ION Science Panther Instrument User Manual V1.0

Extended Warranty Registration

Thank you for purchasing your ION Science instrument. The standard warranty of your instrument can be extended to up to two years. To receive your extended warranty, you must register your instrument online within one month of purchase (terms and conditions apply). Visit www.ionscience.com.

EU Declaration of Conformity

The EU Authorised Representative of the manufacturer Ion Science Limited has sole responsibility, on the date this product accompanied by this declaration is placed on the market, the product conforms to all technical and regulatory requirements of the listed directives.

Authorised Representative: ISM Deutschland GmbH, Laubach 30, D-40822 Mettmann, Germany

Product: Panther & Panther PRO

Product description: Handheld micro thermal conductivity sensor used to detect gas leaks. This instrument has been designed specifically for search and location of non-flammable gases such as helium and CFC's.

Directive: EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) – Type B

Standards:

• EN IEC 61010-1:2010 - Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use - Part 1: General requirements
• EN ISO/IEC ISO 9001:2015 - Quality management systems - Requirements
• EN I 61326-1:2013 - Electrical Equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use - EMC Requirements (Class B and General Immunity)

Name: Clemens A. Verley

Position: Chief Executive Officer

Signature: [Signature Placeholder]

Date: 04/05/2023

Place of issue: Mettmann, Germany

Statements

Safety

Please read this manual in full before using the Panther instrument. ION Science Ltd takes no responsibility for damage, injury or death resulting from misuse, misunderstanding or negligence while using this gas detector. Please contact ION Science Limited for clarification on any aspect of this manual that is not understood or for additional information required. This instrument should only be used by qualified or competent persons with suitable knowledge of the hazards relating to the gases contained within equipment or in the local environment.

Quality Assurance

Panther instruments are manufactured by ION Science Limited within an ISO 9001:2015 compliant quality system, which ensures that the equipment supplied to our customers has been designed and assembled reproducibly, and from traceable components.

Responsibility of Use

Many gases are hazardous and can cause explosion, poisoning and corrosion resulting in damage to property and life. It is the responsibility of the person using this instrument to ensure it is being used in accordance with this manual and that the instrument is functioning correctly before use. The Panther can detect a large range of gases, but some gases are more difficult to detect. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure the Panther instrument has the sensitivity to detect the required gas before reaching potentially dangerous levels. Inadequate performance of the gas detection equipment described in this manual may not necessarily be self-evident and consequently equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained. ION Science recommends that personnel responsible for equipment use institute a regime of regular checks to ensure it performs within calibration limits, and that a record be maintained which logs calibration check data. The equipment should be used in accordance with this manual, and in compliance with local safety standards. Dust and water contamination may affect the instruments flow / display readings. Please bear this in mind when using Panther.

Disposal

Disposal of Panther, its components and any used batteries shall be in accordance with local and national safety and environmental requirements. This includes the European WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive. ION Science Ltd offers a 'take-back' service. Please contact ION Science Ltd for more information.

Calibration Facility

ION Science Ltd offers a calibration service including the issue of a traceable certificate valid for 12 months. A Panther Calibration Kit offers a means of checking and calibrating the instruments against a known reference, however, ION Science Ltd strongly recommend the instrument is returned to an approved service centre on an annual basis for general maintenance and calibration.

Legal Notice

Whilst every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this manual, ION Science accepts no liability for errors or omissions, or any consequences deriving from the use of information contained herein. It is provided "as is" and without any representation, term, condition, or warranty of any kind, either express or implied. To the extent permitted by law, ION Science shall not be liable to any person or entity for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of this manual. We reserve the right at any time and without any notice to remove, amend or vary any of the content which appears herein.

⚠️ Accuracy of gas measurement may be susceptible to interference from other devices within close proximity which emit an EMC frequency in the range of 345 to 470 MHz.

Instrument Description

The Panther is predominantly used for detecting gas leaks and can detect almost all gases to varying degrees. It utilizes thermal conductivity as its means of detecting gas, offering a robust sensor technology that requires practically no maintenance beyond annual servicing. Both Panther and Panther PRO models feature an easy-to-use graphical interface with an intuitive keypad for simple functionality selection and adjustment. The instrument has a colored LCD display, LED indicator, and an audible sounder to indicate the detected signal.

Common Applications:

• Quality assurance - Testing seal integrity after product manufacture
• Laboratory applications - Detection of leaks from mass spectrometers and chromatograph equipment
• Industrial - Leaks from gas cylinders, pipe work and process equipment
• Medical - Testing of membrane materials and sealing of glove boxes
• Pneumatic - Valve seal testing

Panther is calibrated against a 5 x 10^-4 cc/s Helium leak for volumetric readings and a 5000 ppm Helium for concentration measurements.

