X-Cite® 120PC Q User Guide
Applies to 120PC Q Series Models:
XI120PC-Q
XI120PC-QX
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X-Cite® 120PC Q User Guide
035-00328R rev. 4
X-Cite® 120PC Q User Guide
035-00328R Rev. 4
Made in Canada
Excelitas Canada Inc. 2018
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a
retrieval system or translated into any language in any form by any means without the
prior written consent of Excelitas Canada Inc.. Every effort has been made to ensure
information in this manual is accurate; however, information in this manual is subject to
change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the authors.
Excelitas Canada Inc.
2260 Argentia Road
Mississauga ON L5N 6H7 CANADA
Trademarks
X-Cite® 120PC Q and Intelli-Lamp® are registered trademarks of Excelitas Canada Inc..
All other product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1
2 Checking the contents of the box ......................................................................... 2
2.1 Box Contents: ..................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Front Panel ......................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Rear Panel ......................................................................................................... 4
3 Safety Information ................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Glossary of Symbols........................................................................................... 5
3.2 Safety Precautions ............................................................................................. 5
4 Installing the Lamp Module ................................................................................... 9
5 Inserting and Removing the Light Guide ........................................................... 13
5.2 Tips to prevent premature degradation of light guides ...................................... 15
6 Installing the Collimating Adapter ...................................................................... 16
7 X-Cite® 120PC Q Message Reference ................................................................. 18
8 Powering Up and Powering Down ...................................................................... 19
9 Adjusting the Light Output Intensity .................................................................. 20
10 Timed Exposures ................................................................................................. 21
10.2 Adjusting the Exposure Time ............................................................................ 21
10.3 Running a Timed Exposure .............................................................................. 21
11 Additional Functions ................................ ........................................................... 22
11.1 Viewing the Accumulated Lamp Hours ............................................................. 22
11.2 Locking/ Unlocking the Up/ Down Adjustment Buttons ..................................... 22
11.3 Using the Foot Pedal/ Remote Device .............................................................. 23
12 RS-232 Specifications .......................................................................................... 23
12.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 23
12.2 Serial RS-232 Interface .................................................................................... 23
12.3 Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) ........................................................................ 24
12.4 Graphical User Interface ................................................................................... 24
13 Graphical User Interface for X-Cite® 120PC Q Control Panel ............................ 25
13.1 X-Cite® 120PC Q Software Minimum PC Configuration Requirements ............. 25
13.2 Installing X-Cite® 120PC Q Control Panel Software .......................................... 25
13.3 X-Cite® 120PC Q Connection ........................................................................... 26
13.4 Controlling Unit Functions via the Graphical User Interface .............................. 26
14 Messages / Indicators .......................................................................................... 29
15 Clearing an Audible Alarm .................................................................................. 31
16 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................... 31
16.1 General ................................................................ ............................................ 31
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16.2 Liquid Light Guides ........................................................................................... 33
16.3 Lamps .............................................................................................................. 36
16.4 Air Vents & Filters ............................................................................................. 37
17 Routine Care and Maintenance ................................................................ ........... 39
17.1 General tips to help maximize lamp lifetime: ..................................................... 40
18 Technical Specifications ..................................................................................... 41
18.1 Lamp module.................................................................................................... 41
18.2 Light Guide ....................................................................................................... 42
18.3 Power Input ...................................................................................................... 43
18.4 Lamp Power (electrical) .................................................................................... 43
18.5 Environmental Operating Conditions ................................................................ 43
18.6 Transport and Storage Conditions .................................................................... 43
18.7 Regulatory Compliance .................................................................................... 44
18.8 China RoHS ..................................................................................................... 45
19 Warranty ............................................................................................................... 46
20 Contact Information ............................................................................................. 47
20.1 Service Centers ................................................................................................ 47
20.2 Replacement Parts ........................................................................................... 47
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Table of Figures
Figure 1 Front Panel View ............................................................................................... 3
Figure 2 Rear Panel View................................................................................................ 4
Figure 3 Lamp Access Panel ........................................................................................... 9
Figure 4 Lamp Housing ................................................................................................ 10
Figure 5 Lamp Orientation ............................................................................................. 10
Figure 6 Intelli-Lamp Connection ................................................................................... 11
Figure 7 Lamp Power Connection ................................................................................. 12
Figure 8 Lamp Wire Orientation .................................................................................... 12
Figure 9 Light Guide Insertion ....................................................................................... 13
Figure 10 Collimating Adaptor ....................................................................................... 17
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X-Cite® 120PC Q User Guide
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1 Introduction
The X-Cite® 120PC Q represents a new standard in fluorescence illumination. It gives
you the convenience and control never before available in a fluorescence illuminator and
has been designed to let you focus your energy where it belongs, on obtaining the best
possible results.
The heart of the X-Cite® 120PC Q is a proprietary 120-watt short arc lamp with an
improved 2000-hour typical lifetime. This extended lifetime is made possible by the
proprietary thermal management system incorporated into the design. The lamp is
mounted in an elliptical reflector with a proprietary coating to provide unequalled spectral
and power output. The new X-Cite® 120PC Q has also been improved for much quieter
operation. Standard features incorporated in the X-Cite® 120PC Q include: the prealigned Intelli-Lamp® system, an accumulative lamp hour meter and a lamp status
indicator.
The X-Cite® 120PC Q joins the Excelitas Technologies family of light systems offering
the same high level of innovation, quality and reliability that our commercial customers
have come to expect.
Excelitas Technologies Corp. is a global technology leader focused on delivering
innovative, customized solutions to meet the lighting, detection and other highperformance technology needs of customers. X-Cite®, formerly of Lumen Dynamics
(which was acquired by Excelitas Technologies Corp. in November 2013) offers the Life
Science and Analytical Instrumentation market a broad range of innovative lamp and
LED fluorescence illumination and measurement solutions.
The X-Cite® 120PC Q is a high quality product manufactured in accordance with ISO
9001, CE marked and certified to UL and CSA standards.
We suggest that you read this manual to discover all features, and how to use them.
Thank you for choosing X-Cite®!
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2 Checking the contents of the box
Carefully unpack the unit and accessories. Store the packing material for future use.
2.1 Box Contents:
1. X-Cite® 120PC Q Illumination Unit………………………………………………………
2. Lamp Module, X-Cite 120………………………………………………………………..
3. Collimating Adapter………………………………………………………………………
4. Light Guide, X-Cite 120 (3mm x 1.5m or 3mm x 3.0m)……………………………..
5. Power Cord, IEC (grounded)……………………………………………………………
6. Quick Start Guide, X-Cite® 120PC Q
(User Guide, Software and Driver downloads:
http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Product/X-Cite-120PC-Q.aspx) ………………………
7. Foot Pedal Switch Assembly…………………………………………………………….
8. Cable Assembly, 9 Pin (RS-232)………………………………………………………..
9. Hex Key, 3mm (lamp access cover)…………………………………………………….
10. Safety Precautions Booklet……………………………………………………………...
If your packaged unit is missing any of the above components, call Excelitas Canada
Inc. at (905) 821-2600 or TOLL FREE 1-800-668-8752.
Any additional optional items purchased to customize the unit will also be present.
