Bio-Rad TC20™ Automated Cell Counter - Manual (Page 29)

Fig. 19. Disabling user defined gates.
Fig. 20. System verification results.
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Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Performing the TC20 System Verification Test
The TC20 ™ automated cell counter is calibrated at the time of manufacture and does
not require further adjustment by the customer. A system verification slide can be
purchased to validate the functionality and performance of the TC20 cell counter.
It is a printed glass slide with a defined number of circles printed on each side.
To perform the TC20 system test:
1. Place the TC20 cell counter on a dry, level surface.
2. Insert the supplied power cord into the instrument.
3. Plug the power cord into the appropriate
electrical outlet.
4. Turn on the instrument using the green power switch.
5. When performing the system test, User defined
gates must be disabled. From the Home screen
arrow down to Gating setup; press Enter.
6. Arrow down to User defined gates and press
Enter until Disabled is selected (Figure 19).
7. Arrow down to Yes in the Save changes setting
and press Enter. The Home screen appears.
8. Arrow down to Options and press Enter.
9. From the Options screen, arrow down to
System test; press Enter.
10. When prompted, insert side A of the verification slide into the slide port.
Press Enter.
11. When prompted, remove the slide from the instrument and insert side B of the slide
into the port. Press Enter.
12. Pull out the verification slide and press Enter. This checks for debris on the optics.
13. The results of the system test are displayed on the System test screen (Figure 20).
For each sample, a Pass or Fail result is reported, along with the number of objects
found and expected, and the ratio of live objects (example: Pass 218 of 221, 0.50).
The number expected can change each time the test is repeated, due to slight
variations in slide position.
14. System test results can be exported via USB using the Export previous counts
function. (See Exporting Data from Previous Counts for details.)
15. Save the verification slide for future use.
Important: If the cell counter fails the system test procedure, a reason for the failure
will be displayed on the System test screen. The TC20 counter will indicate either
cleaning the verification slide and repeating the test or contacting Bio-Rad Technical
Support.
Do not insert the verification slide if it is damaged. It could damage the instrument.
Testing the system once a month is recommended but can be done as often as daily.
Neither test frequency will modify the slide in any way.