factory pre-set AutoStore function (see section
9.2.5).
All stored results and measurement datasets can 2
be retrieved, exported and printed out.
5
NOTE 1
The instrument is capable of storing 2000 indi-
vidual measurements of the measurement
6
modes concentration, absorbance/transmission,
and/or multiple wavelengths as well as 20 data
If the AutoStore function is deactivated, results
sets with results of the spectrum or kinetics
and datasets have to be stored manually after
7 methods for each of these modes. It operates on
each measurement.
the FIFO storage principle (first in – first out),
1. Tap on the Save button 1 .
meaning that when all storage locations are
2. The system suggests a sample ID 2 .
occupied, the next time a result is to be stored
3. Tapping on Save 1 again stores the result
8 the oldest result on the list is automatically
under the suggested sample ID.
overwritten. Accordingly it is advisable to
regularly back up stored data sets on external
media (see section 9.13.7).
9 The results of the measurement modi AQA1,
AQA2, MatrixCheck, and PipeCheck are managed
separately. A total of 500 results are stored. 3

Results that determine a system or method

10 status are not overwritten, even when all
storage locations are already occupied.

4
11

4.  replace the sample ID by an individual

To
12 one, tap on the ­sample ID field 2 .
5. Enter a new sample ID with the key pad 3 .
6. Confirm with the OK button 4 .
13

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9.13.1 Displaying the Results

3

1 3 3 3 3 3 4 5

5
8
2 2 2

10
6

8
7 6 9

10
By tapping on the Results button 1 you can ac- • Export
 selected results 6 . To export results
cess the result list via the main menu. they have to be selected by ticking the box 10
• Print selected results 7 . To print results they
The menu offers you the following choices: have to be selected by ticking the box 10 11
• Sort ascending/descending 2 • Scrollbar 8 . Scroll through the result list by
• Filter result list 3 – (see section 9.13.3) tapping on the arrows of the scrollbar
• Clear filter 4 • Panoramic view of selected results from one
• Select/deselect all results 5 . specific method 9 (see section 9.13.4) 12
• Results are selected by ­ticking the box 10 .
Remove the selection by tapping on the tick
­symbol and the box will be emptied
13

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7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The individual result line shows the following • Result (e. g. in units or passed/failed, depend-
8 information: ing on measurement mode) 4
• Measurement mode (e. g. concentration, spec- • Analyte tested 5
trum, kinetic, AQA) 1 • Sample ID 6
• Method number 2 • Tick box to select a result line to print or ex-
9 • Date and time of measurement 3 port the ­results 7

9.13.2 Show Details of One Result

10

11

12 1

13

1. Tap on an individual result line 1 2. A screen showing all details of one result or
dataset opens.
14 3. Tap on the print button 2 to print the indi-
vidual dataset on a printer or as a pdf.

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 9 Operation – 9.13 Results and Measurement Datasets 1

9.13.3 F
 iltering Results to Further
Process M ­ easurement Datasets
3

1 2 3 4 5

5
6

Specified filter criteria can be set to select cer- • Filter by date. Tapping on the Date button
tain results and ­datasets to be exported, print- 3 brings up an input mask for the date range
7
ed, displayed or deleted. from … to ...
The following criteria can be set: A calendar screen pops up.
• Filter using the individual measuring
mode 1 . The list shows the following modes: 8
8 8
concentration, kinetic, spectrum, ad hoc,
AQA1, AQA2, PipeCheck and MatrixCheck

9
2

9
10

11
• Use the forward and back buttons 8 to scroll
through the calendar. Select the required date
and confirm by tapping on the OK button 9 .
The calendar closes. 12
•F
 ilter using character strings. Tapping on • Tap on the OK button 6 to adopt the selected
the Search icon 2 brings up the keypad dis- period for filtering.
play field. Enter search criteria such as method
name, method number or article number (first NOTE 13
six digits of order number) no decimal point.
Keeping your finger on the “Forward“ and “Back“
Tap on OK to activate the search filter
buttons 8 scrolls through the calendar forwards
and backwards year by year.
14

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 1 9 Operation – 9.13 Results and Measurement Datasets

9.13.4 Panorama – Value Control Card

The panorama function allows you to get a
3
graphical view of selected results from one
10 single method (e. g. ammonium). The graphical
view corresponds to a value control card.
4

5
1

6
• Filter by sample ID 4 . Tapping on the but-
2
ton brings up a s­ election bar 10 which you can
use to filter according to ­sample ID
7

11
1.  se the filter option to create a result list for
U
5
one single ­method (see section 9.13.3).
8 2. Select the results to be included into the
panorama value control card by ticking the
boxes 1 .
3. The Panorama button is activated 2 .
9

10 12

• Filter by user name 5 . Tapping on the button 5

brings up a selection bar showing you the us-

11
ers created for the instrument. When you se-
lect a user, the measurement data list displays 4 4
all measured results for that user
12
NOTE
Tapping on the C button 11 cancels all of the fil-
4. Tapping on the Panorama button 2 opens
ters and the complete measurement data list ap-
the graphical view of the panorama value
13 pears. You can also search in filtered lists or set
control card for the selected values.
more filters, the filter status is shown in
5. Tap on the Forward/Backward buttons 4 to
the Infobar 12 .
get the individual datasets 5 for each value
displayed.
14

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9.13.5 P
 rint Results and Measurement
Datasets
3
If a postscript printer is connected to the spec-
trophotometer, results and measurement datas-
ets can be printed on paper by touching the Print
button (see section 8.3.2). 2 4
In addition, you can print the results and mea-
surement ­datasets as a pdf. Connect an USB
memory device and activate "Print to pdf" in the
submenu "Interface" in the "System" menu (see 5
section 9.2.2). To print to pdf touch the Print but-
3
ton.

Print to pdf will create the folder PROVE on your 6

USB memory device. This folder has several
subfolders. You will find the pdf print files in the 2. S elect the results to be included into the
folder "Print". printout by ticking the boxes 2 .
3. Tap on the Print button 3 to print the re- 7
NOTE sults.
4. The in-progress icon appears during the
While printing more than one result, only results
data-export procedure.
from a single measuring mode can be printed at
one time as each measuring mode has a differ-
5. If you print as pdf to the USB memory de- 8
vice, wait for some more time before remov-
ent printing format.
ing the USB device to make sure all data are
transferred.
NOTE
9
In the Spectrum and Kinetics measurement
modes the results must be selected and printed
out separately.
10

11
1

12

13

1.  elect the measuring mode for the results

S
you want to print, e. g. concentration 1 .
14

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9.13.6 Deleting Results 9.13.7 Export Results and Measurement

The function “Delete Results” is available only Datasets
3
when the user administration is activated (see In many cases it is advisable to export results
section 9.2.6) and the function “Delete Results” and measurement data sets, e. g. to archive
is activated in the “Quality” menu of the system them or to analyze them in greater detail using
settings (see section 9.2.4). a suitable software tool. Besides offering data
4
transmission to a suitable memory device via the
USB port, the Spectroquant® Prove plus spectro-
photometer also supports the automatic transfer
5 of measurement data via a local network
(Spectroquant® Prove Connect to LIMS, Y11086).
Spectroquant® Prove Connect is optionally avail-
able at www.sigmaaldrich.com/
6 spectroquant-prove-connect.