X-Cite® 120PC Q Control Panel Software
Minimum Computer Specifications:
300+ MHz processor (Pentium or equivalent)
Windows 98, 2000 or XP
32 Mb RAM
20 Mb for Software Installation
20 Mb for Data Storage
SVGA video 800 x 600 resolution
One available RS-232 Port
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2.2 Front Panel
Figure 1 Front Panel View
LED STATUS
INDICATORS
POWER ON/OFF
START / STOP
BUTTON
MODE, UP / DOWN
ADJUST BUTTONS
LED DISPLAY
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2.3 Rear Panel
Figure 2 Rear Panel View
LIGHT
GUIDE PORT
RS-232
PORT
AC POWER
RECEPTACLE
FUSE
DRAWER
ANALOG
JACK: INPUT
SIGNAL
(FOOT PEDAL
AIR VENTS
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3 Safety Information
3.1 Glossary of Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
CAUTION - Risk of danger: consult accompanying
documents
WARNING – Eye damage may result from directly
viewing ultraviolet light. Protective eye shielding and
clothing must be used at all times.
Input/Output Signals
Input Signal
CAUTION – Hot surface
3.2 Safety Precautions
The X-Cite® 120PC Q is equipped with two safety sensors to protect the user from
accidental UV exposure. In addition, please observe the following precautions during
use. This series of cautions, warnings and dangers relate to the operation and
maintenance of the X-Cite® 120PC Q. They are also presented throughout this User’s
Guide where necessary.
Warning
Eye damage may result from directly viewing the light produced by the lamp used in this
product. Always use protective eyewear and turn the lamp off before removing cover.
Caution
Never look into the light emitting end of the light guide. The light could severely damage
the cornea and retina of the eye if the light is observed directly. Eye shielding must be
used at all times as well as clothing to protect exposed skin.
Warning
Always make sure the light guide is properly inserted into the X-Cite® 120PC Q and the
microscope prior to turning on power to the unit. This will minimize the risk of exposure
to the UV light.
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Caution!
To prevent damage/ degradation of the light guide, always allow adequate clearance at
the rear of the X-Cite unit to prevent kinking or excessive bending.
Warning
To reduce the risk of fire or shock, always replace the fuses with the same type and
rating.
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Warning
Disconnecting of main supply source is only possible by unplugging the power cord.
Warning
This unit is designed for bench top use only! Always ensure that the unit is operated on
a hard, stable surface. This will prevent obstruction of the bottom chassis ventilation
openings. Any obstruction of these openings could result in a possible over-heating
condition. Do not attempt to remove or tamper with the rubber feet located on the
bottom of the unit.
Danger
This unit contains HIGH VOLTAGE components. It is recommended that ONLY
QUALIFIED TECHNICAL PERSONNEL perform any testing or repairs described in this
manual. Disconnect the AC power cord from the unit before opening the cover of this
unit. All cover screws must be replaced prior to applying power to the unit, or safety of
the unit will be impaired.
Monitoring the unit during manual operation
The level of UV energy supplied by the X-Cite® 120PC Q is sufficient to ignite
flammable substances. During manual operation, the unit must be attended at all times
by a qualified operator. The unit must not be left unattended while turned on. If an
operator leaves the work area of the unit, the lamp power switch must be turned off.
Monitoring the unit during Automated operation
The level of UV energy supplied by the X-Cite® 120PC Q is sufficient to ignite flammable
substances. Therefore, when the unit is operated unattended in an automated
environment, an alarm function must be provided by the user to indicate a malfunction in
the associated equipment used.
Warning
Hg – LAMP CONTAINS MERCURY, Manage in Accord with Disposal Laws, see:
www.lamprecycle.org or 1-800-668-8752
Danger: Exposure to Mercury represents a health hazard to humans.
When unpacking or installing the lamp, always wear protective clothing and a face mask.
Operate lamp only in the X-Cite 120 lamp housing. This prevents direct viewing of the
arc and in the case of lamp bursting, contains the lamp particles. In the rare instance in
which a lamp bursting occurs, and the mercury content is released, the following safety
precautions are recommended: all personnel should be immediately evacuated from the
area to prevent inhalation of the mercury vapour. The area should be well ventilated for
a minimum of 30 minutes. Prior to clean up ensure an approved mercury respirator mask
and non-porous gloves such as latex or rubber are used. After the lamp housing
elements have cooled, the mercury residue should be collected with the use of a special
absorbing agent available from laboratory equipment suppliers.
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Warning
Should this X-Cite® 120PC Q unit be used in a manner not specified by Excelitas
Technologies, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
Warning
The method in which lamps are disposed of must comply with local rules & regulations
for disposal of hazardous materials. Lamps may be returned to Excelitas Technologies
providing they are returned in their original packaging. Excelitas Technologies will
dispose of them in the appropriate manner.
Caution
The lamp module’s operational life can be significantly shortened if it is handled
incorrectly. Do not touch the bulb’s glass envelope or the inside surface of the reflector.
Skin oils can cause the lamp module to fail prematurely.
Caution
Prior to opening the unit and handling the lamp module, allow the lamp module to cool
down completely.
Caution
Any electronic equipment connected to the X-Cite® 120PC Q must be IEC950 certified.
Cleaning:
Clean exterior of the unit with a water dampened cloth and simple detergent only.
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4 Installing the Lamp Module
4.1.1 Be sure the AC power cord is disconnected from the unit.
4.1.2 Remove the screw from the top of the lamp access panel using the 3mm hex key
provided and remove the panel.
Figure 3 Lamp Access Panel
4.1.3 Carefully remove the lamp module from its container, holding only the ceramic
components.
Caution!
The lamp module’s operational life can be significantly shortened if handled
incorrectly. Be sure only to handle the ceramic surfaces. Do not touch the
bulb’s glass envelope or the inside surface of the reflector. Skin oils can
cause the lamp module to fail prematurely.
Note: Refer to Section 3 – Safety Precautions before proceeding
LAMP
ACCESS
3MM HEX KEY
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4.1.4 Open the lamp bracket arm by pulling towards you, refer to Figure 4
Figure 4 Lamp Housing
4.1.5 Position the lamp so that the two leading edges of the lamp ceramic mount slide
into the groove of the lamp bracket. The middle of the lamp should be in position
to fit into the spring clamp. Reference Figure 5
Tip: Make sure that the “This side out” label is facing outwards before trying to
insert the lamp as illustrated below. Reference Figure 5
Figure 5 Lamp Orientation
LAMP BRACKET
ARM
LAMP
BRACKET
INTELLI-
LAMP
LAMP SPRING
CLAMP
LAMP POWER
CONNECTOR
THIS SIDE OUT
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4.1.6 Slide the lamp all the way in so that both leading edges of the lamp ceramic
mount are in the groove of the lamp bracket. The middle of the lamp will snap
into the spring clamp. Close the lamp bracket arm. Reference Figure 5
4.1.7 Locate the 4-pin Intelli-Lamp sensor connector (multi-coloured wiring harness) at
the rear of the lamp module and connect it to its mate located on the lamphousing wall. Reference Figure 6.
Figure 6 Intelli-Lamp Connection
Tip: The Intelli-lamp connector will only attach in the correct orientation. If you
are having difficulty attaching the connector, try rotating it by 180º
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4.1.8 Attach the 2-pin lamp power connector to its mate on the lamp-housing wall.
Reference Figure 7
Figure 7 Lamp Power Connection
Tip: The 2-pin lamp power connector will only attach in the correct orientation. If
you are having difficulty attaching the connector, try rotating it by 180º
4.1.9 Ensure the Intelli-Lamp sensor and the lamp power leads are secured into the
appropriate alignment grooves of the lamp housing. Reference Figure 8.
