Cooper Instruments & Systems Series M4 Digital Force Gage - Manual (Page 5)

CF 182 2 32-1117 1010
The following safety checks and procedures should be performed before and during operation:
1. Never operate the gauge if there is any visible damage to the AC adapter or the gauge itself.
2. Ensure that the gauge is kept away from water or any other electrically conductive liquids at all
times.
3. The gauge should be serviced by a trained technician only. AC power must be disconnected and
the gauge must be powered off before the housing is opened.
4. Always consider the characteristics of the sample being tested before initiating a test. A risk
assessment should be carried out beforehand to ensure that all safety measures have been
addressed and implemented.
5. Wear eye and face protection when testing, especially when testing brittle samples that have the
potential to shatter under force. Be aware of the dangers posed by potential energy that can
accumulate in the sample during testing. Extra bodily protection should be worn if a destructive
failure of a test sample is possible.
6. In certain applications, such as the testing of brittle samples that can shatter, or other applications
that could lead to a hazardous situation, it is strongly recommended that a machine guarding system
be employed to protect the operator and others in the vicinity from shards or debris.
7. When the gauge is not in use, ensure that the power is turned off.
2 POWER
The gauge is powered either by an 8.4V NiMH rechargeable battery or by an AC adapter. Since these
batteries are subject to self discharge, it may be necessary to recharge the unit after a prolonged period of
storage. Plug the accompanying charger into the AC outlet and insert the charger plug into the receptacle on
the gauge (refer to the illustration below). The battery will fully charge in approximately 8 hours.
Caution!
Do not use chargers or batteries other than specified or instrument damage may occur.
If the AC adapter is plugged in, a corresponding icon appears in the lower left corner of the display, as
follows:
If the AC adapter is not plugged in, battery power drainage is denoted in a three step process:
1. When battery life is greater than 30%, no indicator is present.
2. When battery life drops to approximately 30%, an indicator appears as follows:
3. When battery life drops to approximately 10%, the indicator will appear as follows:
4. When battery life drops to approximately 2%, the indicator from step 2 will be flashing. Several
minutes after (timing depends on usage and whether the backlight is turned on or off), a message
will appear, “BATTERY VOLTAGE TOO LOW. POWERING OFF”. A 4-tone audio indicator will
sound and the gauge will power off.
The gauge can be configured to automatically power off following a period of inactivity. Refer to the Other
Settings section for details.
If battery replacement is necessary, the battery may be accessed by separating the two halves of the gauge.
Refer to the Mechanical Setup section for details.