Programming instructions for the DR 4000

photometer from Hach

How to program a new method
(Spectroquant® Test Kits) into the DR 4000 photometers

Background:
User programs provide the opportunity to run own methods besides the
pre-calibrated methods from the original supplier. It does not play a role if
these are own developed methods or methods from other suppliers of
test kits.

User programs allow the addition of custom analyses to the DR 4000.

Once the user provides the calibration curve and other necessary
information, the DR 4000 will remember the custom program and allow
you to run it anytime you like.

For more details please look into chapter 7.1 of the DR 4000 instrument
manual.

All input steps and their significance and options are explained in the
following sections. It will explain how to create and save a new “User
Program” for the Spectroquant® Test Kit.

Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, 64293 Darmstadt (Germany): +49 6151 72-0
EMD Millipore Corporation – A division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
290 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821, USA, Phone: (781) 533-6000

HACH is a registered trademark of Hach Company. The SPECTROQUANT product is

neither endorsed, nor sponsored by or affiliated with the Hach Company.

Date: Nov 26st 2013 1 of 8

Keypad Description The keypad is organized into four main sections:
soft keys, numeric keys, data storage keys, and
control keys.
The five SOFT KEYS located at the top of the
keypad match the menu options displayed on the
bottom of the screen.

Select a menu item by pressing the

SOFT KEY below the menu option.

The numeric keys include digit keys, a CE (clear

entry) key, and a decimal point/SETUP key. Use
the digit keys, decimal point key, and CE key to
directly enter values on instrument prompts and
timer settings. The SETUP key is used to change
defaults and specify user preferences.

The left side of the keypad contains the STORE,

RECALL, and PRINT keys. These keys facilitate
saving, retrieving, and printing data.
Refer to Section 3, DATA HANDLING for more
information on these functions.

The four control keys located at the far right of

Main menu when switch the instrument on:
the keypad include the ENTER, EXIT, and arrow
(scroll) keys. Use the arrow keys to move up and
down through menu options. Use the ENTER key
to accept keyed-in values. Exit a menu at any
time by pressing the EXIT key.
USER PROGRAM
The User Program Mode lets the operator recall
saved programs, and create custom calibration
curves and analysis procedures.

Select the USER PROGRAMsoft key from the

main menu.

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Create a user-program: Press the CREATEsoft key. The prompt line will
ask for a new program number. Enter the number
using the numeric keypad and press the ENTER
key. When a valid number is entered, the display
will change and prompt the user to select the
program type.

Note:
Each user-entered calibration may be assigned a
unique number between 1 and 999. This number is
displayed in front of the specified program as part of
the user program.
Four-digit program numbers are reserved for Hach
user calibration templates. The prompt line will flash
INVALID ENTRY if the number is already in use.

To assign the next available number, press the

NEXT UNUSED soft key and then press ENTER.

Note:
Press the exit key at any time to return to the main
menu.
A press of the SINGLEλsoft key brings up the
create program screen where parameter and
setting information can be entered.

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Create program screen: You will see below the screen to enter the new
program.
Program name:
The highlighted line NAME (PROGRAM NAME)
is active and may be edited with a press of the
EDIT NAMEsoft key.

When the EDIT NAMEsoft key is pressed, a

character table is displayed on the screen.

The PAGE UP arrow key and

PAGE DOWN arrow keys move the
highlighted line up and down through the
character table. The soft keys with entry arrows
move the cursor on the prompt line to the right
and left.
The TABLE ARROWsoft keys move the
cursor in the highlighted line to the right or left.
Character table: Press the keys or hold them down to scroll
through the choices.

When the proper character in the table is

flashing, press the ENTER key. The character is
added to the name at the spot where the entry
cursor is positioned.
Press the ENTRY DONEsoft key to return to the
parameter table.

Enter e.g. Ammonium14558.

Select A ENTER, select m ENTER, etc….
After finishing entering all characters press the
ENTRY DONEsoft key to return to the parameter
table.
Format: The FORMATsoft key cycles through choices for
decimal placement. Press the ENTER key to
accept a decimal position and move on to the
UNITS line.

Select e.g. XXX.XX Press the ENTER key to

accept.
Units: Two soft keys are available for units selection.
The UNITSsoft key and the CUSTOMS
UNITSsoft key.
Scroll through the pre-programmed choices with
repeated presses of the UNITSsoft key. Continue
by pressing the ENTER key.

Select e.g. mg/L by pressing the UNITSsoft key.

Press the ENTER key to accept.

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Chemical form: Enter a chemical form in the same manner. Press
the EDIT FORMsoft key to enter the character
table. Choose characters from the character table
accepting each with the ENTER key. Press the
ENTRY DONEsoft key when the chemical form
entry is complete.

Enter name e.g. NH4-N.

Select N ENTER, select H ENTER, etc….
After finishing entering all characters press the
ENTRY DONEsoft key to return to the parameter
table.
Lower limit: Enter the lower and upper limits using the digit
keys then press the ENTER key.

Note:
If a negative value is to be entered, press the SIGNsoft
key before the numbers are entered.

Note:
Enter a lower limit to enable an under range warning
(UNDER!) if a measurement falls below the lower limit.
Enter an upper limit to enable an over range warning
(OVER!) if a measurement exceeds the upper limit.
The user can thus be warned of values outside the
working range of the test.

