Lumiso Expert

User Manual
2

Registration and technical support

Thank you for choosing a Palintest Lumiso Expert Photometer.

If you haven’t done so already, please register your instrument at
www.palintest.com/products/lumiso-expert or scan the QR Code.
In addition, the latest version of this manual can be downloaded
and there are supporting documents and printable test instructions
as well as firmware updates and access to Palintest Connect.

Intended Use

Lumiso is a measurement and data management platform for water testing. It is used
for testing drinking water, wastewater, process water, environmental waters and
swimming pool/spa water. It is employed in industries such as food and beverage,
utility companies and the humanitarian sectors amongst many other industrial,
scientific, education, health, and manufacturing applications.
The data is used in reports for audits, records, quality control, process control,
and trend analysis.
Lumiso offers:
• Reliable, high-quality results with less risk of user error.
• Traceable data record of 10000+ results.
• Data enrichment with application and test information.
• IP67 certified with waterproof USB type C port.

Important Safety Information

Please take time to read and follow the advice in this manual.
If this instrument is used in ways not specified, the protection it provides,
and its accuracy may be impaired.
Avoid replacing batteries in wet or humidity condensing locations.
Please read and follow all the safety information supplied with your Palintest reagents.
 3

Contents

Registration and Technical Support 2 Home Screen Menus 18

Intended Use 2 Test selection menu 18

Test Log 19
Important Safety Information 2
Users 21
Labels 21
Getting Started 4
System Settings 22
Instrument Layout 4
Sleep Delay 23
The Home Screen 5
Brightness 23
Date Format 23
How to select and perform a test 6 Date and Time 23
Basic principles of photometric tests 6 Language 23

Blanking 7 Buzzer 23
Labels 24
Generic outline of the test procedure 7
Users 25
Information Messages 10
Units 25
Achieving best results 11
Temperature 25
Ensure accuracy by Blanking correctly 11

Best practice when testing 11 Care and Maintenance 26

Keeping the optics clean 26
Dilutions 12
Check Standards 26
Verifying all wavelengths 28
Setting Pass and Fail limits for a test 14
Updating Firmware 29
Why set Pass and Fail Limits 14
Battery replacement 31
How to set pass and fail limits 14
Notes on Battery Changing 32
Creating a label 15
Technical Specification 33
Adding a Parameter to a Label 16

Setting the limits 17 Technical Support/Contact 34

4 Getting Started

Instrument layout
On/Off
Touch Screen
Cell Holder/Optical Cell

Battery Cover

Waterproof
Data and Power
Connection
USB C
 5

The Home Screen

From powering up, the home screen appears and provides access to all functions.

Display a list of either • Set up Lumiso for • Access the log of

• All Tests on the your set of check past test results
instrument standards • Set filters to view
or • Use regularly to subsets of results
• Favourite Tests verify the calibration

• Add up to 50 user • Set up labels that • Set up and

names can then be used customize various
• These can then be to tag different functions on your
attached to test test results to aid Lumiso Expert
results filtering
6 How to Select and Perform a Test 6

Basic principles of photometric tests

Photometric testing, also called colorimetry, involves adding reagents (e.g. tablets,
powders, or liquids) to a water sample.
The reagents will be designed to react with a particular chemical of interest in the
sample and form a coloured solution. So, by measuring the strength of that colour,
the concentration of the chemical can be calculated.
Once the sample has been prepared by adding reagents, Lumiso sends light of a
chosen wavelength through that sample and measures the level of light that passes
through. This is then compared to the light level that passes through a “Blank”
sample, that has no reagents.

Lumiso converts
this reduction in
light transmission
to a concentration.
 7

Blanking

Blanking is the process that sets the zero value for the test. Since colour development
is being measured optically, blanking ensures that any pre-existing colour or turbidity
in the sample does not affect the final result. Usually, therefore, the “blank” tube
contains a sample of the water being tested without any reagents added.

Generic outline of the test procedure

Below is an outline of the basic procedure for the majority of tests. For specific
test details please refer to the specific test instructions. These are available on the
instrument here.

To “Blank” Lumiso place

a clean photometer tube
containing the water being
tested, without reagents,
in the cell holder.

Press Blank
8
3

A progress bar will

show that blanking is in
progress.
Avoid moving the Blank
tube during this time.

Instrument is successfully
blanked and ready to
measure the prepared
sample.

Prepare sample. Most

often this involves adding
reagents in tablet form.
(Some tests may use liquid
or powdered reagents).

A colour will typically

develop.
Place the prepared
sample tube in the cell
holder.
9 9
7

Press Measure.

8
On some tests there will be
a specified waiting time to
allow colour development.
This is preprogrammed in
for each test and the timer
will start automatically.
Tests not requiring a
wait time will commence
measurement immediately.

