To lay down the procedure for BROOKFIELD VISCOMETER operation.
2.0 SCOPE
This procedure applies to Quality Control Department.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
3.1 QC chemists to prepare and follow the
SOP.
3.2 Head – QA & QC for implementation of SOP.
4.0 PROCEDURE
Check the spirit level of the viscometer every time before use. The level is adjusted by using the two leveling screws on the base. Adjust so that the spirit level on top of the instrument is centered within the circle.
4.1 Ensure the calibration status is valid and turn the power switch located on the rear panel to the ‘ON’ position.
4.2 This will result in different screen displays and after a few seconds, the screen displays REMOVE SPINDLE, PRESS ANY KEY.
4.3 After removing the spindle ( if attached to it ) and pressing any key, the instrument begins its auto zero. The screen will blink “AUTOZEROING”.
Note: Be sure that the viscometer is leveled before this operation.
4.4 After a few seconds, the blinking stops, and the following is displayed REPLACE SPINDLE, PRESS ANY KEY, pressing any key at this point result is in the display of the instrument default screen.
4.5 Connect the selected spindle to the viscometer by screwing them to the lower shaft. The lower shaft should be behold in one hand and lifted up and the spindle should be screwed to the left.
4.6 Spindles are identified by the number on the
side of the spindle nut.
4.7 The two-digit entry code for the
selected spindle should be entered by pressing the SELECT SPINDLE key, on
pressing it once, the top line of the display will begin to blink.
4.8 Then press the UP or DOWN arrow keys for
increasing or decreasing the number which is to the right of the ‘S’ character
while ‘S’ is blinking, until the requirement spindle value is displayed.
4.9 The two-digit entry code for each spindle is
given below.
SPINDLE NUMBER 1 (LV1)
TWO-DIGIT CODE 61
SPINDLE NUMBER 2 (LV2)
TWO-DIGIT CODE 62
SPINDLE NUMBER 3 (LV3)
TWO-DIGIT CODE 63
SPINDLE NUMBER 4 (LV4)
TWO-DIGIT CODE 64
4.10 Then press the SELECT SPINDLE key once
again after selecting the desired spindle code. This will cause the ‘S’
character to cease blinking and the new spindle code will be displayed and
accepted for use.
4.11 Then select the speed for the spindle by
first pressing either the UP or DOWN arrow keys, which will cause the area to
the right of RPM (on the bottom line) to display the currently selected speed.
If the arrow key is pressed just once and then released, the character's RPM
will blink for a few seconds and then will cease blinking, resulting in no
change to the speed entry.
4.12 Press the UP or DOWN arrow key until the desired speed is displayed and then release it.
4.13 Then press the
AUTO RANGE key, which displays the maximum calculated viscosity (full-scale
reading) which can be measured with the current spindle/speed setting.
4.14 If the viscosity of the test fluid is
greater than the AUTO RANGE displayed, then “ cP EEEE” and ‘%EEEE’ will be displayed
when operated with this test fluid.
4.15 Change either the spindle or speed to
achieve maximum accuracy with the auto range.
4.16 Pressing and holding the AUTO RANGE key
during power-on will enable the viscosity display to the read cPs or m.pas. 1
cPs = 1milli pascal.
4.17 Insert and center spindle in the test
material until the fluid level is at the immersion groove in the spindle shaft.
Press the MOTOR ON / OFF key once to turn the motor ON.
4.18 Allow time for the indicated reading to
stabilize. For maximum accuracy, readings below 10% torque must not be taken.
4.19 Press the MOTOR ON / OFF key once again to
turn the motor OFF when changing a spindle/speed or changing samples.
4.20 Remove the spindle before cleaning and
clean it after use.
5.0 ABBREVIATIONS
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
QA: Quality Assurance
QC: Quality Control