Lovibond EC 2000 Gardner Operator's Instruction Manual

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EC 2000 Gardner

LM162020 Version 1.1

Operator Instruction Manual

Lovibond® Water Testing and Colour Measurement

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Table of Contents

Environment: ................................................................................................ 4

Introduction: ................................................................................................ 5

Keypad:......................................................................................................... 6

Display Icons:................................................................................................ 6

Power- USB: ................................................................................................. 6

Power- Battery: ............................................................................................ 6

Firmware and Version Number: ................................................................... 7

Settings ......................................................................................................... 8

Instrument Diagnostics ............................................................................ 8

Instrument Settings .................................................................................. 9

Information ............................................................................................ 11

Power Saving Settings ............................................................................ 11

Regional Settings .................................................................................... 12

Date and Time ........................................................................................ 12

Projects: ..................................................................................................... 13

New Projects .......................................................................................... 13

Set Tolerances ........................................................................................ 14

Averaging and Automatic Log (automatic saving) ................................. 15

Edit a Project .......................................................................................... 16

Delete a Project ...................................................................................... 16

Make a Project Default .......................................................................... 17

Make a Project Current .......................................................................... 18

View the Measurements ........................................................................ 18

Delete a Measurement .......................................................................... 18

3

Save a Measurement (manual saving) ................................................... 19

Error Warnings: .......................................................................................... 20

Updating the firmware: .............................................................................. 21

EC 2000 Kit Contents - Gardner: ................................................................ 23

EC 2000 Technical Data - Gardner ............................................................. 24

Performing a Zero – Gardner: .................................................................... 26

Performing a Test - Gardner: ..................................................................... 28

Performing a Liquid Instrument Validation–Gardner ................................ 30

Performing an Instrument Validation using a Glass Standard – Gardner .. 33

Sales Offices ............................................................................................... 35

4

Environment:

This appliance is marked according to the
European Directive 2002/95/EC on the waste of
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). By
ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you
will help prevent potential negative consequences
for the environment and human health, which
could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste
handling of this product.

5

Introduction:

The Lovibond® EComparator Series provides an easy way to transition from
subjective visual measurement to a non-subjective, accurate electronic
measurement.

Colour graders who are used to the traditional comparator series sometimes
find the upgrade or transition to an electronic system daunting. The
assurance of relying on physical colour difference is diminished.

With the EComparator Series, users can view the colour in two different
ways:

On-Screen Numerical Display

On-Screen Colour Display of sample and nearest colour scale standards

Touch screen technology allows the EComparator Series to show simple,
specific and intuitive menus on screen. Users can set language, date and time,
view preferences and create projects with individual tolerance settings. An
on-screen warning system of:
Within Tolerance = Green;
Outside Tolerance = Red;
On Border of Tolerance = Amber
provides the user with immediate information on the sample.

The user friendly ergonomics and intuitive interface guarantee new users can
be quickly trained and easily supported. Large data storage (> 20,000
readings), USB connectivity ensure readings can be stored and shared easily
and quickly. Flexibility is further enhanced with software packages for
Windows®, IOS® and Android

TM

with multiple language support on-screen.

6

Keypad:

Display Icons:

Power- USB:

Power- Battery:

Icon

Function

Battery Low

Powered by Battery

Powered by USB

SD Card OK

Warning

Test

Zero

Power

The USB port can be accessed
by sliding the panel at the rear
of the instrument.

The batteries can be replaced
by removing the 4 x screws at
the back of the instrument and
removing the battery cover.

Ensure the cable connector is inserted
into the socket in the correct
orientation. The symbol on the USB
connector should be facing down.

Top of Connector

Top of Instrument

7

Firmware and Version Number:

The Firmware and Version Number
will be displayed when the
instrument is switched on.

(Please Note: “Scale Name” will be
replaced by the Scale your
EComparator measures).

8

Settings

1 - To enter the settings menu,
press the settings icon at the
bottom tool bar.

1a -The settings display will show.

Instrument Diagnostics

2 - For Instrument Diagnostics,
press the Diagnostics Icon.

2a - The instrument will perform
diagnostics on the Memory, SD
Card, LED and Light Sensor.