Selectable Units:

• cc/sec: Cubic Centimeters per Second, indicates the volume of gas escaping into the atmosphere from a single point (e.g., leakage from a hole in a gas-filled vessel or pipe).
• ppm: Parts Per Million, a concentration reading. Panther displays the concentration but gauging leakage quantity is more difficult.
• mg/m³: Milligrams per meter cubed, another unit for measuring concentration.
• g/yr: Grams per Year, an alternative measure of leak rate.
• %Vol: Percentage by Volume, measures the percentage of the target gas in the environment.

Important Notes:

• The Panther range is NOT intrinsically safe and should not be used in a potentially explosive environment.
• Ambient air pressure, heat, and humidity can affect readings.
• Panther is NOT 'Gas Specific', meaning it cannot differentiate between gases.

Packing List

Please remove all packing material and check the content of the carry case against the list below before use. Should the instrument or any accessory appear damaged or missing, contact the instrument supplier for advice.

Panther Standard:

• Panther Standard Instrument
• Box Spanner
• USB Cable
• USB Mains Adaptor
• Warranty Registration Card
• Quick Start Guide

Panther PRO:

• Panther PRO Instrument
• Box Spanner
• Flexible Probe 20cm
• USB Cable
• USB Mains Adaptor
• Warranty Registration Card
• Quick Start Guide
• USB Dongle

How Panther Works

Thermal Conductivity

All gases conduct heat, but by varying amounts. When an object is heated and the heat source is removed, it cools down to match ambient air temperature as the surrounding air carries away excess heat. If the ambient air is replaced with a different gas, like Helium, the cooling rate changes. For instance, pure Helium cools an object about 6 times faster than air.

The Panther uses a heated thermistor bead within a sensing chamber. On the opposite side, a stable block maintains a constant temperature. As gas passes through the chamber, heat is transmitted from the bead to the gas. Gases with different thermal properties than air will affect this heat transmission rate, which is measured and displayed as leak rates or gas concentrations.

Panther's Thermal Conductivity Sensor

A piezo pump draws a small flow of gas through the probe into the sensing chamber. The thermistor bead heats up when electrical power is applied. A constant level of heat is transmitted to the air passing through the chamber, and this rate is used to 'Zero' the instrument. When gases with different thermal qualities pass through, the heat transmission changes, and these changes are measured to calculate leak rates or gas concentrations.

Note: Some gases have similar thermal properties to air, so Panther can only detect larger concentrations of these gases. Panther cannot differentiate between gases; selecting a specific gas allows the instrument to calculate concentrations only for that detected gas.

Getting Started

Charging Your Panther Instrument

To charge your Panther instrument, use a USB A to Type C Charger Cable and connect it to the back of the device. The instrument will indicate charging with a lightning bolt symbol (⚡) at the top right of the home screen.

The Keypad

The keypad provides general functionality:

Instrument Startup and Main Screen

Instrument 'Start Up' Routine

When the On/Off button is held for five seconds, the Panther powers on. It starts the pump, loads configurations, user settings, previous calibrations, the operating system, zeros the instrument, and loads communications. The startup screen displays version information (e.g., Version: 3.31, Bootloader: 0.34) and a progress indicator for loading communications.

Instrument Main Screen

After the startup routine, the instrument displays the 'Instrument Main Screen', used for locating gas leaks. Before use, adjust settings to suit the application. The main screen typically shows:

• Time and Date: Current time and date.
• Battery Percentage: Indicates remaining battery life (e.g., 81%).
• Sensitivity Indicator: Shows the current sensitivity level (High, Medium, Low).
• Gas Reading Indicator: A graphical representation of the detected gas level.
• Gas Reading: The numerical value of the detected gas concentration or leak rate (e.g., STD 0.000000 cc/s Helium).
• Current Gas Selected: Displays the gas the instrument is set to detect (e.g., Helium).
• Buttons: 'Zero' to reset readings and 'Start Log' to begin data logging.

Using Panther

⚠️WARNING: Before switching Panther on, ensure the ambient air is clean, as the instrument automatically zeros the sensor at switch-on. After the startup routine, adjust settings to desired levels and check sensitivity using a CalCheck or calibration kit.

Switch the Panther on by pressing and holding the ON/OFF key. Once the zero routine is complete, it enters the main screen.

Gas leaks often occur at pneumatic joints or welded seams. Hold the Panther at a 45° angle to the object being tested and drag the probe along the seam or joint at approximately 25mm per second. When a leak is detected, the bar graph will fill, and the audio output frequency will increase, decreasing as the probe moves away. Return the probe to the suspected area and move slowly until the leak is located. Hold the probe at the leak until the numeric reading stabilizes. The live reading bar is a graphical indication only and should not be used to measure a leak.

