Section 5

Preventive Maintenance

This section provides instructions for maintaining the ELx808 in top

condition, to ensure that it continues to perform to specification.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule......................................36

Warnings & Precautions..........................................................37
PM-1: Clean Exposed Surfaces................................................38
PM-2: Inspect/Clean Wavelength Filters....................................38
PM-3: (Optional) Lubricate Components...................................39
PM-4: Run System Test..........................................................39
36 | Section 5: Preventive Maintenance

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

A general Preventive Maintenance (PM) regimen for all ELx808 models includes
periodically cleaning all exposed surfaces, inspecting/cleaning the wavelength filters,
replacing the lamp, and decontamination. Robotic models should have certain components
lubricated.
The following chart recommends preventive maintenance tasks and the frequency with
which each task should be performed. Use the PM Logbook to record when a task is
performed.

 It is important to note that the risk and performance factors associated

with your assays may require that some or all of the procedures be
performed more frequently than presented in the schedule.

Frequency

Task Before
Every 3 Every 6
As Needed Storage or
Months Months
Shipment
PM-1: Clean Exposed Surfaces 
PM-2: Inspect/Clean Wavelength 
Filters less
frequently
if air
quality is
good
PM-3: Lubricate Components 
(optional, robotic models only)
PM-4: Run System Test 
Replace lamp/clean contacts* approximatel
y every 500
hours of use
Decontamination* 

* Refer to the ELx808 Operator’s Manual for instructions.

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 PM-3: (Optional) Lubricate Components | 37

Warnings & Precautions

Please read the following before performing any maintenance procedures:

Warning! Internal Voltage. Turn off and unplug the instrument for
all maintenance and repair operations.

Warning! Wear protective gloves when handling contaminated

instruments. Gloved hands should be considered contaminated at all
times; keep gloved hands away from eyes, mouth, nose, and ears.
Eating and drinking while decontaminating instruments is not advised.

Warning! Mucous membranes are considered prime entry routes for

infectious agents. Wear eye protection and a surgical mask when there
is a possibility of aerosol contamination. Intact skin is generally
considered an effective barrier against infectious organisms; however,
small abrasions and cuts may not always be visible. Wear protective
gloves when handling contaminated instruments.

Caution! The buildup of deposits left by the evaporation of spilled

fluids within the read chamber can impact measurements. Be sure to
keep System Test records before and after maintenance so that changes
can be noted.

Caution! Do not soak the keypad – this will cause damage. Moisten a
clean cloth with deionized or distilled water and wipe the keypad. Dry
immediately with a clean, dry cloth.

 Important! Do not immerse the instrument, spray it with liquid, or

use a “wet” cloth on it. Do not allow water or other cleaning solution to
run into the interior of the instrument. If this happens, contact BioTek’s
Technical Assistance Center.

 Important! To properly store interference filters during extended

periods of non-use, package them in a light-tight envelope or container,
away from high humidity and direct sunlight. This will ensure the
longest life for the filters. When handling the filters, keep the surfaces
clean from fingerprints and debris by simply wiping with a lens tissue
or other lint-free cloth.

ELx808 Qualification and Maintenance Procedures

38 | Section 5: Preventive Maintenance

PM-1: Clean Exposed Surfaces

Exposed surfaces may be cleaned (not decontaminated) with a cloth moistened (not
soaked) with water or water and a mild detergent. You will need:
 Mild detergent
 Deionized or distilled water
 Clean cotton cloths
1. Imporant: Turn off and unplug the instrument.
2. Moisten a clean cotton cloth with water, or with water and mild detergent. Do
not soak the cloth.
3. Wipe the plate carrier, the inside of the plate carrier door, and all exposed
surfaces of the instrument. Do not soak the keypad.
4. If detergent was used, wipe all surfaces with a cloth moistened with water.
5. Use a clean, dry cloth to dry all wet surfaces.

PM-2: Inspect/Clean Wavelength Filters

Laboratory air is used to cool the lamp, and the wavelength filters can become dusty as a
result. The filters should be inspected and cleaned every three months (or less frequently,
if the air quality is good). You will need:
 Tape
 Screwdriver
 Isopropyl, ethyl, or methyl alcohol
 Lens-cleaning tissue
1. If you have not already done so, turn off and unplug the reader.
2. Temporarily tape the reader’s plate access door shut.
3. Using your fingertips, locate the seven perimeter screws around the sides and
front where the reader’s top shroud meets the base. Remove the screws using a
screwdriver.

 Tip: Bring the reader to the edge of the work surface to access the
screws without having to turn the reader upside down.

4. Carefully raise the front of the shroud and tip it toward the back of the
instrument.

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 PM-3: (Optional) Lubricate Components | 39

5. The filter wheel is located in the left rear quadrant inside the reader. Remove
the filter wheel by pulling it off its magnetic hub.
6. Inspect the glass filters for speckled surfaces or a halo effect. This may indicate
deterioration due to moisture exposure over a long period of time. If you have
any concerns about the quality of the filters, contact your BioTek
representative.
7. Clean the filters using lens-cleaning tissue moistened with a small amount of
isopropyl, ethyl, or methyl alcohol. Ensure that the filters remain in their
current locations.
8. Compare the filter wheel contents with the latest entry in the OQ Checklist or
PQ Logbook; update the documentation if necessary.
9. Replace the filter wheel on its magnetic hub. Ensure that the peg on the wheel
lines up with the notch on the hub, and that the filter wheel is positioned flat
against the hub and rotates freely.
10. If you are lubricating components at this time (robotic instruments only),
proceed to step PM-3 now, otherwise, close the top shroud and replace the
seven perimeter screws. Remove the tape from the plate access door.
11. Plug in and turn on the reader and proceed to step PM-4.

PM-3: (Optional) Lubricate Components

This step only applies to robotic models.
ELx808 instruments used in a robotic environment must have their robotic components
lubricated every six months or after 10,000 cycles.
Refer to the ELx808 Operator’s Manual when performing this task; the manual contains all
of the necessary diagrams and instructions.

PM-4: Run System Test

When the Preventive Maintenance procedures are complete, run a System Test to
confirm that the maintenance activities have not compromised the proper operation of the
reader. If the test fails for any reason, an error code should appear on the report; consult
the ELx808 Operator’s Manual.

If the ELx808 is running in standalone mode:

1. If the reader is equipped with an incubator, create/edit an assay to set the
temperature to at least 37°C. Start the assay and press the Stop key when
WAITING FOR INCUBATOR appears on the display. Wait until the
temperature on the display reaches the set point before continuing.

ELx808 Qualification and Maintenance Procedures

40 | Section 5: Preventive Maintenance

2. From the main menu, select UTIL > TESTS > SYSTEM. The system test will
run and the report will print automatically.
3. Examine the report; all tests should show PASS.
4. Sign and date the report, and store it with your test documentation.

If the ELx808 is controlled by Gen5:

1. Start Gen5 if it is not already open.
2. If the reader is equipped with an incubator, select System > Reader Control
> ELx808 (Com#) from Gen5’s main screen. Click the Pre-Heating tab.
Enter a Requested temperature of at least 37°C and then click On. Wait until
the temperature on the display reaches the set point before continuing.
3. Return to Gen5’s main screen and select System > Diagnostics > Run
System Test.
4. The system test will run and then the ‘System Test Identification’ dialog will
appear. Enter the Serial Number and User (Company and Comments are
optional).
5. The system test report will be displayed ( System Test Results). Print and
examine the report; all tests should show ‘PASS.’
6. Sign and date the report, and store it with your test documentation.

BioTek Instruments, Inc.