Figure 8 Lamp Wire Orientation
WIRE
SECURING
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4.1.10 Replace the lamp access panel and tighten the fastening screw. Reference
Figure 3.
.
5 Inserting and Removing the Light Guide
5.1.1 Make sure that power is off to the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit.
5.1.2 Ensure that the protective end caps are removed from both the input and output
ends of the light guide prior to installation.
5.1.3 Insert the light guide into the light guide retainer located on the back panel of the
unit. Push the light guide in until it seats with a second positive "click" (up to the
“A” line printed on the grey ferrule). Reference Figure 9.
Figure 9 Light Guide Insertion
Warning
This unit is designed for bench top use only! Always ensure that the unit
is operated on a hard, stable surface. This will prevent obstruction of the
bottom chassis ventilation openings. Any obstruction of these openings
could result in a possible over-heating condition. Do not attempt to
remove or tamper with the rubber feet located on the bottom of the unit.
Note: If the lamp module has been installed incorrectly the message
“bulb” will appear on the display and a continuous audible beep
will be heard after the 90 second warm-up cycle has been
completed.
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Tip: When the light guide is fully inserted, the line on the light guide insertion
label will be right up against the light guide port.
5.1.4 During installation or removal, grasp the light guide on the strain-relief nearest
the input end of the light guide. Reference Figure 9.
5.1.5 To remove the light guide, firmly grip the strain relief near the light guide retainer
and pull out firmly.
Note: If the light guide is not inserted properly, it may result in reduced light
output and overheating which can cause premature degradation of the
light guide.
Note: Never grip the light guide during installation or removal by any other
part other than the strain relief portion
Note: The X-Cite 120 PC is designed for use with a 3mm liquid light guide.
Excelitas Technologies can not guarantee the performance of the XCite 120 PC if using light guides other than those supplied by Excelitas
Technologies.
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5.2 Tips to prevent premature degradation of light guides
Refer to section 16 for detailed set-up and maintenance tips.
5.2.1 Liquid light guides have a typical useful life of 2-3 years in the X-Cite® 120PC Q
when installed and handled properly. The formation of bubbles is one of the
most common reasons for a light guide to degrade prematurely and result in a
sudden reduction in illumination intensity. Bubbles form without warning, usually
due to overheating and/or mechanical stress to the light guide. Below are some
simple tips to avoid overheating and stressing the light guide.
5.2.2 The light guide has a minimum bend radius of 1.6 inches (40.0mm). Bending or
coiling the light guide tighter than this radius will result in permanent damage to
the light guide.
5.2.3 Make sure the light guide is cooled properly during use, and prevent overheating:
a. Always fully insert the light guide in to the X-Cite unit; this ensures contact
with a heat sink to conduct heat away from the light guide.
b. Never obstruct the air vents on the X-Cite unit. Vents are located at the
rear and underside of the unit. (Note: In earlier X-Cite models vents were
located on the side, underneath the lamp access panel.)
c. Do not remove the rubber feet on the X-Cite unit or otherwise
reduce/block the space between the bottom of the unit and bench top.
This may compromise airflow through the unit.
d. Ensure that the air being used to ventilate the X-Cite unit is approximately
“room temperature” (e.g. do not place the X-Cite unit on top of another
heat-producing instrument).
e. If a heated environmental chamber is being used for live cell imaging,
make sure that the X-Cite unit and the light guide are located outside of
the chamber.
5.2.4 Do not expose the light guide to extreme temperatures (above 35°C, below -5°C)
for extended periods of time during use, transport or storage; this may cause
degradation of the seals and allow air bubbles to form in the liquid.
5.2.5 Never kink, bend, crush, or stretch the light guide; this type of mechanical stress
may cause bubbles to form in the liquid and/or damage to the outer sheath
a. Always allow adequate clearance at the rear of the X-Cite unit to
prevent excessive bending
b. Place the X-Cite unit close enough to the microscope so that there is
some slack in the light guide and no sharp bends.
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5.2.6 Never leave an endcap on the output end of the light guide when the other end is
connected to the X-Cite unit; if the unit is turned on in this condition, the cap will
overheat, melt and/or permanently discolour the quartz end of the light guide.
5.2.7 While the X-Cite unit is on but not in actual use (i.e. during sample preparation,
or between time-lapse time-points) close the iris/shutter on the X-Cite; this
reduces unnecessary UV photon load on the liquid light guide. (Using only the
shutter/stop in the microscope itself protects the specimen, but energy is still
passing through the light guide.
6 Installing the Collimating Adapter
6.1.1 Ensure that the power is off on the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit.
6.1.2 The existing lamp housing must be removed from the microscope before the
collimating adapter can be mounted. Do not discard the existing mounting
hardware, since it will be used to secure the collimating adapter to the
microscope.
6.1.3 Remove the collimating adapter from its packaging.
6.1.4 Insert the flange portion of the collimating adapter into the lamp port of the
microscope. Using the existing hardware, tighten the screw(s) until the flange is
fully secured.
6.1.5 Remove the protective cap from the output end of the light guide. Insert the light
guide into the input portion of the collimating adapter until it is flush with the
adjustable insert. Secure the light guide to the collimating adapter by tightening
the thumbscrew. Do not over tighten.
Note: The collimating adapter has been set at the factory. No adjustments by
the customer are required.
Note: The installation of the collimating adapter will vary with microscope
models.
Note: The light guide has a minimum bend radius of 1.6 inches (40.0mm).
Bending or coiling the light guide tighter than this radius will result in
permanent damage to the light guide.
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Figure 10 Collimating Adaptor
Warning!
Turning power on to the X-Cite 120 PC unit without the light guide properly
installed in the unit and in the microscope can increase your risk of exposure to
UV light.
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7 X-Cite® 120PC Q Message Reference
Symbol
Message
Description
XXXX.
Lamp Hours
Displays the accumulated hours the lamp has
been on
XXX.X
Exposure Time
Displays the time in seconds the shutter will
remain open when activated.
XXX
Iris Setting
Displays the iris setting in a percentage of
maximum.
Flashing
“XXX.X”
Flashing display
The lamp is warming up. Warm up time is
approximately 90 sec.
bulb
Bulb Error
Lamp installed incorrectly /
Lamp did not strike or extinguished after
striking
cool
Cool Warning
Lamp is too hot to strike.
The lamp will automatically strike when it has
reached optimum striking temperature
old / bulb
Alternating Old and then Bulb
The lamp has accumulated over 2500 hours.
Lamp may be near end of life.
end / bulb
Alternating End and then Bulb
The lamp has accumulated over 4000 hours.
The lamp will not strike.
LOC
Adjustment Locked
The UP/DOWN adjustment buttons have been
locked. No changes can be made to the
exposure time or iris setting.
ULOC
Adjustment Unlocked
The UP/DOWN adjustment buttons have been
unlocked. Changes can be made to the
exposure time and iris setting
SFI
Shutter Failure
The shutter has failed. Unit should be
restarted. If the error repeats unit should be
serviced.
See Section 16 for troubleshooting.
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8 Powering Up and Powering Down
8.1.1 Ensure that the lamp and light guide have been properly installed and that the
lamp access cover is securely fastened.