1
Data Transfer from Spectroquant®
Prove plus with USB Memory Device
7
NOTE
The reliability of data stored on USB memory
When the function is activated, the symbol for
devices depends on the quality of the memory
8 the function “Delete” 1 is shown in the screen
device and the data transmission.
of the results list.

Data are stored partly or not at all if for example:

9 • The power supply of the external memory de-
vice is interrupted during the write process, or
• The external memory device is prematurely
2
disconnected from the spectrophotometer dur-
10 ing the data backup

To prevent a data loss we recommend the fol-

lowing:
11 3 • Store all data internally in the spectrophotom-
eter first
• After performing a backup leave the USB
memory device connected to the spectropho-
12 1. Click on the results that you wish to delete tometer for some time
2 . • Check whether the stored data is complete,
2. Tap “Delete” 3 to delete these results. e. g. on a PC
• Use the USB memory device for data transport
13 but not for ­permanent data storage
NOTE
The deletion of results is documented in the user
log file (for further details on log files please see
14 section 9.2.7 and section 16).

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3
NOTE
The data are exported as CSV files. To open
them in a spreadsheet make sure that your PC
calculation program is set to the same decimal 4
separator as the spectrophotometer (see section
8.2.4).

1
6

8
1.  elect the results you want to export by
S
ticking the box 1 .
9

10

11
2

12
2. E xport the selected results by tapping on the
Export button 2 .
3. The in-progress icon appears during the 13
data-export ­procedure.
4. When the in-progress icon disappears, wait
for some more time before removing the
USB device to make sure all data are trans- 14
ferred.

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 1 9 Operation – 9.14 User Management

9.14 User Management

The Spectroquant® Prove plus allows the man- Administrators and users log in to the spectro-
3
agement of up to 100 users. Every user is mem- photometer with their user name and password.
ber of a user group with defined user rights. Thus, documented measured values can later be
assigned to the user.
4 User groups
There are two hierarchical user groups: NOTE
• Administrator (top level) The user management function is not active in
• User (user account registered by the adminis- the Spectroquant® Prove plus when it leaves the
5 trator) factory. Every user can carry out all functions.
Activating the user management creates an ad-
ministrator user account.

6
User rights in detail

Action Administrator User

7
Change system date/time X

Change GUI language X X

Firmware update X
8
Language update X

Method update X

9 Export error log X X

Run AQA1/AQA2 X X

Create/edit AQA1/AQA2 X

10 Display AQA status X X

Display AQA results X X

User management On/Off X

11 Run measurements X X

Evaluate measurements X X

Export results and measurement datasets X X

12 Handle user-defined methods X X

Recalibrate factory pre-programmed methods X X

Backup/restore X
13

14

15

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 9 Operation – 9.14 User Management 1

9.14.1 A
 ctivating/Deactivating the User
­Management Function
3
If the user management function is activated by
ticking 1 , each user has to log in to the spec-
trophotometer. After the login, the user has
certain rights depending on the user group. Only 4
an ­administrator can deactivate the user man-
agement function. If the function is deactivated, 1
every user has full instrument rights.

2
5

2. Tap on the box 1 . A tick appears.

3. Tap on the Save button 2 and the user
management is active. 7
4. An administrator can deactivate the User
management function by tapping on the box
1 to remove the tick.
5. Tap on the Save button 2 to store the 8
changes. The User management is deacti-
1.  apping on "System" and "User" opens the
T vated.
screen to activate the user management.
9

10

11

12

13

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 1 9 Operation – 9.14 User Management

9.14.2 Create an Administrator/

User Account
3

1
6
3
4
4

4
5 2

On the right part 1 of the screen "User Manage- 5. I f the new user has been created success-
ment" administrators or users can be created. fully, the user name appears on the left 6 .
7 1. Tap on the Add button 2 to start to create
an administrator/user.
2. Select whether you want to create an admin- 7
istrator or user by tapping on field 3 .
8
NOTE
The first person who is created is automatically
assigned administrator rights. Here it is not
9
possible to select “Administrator” or “User”.

3.  nter name, password and confirm password

E
10 in the following fields 4 .

7
11

12
5

13

4.  he administrator resp. user is created by

T NOTE
14 tapping on the OK button 5 . Error messages 7 appear if the user name al-
ready exists or the password is not confirmed
correctly.

15

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 9 Operation – 9.14 User Management 1

9.14.3 Edit or Delete a User

NOTE 3
Edit or delete a user is possible only for
4
administrators. A regular user cannot access the
User management submenu and can change the
password in the Login/Logout menu only (see 4
section 9.15.1). 5

7 6
5
1
2

6
3.  ap on the Edit button 3 .
T
4. You can edit the access rights (Administrator
3
or User) 4 and change the password 5 .
5. Confirm your changes with the OK button 6 . 7
6. To delete a user proceed as before and tap
on the Delete b ­ utton 7 .

1.  ap on the System menu button and select

T 8
the submenu User.
2. Select the user from the list on the left 1 by
tapping on the corresponding name 2 .
9

9 8

10

11
7.  onfirm your changes with the OK button 8 .
C
You can quit your decision with the X button
9 .
12

13

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 1 9 Operation – 9.15 Login/Logout

9.15 Login/Logout
I f the user management is activated (see sec-
3
tion 9.14.1), login is mandatory to receive user
or administrator rights.
To login into the spectrophotometer proceed
as follows:
4

5 2

5
4

1
6

1. Select Login/Logout 1 from the main menu. 5.  nter the user password by using the key
E
8 2. Tap on the arrow to open the user list 2 . pad 5 and confirm it with OK 6 .

10

11

3. Select the user name from the user list 3 . 6. The screen changes to the start screen. The
12 4. Tap on the entry field 4 . user name of the logged in user appears in
the upper status bar 7 .

13

14

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 9 Operation – 9.15 Login/Logout 1

9.15.1 C
 hange Password with User 2
Rights Only
If you are registered with user rights only, you
have to change your password in the Login/ 3
8 Logout mode.

1
4

3
5
2

7.  rong entry of the password creates the

W
warning "Invalid login" 8 . Repeat the proce-
6
dure above with the correct ­password.

To Logout as user or administrator

1.  o change your password you have to be
T 7
logged in (see section 9.15). After successful
login your user name appears in the upper
status bar 1 .
8
3

1
9

4
10

1. Select Login/Logout 1 from the main menu.

2. Tap on the Logout button 2 . 11

NOTE
2. S elect Login/Logout 2 from the main menu.
To continue as a different administrator or user, 3. Tap on the lock icon 3 .
open the user l­ist by tapping on the arrow 3
12
4. Enter the new password and confirm it in the
and select the user from the list. ­Enter the cor- entry fields 4 .
responding password as described above. 5. Store your changes with the Save button 5 .
6. Login with your new password (see section 13
9.15).
7. The screen changes back to the Login/
Logout mode.
Press Start again to continue. 14

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 1
10 Maintenance and Cleaning

10.1 Exchanging the Buffer Battery

3 3. Insert the new batteries in the battery
compartment, making sure the polarity is
correct. Use only lithium ion batteries of the
type CR 2032. Insert the battery with the
4
writing facing upwards. The ± signs on the
batteries must match the ± signs in the bat-
tery compartment.
5
1

7 1
Battery service life
The power consumption of the clock is very low.
The service life of high-quality batteries is at
8
least five years.
4. Close the battery compartment cover 1 .
Disposal of batteries
Dispose of the batteries at a suitable facility
9 NOTE
according to local legal requirements. Please
do not dispose of the batteries with household If you leave the spectrophotometer switched on
refuse. during the
Within the European Union, the batteries are exchange or insert the new batteries within a
10 minute after taking out the old ones, the date
removed at specialized treatment centers at the
end of the instrument's life. Instruments are tak- and time are retained in the spectrophotometer.
en to one of these specialized treatment centers
11 via the recycling system set up for this purpose.