2b - Any errors will be shown in red.

To view detailed information select
Report.

Please contact you local service centre
for help.

www.lovibondcolour.com/ServiceCenter

9

2c - The instrument will display the
report. When finished, select Done.

Instrument Settings

3 - For Instrument Settings, press
the Instrument Icon

3a – To set the integration time,
ensure the sample chamber is
empty, and then press Set.

(This will set the optimum time for
taking a measurement).

3b– The instrument will advise to
check the Sample Chamber. Press
OK when empty.

3c – The instrument will determine
the integration time, a series of
numbers will appear on the screen.

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3d – Click OK when complete.

3e - To save the settings, press
Save.

3f - To cancel the settings, press
Cancel.

3g – To exit without saving, press
Yes, or press No to continue.

11

Information

4a – The information screen will be
displayed. Press the back arrow to
return to the results screen.

(Please Note: “Scale Name” will be

replaced by the Scale your
EComparator measures).

Power Saving Settings

5 - For Power Saving Settings, press
the Power Icon.

5a – Press the up and down arrows
to adjust the time interval before
the display goes to sleep in minute
increments.

5b – Press the up and down arrows
to set the time interbal before the
instrument shuts down after being
inactive.

To restart the instrument, press the
power button.

5c - To save the settings, press
Save, or to cancel the changes,
press Cancel.

5d- If screen starts to dim, press
anywhere on the screen to turn
backlight on.

12

Regional Settings

6 - For Regional Settings, press the
Regional Icon.

6a - Select the language that you
would like the instrument to
display.

The instrument will return to the
settings screen.

Date and Time

7 - To set the Date and Time, press
the Clock Icon.

The current time shown is the time
the screen was opened, and does
not continuously update.

7a – Use the up and down arrows
to set the date and time.

7b - To save the settings, press
Save, or to cancel the changes,
press Cancel.

13

Projects:

1 - To enter the projects menu,
press the Projects Icon on the
bottom tool bar.

2 – The projects screen will be
displayed. The Project named at the
top is the current project.

3 – To view, or manage projects,
click on View Projects.

New Projects

4 – This will bring up a list of the
current projects. To create a New
Project, click on New.

5 – To change the name, select the
name box.

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6 – Enter the new project name
using the keypad, then select
Return.

Set Tolerances

7 – The instrument will display
the Project Settings Screen, to
set the Tolerances, select
Tolerance.

8 – To apply the tolerance
limits, select the Tolerance
checkbox.

9 – To change the tolerance
values, use the appropriate up
and down arrows. Select Done
when complete.

15

Averaging and Automatic Log (automatic saving)

10 – To change the Averaging and
Automatic Log (automatic saving),
select Measurements.

11 – To change the Averaging, use
the up and down arrows

(This will set the number of
measurements taken per test then take
an average of those measurements).

12 – To set the automatic logging,
select the Automatic Log checkbox.
This will save every measurement
that is taken. Select Done when
complete.

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13 – To save all the settings, select
Save.

NOTE: Until save is selected,
neither Tolerance nor
Measurements are saved.

Edit a Project

14 – To edit a project, go to the
projects list. Highlight the project
by clicking on it, and then select
Edit.

15 – This will bring you to the
Project Settings Screen. To make
changes follow steps 6-12.

Delete a Project

16 – To delete the project, select
Delete.

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17 – The following prompt will
appear. Select Yes to confirm.

Make a Project Default

18 – To make a project Default, go
to the projects list (this will
highlight the project that is current
when the instrument is switched
on). Highlight the project and select
Edit.

19 – Select Default.

20 – The following prompt will
appear. Select Yes to confirm.

NOTE: The first project (ID 1) can
not be deleted, but can be re­named.

18

Make a Project Current

21 – To make a project current, go
to the project list, highlight the
project required then press Select.
All readings will be saved into the
current project.

View the Measurements

22 – To view the measurements of
a project, go to the projects list,
highlight the project required then
press Meas.

23 – This will bring up a list of the
measurements stored for this
project. If the tolerance limits are
switched on (step 7), the results will
be displayed as in the tolerance
column (see page 15)

Delete a Measurement

24 – To delete a measurement,
highlight the measurement then
select Delete.