8.1.2 Plug the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit into a properly grounded AC outlet.
8.1.3 Set the main power switch (I / O), located on the front panel to the “I” ON position
and check the fan for airflow.
8.1.4 The lamp will automatically turn on within 20 seconds and the lamp indicator LED
on the front panel will illuminate. The display will flash for the warm-up period of
90 seconds. The display will stop flashing when the warm-up cycle has been
completed. Wait until the warm up cycle has been completed before using the
X-Cite® 120PC Q to perform an exposure. Excelitas Technologies recommends
20 minutes to ensure a stable output.
8.1.5 To power down the unit, set the mains power switch (I / O), to the “O” OFF
position.
Lamp Warm-Up:
The ARC lamp has 3 distinct phases of operation;
1. Ignition.
2. Warm-up. Excelitas Technologies recommends 20 minutes of proper
warm-up and to ensure a stable optical output.
3. Stable Operation.
It is recommended that phase 1 and 2 are not interrupted. This can result in
shortened lamp life. The lamp must be allowed to warm-up uninterrupted.
Note: Unit should not be turned off unless the lamp has been on for a
minimum of twenty minutes.
Note: If the lamp is turned off, and an attempt is made to turn it back on
before it has fully cooled, the “cool” message will appear on the
display. The lamp will automatically re-strike when the lamp has
cooled.
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9 Adjusting the Light Output Intensity
9.1.1 Your X-Cite® 120PC Q system includes an iris adjustment to control the amount
of light output from the unit. Adjustments to the output can only be made when
the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit is in Intensity Mode.
9.1.2 Set your X-Cite® 120PC Q to Intensity Mode by pressing the Mode button until
the LED display shows 3 digits “XXX”. The three digit number shown will indicate
the iris setting as a percentage of maximum.
9.1.3 Press the START /STOP button to manually open the shutter. The open LED
indicator on the front panel will illuminate.
9.1.4 Press the up button to increase the light output or press the down button to
decrease the light output. The percentage of the iris opening displayed will
increase or decrease to 0%, 12%, 25%, 50% or 100% each time the up or down
button is pressed.
9.1.5 Press the start /stop button to manually close the shutter. The open indicator
LED will turn off once the shutter has closed.
Warning:
UV light and high levels of visible light will be emitted from the light guide.
Opening the shutter on the X-Cite 120 PC without the light guide properly
installed in the unit and in the microscope can increase your risk of
exposure to UV light.
Note: No light will be emitted from the unit when the iris opening is set to 0%
or if the START /STOP button has not been pressed to activate the
shutter.
Note: While in Intensity Mode, pressing the START/STOP button will manually
open the shutter. The shutter will remain open until the START/STOP
button is pressed once again to close the shutter. Use this mode to
override the timer function if manual operation of the shutter is required.
Note: When the unit is connected to a PC or the front panel has been
manually locked, exposure settings can not be adjusted from the
X-Cite 120 PC front panel buttons.
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10 Timed Exposures
10.1.1 Your X-Cite® 120PC Q system includes a timer to automatically close the shutter
after a user selected amount of time. Adjustments to the exposure time can only
be made when the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit is in Timer Mode and the shutter is
closed.
10.2 Adjusting the Exposure Time
10.2.1 Set your X-Cite® 120PC Q to Timer Mode by pressing the Mode button until the
four digits are displayed as “XXX.X” The number shown will indicate the
exposure time in seconds and tenths of a second.
10.2.2 Press the up button to increase the exposure time by 1/10 sec, or press the down
button to decrease the exposure time by 1/10 sec.
10.2.3 For coarse adjustments, press and hold the up or down button to rapidly increase
or decrease the exposure time.
10.3 Running a Timed Exposure
10.3.1 Ensure that your X-Cite® 120PC Q unit is set to timer mode or lamp hour mode
as per section 11.1.
10.3.2 Press the START /STOP button. The shutter will automatically open and the
exposure time will begin to count down. When the exposure time has elapsed to
zero, the shutter will automatically close and the timer mode will automatically
reset to the preset value.
10.3.3 If the X-Cite® 120PC Q is in timer mode, and a timed exposure is activated, the
display will show the remaining time while the shutter is open.
10.3.4 To stop a timed exposure during an exposure cycle, press the START /STOP
button. The shutter will immediately close and the exposure time will
automatically reset. The open indicator will turn off.
Note: When the unit is connected to a PC or the front panel has been
manually locked, exposure settings can not be adjusted from the
X-Cite 120 PC front panel buttons.
Note: The minimum available exposure time is 0.2 seconds
Note: The OPEN LED indicator will illuminate when the shutter is open
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11 Additional Functions
11.1 Viewing the Accumulated Lamp Hours
11.1.1 Your X-Cite® 120PC Q system automatically accumulates the number of hours
that the lamp is on and shows this information on the LED display. The lamp
hours are shown when the unit is in Lamp Hour mode.
11.1.2 Set your X-Cite® 120PC Q to Lamp Hour Mode by pressing the Mode button until
the four digits are displayed as “XXXX.” (a flashing decimal point to the right).
This shows the number of accumulated hours on the lamp.
11.2 Locking/ Unlocking the Up/ Down Adjustment Buttons
11.2.1 Your X-Cite® 120PC Q system allows you to lock or disable the Up/ Down
buttons located on the front display panel. When the system lock has been
engaged, no adjustments to the exposure time or iris opening can be made. This
can help to ensure constant exposures when the X-Cite® 120PC Q is utilized by
multiple operators.
11.2.2 To Lock the Up/ Down push buttons:
1) Push and hold the Mode button
2) While pressing the Mode button, press the following sequence of buttons:
DOWN - UP - UP – UP
3) After 2 seconds the message “LOC” will momentarily appear for 2 seconds then
vanish.
11.2.3 To Unlock the Up/ Down push buttons:
1) Push and hold the Mode button
2) While pressing the Mode button, press the following sequence of buttons:
DOWN – UP – UP – UP
3) After 2 seconds the message “ULOC’ will momentarily appear for 2 seconds
then vanish.
Note: Pressing the START/STOP button while in Lamp Hour mode will open the
shutter for the pre-set Exposure Time (see Section 10).
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11.2.4 Once the system is unlocked, all of the front panel buttons will perform as per
their normal function.
11.3 Using the Foot Pedal/ Remote Device
11.3.1 To use a foot pedal or other remote control device to control the shutter on your
X-Cite® 120PC Q system, insert a 3.5mm audio style plug into the jack located on
the rear panel.
11.3.2 Depressing the foot pedal, or providing a momentary contact closure, will provide
the same function as pressing the START/ STOP button. The shutter will open as
per the current mode setting of the unit.
11.3.3 The foot pedal connector, a 3.5mm audio style jack, has the following pin-out
connections:
Connection Point:
Signal Name:
Outer rim
Common (GND)
Center pin
Positive input, active low
12 RS-232 Specifications
12.1 Introduction
12.1.1 The X-Cite® 120PC Q software is designed to provide remote control of the
microscope illumination system from a PC.
12.1.2 The X-Cite® 120PC Q software requirement specification detailed below
describes the communication protocol between the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit and the
PC.
12.2 Serial RS-232 Interface
12.2.1 The RS-232 serial interface is used to allow data to be transferred to and from a
PC to perform a variety of functions, all of which are initiated by a program that
executes on the PC.