12

13
2

14

1. Open the battery compartment cover 1 .

15 2. Remove the old batteries 2 from the bat-
tery compartment using a pair of tweezers.

16
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 10 Maintenance and Cleaning – 10.2 Exchanging the Lamp (Prove 100 plus) 1

10.2 Exchanging the Halogen Lamp

(Prove 100 plus)
3
WARNING
Before exchanging the lamp, switch the instru-
ment off and disconnect the power plug from the 4
power supply! If the lamp has snapped off or is
broken, it must be exchanged by the Customer
Service Department, as there is a risk of signifi-
cant injury! 5

CAUTION
There is a risk of explosion if unsuitable lamps
6
are used.
Use only the lamp that is intended for use with
your instrument.
7
Disposal of the lamp
Dispose of the lamp at a suitable facility accord-
ing to local legal requirements. Please do not
dispose of the lamp along with household refuse. 8
Within the European Union, the lamp is removed
at specialized treatment centers at the end of
the instrument's life. Instruments are taken to
one of these specialized treatment centers via 9
the recycling system set up for this purpose.

3.  pen the lamp compartment cover and re-

O
Procedure 10
move it.

11

12

1
13

1. Place the spectrophotometer bottom-side up 4.  arefully remove the lamp module from the
C
14
on a soft surface. lamp compartment. Do not touch the lamp.
2. Remove the screws of the lamp compartment Use the mount 1 to take it off.
cover with an appropriate screw driver.
15

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 1 10 Maintenance and Cleaning – 10.2 Exchanging the Lamp (Prove 100 plus) – 10.3 Cleaning

10.3 Cleaning
If a cell has broken or in the event of a reagent
3
accident, the spectrophotometer must be cleaned
immediately.

4 WARNING
Cells can contain dangerous substances. If the
contents are ­released, follow the safety instruc-
tions of the Material Safety ­Data Sheet (MSDS).
5 If necessary, apply appropriate protective mea-
1 sures (protective goggles, protective gloves
etc.).

6 CAUTION
5. I nstall the new lamp module in the lamp
compartment. Use the mount 1 to insert Do not turn the spectrophotometer upside down
the lamp module. to remove the liquid. Doing so can cause the liq-
7 Do not touch the lamp to ensure that the uid could come into contact with electronic com-
service life of the lamp is not affected! ponents and damage the spectrophotometer.
6. Close the lamp compartment cover with an
appropriate screw driver. CAUTION
8 The spectrophotometer has two drains at the
NOTE bottom through which the c ­ ontents of broken
Upon renewed use of the spectrophotometer, re- cells or spilled liquid can drain off without caus-
boot the instrument and reset the lamp counter ing any damage to the instrument.
9 to zero (see section 9.2.1). If the self-test is
passed the instrument is ready for further mea-
surements.
10.3.1 Cleaning the Housing and Display
10
CAUTION
The housing components are made of synthetic
materials. Avoid any contact with acetone, simi-
11
lar solvents and detergents containing such sol-
vents. Wipe off any splashes immediately.
Displays: Avoid contact with concentrated miner-
al acids, concentrated caustic solutions, benzyl
12
alcohol and methylene chloride. Wipe off any
splashes immediately.

13 Clean the spectrophotometer housing as follows:

• If the housing surface is dirty, wipe it with a
soft cloth and mild soapy water
• Remove any chemicals splashes as soon as
14 possible
• For disinfection, brief use of isopropanol is per-
mitted
Clean the displays with a soft cloth, if needed
15 moistened with clean water and a mild deter-
gent.

16
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 10 Maintenance and Cleaning – 10.3 Cleaning 1

10.3.2 Cleaning the Cell Compartment

CAUTION Prove 600 plus: 3

2. Take the round cell holder 3 out. Take the
The cell compartment components are made of
cell compartment 4 with both hands, put
synthetic materials. Avoid any contact with ace-
the left and right forefingers against the
tone, similar solvents and detergents containing
interior left and right of the compartment. 4
such solvents. Wipe off any splashes immediately.
3. Remove the cell compartment by pulling
evenly with both hands and hold it in a hori-
Routine cleaning of the cell compartment is zontal position.
normally unnecessary. Remove dust and slight 5
contamination with a moist, lint-free cloth. In
NOTE
case of spilled reagents switch the instrument
off and take the cell compartment out. Rinse it Put the cell compartment back in place by the
with clean water. same procedure. 6
Use isopropanol briefly to remove persistent It is important that the compartment is com-
contamination (e. g. reagent residues). pletely pushed down to avoid false measurement
results.
CAUTION 7
Clean the cell compartment only while wearing Prove
100 plus
proper gloves to protect your hands! 2
Prove
300 plus 8
Make sure that you wear appropriate gloves and
clean the cell compartment as follows:
1. Open the cover 1 .
Prove
600 plus 3 9
Prove 100 plus and 300 plus:
2. Take the cell compartment 2 with both
hands, put the left ­forefinger against the left Prove 4
side of the interior of the compartment and 600 plus
10
take the round cell holder with your right
hand.
3. Remove the cell compartment by pulling
evenly with both hands and hold it in a hori- 11
zontal position.

1
12

13

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 1 10 Maintenance and Cleaning – 10.3 Cleaning

3 In case a cell is broken in the cell compartment

proceed as follows:
1. Switch off the spectrophotometer 1 and dis- 1
connect the power plug 2 .
4 2. Liquid might have drained onto the lab bench
through the drains on the bottom of the in-
strument. Remove the instrument and clean
the bench.
5 3. Wipe the bottom of the instrument clean
without turning it upside down. 2
4. Remove the cell compartment as described
above.
6 5. Carefully remove all broken glass, e. g. with
a pair of tweezers.
6. Rinse the cell compartment thoroughly with
clean water. Dry it with a lint-free cloth. Use
7 isopropanol briefly to remove persistent con-
tamination.
7. In case the non-removable part of the com-
partment is dirty clean it with a clean cloth.
8 8. Insert the cell compartment as described
above.

NOTE
9
Upon renewed use of the spectrophotometer,
reboot the instrument. If the self-test is passed
the instrument is ready for ­further measure-
10 ments. If the self-test fails, check whether the
­detector lens is dirty and clean it (see section
10.3.4).