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25 – The following prompt will
appear. Select Yes to confirm.

26 – To view the measurements
from the main project screen for
the current project (named at the
top of the screen), select View
Measurements.

Save a Measurement (manual saving)

27 – If automatic saving is not
enabled, you can save every
measurement taken by selecting
Projects.

28 – On the main projects screen,
select Save Measurement. This will
save to the current project.

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Error Warnings:

Warning

Description

Error 1

SD Card Error

Error 2

Light Level Too High

Error 3

Light Level Too Low

Error 4

Sensor Error

Error 5

File System Error

Error 6

Communication Error

Error 7

Keypad Error

Error 10

Non Volatile Memory Error

Please contact you local Service Centre for help:

www.lovibondcolour.com/ServiceCentre

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Updating the firmware:

The latest version of the EC 2000 and EC 3000 firmware can be obtained
from the internet, www.lovibondcolour.com

1 - Ensure that the EComparator
Instrument is connected to a
Computer running a Microsoft®
Operating System (XP,7,8).

NOTE: This update cannot be

performed on an Apple Mac or
Linux® system

2 – Switch off the instrument.

3 – Press and hold down the test
key on the keypad whilst switching
on the EComparator Series
instrument.

4 – A drive named “EC_UPDATE”
will appear on your PC.

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5 - Open the drive “EC_UPDATE” the
contents of the drive will show a file
named “firmware.bin”.

6 - Delete the file “firmware.bin”

7 - Now copy the Update File onto this
drive.

8 - Switch OFF the Instrument and then
switch back it ON. The instrument will
restart with the updated firmware.

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EC 2000 Kit Contents - Gardner:

Item

Included

Instrument Type

EC 2000

Power Supply



USB Cable



Screwdriver



Pot of 4x AA Batteries



Liquid Reference Standard 1



Glass Cell

 1x W100 OG 10 mm

Plastic Cell

 3x W100 10 mm

Glass Reference Standard 1



Spare Cell Divider



 = Available in the kit

EC 2000
Series
Instrument

USB Power
Supply

4 x AA
Batteries

EComparator
Reference
Solution

EComparator
Reference
Solution

Glass and
Plastic
Cells

USB Cable

Mini
Screwdriver

Cell
Divider

Glass Reference
Standards

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EC 2000 Technical Data - Gardner

The Gardner Colour scale as specified in ASTM D1544 is a single number,
one dimensional, colour scale for grading the colour of similarly coloured
liquids such as resins, varnishes, lacquers, drying oils, fatty acids, lecithin's,
sunflower oil and linseed oil.

The scale ranges from a pale yellow to a red in shade and is described in
terms of the values 1-18. To comply with specifications, a 10mm path
length must be used.

The light yellow Gardner colour numbers (1 to 8) are based on potassium
chloroplatinate solutions, numbers 9 to 18 on solutions of ferric chloride,
cobaltous chloride and hydrochloric acid.

Guaranteed Agreement with International Standards; for many product
types, a characteristic set of standards was agreed and adopted to aid
colour control and the communication of colour specifications worldwide;
the result is a selection of colour grading scales that have been adopted as
international industry standards.

The EComparators are fully equivalent to the appropriate Visual
International Standards and fully compliant with Automatic International
Standards detailed below:

EC 2000 Gardner (ASTM D1544, D6166, ISO 4630-2) because in section
“Significance and use” of ASTM D6166 section 4.1, “This test method

provides a more precise way of measuring Gardner Colour than described
in Test Method D1544.” In the Scope of ISO 4630-2 it states “The method

described provides a more precise way of measuring Gardner colour than
that described in ISO 4630-1”.

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Parameter

Details

Colour Scales

Gardner

Range

0 to 18

Resolution

0.1

Repeatability

± 0.2

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Performing a Zero – Gardner:

1 – Once initiated, the instrument
will display.

2 - Ensure there is no cell in the
sample chamber.

3 - Insert the cell divider in the
groove in the sample chamber as
shown.
4 - Close the sample lid and press
the zero key on the keypad or the
display.