Note: Any connections to the remote jack must use a shielded cable
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12.3 Software Developer’s Kit (SDK)
The command list for X-Cite® 120PC Q is available by request. To obtain the latest
update, please contact Excelitas Technologies.
12.4 Graphical User Interface
12.4.1 When the X-Cite® 120PC Q is connected to a PC, the unit front panel will be
automatically locked. The unit status will be sampled at twice per second.
12.4.2 The following screen shot is the GUI application window which will appear on the
user’s PC.
Note: For detailed GUI operating instructions refer to Section 13.
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13 Graphical User Interface for X-Cite® 120PC Q Control Panel
The purpose of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) is to provide control of the X-Cite®
120PC Q functions via a remote PC.
13.1 X-Cite® 120PC Q Software Minimum PC Configuration Requirements
13.1.1 The following are the minimum requirements for a PC to be used with the X-Cite®
120PC Q Control Panel software:
Available RS-232 COM port required for one-time setup procedure and for
remote unit operation, a USB to RS-232 adapter can be used.
13.1.2 Operating System Requirements:
Microsoft Windows® XP, Vista, 7 or 8 32 or 64 bit OS’s.
13.2 Installing X-Cite® 120PC Q Control Panel Software
13.2.1 Perform the following to install the X-Cite® 120PC Q software:
1) Turn on the PC to be used with the X-Cite® 120PC Q system
2) Shut down any other Windows programs currently in use
3) Download the X-Cite® 120PC Q Control Panel software from our website:
http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Product/X-Cite-120PC-Q.aspx
4) In your downloads folder, search for and open the “XCite_120PC_GUIr2.zip” file.
5) Double click on SETUP.EXE
6) Next follow the setup instructions as they appear by clicking “next” each
time the user prompt appears, until the installation has been completed
and “finish” appears. Click on “finish” to complete the installation.
7) To access the control panel software program, click on the Windows Start
menu and select: programs/ X-Cite® 120PC Q Control Panel►/ X-Cite®
120PC Q Control Panel. A screen with a title bar displaying “X-Cite 120
Control Panel” will appear on your monitor. Refer to Section 17.5 for
sample screen shot of the X-Cite® 120PC Q application window.
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13.3 X-Cite® 120PC Q Connection
13.3.1 Connect the rear panel RS-232 port on the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit to an available
COM port on your PC using the 9 pin cable assembly supplied.
13.3.2 Ensure that your X-Cite® 120PC Q unit is plugged in a functional AC outlet.
13.3.3 Turn on the front panel power switch and wait until the 90 second warm-up
period has been completed (front display has stopped flashing).
13.3.4 Next, on the GUI, in the “Session Function” control block, click your mouse on
the “Connection” list box to select the appropriate COM port link. Select “COM 1”
or “COM 2”, etc.
13.3.5 Next, click on the “Connect” button. If the wrong COM Port number has been
selected, then the following error message will appear:
“No response from unit”. If this occurs click on “Cancel” and re-select the
appropriate COM port.
13.4 Controlling Unit Functions via the Graphical User Interface
13.4.1 Once a COM link has been established between the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit and
the user’s PC, the front panel controls and rear panel analog jack controls
become disabled. The display will indicate elapsed lamp hours only. The Unit
Status indicator on the GUI will indicate Lock “On”.
13.4.2 Lamp On/ Off Control
1. The lamp in the X-Cite® 120PC Q is turned on automatically once the front panel
power switch on the unit is set to the ON position.
2. To remotely turn the lamp off, click on the “Turn Lamp Off” button in the Lamp
Control section on the GUI. The following message will be displayed: “Are you sure
you want to turn the lamp off?” Click on “Yes” to confirm. The lamp will shut off and
the Unit Status indicators will confirm by showing Lamp “Off” and Lamp Ready “No”.
To turn the lamp back on, click on the “Turn Lamp On” button.
Note: Once the appropriate link has been established all the functional buttons
on the graphical user interface will become enabled (high-lighted).
Disabled (non-functional) control buttons are greyed out.
Note: During the lamp warm-up cycle, or if the lamp is to hot to strike, both
“Lamp On” and “Lamp Off” buttons will be disabled until the warm-up/
cooling cycle has been completed. Once the “Turn Lamp On” button
has been selected, the lamp will turn on automatically when the unit has
cooled to the appropriate temperature.
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13.4.3 Exposure Settings: Intensity Level
Intensity level can be selected by the following 2 different methods:
Method 1: Click on the “Up/ Down” buttons located right of “Intensity Level (%)”
to select the desired level (0, 12, 25, 50 or 100).
Method 2: Click on the arrow of the “Intensity Level (%)” list box. Once the
desired value has been selected, click on the “Set” button to enter the value.
Once the “Set” button becomes disabled, the intensity level has been entered.
Note: If 0% is selected the shutter will not open and the error message will
appear: “Intensity level is 0, shutter will not open”. If this occurs click on “Cancel”
and reset the intensity level at 12% or greater.
13.4.4 Exposure Settings: Exposure Timer
Ensure that the check box next to “Exposure Timer Active” has been selected.
Exposure time can be selected by the following 2 different methods:
Method 1: Select exposure time by clicking on the “Up/ Down” buttons located
right of the “Exposure Timer”. The exposure time will change in increments of 1
second. If a value outside of acceptable limits is chosen, the error message:
“Value is outside allowable range” will appear. Select “Cancel” and re-enter a
value within the allowable range.
Note: If another value is not selected, the X-Cite® 120PC Q will automatically
retain the value that was previously selected prior to the error message being
displayed.
Method 2: Click with your mouse on the “Exposure Timer” list box and type in the
desired value. Click on the Set button, once the button is disabled the selected
value has been entered. The allowable exposure range by this method is 0.2 to
999.9 seconds. If a value outside the range is entered, an error message “Value
is outside allowable range” will appear. Select “Cancel” and re-enter an
acceptable value.
Note: If another value is not selected, the X-Cite 120 PC will automatically
retain the value that was previously selected prior to the error message
being displayed.
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13.4.5 Exposure Settings: Disabling Exposure Timer
To disable the exposure timer, de-select the checkbox next to “Exposure timer
active”. This will allow the shutter to remain in the open or closed position as per
the shutter control, without any set timing function.
13.4.6 Shutter Control
To activate the shutter control once the appropriate intensity and exposure
settings have been entered, click on the “Open” button in the “Shutter Control”
section.
After the exposure cycle has been completed, the shutter will close and the
exposure time will automatically reset. The Unit Status indicator will display
Shutter “Close”. To close the shutter during an exposure cycle, click on the
“Close” button.
13.4.7 Alarm Function
The following conditions will cause the unit to indicate an alarm condition:
i) Lamp fail to strike
ii) Lamp access door not correctly installed
iii) Intelli-lamp sensor/ connection failure
iv) Shutter position failure
The alarm condition is indicated by a repeating audible beep from the X-Cite®
120PC Q unit. The Unit Status indicator on the GUI will display Alarm “On”.
To clear the alarm signal, click on the “Clear Alarm” button. The audible alarm on
the unit will cease and the Unit Status indicator will display Alarm “Off”.
In addition to clearing the alarm signal on the GUI, the X-Cite® 120PC Q unit
must have the front panel power switch reset to clear the alarm condition. The
fault which caused the original alarm condition must be corrected prior to
resuming normal operation.
Note: During a timed exposure cycle, when the shutter is open, a red bullet
will appear next to “Exposure”. Unit Status indicator will display Shutter
“Open”.