11

12

13

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172 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 10 Maintenance and Cleaning – 10.3 Cleaning 1

10.3.3 Cleaning the Cell Compartment

Cover and the Rear Cavity
3
CAUTION 3.  lean the cover and the rear cavity with
C
clean water and
The cell compartment cover is made of synthetic
dry it with a soft lint-free cloth.
materials.
4. Insert the cover: Put the round fittings at
4
Avoid any contact with acetone, similar solvents
both sides 3 into the sliding cavities left and
and detergents ­containing such solvents. Wipe
right by pressing the fittings 2 again and
off any splashes immediately.
moving it slowly and carefully back and forth
5
until the round fittings sit and the cover
Clean the cell compartment cover as follows: slides perfectly again.
• If the surface of the cell compartment cover is
dirty, wipe it with a soft cloth and mild soapy
water 6
• Remove any chemicals splashes as soon as
possible 2 Press
• For disinfection, brief use of isopropanol is per-
mitted
2 Press 7

You can remove the cell compartment cover in

case anything is spilled or fallen into the rear 3
8
cavity. Proceed as follows:
Rotate

10
1

11

12

13
1. Open the cell compartment cover 1 .
2. Press the two fittings inside of the cover 2
and rotate the cover slightly. It will turn and
you can take it out. 14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 173
 1 10 Maintenance and Cleaning – 10.3 Cleaning

10.3.4 Cleaning the Detector Lens

Routine cleaning of the detector lens is normally
3 3
unnecessary. Cleaning the detector lens can be
necessary in the following cases: 4
• If the lens is visibly smudged, e. g. after a cell
has broken or after a reagent accident (see
4
section 10.3.2)
• If the self-tests fails

5 NOTE
If the lens is often smudged make sure to pro-
tect the instrument from dirt, dust and evapo-
rates of chemicals. Check operation conditions of
6 temperature and humidity. They have to be in
­accordance with the values specified in the tech-
nical data sheet (see section 12).

9
2

10
Proceed as follows to clean the detector lens: 2. C
 ut off the end (approx. 2 cm) of a Dacron®
The detector lens is situated on the front left swab, e. g. HY-LiTE® sampling pen, Cat. No.
side of the 1.30102.0021.
11 rectangular cell compartment 3 . 3. Grasp the cut-off end with the tip of a pair
of tweezers or small pliers. Clean the lens 4
1.  witch off the spectrophotometer
S 1 and with the dry head of the swab. To do
disconnect the power plug 2 . so, move the head from the center of the
12 lens outward ­in
circles. If there is persistent contamination,
moisten the swab with a little deionized wa-
ter or isopropanol.
13
NOTE
Upon renewed use of the spectrophotometer,
14 reboot the instrument. If the self-test is passed
the instrument is ready for further measure-
ments.

15

16
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 1

10

11

12

13

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16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 175
 1
11 Error Causes and Trouble-shooting

Error Cause Remedy

3 Self-test does not start. • A cell is inserted in one of the cell • Remove the cell
Start button is inactive ­compartments • Then tap on the Start button
• 
A foreign object is inserted in one of the • Remove the foreign object
two cell compartment • Then tap on the Start button
4 • 
The cell compartment is dirty • 
Clean the cell compartment (see section
10.3.2)
• Restart the instrument
• Instrument defective v Contact service department
5
Self-test failed • System check: Instrument defective • Contact service department
• Lamp check: Lamp defective • Prove 100 plus: Change the lamp
• 
Prove 300 plus | 600 plus: Contact service
6 department
• Wavelength check: • Remove the foreign object
• Foreign bodies in the cell compartment • 
Clean the lens (see section 10.3.4)
• Lens dirty If this happens repeatedly, check the oper-
• Instrument defective ating conditions (see section 8.1)
7 • Contact service department

The message "system • System has frozen • 

Switch the instrument off, wait 1 minute
error" shows up and turn it on again. If error message re-
8 mains contact service department

Instrument does not • 

Operating condition undefined or EMC • 
Disconnect instrument from the electricity
react to touchscreen load unallowed supply, wait 1 minute and re-connect
operation
9
Measuring range under- • 
Selected method's measuring range • 
Select method with suitable measuring
cut or exceeded not ­suitable to sample concentration range
• Dilute the sample
10
Obviously incorrect • Cell dirty • Clean the cell
measured values • Dilution set incorrectly • Set the dilution
• Selected method not suitable • Select different method
11 • Zero measurement incorrect • Perform zero measurement
• Blank value incorrect • Re-measure the blank value

12

13

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 11 Error Causes and Trouble-shooting 1

Error Cause Remedy

Data transfer to USB • Power supply of USB is interrupted • Connect power supply 3
not working • USB has been disconnected while • Wait for one more minute before
data ­transfer was still running disconnect­ing the USB device from the
instrument

Connected printer does • Print to pdf is activated • 

Deactivate print to pdf
4
not print • Printer is not a PostScript printer • 
Connect a printer that can interpret Post-
Script

Data format in PC cal- • D ecimal separator not adjusted to PC • 

Use the same decimal separator in 5
culation program not ­c alculation program the ­instrument which is used in the PC
correct (see ­section 8.2.4)

10

11

12

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 177
 1
12 Technical Data

The serial number of the spectrophotometer is printed on the type plate at the rear of the instru-
ment starting with "SN". The serial number is also stored in the instrument and can be looked up
3 ­under "System" and submenu "Information", the last line MCS serial contains the serial number of the
instrument (see section 9.2.1).

12.1 Spectroquant® Prove 100 plus

4
Spectroquant® Prove 100 plus

Measuring technology Spectrophotometer with reference beam technology

5
Wavelength range 320 – 1,100 nm

Lamp type Tungsten halogen lamp

Measuring modes Concentration, absorbance, transmission, multi wavelengths, spectra and kinetics in
6 absorbance and transmission mode

Spectral bandwidth 4 nm

Wavelength resolution 1 nm (scan 0.1 nm)

7 Wavelength reproducibility ± 0.2 nm

Wavelength accuracy ± 1 nm

Stray light ≤ 0.1% transmission at 340 nm

8 Photometric range ± 3.0 Abs

Absorbance resolution 0.001 Abs

Absorbance reproducibility ± 0.003 absorbance at 1 absorbance between 320 nm and 900 nm

9
Absorbance accuracy at 340 – 900 nm
1 absorbance: ± 0.005 absorbance
2 absorbance: ± 0.005 absorbance
2.5 absorbance: ± 0.010 absorbance
10
Scan Limits freely selectable within the wavelength range
Increment: 0.1/1/5 nm
Scan speed: up to 170 nm/min (depending on the increment)

Smart Screen Display Display p-cap glass touch screen

11
Live ID barcode Automatic 2-D barcode reading system for all Spectroquant® cell and reagent tests
Barcode contains lot, expiry, and calibration data. Data stored with each measurement

Cell size 16 mm round cells, 10, 20 and 50 mm rectangular cells with automatic recognition
12
Minimum filling volumes 16-mm round cells: 4 ml
10-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 2 ml (Semimicro): 1 ml
20-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 4 ml (Semimicro): 2 ml
50-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 8 ml (Semimicro): 4 ml
13
Cell holder Removable for easy cleaning

Methods Programmed methods of all Spectroquant® cell and reagent tests, additional user-defined
­ ethods:
m
14 99 concentration mode, 20 kinetic mode, 20 wavelength scans

15

16
178 Version 1.0 – 01/2024
 12 Technical Data – 12.1 Spectroquant® Prove 100 plus 1

3
Spectroquant® Prove 100 plus

Applications Free pre-programmed applications: bromate, brewery packages (MEBAK/EBC methods),

­sugar ­(ICUMSA), oil (DOBI, olive oil), color, and food
4
Ambient light protection Measurement with open shaft possible due to proprietary ­solution (patent pending)