Select e.g. 0.20 Press the ENTER key to accept.

Upper limit: Select e.g. 8.00 Press the ENTER key to accept.
Wavelength: Enter the wavelength by keying in the number
with the numeric keypad. Accept with a press of
the ENTER key or use the DOWN arrow key to
move to the next line.

Enter e.g. 690 for 690 nm by using the numeric

keypad. Press 690. Accept the displayed
wavelength value by pressing the ENTER key.
Calib. table: Select OFF.

Press the PAGE DOWN arrow key to move

to the line to specify the Calib. formula

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Calib. formula: Select the calibration curve formula by entering
the necessary values for the coefficients in the
formula. The calibration curve formula line
provides a variety of formulas.

Four possible mathematical relationships

between Concentration and Absorbance are
offered. These options are as follows:

1. Piecewise Linear: C = Piecewise (A);

Ao is displayed
2. Linear: C = a + bA; Ao is displayed
3. Quadratic: C = a + bA + cA2;
Ao is not displayed
4. Cubic: C = a + bA + cA2 + dA3;
Ao is not displayed

Mostly we use calibation no. 2. Sometimes also

no. 4.
Select according the table from the programming
data for the DR 4000.

Note:
C=Concentration; a, b, c, and d = coefficients;
A=absorbance

Scroll through the pre-programmed list by

pressing the NEXT FORMULAsoft key
repeatedly. To manually enter a calibration curve,
select the EDIT FORMULAsoft key, press soft
key for entering the coefficient a, b, c, and d
(according programming list). Press the SIGNsoft
key for changing the sign (+/-) before entering the
numbers of the coefficient values by pressing the
digit keys. Press the ENTER key to accept each
entry.
Press the ENTER key after all coefficient values
are entered.

For Ammonium enter e.g. the calibration curve by

entering the following calibration information:
Press EDIT FORMULAsoft key and enter
coefficients value:
Enter a: enter e.g. 0.000 need not to be changed.
Enter b: enter e.g. 4.348 Press ENTER key.
Press the ENTER key to accept.

Note:
If an error is made while entering numbers on the
prompt line, press the CE key to clear and start over.

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Chemical form 2: If an original chemical form was entered earlier,
additional forms may be entered at this time.
Along with each additional chemical form
entered, the user must also enter a conversion
factor. The factor will define the mathematical
relationship between the first chemical form and
this chemical form and can be found in our
Internet homepage under conversion table.

Press the EDIT FORMsoft key. The Character

table will appear. Enter FORM. Press EDIT
DONE.
Press the EDIT FACTORsoft key to enter a factor
on the numeric keypad. Press ENTRY DONE to
complete the entry.

Note:
The EDIT FACTOR soft key does not appear until a
chemical form is entered. If more than one chemical
form exists for the test, enter these forms in the same
manner as the first chemical form, using the character
table.
Timer 1: Press the PAGE DOWN arrow key to move
to the line to specify the Timer 1.

When the ADD TIMERsoft key is pressed five

options are displayed. See the first two options
below:

LABEL
Gives options for instructing the user during the
timer period. The options include: Wait, Shake,
Invert, Swirl, Boil, Heat, and Timer.

EDIT TIMER
Allows the user to change the numeric portion of
the timer.

Note:
The options LABEL, EDIT TIMER are not available
unless a timer value is entered.

Enter time by pressing ENTER TIME. Enter time

using the numeric keypad. Press ENTER key.
Press ENTER key to accept.

Press ADD TIMERsoft key.

Press EDIT TIMER. Enter e.g. 15:00. Press 1500
ENTER. Press the ENTER key to accept.
Timer 2: Up to four timer periods may be set for user-
entered calibrations. Enter as above.

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Storing the new method: When all entries for the user-entered calibration
are complete, press the EXIT key.
The prompt line will ask: STORE CHANGES?
YES and NO are the soft key options.
Press the YESsoft key to accept and to store the
method (or changes) of the calibration. Press
EXIT key to go back to the Main menu.

Note:
press the NOsoft key to exit without storing changes to
the calibration.
Now you can start with the measurement of the Note: Please keep in mind that the DR 4000 requires
® always a blank. This is the same procedure when
Spectroquant test kits by using the DR 4000 ®
photometer. using the Spectroquant test kits as if you would use a
Hach test kit
When you want to run the programmed test kit just ®
In the list “Programming data for Spectroquant
start the program. If you require any assistants or Test Kits for DR 4000 photometer from Hach” it is
help, please contact your local Merck Millipore / specified what kind of blank can be used for each
EMD Millipore organization or our local Merck individual parameter and measuring range.
Millipore / EMD Millipore dealer. You will find them
in most countries around the world.
®
Details about the Spectroquant test kits, which can be measured in the DR 4000 can be found in the
Internet. The package inserts, which describe the handling of the test kits, can be found also in our
Internet homepage.

As we are introducing a lot of test kits each year we are updating the list “Programming data for
Spectroquant test kits for DR 4000 photometer” regularly. Please have a look every 3-6 month into our
Internet homepage under: http://www.merckmillipore.com/photometry.

HACH is a registered trademark of Hach Company. The SPECTROQUANT product is

neither endorsed, nor sponsored by or affiliated with the Hach Company.

Date: Nov 26st 2013 8 of 8