The result will then be

displayed.
10

Information messages

During the testing process, Lumiso performs checks to ensure that the test will be
measured correctly. If it detects an event that would invalidate the result it will
report one of the information messages below.

Message ID Likely Cause Suggested Action

Blank is too dark. Check and clean all

glass tubes used.
Repeat blanking
M1 and M2 process

Contamination See: Keeping the

obscuring optics. Optics Clean

Blank, sample tube, or Carefully repeat

M3 and M4 NDF standard moved blanking and reading
or removed too early. procedure.

Tube cap is not Check or change light

excluding light from cell. cap on tube.
M5 Move instrument away
from external light.
External light entering
the optical cell.

A common cause that can trigger any of these messages to be displayed is

contamination of the optical windows or stained glassware. See section below: How
to achieve accurate results. If messages continue to be displayed, please contact
your local Palintest branch or distributor.
 11

Achieving best results

Ensure accuracy by blanking correctly

Blanking is a critical step as it sets the zero value for the test. In most case the blank
tube and sample tube should be identical except for the reagents (e.g. tablets) that
have been added to the sample tube.
In some tests, pre-treatment of the sample such as dilution, filtering or conditioning
of seawater is recommended. In this case, it will be this pretreated sample that
needs to be used in the “blank” tube. Again, this will ensure that only the colour
change in the specific reagents for the test parameter is measured.

Best practice when testing



Rinse equipment thoroughly Measure volumes accurately Use the correct Palintest
with deionised water or the as shown (or use a pipettor reagents and observe all
water being tested. or syringe). safety information supplied
with them.

10

Check for bubbles and Align tubes as shown. Keep instrument clean.
remove as shown. Always use the tube cap Dry all tubes before placing
as it excludes light from in the optical cell.
the optics.
12

Dilutions

If the concentration in the sample is above the range of the test, the result screen
will show the upper range level with a greater than sign “>” in front of it. It will then
be necessary to dilute the sample and repeat the test.
Palintest’s Dilution Tube is designed to make this process easy to carry out. It can
be used to dilute the sample by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times. If a higher dilution
than this is required a 10mL syringe can be used with the dilution tube to dilute up
to 100 times.

Using the Dilution Tube

1 Assume you want to carry out a x2 dilution.
(This means the sample volume will be doubled
by adding an equal amount of deionised water).
2 Do this as follows.
3 Fill tube with sample to the x2 mark.
4 Then, top up with deionised water to the line marked
‘Deionised Water’ or “x1”.
5 Cap the dilution tube and swirl to mix.
6 Use this diluted sample in the test in the normal
manner. This includes blanking on the diluted
sample.
7 Multiply the test result obtained by the dilution
factor used (in this case x2).
8 Lumiso Expert can be setup to carry out the
calculation automatically and store the calculated
result in the log. This requires the use of Labels.
See Setting Pass and Fail Limits for a Test.

Notes
1 Higher levels of dilution can be achieved by repeating the dilution process, then
multiplying the two dilutions together.
For example a x10 dilution, followed by a x2 dilution would result in a x20 dilution
(10 x 2)
2 Dilution tubes and syringes should be rinsed thoroughly after use with deionised
water.
 13
Use of a syringe and dilution tube for dilutions of x10 and higher

This is an alternative to the method given in note 1 above, for dilution levels above x10.

1. Decide on the degree of sample dilution required and consult the table below for the
correct fill level in the syringe.

Fill Syringe with

Required Dilution
Sample to this Level

x10 10mL

x20 5mL

x25 4mL

x50 2mL

x100 1mL

2. Place the tip of the syringe in the sample and draw some into the syringe. Adjust the
syringe plunger until level corresponds to the appropriate fill level indicated in the
table and illustration.

3. Expel the sample from the syringe into a clean dilution tube. Fill the tube with
deionised water to the line marked ‘Deionised Water’ or ‘x1’.

4. Replace the cap and invert several times to mix.

5. Use the diluted sample for the test in the normal manner.

6. Multiply the test result obtained by the dilution factor selected in the table.
For example, to prepare a x50 dilution, fill syringe to 2mL (as shown in table), expel
this into dilution tube and top up with deionised water. The test result would then be
multiplied by 50.
14 Setting Pass and Fail Limits for a Test

Why set pass and fail limits?

Whatever the application is, Lumiso can be a powerful tool for managing the
conditions in any water process or body of water. A system of labels allows relevant
test parameters to be grouped together and pass and fail limits can be set
separately for each label.
By setting limits for any test parameter, Lumiso can provide instant feedback to the
operator carrying out the test as to whether the result is outside the expected or
acceptable range.
This feedback on the test result appears in the results screen at the time and is
recorded in the results log. Even if the limits are subsequently changed, the log result will
continue to show that it was outside the acceptable range at the time of the test. Below
is a typical results log.