AQA prime Individual settings for all methods in

AQA1 mode: instrument check using PhotoCheck and/or Certipur® standards
AQA2 mode: system check using CombiCheck or standard solutions 5
Monitoring functions Instrument-supported pipette check and sample matrix check

Ad hoc measurement Direct access to absorbance/transmission, kinetic and spectrum measurement

Software and method Free updates on our website (www.sigmaaldrich.com/photometer-service) via internet 6
update and USB stick

Communication interfaces USB: 2 × USB-A (for printer, USB memory devices, keyboard or bar code reader),
1 × USB-mini-B
Ethernet: LAN connection 7
Data storage 7,000 single measured values from the measuring modes concentration, absorbance/%
­transmission and multi ­wavelengths. 500 measurement result records of spectra,
kinetics, AQA1, and AQA2 methods each

Languages English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Brazilian-Portuguese, Chinese (simplified and 8
­traditional), Japanese, Russian, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Greek, Hungarian,
­Indonesian, Malay, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovene,
Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Korean

Protection class IP 31 for optics and electronics 9

Power supply Power supply with 4 cables (1.2 m long) fitting US, EU, UK, and China plugs
Total cable length 3 m (1.8 and 1.2 m)

Power requirements 100 V – 230 V, 50 – 60 Hz 10

Power consumption Standard working condition: 12 W; power save mode: 8.8 W
In regular measurement state: 55.2 W

Temperature Operation: 10 – 35 °C; storage: -20 °C to +60 °C for 24 hours

11
Allowable relative humidity Operation: 20 – 80% rH, storage in ambient relative humidity conditions of 20% to 95%
Non-condensing

Dimensions 418 × 278 × 169 mm (width × depth × height)

12
Weight approx. 6.8 kg

Warranty 24 months

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, EN IEC 61326-1:2021, IEC 61326-1:2020

13
Instrument safety Directive 2014/35/EU, IEC 61010-1:2010/AMD1:2016, EN 61010-1:2010/A1:2019,
UL 61010-1:2012/R:2019-07, CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1:2012/A1:2018-11

14

15

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 179
 1 12 Technical Data – 12.2 Spectroquant® Prove 300 plus

12.2 Spectroquant® Prove 300 plus

3
Spectroquant® Prove 300 plus

Measuring technology Spectrophotometer with reference beam technology

Wavelength range 190 – 1,100 nm

4
Lamp type Xenon flash lamp

Measuring modes Concentration, absorbance, transmission, multi wavelengths, spectra and kinetics in
absorbance and transmission mode
5 Spectral bandwidth 4 nm

Wavelength resolution 1 nm (scan 0.1 nm)

Wavelength reproducibility ± 0.2 nm

6
Wavelength accuracy ± 1 nm

Stray light ≤ 0.1% transmission at 340 nm; ≤ 1% transmission at 198 nm

Photometric range ± 3.0 Abs

7
Absorbance resolution 0.001 Abs

Absorbance reproducibility ± 0.003 absorbance at 1 absorbance between 200 nm and 900 nm

Absorbance accuracy at 300 – 900 nm

8 1 absorbance: ± 0.005 absorbance
2 absorbance: ± 0.005 absorbance
2.5 absorbance: ± 0.008 absorbance

Scan Limits freely selectable within the wavelength range

9 Increment: 0.1/1/5 nm
Scan speed: up to 750 nm/min (depending on the increment)

Smart Screen Display Display p-cap glass touch screen

10 Live ID barcode Automatic 2-D barcode reading system for all Spectroquant® cell and reagent tests
Barcode contains lot, expiry, and calibration data. Data stored with each measurement

Cell size 16 mm round cells, 10, 20 and 50 mm rectangular cells with automatic recognition

Minimum filling volumes 16-mm round cells: 4 ml

11 10-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 2 ml (Semimicro): 1 ml
20-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 4 ml (Semimicro): 2 ml
50-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 8 ml (Semimicro): 4 ml

Cell holder Removable for easy cleaning

12
Methods Programmed methods of all Spectroquant® cell and reagent tests, additional user-defined
­methods:
99 concentration mode, 20 kinetic mode, 20 wavelength scans

13

14

15

16
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 12 Technical Data – 12.2 Spectroquant® Prove 300 plus 1

3
Spectroquant® Prove 300 plus

Applications Free pre-programmed applications: bromate, brewery packages (MEBAK/EBC methods),

­sugar ­(ICUMSA), oil (DOBI, olive oil), color, and food

Ambient light protection Measurement with open shaft possible due to proprietary solution (patent pending) 4
AQA prime Individual settings for all methods in
AQA1 mode: instrument check using PhotoCheck and/or Certipur® standards
AQA2 mode: system check using CombiCheck or standard solutions
5
Monitoring functions Instrument-supported pipette check and sample matrix check

Ad hoc measurement Direct access to absorbance/transmission, kinetic and spectrum measurement

Software and method Free updates on our website (www.sigmaaldrich.com/photometer-service) via internet
update and USB stick
6
Communication interfaces USB: 2 × USB-A (for printer, USB memory devices, keyboard or bar code reader),
1 × USB-mini-B
Ethernet: LAN connection
7
Data storage 7,000 single measured values from the measuring modes concentration, absorbance/%
­transmission and multi ­wavelengths. 500 measurement result records of spectra,
kinetics, AQA1, and AQA2 methods each

Languages English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Brazilian-Portuguese, Chinese (simplified and 8
­traditional), Japanese, Russian, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Greek, Hungarian,
­Indonesian, Malay, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovene,
Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Korean

Protection class IP 31 for optics and electronics 9

Power supply Power supply with 4 cables (1.2 m long) fitting US, EU, UK, and China plugs
Total cable length 3 m (1.8 and 1.2 m)

Power requirements 100 V – 230 V, 50 – 60 Hz

10
Power consumption Standard working condition: 12 W; power save mode: 8.6 W
In regular measurement state: 46.5 W

Temperature Operation: 10 – 35 °C; storage: -20 °C to +60 °C for 24 hours

11
Allowable relative humidity Operation: 20 – 80% rH, storage in ambient relative humidity conditions of 20% to 95%
Non-condensing

Dimensions 418 × 278 × 169 mm (width × depth × height)

Weight approx. 6.8 kg 12

Warranty 24 months

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, EN IEC 61326-1:2021, IEC 61326-1:2020

Instrument safety Directive 2014/35/EU, IEC 61010-1:2010/AMD1:2016, EN 61010-1:2010/A1:2019,

13
UL 61010-1:2012/R:2019-07, CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1:2012/A1:2018-11

14

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Version 1.0 – 01/2024 181
 1 12 Technical Data – 12.3 Spectroquant® Prove 600 plus

12.3 Spectroquant® Prove 600 plus

3
Spectroquant® Prove 600 plus

Measuring technology Spectrophotometer with reference beam technology

Wavelength range 190 – 1,100 nm

4
Lamp type Xenon flash lamp

Measuring modes Concentration, absorbance, transmission, multi wavelengths, spectra and kinetics in
absorbance and transmission mode
5 Spectral bandwidth 1.8 nm

Toluene/hexane ratio > 1.4 – the correlation of spectral bandwidth to resolution for a toluene in hexane
solution standard measured at ambient temperature 25 °C