Variations in temperature, humidity, and background gas can cause constant readings. To reset to Zero, move the instrument away from the source of leak or contamination and press the ZERO key. It is important to move away from any toxic substances when zeroing to avoid false negatives.

Factors affecting readings include:

• Breath of the instrument user (contains CO2 and moisture).
• Barometric air pressure and background temperature.
• Sources of cold and heat.

How to Conduct a Calibration Check

The instrument's response can be tested using the CalCheck (p/n A-21500). Push the gas bottle into the CalCheck; the dial should move into the white. If it remains red, replace/refill the gas bottle. Connect your Panther instrument to the CalCheck. The Panther will detect the leak and display a reading. If this reading is incorrect, the Panther needs recalibration.

[Image Description: Illustration showing the Panther instrument being connected to a CalCheck device, which is attached to a gas cylinder.]

Instrument Main Screen Explained

The 'Instrument Main Screen' displays information relevant to gas detection. Key elements include:

• Time: Current time.
• Date: Current date.
• Reading display: Shows the detected gas level.
• Measurement units: Displays the units for the reading (e.g., cc/s, ppm).
• Battery percentage: Indicates remaining battery life.
• Panther sensitivity: Shows the current sensitivity level.
• Gas reading indicator: A graphical representation of the gas level.
• Gas reading: The numerical value of the detected gas.
• Current gas selected: The target gas being monitored.

Sensitivity

Panther has three sensitivity levels: high, medium, and low. Adjust sensitivity using the 'UP' and 'DOWN' arrows. Low sensitivity increases in steps of 1000+, medium in steps of 100, and high in steps of 10 (when set to ppm).

Reading Display

Selected in System Settings, this can be one of three options: Standard (no readings below zero), Absolute (measures positive and negative numbers, displays all as positive), or Negative (measures and displays both positive and negative readings).

Measurement Units

The measurement unit is displayed below the gas reading. To change it, go to Main Settings, scroll to 'Measurement Units', and select the desired unit. Units are only available when the corresponding calibration is loaded.

Main Menu

Access the main menu by pressing the 'MENU/SELECT' button on the main screen.

Current Calibration

Provides information on the last calibration: date, gas used, concentration, and mV response.

Load User Calibration

Allows changing between stored calibrations. Select the required calibration and press 'Load' to update.

Target Gas

Choose the desired gas to detect. This leads to a page with a dropdown for the gas's first letter and its name.

Measurement Unit

Select your desired measurement unit. Available units depend on the selected calibration: leak rate units for Leak Calibration, and concentration units for Concentration Calibration.

Calibration Management

To access Calibration Management, press 'MENU/SELECT' from the main screen, then navigate to 'Calibration Management' using the 'DOWN' button and 'MENU/SELECT'.

Within Calibration Management:

• Pump calibration: Runs pump calibration, measuring temperature and pressure to set the correct flow rate.
• New calibration: Offers two options: concentration calibration (ppm) and leak calibration.

Concentration Calibration (ppm):

Select your chosen gas by its first letter, then search for the calibration gas. Press 'MENU/SELECT' to confirm. After confirming the gas, type in the concentration, press 'Save as', name the calibration, press 'DOWN', and select 'Go' to start calibration. The instrument will then begin 'Pump calibration'.

[Image Description: Visual representation of the pump calibrating.]

Span Gas Connection

Once pump calibration finishes, connect the instrument to your span gas and press 'OK'. You can abort at this stage if needed.

Calibration Saving

After the instrument stabilizes, calibration finishes. Press 'OK' to confirm; you can abort if required. The calibration saves to the instrument and is added to the user load list.

Leak Calibration:

Similar to concentration calibration, but you input the calibration gas, desired save name, and the leak rate (cc/s). After pump calibration, supply the probe with the known leak rate.

Calibration Management Options:

• Expired calibration: View and recreate expired calibrations. Calibrations can be set to expire on ION PC (default 12 months).
• Pending calibration: Send calibration details from ION PC to the instrument.
• Deleted calibrations: Delete custom calibrations saved on the instrument.

System Settings

Access System Settings by pressing 'MENU/SELECT' from the main screen and navigating to 'System Settings' using the 'DOWN' arrow.

Adjustable Settings:

• Peak hold: When enabled, holds the highest detected peak on the main screen.
• Operator's name: (Panther PRO only) Add and change operator names via ION PC.
• Zone: (Panther PRO only) Set the location where the instrument is being used.
• Data format: Choose between decimals or exponents for readings.
• Readings display: Options include Standard, Absolute, and Negative display modes.
• Sounder volume: Adjust the alarm volume from 0-100.
• Vibrations: Turn vibration on or off.
• Screen backlight: Adjust screen brightness (10%-100%).
• Screen timeout: Set display turn-on duration (Off, 1-10 minutes).
• Bluetooth on/off: (Panther PRO only) Toggle Bluetooth connectivity.