5 - While performing a zero, the
instrument will display:

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6 - When complete, the instrument
will display:

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Performing a Test - Gardner:

Note: Ensure that the sample being measured is free from turbidity; if

necessary, filter the sample through a 0.45 micron filter paper.

1 - Insert the cell divider in the
groove in the sample chamber as
shown.

2 – Fill a clean Cell 2/3 full with the
sample.

3 - Place the cell in the sample
chamber of the EC2000 Gardner, on
the left hand side of the cell divider.

4 - Close the sample lid and press
the test key on the keypad or the
display.

5 - While performing a test, the
instrument will display:

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6 – If averaging is set the
instrument will display:

7 - The instrument will display the
result as:

8 - Press the result button on the
display to change between numeric
and comparator mode

9 - Press the up and down arrows
to view the stages / steps as they
would be on the visual disc.

30

Performing a Liquid Instrument Validation–

Gardner

The EC 2000 Gardner is supplied
with one bottle of Validation
Liquid.

This liquid is used to validate that
the instrument is measuring
within the specified tolerances

1 –Select the bottle of validation
liquid and ensure that the
selected validation liquid is
within its expiry date.

2 – Ensure the sample chamber is
empty.

3 - Insert the cell divider in the
groove in the sample chamber as
shown.
4 - Close the sample lid and press
the Zero key.

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5 - While performing a zero, the
instrument will display:

6 – Fill the supplied 10 mm cell
2/3 with the reference solution.

7 - Place the cell in the sample
chamber of the EC2000 Gardner.

8 - Close the sample lid and press
the test key on the keypad or the
display.

9 - While performing a test, the
instrument will display:

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10 - The instrument will display
the result.

11 - Compare the result from the
instrument to the value on the
label of the validation liquid, to
check it is within the specified
tolerances.

33

Performing an Instrument Validation using a

Glass Standard – Gardner

1 –Ensure the sample chamber is
empty

2 - Insert the cell divider in the
groove in the sample chamber as
shown, and close the lid
3 – Press the zero key

4 - While performing a zero, the
instrument will display:

5– Place the selected standard in
the sample chamber on the right
hand side.

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6– Press the test key on the
keypad.

7 - While performing a test, the
instrument will display:

8– The result will be displayed on
the screen. Compare these results
to those on the label of the
standard.

9 - Press the back arrow on the
display to change between numeric
and comparator mode.

35

Sales Offices

Germany

Tintometer GmbH
Lovibond® Water Testing
Schleefstraße 8-12
44287 Dortmund
Germany

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

United Kingdom
The Tintometer Ltd
Lovibond House
Solar Way
Solstice Park
Amesbury SP4 7SZ

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

North America
Tintometer Inc
6456 Parkland Drive
Sarasota
Florida 34243
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

South East Asia
Tintometer South East Asia
Unit B-3-12-BBT One Boulevard,
Lebuh Baku Nilam 2, Bandar Bukit
Tinggi, Klang, 41200, Selangor D.E
MALAYSIA.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Switzerland
Tintometer AG
Hauptstraße 2
5212 Hausen AG
Switzerland

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

China
Tintometer China
Room 1001, China Life Tower,
16 Chaoyangmenwai Avenue
Beijing 100020
China
Tel: [phone] ext.330
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

India

Tintometer India Pvt. Ltd.
B-91, A.P.I.E. Sanath Nagar,
Hyderabad
500018
India
Tel: [phone]
Toll Free: 1 800 102 3891
Email: [e-mail]

36

www.lovibond.com

Lovibond® and Tintometer® are registered trademarks of The Tintometer Ltd. Amesbury,
UK. All translations and transliterations of Lovibond® and Tintometer® are asserted as
trademarks of The Tintometer® Group.

The Bluetooth® mark, figure mark and combination mark are trademarks owned by the
Bluetooth SIG and any use by the Tintometer® Group is under license.

IOS® is a registered trademark of Cisco, Inc. and licensed to Apple, Inc. AndroidTM is a
trademark of Google Inc. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft.

Apple® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Linux® is the registered trademark

of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.