Note: The “Unit Status” indicators on the GUI may be beneficial in diagnosing
any potential causes relating to the alarm condition. Refer to Section 13
for additional information on troubleshooting.
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13.4.8 Accumulated Lamp Hours
The X-Cite® 120PC Q’s accumulated lamp hours are indicated in the “Misc.
Functions” section of the GUI. When the COM link for the unit has been
established, the GUI will automatically update the unit’s accumulated lamp hours.
To update the accumulated lamp hours during remote operation, click on the
“Get” button.
14 Messages / Indicators
The X-Cite® 120PC Q display and LED indicators provide information to the user to aid
in unit operation and to advise when certain conditions exist. The following is a
collective listing of messages and their meanings.
1. "XXXX."
A flashing decimal point to the right of the four numbers on the display advises the user
that the unit is in Lamp Hour Mode. See Section 11.1, Viewing the Accumulated Lamp
Hours.
2. "XXX.X"
A decimal point to the left of the furthest right digit of the four digits on the display
indicates the unit is in Timer Mode. The number shown will indicate the exposure time in
seconds and tenth of seconds. See Section 10, Timed Exposures.
3. " XXX "
Three digits on the display indicate unit is in Intensity Mode. The three digit number
shown will indicate the percent iris opening. See Section 10, Adjusting the Light Output.
4. "bulb"
The "bulb" message advises the user that the bulb has failed to ignite or extinguished
after striking.
If the bulb message appears immediately and is accompanied by an audible beeping,
this indicates that the lamp has not been installed correctly or that the wrong bulb type
has been installed. See Section 6, Installing the Lamp Module.
If the bulb message appears after about 25 seconds and is accompanied by an audible
beeping, this indicates that the lamp has failed to strike. It may be a result of the lamp
reaching end of life or that the lamp access cover is not secured properly in place. Press
the START/STOP button to clear the audible alarm. Power down the unit, remove the lamp
access panel and replace securely, tightening the fastening screw in place. Wait a few
minutes and turn power on to the unit. If it still does not strike, replace the lamp.
5. " old / bulb"
The “old” and then “bulb” message appear in alternating sequence for about 10 seconds
when power is first turned on to the unit if the accumulated lamp hours have exceeded
2500 hours. When this message occurs, it is recommended that the lamp be replaced
soon.
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6. " end / bulb"
The “end” and then “bulb” message appear in alternating sequence when power is first
turned on to the unit if the accumulated lamp hours have exceeded 4000 hours. This
indicates that the lamp has reached the end of safe life. If the lamp hours reach 4000
hours, safety measures will prevent the lamp from striking. The lamp must be replaced
at this point.
7. "cool"
The "cool" message advises the user that the lamp must cool down before re-ignition. It
appears on the display when power is turned on to the unit and the lamp is too hot to
strike. Striking the lamp when it is too hot will reduce lamp life. The lamp will
automatically strike once it has reached optimum temperature.
8. "LOC"
The LOC message appears for about 2 seconds when the UP/DOWN adjustments are
initially locked. It also appears if the up or down button is pressed while they are locked,
advising the user that these functions are locked out. See Section 11.2– Locking and
Unlocking the UP/DOWN Adjustment Buttons.
9. "ULOC"
The ULOC message appears for about 2 seconds after unlocking the UP/DOWN
adjustment buttons to advise the user they have been unlocked. See Section 11.2–
Locking and Unlocking the UP/DOWN Adjustment Buttons.
10. "SFI"
The “SFI” message appears if there is a shutter failure. Power down the unit, wait a
minute and turn power on to the unit. If the unit displays a shutter failure again, contact
your local X-Cite Service Centre to have your unit serviced.
1. LAMP
The LAMP indicator is the top of two green LED’s located to the left of the display. The
LAMP LED illuminates when the lamp is on. The LAMP LED will flash when the lamp is
warming up.
2. OPEN
The OPEN indicator is the bottom of two green LED’s located to the left of the display.
The OPEN LED illuminates when the shutter is open.
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15 Clearing an Audible Alarm
15.1.1 The X-Cite® 120PC Q provides an audible alarm to alert the user of various error
conditions. The following conditions will cause the unit to indicate an alarm
condition:
i) Lamp fail to strike
ii) Lamp access door not correctly installed
iii) Intelli-lamp sensor/ connection failure
iv) Shutter position failure
15.1.2 To clear the audible alarm:
1. Press the START/STOP button
16 Troubleshooting
16.1 General
Service to be completed by qualified repair personnel only!
If the unit fails to power up, use the following checklist to eliminate the most
common causes of problems. Check that:
1. The AC power cord is securely plugged into a functional AC wall plug.
2. The AC power cord is securely plugged into the AC inlet on the rear of the unit.
3. The mains AC power switch is in the ON position.
4. Check that the ventilation openings on both the bottom and rear of the unit are
not blocked.
If the unit still does not power-up:
1. Check both mains power fuses by first disconnecting the power cord. Then
carefully remove the fuse drawer assembly below the AC inlet on the rear of the
unit. If the fuse(s) is/ are open, replace with the same type (4A, 250 V, Fast
acting).
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If the LED display lights and the fan starts, but the lamp won't turn on, check if:
1. The LED display indicates the “bulb” message and the system begins to beep.
This indicates that no lamp has been detected. Check if the lamp has been
installed correctly. Refer to Section 4 – Installing the Lamp Module.
2. The LED display indicates the “bulb” message after a 20 or 30 sec. delay and
the system begins to beep. This indicates that the lamp has failed to strike. It
may be a result of the lamp reaching end of life or that the lamp access cover is
not secured properly in place. Press the START/STOP button to clear the audible
alarm. Power down the unit, remove the lamp access cover and replace
securely, tightening the fastening screw in place. Wait a few minutes and turn
power on to the unit. If it still does not strike, replace the lamp.
3. The LED display indicates the “cool” message. This indicates the lamp is too hot
to strike. The lamp will automatically strike when it has cooled.
4. The LED display indicates alternately “end” then “bulb”. This indicates that the
lamp has accumulated over 4000 hours and will not strike. The lamp module
must be replaced.
If the light intensity is too low, check that:
1. The light guide has been fully inserted into the light guide retainer.
2. The X-Cite® 120PC Q unit includes an iris adjustment. Change the system to
Intensity Mode and adjust the % of iris opening using the UP button to increase
the illumination. See section 9 – Adjusting the Light Output Intensity
3. There are no foreign substances on the emitting end of the light guide.
4. There are no bends, kinks, or other physical damage to the light guide. Replace
the light guide if there is any physical damage.
5. The LED display indicates alternately “old” then “bulb”. This indicates that the
lamp has accumulated over 2000 hours and may require replacement.
It may be necessary to replace the lamp or the light guide. Contact your sales
representative for information on purchasing a new lamp or light guide.
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If the LED display indicates “SFI”:
1. This indicates there is a shutter failure.
2. Power down the unit wait 1 minute and turn the power back on.
3. If the unit once again displays the shutter failure message, contact your local
X-Cite Service Center.