6 Wavelength resolution 1 nm (scan 0.1 nm)

Wavelength reproducibility ± 0.1 nm

Wavelength accuracy ± 1 nm
7 Stray light ≤ 0.1% transmission at 340 nm; ≤ 1% transmission at 198 nm

Photometric range ± 3.3 Abs

Absorbance resolution 0.001 Abs

8 Absorbance reproducibility ± 0.003 absorbance at 1 absorbance between 200 nm and 900 nm

Absorbance accuracy at 230 – 900 nm

1 absorbance: ± 0.004 absorbance
2 absorbance: ± 0.004 absorbance
9 2.5 absorbance: ± 0.006 absorbance

Scan Limits freely selectable within the wavelength range

Increment: 0.1/1/5 nm
Scan speed: up to 750 nm/min (depending on the increment)
10
Smart Screen Display Display p-cap glass touch screen

Live ID barcode Automatic 2-D barcode reading system for all Spectroquant® cell and reagent tests
Barcode contains lot, expiry, and calibration data. Data stored with each measurement
11 Cell size 16 mm round cells, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mm rectangular cells with automatic recognition

Minimum filling volumes 16-mm round cells: 4 ml

10-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 2 ml (Semimicro): 1 ml
20-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 4 ml (Semimicro): 2 ml
12 50-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 8 ml (Semimicro): 4 ml
100-mm rectangular cells (Standard): 16 ml

Cell holder Removable for easy cleaning

13 Methods Programmed methods of all Spectroquant® cell and reagent tests, additional user-defined
­methods:
99 concentration mode, 20 kinetic mode, 20 wavelength scans

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3
Spectroquant® Prove 600 plus

Applications Free pre-programmed applications: bromate, brewery packages (MEBAK/EBC methods),

­sugar ­(ICUMSA), oil (DOBI, olive oil), color, and food

Ambient light protection Measurement with open shaft possible due to proprietary solution (patent pending) 4
AQA prime Individual settings for all methods in
AQA1 mode: instrument check using PhotoCheck and/or Certipur® standards
AQA2 mode: system check using CombiCheck or standard solutions
5
Monitoring functions Instrument-supported pipette check and sample matrix check

Ad hoc measurement Direct access to absorbance/transmission, kinetic and spectrum measurement

Software and method Free updates on our website (www.sigmaaldrich.com/photometer-service) via internet
update and USB stick
6
Communication interfaces USB: 2 × USB-A (for printer, USB memory devices, keyboard or bar code reader),
1 × USB-mini-B
Ethernet: LAN connection
7
Data storage 7,000 single measured values from the measuring modes concentration, absorbance/%
­transmission and multi ­wavelengths. 500 measurement result records of spectra,
kinetics, AQA1, and AQA2 methods each

Languages English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Brazilian-Portuguese, Chinese (simplified and 8
­traditional), Japanese, Russian, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Greek, Hungarian,
­Indonesian, Malay, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovene,
Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Korean

Protection class IP 31 for optics and electronics 9

Power supply Power supply with 4 cables (1.2 m long) fitting US, EU, UK, and China plugs
Total cable length 3 m (1.8 and 1.2 m)

Power requirements 100 V – 230 V, 50 – 60 Hz

10
Power consumption Standard working condition: 12 W; power save mode: 8.6 W
In regular measurement state: 46.5 W

Temperature Operation: 10 – 35 °C; storage: -20 °C to +60 °C for 24 hours

11
Allowable relative humidity Operation: 20 – 80% rH, storage in ambient relative humidity conditions of 20% to 95%
Non-condensing

Dimensions 418 × 278 × 169 mm (width × depth × height)

Weight approx. 6.8 kg 12

Warranty 24 months

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, EN IEC 61326-1:2021, IEC 61326-1:2020

Instrument safety Directive 2014/35/EU, IEC 61010-1:2010/AMD1:2016, EN 61010-1:2010/A1:2019, 13

UL 61010-1:2012/R:2019-07, CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1:2012/A1:2018-11

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13 Accessories and Test Media

13.1 Accessories
3
Description Order No.

Halogen lamp module for Spectroquant® Prove 100 plus 1.74010.0001

Case for Spectroquant spectrophotometer Prove 100 plus | 300 plus | 600 plus
®
1.73020.0001
4
Rectangular cells 10 mm (1 pack = 2 pcs) 1.14946.0001

Rectangular cells 20 mm (1 pack = 2 pcs) 1.14947.0001

Rectangular cells 50 mm (1 pack = 2 pcs) 1.14944.0001

5
Semi-microcells 50 mm (1 pack = 2 pcs) 1.73502.0001

Rectangular cells quartz 10 mm (1 pack = 2 pcs) 1.00784.0001

6 Empty cells 16 mm ∅ (1 pack = 25 pcs) with screw cap 1.14724.0001

Zero Cell (1 pack = 1 pc) 1.73503.0001

Rectangular cell 100 mm 1.74011.0001

7 Prove Connect to LIMS Y110860001

13.2 Optional Equipment/Connection Cables

8

Optional equipment Description Order No.

USB barcode reader (hand-held scanner) Trade

9
USB PC keyboard Trade

Connection cables Cable with USB-mini-B and USB-A plug Trade

10

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 13 Accessories and Test Media – 13.3 Test Media 1

13.3 Test Media

3
Description Order No.

Test media for instrument check Spectroquant® PhotoCheck 1.14693.0001

(AQA1)

Certipur® UV/VIS Standard 1 potassium dichromate solution 1.08160.0001 4

to check absorbance according to DAB and Ph.Eur.

Certipur® UV/VIS Standard 1A potassium dichromate solution 1.04660.0001

to check absorbance at 430 nm according to DAB and Ph.Eur.
5
Certipur® UV/VIS Standard 2 – sodium nitrite solution 1.08161.0001
to check scattered light according to DAB and Ph.Eur.

Certipur® UV/VIS Standard 3 – sodium iodide solution 1.08163.0001

to check scattered light according to DAB and Ph.Eur. 6
Certipur® UV/VIS Standard 5 – toluene solution in n-hexane 1.08165.0001
to check resolution power according to Ph.Eur.

Certipur® UV/VIS Standard 6 – holmium oxide solution 1.08166.0001

7
reference material for wavelength according to DAB and Ph.Eur.

Test media for system check Spectroquant® CombiCheck, standard solutions, and Certipur® standard
(AQA2) and MatrixCheck (AQA3) solutions are listed in the catalog "Water, Food and Enviromental Analytics" and on
the Internet under www.sigmaaldrich.com
8
Test equipment for pipet volume Spectroquant® PipeCheck 1.14962.0001

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14 Appendix

Absorbance Logarithmic dimension for the absorption of the sample; negative decadal logarithm of the
transmission.
3
Analysis instructions The exact workflow for carrying out the detection procedure is described in the analysis
instructions.

AQA Analytical Quality Assurance.

4 AQA1 1st step of analytical quality assurance: monitoring of the instrument.

AQA2 2nd step of analytical quality assurance: monitoring of the total system.

AQA2 labeling In the documentation, measured values are given an AQA2 labeling if the measurement was
5 carried out with AQA2.

AutoSelector Plastic cylinder with barcode. It transmits the code for a reagent test kit to the spectropho-
tometer. To insert it into the spectrophotometer open the lid and place it into the round cell
compartment.
6 Barcode 2-D barcode containing information on method number, expiry and lot number. If needed, it
also contains data for a calibration update. Barcode is read by the inbuilt barcode reader.