“Passed” result “Failed” result

How to set pass and fail limits

The process for setting pass and fail limits involves the following three steps:
• Creating a label.
• Add a test parameter that you want to measure under that label.
• Set the limits for that parameter.
This is best explained with following example.
 15
Creating a label

So, let’s assume we are testing a hot tub.

We would start by creating a label called Hot Tub.
16
Adding a parameter to a label

Note that next to the

newly created label
it says that there
are no parameters
selected. The label
cannot be used until
parameters have
been added by
pressing here.

‘Alkalinity, Total’ has

now been added
as a parameter to
this label, However,
this indicates that
no pass or fail limits
have been set.
 17
Setting the limits

Upper and Lower

limits have been set.

No dilution has been

set. (1 = No dilution)

Chemical species
is set to CaCO3
18 Home Screen Menus

SELECT TEST

This accesses the test selection menu

Pressing this toggles This shows the This shows the

between <All> and upper limit of the chemical species
<Favourites> lists. test. currently selected
for that test.

Press the molecule The space here Press the stars to

icon to change the indicates that there are add tests to your
chemical species for no alternative chemical Favourites list.
the test. species for this test.
 This has sub-menus for displaying the most recent
19
instrument validation results and a simple process
for storing values from the certificate to simplify the
validation process. See section: Care and Maintenance/
CHECK STANDARDS Check Standards

This enables viewing of all the test results in memory.

The first screen shows the filtering options.
TEST LOG

Selecting a filter, for

example “Parameter”,
will result in a list of
all parameters for
which results exist.

Select one of these

parameters, e.g.
Bromine, Total and
the results for that
parameter are
shown.
20

If limits are set for a parameter the results are colour coded to indicate if the result is
within the pass and fail limits set.

If any test line is

selected it will reload
the original test result
screen and include
any notes.
 21
QR Code

The QR code contains data on a section of the log with the most recent
section appearing first. The results in this section can simply be scanned
using the Palintest Connect Mobile App.

This shows
which results are
encompassed in the
currently displayed
QR Code.
Use the left and right
arrows to display the
QR code for earlier or
later result.

User names can be added to make it possible to

record who carried tests.
USERS

Labels can be created, to allow sorting and grouping

of test and parameter results and apply pass and
fail levels. Labels are also used to set dilution factors
which will automatically calculate and store the
LABELS result correctly for tests that are attached to that
label. See: Setting Pass and Fail Limits for a Test.
22

The menu below appears when System Settings is

selected. Each of these will open a sub menu. Any
changes to these settings will be saved when the
instrument is turned off. Note that sudden loss of
SYSTEM SETTINGS
power (if instrument is powered solely by USB) may
result in setting changes not being saved.
 23
Sleep Delay Date and Time
Lumiso can be set so that it after a period Use up and down arrows to set correct date
of inactivity it will go on to a low power and year. Time is set using 24 hour format.
usage mode including shutting off the
screen. The period can be set from 2
minutes to 20 minutes. Sleep can also be
disabled completely. Lumiso will not go in to
sleep mode when powered by USB.

Language
Selectable in English, French, Spanish and
Chinese (Simplified).

Brightness
Screen brightness can be set from 0 – 100%.

Buzzer
The buzzer will sound when Lumiso is
powered up and when the test timer
expires, but can be disabled.
Date Format
The Day(D), Month(M) or Year(Y) and be set
to one of three format options.
24
Labels
If no label is selected the test result screen will show: CLICK TO ADD.

Lumiso can be set to prompt the user to attach a label to each result. (See: Setting Pass
and Fail Limits for a Test).

• Manual - There will be no prompting and

results can be saved to the log without
any label.
• Once – The tests results screen cannot
be exited. This prevents the result being
saved without a label being selected.
Once a label has been selected, there
will be no further prompts and that
same label will be used for all future
tests until the instrument is turned off.
• Every Test – There will be a prompt for a
label every time a test is carried out. Any
This option sets when and how often the previously selected label will not appear
user is prompted to add a label to a test on the test screen.
result after a water test is carried out.
 25
Users Temperature
This functions identically to the above Allows temperature when entered in the
prompt settings for labels but is applied Langelier Index to be set to ˚C or ˚F.
to Users.

Units
This enables the default concentration
units to be switched from mg/L to ppm
(parts per million). These are equivalent
units and it is a personal choice which
is used.
26 Care and Maintenance

Keeping the optics clean

The walls of the cell holder house an array of optical windows for the light sources
and sensors. Therefore, any contamination in the optical cell may affect the
accuracy of readings. If it is allowed to accumulate, it will trigger messages to be
displayed (see: Information Messages).

Failures on some wavelengths when using check standards are also highly likely
to be caused by surface contamination on the optics. This invariably affects some
wavelengths more than others at first but over time will eventually affect all
wavelengths.