If the LED display does not light:
1. If the fan is functional, power down the unit, wait approximately 20 seconds then
power it up again
2. If the problem persists, contact your local X-Cite Service Center.
If either Fan does not work properly
1. If the LED display is functional, power down the unit, wait approximately 20
seconds then power it up again
2. If the problem persists, contact your local X-Cite Service Center.
16.2 Liquid Light Guides
Proper handling and installation of liquid light guides
1. Liquid light guides have a typical useful life of 4000 hours of operation when
handled properly and installed in a well maintained X-Cite 120. The formation of
bubbles is one of the most common reasons for a light guide to degrade
prematurely and result in a sudden reduction in illumination intensity. Bubbles
can form without warning, and if they occur within the first 1500 to 2000 hours of
use, is it typically due to overheating and/or mechanical stress to the light guide.
Below are some simple tips to avoid overheating and stressing the light guide.
2. Always fully insert the light guide in to the X-Cite unit (i.e. up to the “A” line
printed on the grey ferrule); this ensures contact with a heat sink to conduct heat
away from the light guide.
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3. Always allow adequate clearance at the rear of the X-Cite unit and microscope to
prevent excessive bending and/or crushing of the light guide against walls.
Minimum bend radius to prevent immediate damage to the LLG is 40mm,
however, a bend radius of at least 75mm is recommended for a light guide while
“in use”. Sharper bends can cause heat to build up and cause problems longer
term.
4. Always place the X-Cite unit close enough to the microscope so that there is
some slack in the light guide and no sharp bends.
5. Never leave an endcap on the output end of the light guide when the other end is
connected to the X-Cite unit; if the unit is turned on in this condition, the cap will
overheat, melt and/or permanently discolour the quartz end of the light guide.
6. Do not expose the light guide to extreme temperatures (above 35°C, below -5°C)
for extended periods of time during use, transport or storage; this may cause
degradation of the seals and allow air bubbles to form in the liquid.
What does a bubble look like?
Depending on the size and location in the light guide, a bubble may or may not be
obvious. To check for bubbles:
1. Disconnect the LLG from the X-Cite and microscope adapter.
2. Hold one end towards a bright window or overhead room light - DO NOT use an
X-Cite or any other focused light source for this test!
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3. Look at the quartz at the other end of the LLG
a. Bubble-free: quartz end will appear as a bright, solid circle; you may also be
able to see a thin circular outline at the quartz/liquid interface.
b. Bubbles at/near the quartz end: appear as dark spots, as small as 0.5mm in
diameter or even as larger more defined spheres.
c. Bubbles in the middle of the light guide: may not be well-defined spots, but
will appear as dark shadows
d. In extreme cases, where the bubble is blocking the entire diameter of the light
guide, no light will come through, even when pointing the distal end at a light
source.
e. Appearance and % output of light guides with bubbles relative to an LLG
without bubbles (100%).
Can a bubbled light guide recover?
1. Yes, light guides with small bubbles can sometimes recover. Disconnect the light
guide from the X-Cite unit, and leave the light guide undisturbed on a shelf for 12 weeks. For this to be effective, it is important to catch the bubble when it is
small.
When should light guides be replaced?
1. It is usually time to replace a light guide when:
Illumination is low and replacing the lamp does not improve brightness
Dark or uneven areas become visible in the field of view (a bubble is
blocking part of the light)
A section of the light guide becomes noticeably warmer than the rest of
the guide (a bubble is blocking transmission of light, forcing the light guide
to absorb the energy)
It is 2-3 years old OR has been in use for 4000-6000 hours (2-3 lamp
changes)
100% 11.3% 5.2%
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16.3 Lamps
Performance and lifetime
1. The lamp output spectra and typical output levels over lifetime are shown below.
2. It is normal for the output to decline over the first several hundred hours of use
and then stabilize at a level ~70% of the initial output for the remainder of the
lamp life. If the lower power regions of the output spectra are being used, it may
be desirable to replace lamps more frequently to maximize signal levels.
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16.4 Air Vents & Filters
X-Cite units have several air vents that are an integral part of the cooling system
and overall lamp performance. Proper cooling ensures that lamps operate at
optimal temperature and pressure for output power, spectrum, lamp life, light
guide life and safety.
Ensuring adequate cooling
1. Never obstruct the air vents on the X-Cite unit. Vents are located at the rear and
underside of the unit. (Note: Arrows indicate direction/location of air flow. In
earlier X-Cite models vents were located on the side, underneath the lamp
access panel.)
2. Always leave clearance for air flow between the X-Cite and walls or other
equipment. Do not remove the rubber feet on the X-Cite unit or otherwise
reduce/block the space between the bottom of the unit and bench top. This may
compromise airflow through the unit.
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3. Ensure that the air being used to ventilate the X-Cite unit is approximately “room
temperature” (e.g. do not place the X-Cite unit on top of another heat-producing
instrument).
4. If a heated environmental chamber is being used for live cell imaging, make sure
that the X-Cite unit and the light guide are located outside of the chamber.
5. Periodically check the air filter at the air intake vent for debris. Replace or clean
as necessary.
How to check/clean X-Cite® 120PC Q metal vents
1. When unit is OFF and lamp is COOL, unplug power from X-Cite unit and turn unit
upside down. Visually inspect the metal gratings for lint, dust and other debris.
2. Debris can be removed from the gratings using a small vacuum cleaner with a
crevice tool, or blown out with a can of compressed air. If using compressed air,
direct the air flow ACROSS the vents, not perpendicularly (i.e. into the X-Cite
unit).
What happens if filters are not clean?
1. A complete filter blockage or airflow obstruction generally results in an automatic
lamp shutoff within 10-15 minutes of the unit being powered on due to lack of
adequate cooling.
2. A partially clogged filter may allow enough airflow for continued operation, but not
for optimal cooling. In this case, the result is usually dramatically reduced lamp
life, e.g. 400 hours instead of 2500+ hours.
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17 Routine Care and Maintenance
1. Operate the unit in a well ventilated area with at least six inches clearance at the
rear of the unit for proper air flow. Do not place any objects below the unit or
between the feet as this will restrict airflow through the bottom of the front face
plate.
2. For safe operation, use only a grounded outlet.
3. Avoid physical shocks or jarring to the unit especially while the unit is operating.
Such sudden movements reduce the lamp module life.
4. The lamp module must be operated for a minimum of 20 minutes each time it is
turned on to prevent damaging the lamp. Increasing the time between turning
the lamp module on and off will maximize lamp life.
5. Replace the air filters frequently to ensure unrestricted air flow. It is
recommended as a minimum that the air filter be removed and washed with a
mild detergent and water every time the lamp module is replaced.
6. When necessary, clean the light emitting end of the light guide using an optical
cleaning solution.
7. Cleaning of unit is not required, however if cleaning is desired, disconnect the AC
power cord from the unit and use only a water and simple detergent solution.
Ensure that cleaning solution does not come in contact with any optical, moving
mechanical or electrical parts.
8. Recommended operation of the X-Cite 120 is in horizontal position using the XCite 120 beyond 15% of tilt from a horizontal position will wear lamp life.
Note: restricted airflow can cause the lamp temperature to increase above
optimum temperature, significantly reducing lamp life.
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17.1 General tips to help maximize lamp lifetime:
1. Each time the lamp is ignited, the stress on the lamp effectively decreases lamp
life by 5 hours, therefore it is recommended to avoid shutting down the unit
during lunch or short breaks or between users, if being used in a multi-user lab.
2. After lamp ignition, avoid turning the lamp off until it has run for a minimum of 20
minutes.