Baseline Reference value for the spectrum of reference absorbances or reference transmissions.

7 Cell Vessel to take a liquid sample for measurement in a spectrophotometer. The cell material
(mostly glass) must have certain optical features to be suitable for photometry.

Citation forms Different forms of representing a measured concentration value that can be derived from
each other. The method for the determination of phosphate, for example, provides a mea-
8 sured value for phosphorus P. This measured value can alternatively be given in the citation
forms PO4, PO4-P or P2O5.

CombiCheck Multiparameter standards used to check the total system for a method and for the Matrix-
Check.
9 Concentration Mass or amount of a dissolved substance per volume, e. g. in g/l or mol/l.

Detection procedure The detection procedure designates the general principle of how a sample is brought into
a form suitable for measurement. Different methods can be based on the same detection
procedure.
10
Kinetics Measurement over a period of time.

Log files These contain the automatically recorded log of all or specific actions of processes in the
device.
11
MatrixCheck Check on whether the photometric determination is disturbed by other sample ingredients
(sample matrix). The MatrixCheck can be carried out by spiking or diluting.

Measuring solution Name for the sample ready to be measured. A measurement sample is obtained from the
12 analytical sample (primary sample), usually through work-up. Measuring solution and analytical
sample are identical when there has been no work-up.

Measured value The measured value is the special value of a measured parameter to be determined. It is ex-
pressed as a combination of the numerical value and unit (e. g. 3 m; 0.5 s; 5.2 A; 373.15 K).
13 Method A method comprises a chemical detection procedure and special method data (calibration
line) that is required to evaluate the measurement results. How to carry out the method up
to ­measuring with the spectrophotometer is described in the analysis instructions. All
Spectroquant® Prove plus spectro­photometers contain a database with methods. Further-
more, user-defined methods can be entered in the database as well.
14
PhotoCheck standard Stable color solution with defined absorbance values for the check of AQA1 on the spectro-
photometer.

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Reagent blank The evaluation of the photometric measurement always refers to the comparison value of a
test ­solution without the substance to be determined (reagent blank value). Thus the influ-
ence of the basic absorbance of the reagents on photometric measurement is compensated 3
for. For all measurements with Spectroquant® test kits (concentration mode) there is an
exactly determined reagent blank value stored in the spectrophotometer. This value can,
however, be overwritten by a reagent blank value measured by yourself. If needed the 2-D
barcode on the cell tests and the AutoSelector may also contain an updated reagent blank
4
which overwrites the pre-programmed reagent blank in the instrument.

Recovery Recovery is the found measured value divided by the default value (percentage).
Example: Default value 20 mg/l; Found 19.7 mg/l => recovery 98.5%.

Recovery in MatrixCheck Recovery in MatrixCheck means recovery of the addition. Example of calculation: value with- 5
out ­addition = 100; addition of 20 = 120 theoretical value. Measured value = 115, only 15
from the ­addition of 20 were found, recovery = (115-100)/(120-100) = 75%

Sample blank The sample blank value is a characteristic of the sample (coloration) to be currently deter-
mined. 6
The blank is diluted depending on the method being used, but does not contain any color
reagents. The pH is the same as that of the test sample.

Spectrum Distribution of the intensity, transmission or absorbance depending on the wavelength.

7
Standard Sample with a defined concentration of the analyte to be determined.

Test kit (test) A test kit contains all reagents that are required for the photometric determination of the
sample according to the analysis instructions.

Transmission Part of the light that passes through the sample. 8

Turbidity Light attenuation caused by diffuse scattering at undissolved substances.

Zero adjustment Adjusting a spectrophotometer with a water-filled cell.

9

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15 List of Smart Icons on Display

Main menu Buttons Description

3 Method list
List of all methods, irrespective of mode

Settings
4 This button is used to activate method-specific settings
(e. g. sample dilution, turbidity correction, zero adjustment, sample blank, reagent blank)

Ad hoc
For performing measurements (absorbance/transmission, spectrum, kinetics)
5 Allows measurements to be performed without the need to create methods

AQA
Overview and list of all Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) modes

6 Results list
List of all stored results

System – instrument setup

7 This button is for optional instrument settings (e. g. date, time, updates etc)

Login/logout
Check on users in and out
8
Timer list
List of stopwatch functions

9
Info Buttons Description

Methods information

10
Main menu selection button – switches between 2 main menu overviews

Switch between different citations (NH4, NH3 etc)

11
Switch between different units (mg/l, ppm etc)

Sub-menu Buttons Description

12
Absorbance/Transmission Mode
Ad hoc submenu: perform absorbance or transmission measurements
Result list: filter concentration mode

13 Concentration
Method list: create methods -> Concentration Mode
Result list: filter Ad Hoc ABS/Trans measurements

Spectrum Mode
14 Ad hoc submenu: record spectrum
Method list: create methods -> Spectrum Mode
Result list: filter spectrum mode

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Sub-menu Buttons Description

Kinetic Mode 3
Ad hoc submenu: perform kinetic measurement
Method list: create methods -> Kinetic Mode
Result list: filter kinetic mode

AQA Status 1&2 4

AQA submenus: Status display of the period of validity and the outcome (passed / failed)

AQA1
AQA submenu: List of AQA1 methods 5

AQA2
AQA submenu: List of AQA2 methods
6
Pipette check
AQA submenu: List of pipette checking methods

Information 7
System submenu displays the following information about the device:
Software/method versions, device class, lamp counter and serial number

Interface
System submenu displays the following settings options – and standard settings: 8
Audible signals – ON, Backlight – 100%, Print to pdf – ON

Region
System submenu displays the following settings options – and standard settings:
Language, date, time and country zone EU/US, decimal separator – "." (dot) 9
Quality
System submenu displays the following settings options – and standard settings:
Quick zero – OFF, AQA1 and AQA2 lock – OFF, Zero Adjustment expiry – ON (interval:
7 days), 10
Use expired reagents – OFF, Service reminder – ON

Automation
System submenu displays the following settings options – and standard settings:
Energy saving mode – ON (10 minutes), Auto Power off – OFF, Auto log off – OFF, 11
Auto store – ON, Auto print – OFF, Sample ID popup – OFF

User management
System submenu displays the following settings options – and standard settings:
Activation of user management and administrator settings, User login required – OFF 12
Service
System submenu displays the following settings options:
Various service functions such as backup, restore, export of log or system data and
import of methods 13
Update
System submenu displays the option for performing software and method updates

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Sub-menu Buttons Description

3 Network
This submenu of the “Instrument settings” menu displays the setting options for
connecting the Prove plus device with a network

Prove Connect
4 This submenu of the “Instrument settings” menu displays the setting options for
connecting the Prove plus device with Prove Connect

Selection & Description

Action Icons
5 Start

Start zero
6 Start zero adjustment for a method

Apply

7
Save

8
Stop

9 Close

Logout
10 User logout

Search method

11
Reset resp. clear filter options

12 Edit
For editing parameters

Create method
13

Duplicate/copy
The selected method is duplicated/copied
14
Print

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 15 List of Smart Icons on Display 1

Selection & Description

Action Icons
3
Export button
All selected methods are exported to an external memory device

Import button 4
Updates/methods are imported from an external memory device into the instrument