System Information

Provides details such as Panther model, serial number, firmware version, free memory, battery remaining, and bootloader version.

Probe Options

In some applications, the probe cover may restrict access. It can be removed by twisting it off (anti-clockwise). Be careful when using the instrument without the cover, as the probe is delicate. Removing the cover and using the probe sleeve can help pinpoint leaks more accurately by maintaining a 1mm gap between the probe and the surface.

For accessing pneumatic joints and seams in tight spaces, the Panther PRO includes a 20cm flexi probe that can be changed by the user.

To change probes:

1. Turn the instrument off.
2. Carefully remove the existing probe from the instrument body using the box spanner provided in the case kit (it fits over the brass nut).
3. Attach your desired probe (e.g., 20cm flexible probe) to the instrument body using the box spanner.

[Image Description: Diagrams illustrating the process of removing and attaching probes to the Panther instrument using a box spanner.]

To refit a probe, follow the steps in reverse. Ensure the probe nut is firmly tightened with the box spanner, but do not use additional tools to avoid damaging the thread.

ℹ️ Should a probe become blocked, use dry, clean compressed air to blow out the blockage from the instrument end of the probe, after removing the probe first. The instrument is factory calibrated using a standard short capillary.

⚠️Do not bend the flexible probe more than 90 degrees as this pushes the internal tube outside the protective sleeve.

[Image Description: Diagrams showing correct probe handling with a green checkmark ✔️ and incorrect handling with a red cross ❌ and a warning text box stating "DO NOT BEND FLEXIBLE PROBE MORE THAN 90 DEGREES".]

The long capillary has a different flow characteristic that improves time response but changes calibration. The long probe is intended for finding leaks in difficult places where the standard short probe cannot reach. Readings from the long probe are qualitative and should be taken as relative to other leak sites.

⚠️ Ensure safety guidelines are adhered to when using compressed air. ION Science Ltd takes no responsibility for injury or damage caused by misuse of compressed air equipment.

Detecting Leaks

Hold the Panther in one hand and draw the probe along the area requiring testing at approximately 25mm per second. When a leak is detected, retrace the route at a slower rate until the leak is located. Hold the instrument over the leak until the measurement stabilizes. You can press the 'B' button to 'Start Log' for data logging, viewable in ION PC. Press 'B' again to 'Stop Log'. Readings are saved to the instrument. Adjust measurement sensitivity using the 'UP' and 'DOWN' buttons. For very small leaks or less sensitive gases, a rate of 10mm per second might be required.

Points to note when the probe cover is removed:

• The probe sleeve must be added to the probe to ensure a 1mm gap between the probe and the surface being tested.
• Avoid bending the inner probe, as this affects accuracy.
• Avoid placing the probe in liquid or dirt, as it can become blocked.
• Ensure the brass sensor housing remains at a constant temperature. Avoid touching the brass sensor block with fingers.
• Panther can detect changes in Humidity and Carbon dioxide; avoid breathing on the probe.

Instrument Specifications

Instrument Warranty and Service

Warranty

Standard Warranty can be extended to up to 2 years on the Panther when registering your instrument via the website: www.ionscience.com. To receive your Extended Warranty, register within one month of purchase (Terms and Conditions apply). You will receive a confirmation email once your Extended Warranty Period has been activated.

Full details and a copy of the Warranty Statement can be found at: www.ionscience.com.

Service

ION Science recommends that all gas detection instruments are returned to a local service centre for service and factory calibration once every 12 months. Contact ION Science or your local distributor for service options in your area. Find your local distributor by visiting: ionscience.com.

Contact Details

• ION Science Ltd – UK/Head Office
  Tel: +44 (0)1763 208 503
  Web: www.ionscience.com | Email: info@ionscience.com
• ISM ION Science Messtechnik – Germany Office
  Tel: +49 (0) 2104 1448-0
  Web: https://www.ism-d.de/en/ | Email: sales@ism-d.de
• ION Science India - India Office
  Tel: +914048536129
  Web: www.ionscience.com/in | Email: kschari@ionscience.com
• ION Science Inc - USA Office
  Tel: +1 877 864 7710
  Web: https://ionscience.com/usa/ | Email: info@ionscienceusa.com
• ION Science Italy - Italy Office
  Tel: +39 051 0561850
  Web: www.ionscience.com/it | Email: info@ionscience.it
• ION Science China - China Office
  Tel: +86 21 52545988
  Web: www.ionscience.com/cn | Email: info@ionscience.cn
• ION Science France - French Office
  Tel: +33613505535
  Web: www.ionscience.com/fr | Email: info@ionscience.fr