3. Avoid attempting to strike a hot lamp (note: the X-Cites’ Intelli-Lamp will prevent
this).
4. Avoid unnecessary movement and jarring of the lamp, especially when it is in
operation or hot.
5. When changing a lamp:
a) Handle the lamp only by the ceramic areas.
b) Never touch the glass envelope of the bulb (inner stem), the inner
surface, or the outer surface of the reflector. If touched, carefully clean
the envelope with alcohol. Skin oils can etch the glass and cause
premature bulb failure.
c) Wear cotton gloves or powder free latex gloves when handling any lamp.
6. Ensure that air filters are kept clear of dust and debris – even a partially blocked
filter can reduce lamp lifetime to approximately 25% of what is normally
expected.
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18 Technical Specifications
18.1 Lamp module
A, D: Ceramic Components. B: Reflector. C: Bulb.
E: Intelli-Lamp Connector. F: Lamp Power Connector
Lamp Module High Pressure 120 watt mercury vapor short arc
Lamp Module Life 2000 hours (typical)
Warm Up 90 seconds (typical)
A B E C D
F
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18.2 Light Guide
Light Delivery
Flexible liquid filled light guide 1.5m or 3m in length with a core diameter of 3mm.
Custom light guides are also available.
Liquid Light Guide End Fitting
Liquid Light Guide Dimensions in mm
Core End Fitting End Fitting Minimum Bend
Radius (mm)
d0 d1 d2
3 5 9 40
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18.3 Power Input
Power Supply: High efficiency, switch mode, constant power output
Input Voltage: 100-240 V, 50/60Hz
Current: 2.4 – 1.0A (100-240V)
Input Surge: 50A max. (cold start)
Protection: Short circuit auto-recovery
Over voltage (up to 135%, +/- 5% of
nominal)
EMI filtering integrated into the PFC module
Lamp driver circuit has integrated thermal cut-off
Fuse Rating: Dual fuse system: each fuse rated at F4A
250V (Fast acting type)
18.4 Lamp Power (electrical)
Lamp Voltage: 85V RMS, square wave, 50% duty cycle,
1.4A typical
Output Power: Lamp: nominal 120W
Max. Lamp Voltage: 115V RMS
Lamp Drive
Frequency: 150 Hz
Line Regulation: From min Vin to max Vin lamp: +/-2%
18.5 Environmental Operating Conditions
Operating
Temperature: 5 to 40º C max.
Altitude: 2000m max.
Humidity: 15 to 90% RH (non-condensing)
Atmospheric
Pressure: 70 to 106 kPa
Over voltage
Category: II
Pollution Degree: 2
18.6 Transport and Storage Conditions
Temperature: -40 to 70 degrees Celsius
Relative Humidity: 10% to 95% RH (non-condensing)
Atmospheric
Pressure: 500 to 1060 kPa
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18.7 Regulatory Compliance
Product Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility
The X-Cite 120PC Q has been tested and found to comply with product safety and
electromagnetic compatibility requirements. For a complete list of tests and for
certification details, please contact your X-Cite representative or visit
http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Product/X-Cite-120PC-Q.aspx.
CE Marking
Council Directive 2014/35/EU Low Voltage Directive
Council Directive 2014/30/EU EMC Directive
Council Directive 2012/19/EU WEEE Directive
Council Directive 2011/65/EU RoHS
FCC Part 15, Subpart B, Class A Digital Device or Peripheral – Information to User
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference
in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.
Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Excelitas Technologies
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU)
The symbol above indicates that this product should not be disposed of along with
municipal waste, that the product should be collected separately, and that a separate
collection system exists for all products that contain this symbol within member states of
the European Union.
The equipment that you bought has required the extraction and use of natural
resources for its production. It may contain hazardous substances that could
impact health and the environment.
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In order to avoid the dissemination of those substances in our environment and
to diminish the pressure on the natural resources, we encourage you to use the
appropriate take-back systems. Those systems will reuse or recycle most of the
materials of your end life equipment in a sound way.
The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicated above invites you to use those
systems.
If you need more information on the collection, reuse and recycling systems,
please contact your local or regional waste administration.
18.8 China RoHS
The symbol above indicates that this product is in compliance with China RoHS
requirements.
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19 Warranty
Excelitas Technologies warrants the original purchaser for a period of one (1) full year,
calculated from the date of purchase, that the equipment sold is free from defects in
material and workmanship.
In the event of a claim under this guarantee, the equipment is to be sent postage and
carriage paid, including a description of the fault, to the Excelitas Technologies Service
Center. Returned equipment will not be received without a Return Authorization (RA)
Number, issued by the appropriate Service Center.
In the case of damage caused by wear and tear, careless handling, neglect, by the use
of force or in the case of interventions and repairs not carried out by an Excelitas
Technologies Service Center, the guarantee ceases to be valid. This guarantee may not
form the basis for any claims for damages, in particular not for compensation of
consequential damages.
The warranty is not transferable. No warranty is extended to perishable items, such
fuses, air filters and light guides. Any claims for units received with defects in material or
workmanship must be reported to an authorized Excelitas Technologies Service Center
within 30 days from the original date of receipt.
Replacement Bulb Warranty
If the X-Cite® 120PC Q bulb fails to strike during the warranty period of 2000 hours, the
bulb will be replaced under warranty, or a credit will be applied to the purchaser’s
account. In the event of a claim under this guarantee, the lamp is to be sent postage
and carriage paid, including a description of the fault, to the Excelitas Technologies
Service Center. Returned equipment will not be received without a Return Authorization
(RA) Number, issued by the appropriate Service Center. Lamps must be purchased
from an authorized Excelitas Technologies Representative or Distributor to be eligible for
the warranty replacement. This warranty is non-transferable.
In the case of damage caused by careless handling, neglect, by the use of force or in the
case of interventions and repairs not carried out by an Excelitas Technologies Service
Center to the X-Cite® 120 system, the guarantee ceases to be valid.
Returning equipment to Excelitas Technologies
1. Please make a note of the problem encountered, the steps followed to isolate the
problem and the result of any trouble shooting steps taken.
2. Contact the nearest Excelitas Technologies Service Centre to obtain a Return
Authorization Number. For your convenience, RA numbers can also be requested
on-line at: http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Support/Service-Request-Form.aspx
3. Follow shipping instructions provided by the service technician. The unit should be
returned in its original packaging if possible. Please do not ship the unit with the lamp
installed.
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20 Contact Information
Excelitas Canada Inc,
Tel: (905) 821-2600
Fax: (905) 821-2055
1-800-668-8752 (USA and Canada)
x-cite@excelitas.com
http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Product/X-Cite.aspx
20.1 Service Centers
For a complete list of authorized service centers please visit:
http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Support/Service-Centers.aspx
20.2 Replacement Parts
Replacement lamps and light guides can be purchased directly from Excelitas
Technologies. For ordering and pricing information contact the inside sales
department at:
x-cite@excelitas.com
http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Contact/Contact-Us.aspx
1-800-668-8752
Part Number
Description
012-63000
X-Cite 120 lamp module
Collimating Adapter – call to match microscope
805-00038
X-Cite 120 Light guide (3mm x 1.5m)
805-00040
X-Cite 120 Light guide (3mm x 3.0m)
Grounded power cord (IEC) – call to match AC voltage
850-00023R
Hex Key, 3mm (Lamp access cover)
035-00329R
X-Cite® 120PC Q English Quick Start
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