Delete
The selected items are deleted 5

Notification Icons in Description

Menu "Settings"

Dilution
6
Activate and notify predilution

Turbidity on
Activate and notify the turbidity correction
7

Show absorbance
Activate and notify display of absorbance value in the result screen
8
Zero adjustment
Perform zero adjustment

9
Sample blank value
Activate and notify Sample blank value

Reagent blank 10
Activate and notify user-defined Reagent blank

Recalibrate
Activate and notify user-defined recalibration 11

MatrixCheck
Activate MatrixCheck
12
User defined measurement range
Activate user-defined lower and upper limit of the measuring range

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2 Toggle Button Description

OFF/ON Button
0 = Off, I = On – the part displayed in light grey is active – here: 0 = OFF

3
Date/measurement
Switch between date or measurement interval (AQA2); active here: measurement interval

4 Absorbance/transmission
Switch between absorbance or transmission mode; active here: transmission mode

Spiking/dilution
5 Switch between spiking and dilution (MatrixCheck); active here: dilution

Action Icons on Description

Datepicker/Keyboard/
6 Calculator

Back

7
Close

Clear
8

Delete
9
Apply

10
Add

11 Radio Buttons/ Description

Checkboxes

Warning
Warnig symbol check info box
12
Barcode scanner deactivated
The barcode scanner for reading out the Live ID barcode on round cells and AutoSelectors
has been deactivated
13
Locked
Change password

14 Choosen
Check mark

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Selection & Description

2
Action Icons,
e. g. ­Result List

Search list
Search function, search criterion: method number, method name or article number (first 6
3
digits)

Set date/date filter

4
Sample ID
Search/results list. Search function, search criterion: sample ID

5
Select all/select none

Panorama view 6
Graphic representation of measurement series (control card, control chart, for trend
analyses)

Selection & Action Icons Description

e. g. User-defined Meth- 7
ods

Set value pair(s) for method calibration

8
Set formula for method calibration

9
Show graphic view

Selection & Action Icons Description

10
e. g. Spectrum Kinetic

Table view of values

11
Return to the recorded spectrum

Next left/Step/next right 12

Zoom out
13

Zoom in

14
View of peak max of a spectrum

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Selection & Action Icons Description

e. g. Spectrum Kinetic
3
View of peak min of a spectrum

4 Calculate and show sum of spectra

Calculate and show difference of spectra

5

Overlay of spectra

6
First-order derivative of a spectrum

7 Navigation in graphic view

Status Icons Description

8
Attention
Warning symbol check info box

9 Time
Time Stamp

Passed
10 Status of a check; ü = passed

Off
Status of a check; = inactive
11
Failed
Status of a check; - = failed

12 Expired
Status of a check; ! = overdue

Progress
13 The instrument is in progress

Progress
The instrument is in progress
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16 Contents of log files

As already mentioned in section 9.2.7, the

procedure for the export of log files involves the
creation and export of three separate files. 3

16.1 Error log file 16.2 User log file

The error log file contains the documented col- The user log file contains the documented col- 4
lection of error messages generated by the lection of relevant operations and changes in the
operating system. These error messages are settings initiated by the user.
presented in a coded format. The operations are saved in a coded format.
Each entry contains details on the date and time of Each entry contains details on the date and time, 5
the error, the error type, the process and the com- the user, and the action.
ponents involved, and the severity of the error.
The content of the error log file supports the
processing of service issues and remote diagno- 6
ses.

The information documented in the user log file are coded in the following way:
7
Group Action code Additional information

0 = General 1 = Power On -
2 = Power Off (by User) - 8
3 = Auto Power Off -
10 = Self-Test passed -
11 = Self-Test failed 1 = System-, 2 = Lamp-, 3 = WLCheck
20 = Login -
9
21 = Logoff (by User) -

1 = AQA1 Management 0 = AQA1 Locking switched Off -

1 = AQA1 Locking Switched On - 10
10 = De-Activated AQA1 Check Check ID No
11 = Activated AQA1 Check Check ID No; Interval
12 = Changed AQA1 Interval Check ID No; Interval
20 = AQA1 Check failed Check ID No
11
22 = AQA1 Check passed Check ID No

2 = AQA2 Management 0 = AQA2 Locking switched Off -

1 = AQA2 Locking Switched On - 12
10 = De-Activated AQA2 Check Method No;
11 = Activated AQA2 Check Method No; Interval; Mode
12 = Changed AQA2 Interval Method No; Interval
13 = Changed AQA2 Mode (M/D) Method No; Mode
13
20 = AQA2 Check failed Method No
22 = AQA2 Check passed Method No

3 = General AQA 0 = Allow expired reagents - 14

1 = Prohibit expired reagents -
10 = Override AQA2 overdue Method No
11 = Override pass on reagents Method No
20 = Result deleted Method No
15
4 = Zero Management 1 = Zero Adjustment Wavelength; Pathlength

16
Version 1.0 – 01/2024 195
 1 16 Contents of log files

Group Action code Additional information

3 5 = General Settings 0 = User Management Off -

1 = User Management On -
10 = Change Date New Date (Format?)
11 = Change Time New Time (Format?)
4 12 = Change Language New Language (Enumeration)
13 = Change Zero Expiration New Interval (Days)

6 = System 1 = Instrument Software Up-date Version (n;m;r)

5 10 = Backup
11 = Restore

Example of entries in a user log file: 16.3 Service log file

6 Devicename;Prove 600 plus The service log file contains the documented col-
Serialnumber;1529610052 lection of operations carried out in the course of
Software Version;ISW 1.5.0 service operations by service engineers.
Timestamp;UserId;Actiongroup;Actioncode;Info1
7 The error messages are presented in a coded
;Info2;Info3;Info4 format.
201208_0959;logout;0;10;0;0;0;0
201208_0959;anonymous;0;20;0;0;0;0
201208_1000;pm;0;20;0;0;0;0
8
201208_1000;pm;1;0;0;0;0;0
201208_1000;pm;2;0;0;0;0;0
201208_1000;pm;3;0;0;0;0;0
9 201208_1000;pm;3;20;9001;0;0;0
201208_1001;pm;3;20;9002;0;0;0

Explanation of an example:
10 201208_1001;pm;3;20;9002;0;0;0

Timestamp = 201208_1001
UserId = pm
11 Actiongroup = 3 = General AQA
Actioncode = 20 = Result deleted
Info1 = 9002 = Method No
Info2 = 0 = no further details
12 Info3 = 0 = no further details
Info4 = 0 = no further details

Interpretation = on 8 Dec 2020 at 10:01am,

13 user “pm” made a change in the group “Qual-
ity (General AQA)”. A result of method 9002 was
deleted. No further details.

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 We provide information and advice to our customers on application technologies and regulatory matters to the best of our knowledge and ability,
but without obligation or liability. Existing laws and regulations are to be observed in all cases by our customers. This also applies in respect to any
rights of third parties. Our information and advice do not relieve our customers of their own responsibility for checking the suitability of our pro-
ducts for the envisaged purpose.

The life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada.

Merck Life Science KGaA, 64271 Darmstadt, Germany, Tel. +49(0)6151 72-2440

www.sigmaaldrich.com

© 2023 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Merck, Supelco, Certipur, MQuant, and Spectroquant are trademarks of Merck
KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. Detailed information on trademarks is available via publicly
accessible resources.