Using photometer tubes that are wet on the outside can leave water droplets on the
optics. These will act like lenses and can lead to erratic results, especially as they will
be unstable and move due to vibration as the instrument is being used.

Clean optical windows gently with a soft, non-abrasive cloth dampened with water
or anti-static foam cleaner. Do not use solvents.

Please Note:
Instrument failures due to contamination will not be covered by the warranty.

Check Standards

Check Standards are available to purchase separately for the Lumiso Expert.

Using check standards is

LMC001
a simple way to verify the
LMC
LMC001
C00
001
001
performance of the instrument
and check that it is within
LMC001 calibration. Check Standards
LMC
LMC001
C001
0
are comprised of neutral density
filters in special holders. These
absorb a similar level of light
at all frequencies. Therefore,
a single NDF can perform the
same checks as the different
liquid colour standards used with
earlier Palintest photometers.
 27

The value expected for each check standard is on a certificate that is supplied with
the set. On the certificate is a 16 digit number that just needs be entered once into
Lumiso. As below:

This only needs to be done

once by entering the 16 digit
code from the certificate.

Check Standards

Assigned Values

Update Values
28

Verifying all wavelengths

Select Measure All Wavelengths

and follow onscreen prompts.
Use the Blank first in each position
then insert NDF B and Measure
every wavelength.
Check Standards

Measure All Wavelengths

Note: There is also an option for checking a single wavelength.

 29

Updating Firmware

Check for Firmware version in the System Settings → Device Info.

30

To update firmware, connect Lumiso

to a PC using a USB A to C cable Lumiso Instrument will appear
as a Drive and can be renamed

If a new Firmware file has been downloaded or sent electronically, drag and drop
that file in to this drive.
Alternatively, Palintest Connect will automatically update firmware if the instrument
is registered.
 31

Battery replacement

The battery cover is held in

place with a clip. Push clip
fully in and lift cover.

Use 6x 1.5V AA/LR6

batteries. Note polarity
before replacing.

3
Spring clips hold the batteries
securely in place. Push on the
‘+’ end of the battery, and lift
as shown.
Insert new batteries in the
same way but pushing down.

4
Push battery clip in gently
and push cover down until the
clip locks. This will maintain
the IP67 water seal.

Note: The seal is pushed

through the casework in
battery compartment, so does
not require strong downward
pressure to be watertight.
32

Notes on Battery Changing

• Avoid replacing batteries in wet or humidity condensing locations..
• Disconnect the instrument from any other equipment before replacing the
batteries.
• Take care to avoid damaging the seal.
• The battery monitoring symbol may not display correctly when rechargeable
batteries are used.
• Dispose of used cells responsibly by ensuring they go for recycling.
Technical Specifications 33

Lumiso Benchtop; multi wavelength, direct reading

Instrument
colorimeter

Palintest Multi LED light source optical system with

Optics
narrow band wavelength filters and photodetectors

25 mm diameter
Test tubes
16 mm diameter (using adaptor)

Held in memory, can be reset at any time. Automatic

Blank / Zero setting reset if tube size is changed or instrument powered
down.

Measurement range 0.1 to 100%T (0 to 3 Absorbance Units)

Accuracy +/-1%T

Wavelengths 430 nm, 465 nm, 530 nm, 575 nm and 620 nm

Wavelength tolerance +/- 2nm

Filter Bandwidth 5 nm

LCD Display 7in, 800 x 460 pixel with backlight

0 – 45˚C; 90% Relative humidity, non-condensing

Instrument Operating
Indoor and outdoor use
Conditions
Altitude up to 2000m, Pollution degree 4

Ingress protection IP67 (Waterproof)

Power supply 6 x 1.5V LR6 (AA) batteries

USB Port USB, type C; 6V max, 500mA max, DC

Dimensions 220 x 200 x 55 mm

Weight 850 g
34 Technical Support/Contact

Lumiso is manufactured in the UK by Palintest, please see technical

support contacts by region below:

UK: USA:
Palintest Ltd Palintest USA
Palintest House, 600 Corporate Circle, Suite F
Kingsway, Golden
Team Valley, CO 80401
Gateshead, USA
Tyne and Wear, info@palintestusa.com
NE11 0NS,
UK
http://www.palintest.com AUSTRALIA PACIFIC
sales@palintest.com 1/53 Lorraine Street
Peakhurst Business Centre
Peakhurst
Authorised Representative in the EU: NSW 2210
Halma Europe DS BV Australia
J. Keplerweg 14, palintest@palintest.com.au
2048AC Alphen aan den Rijn,
Netherlands
CHINA:
Room 1711
Fanli Mansion
22 Chaowai Street
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100020
PRC

UM7210 EN V1 11/22