Our brand new Lumiso Expert photometer ensures accurate and consistent results using the Lumiso optical engine, which is now standard across our entire range of handheld and benchtop photometers. To support accurate drinking and wastewater testing further and prove the instrument is performing within specification for auditing purposes, the Lumiso Expert features new and improved check standards.
What are Check Standards and why should you use them?
Check Standards are available for all Palintest photometers and are used to check the calibration of the instrument to ensure it is performing correctly. This is particularly useful for auditing and compliance purposes, as check standard test results are automatically saved on the instrument along with the exact date and time of testing, proving the instrument was performing within specification at the time the measurements were carried out.
Lumiso check standards are Neutral Density Filters (NDFs). A Neutral Density Filter is an optical filter that absorbs light of all wavelengths to the same extent. Therefore, they are very predictable when used as check standards in optical instruments such as Lumiso. The standards are made of a piece of coloured glass rather than a liquid like our previous multiparameter photometer check standards.
What is new with Lumiso Check Standards?
We have simplified the check standard procedure for our Lumiso Expert photometer. Lumiso Expert check standard kits consist of one blank and one standard, which enables a simpler and quicker testing procedure. NDF check standards absorb a similar level of light at all frequencies. Therefore, a single NDF can perform the same checks as the three liquid colour standards used with earlier Palintest photometers.
As the Lumiso check standards are NDFs, this means they are non-hazardous and are stable for longer than a liquid check standard, meaning a longer shelf life. As the NDF is in a protecting casing, fingerprints or marks will not affect the reading in the same way they do when present on the glass tubes of liquid standards. NDF check standards are also not temperature dependent in the same way that liquid standards are calibrated for use only between 20–25 °C. This all leads to a simpler, quicker and more user-friendly procedure for confirming your photometer is performing within specification.
How do the Lumiso Check Standards work?
The blank standard is used first, followed by Standard B. The values assigned to your specific check standard set can be quickly entered into the Lumiso Expert via a 16-digit code provided on their certificate. This code only needs to be entered once, and the values measured by the instrument are then compared to the assigned values automatically, and a simple pass or fail result is shown on screen.
As the Lumiso Expert check standards are testing the %T measurement at each wavelength, the blank and Standard B must be tested at every wavelength on the instrument. The label on the top of the standard indicates how to align the standard depending on the wavelength being measured, and the instrument shows illustrated instructions on-screen to make this procedure quick and easy.
Lumiso Expert and the Check Standard Kits are available now. If you would like to find out more about the Lumiso Expert photometer or check standards, or have any queries about how they work, please contact our team.
