Handling#
Qblox instruments are sensitive pieces of equipment, which should not be opened under any circumstances. The Cluster contains high-voltage parts which are dangerous. The end user shall not install substitute parts or perform any modification to the product. Opening the instruments immediately voids the warranty provided by Qblox.
The safety instructions listed below should be observed during all operating procedures. Ignoring this might affect correct operation and lifetime of the equipment.
Instruction |
Explanation |
|---|---|
Maximum ratings |
The specified ratings for the connectors of the equipment should not be exceeded. |
Do not service the instrument |
There are no serviceable parts inside the equipment. Only the battery of a module is allowed to be replaced by the user. |
Warnings |
Warnings issued by the software should not be ignored, look for instructions on how to handle these warnings in the documentation. |
Location and ventilation |
When placing the equipment, make sure the air in- and outlets are kept free from obstruction to allow sufficient air to cool the devices. If there is other equipment with ventilation nearby, make sure that the ventilation requirements do not interfere. |
Cleaning |
Disconnect the power supply from the equipment before cleaning. The outside of the device can be cleaned using a soft cloth. Do not clean the inside. |
Operation and storage |
Do not operate and store the equipment outside the specified conditions. |
Note
Beware! The modules can still be hot when extracted from the cluster in case the instrument was running shortly before extraction.
Placement#
Cluster instruments are meant for indoor use only. The cluster can be mounted into a 19” rack or as desktop device.
The device should be positioned in such a way that the disconnecting device is easily reachable.
When placing the equipment make sure the air in and outlets are kept free from obstruction to allow sufficient air to cool the devices. In case the Cluster is mounted in a 19” rack one should make sure the total amount of air allowed to flow is sufficient for all devices together. Other equipment installed in the same rack with ventilation requirements should not interfere with the ventilation requirements of the Cluster.
SMA connections#
The SMA connectors should be fixed with a maximum torque of 0.55 Nm. A torque wrench should be used to make sure the maximum is never exceeded. Note that using a torque wrench at an angle will cause it to exceed the rated torque considerably.
Ethernet connection#
The ethernet should always be connected with a shielded category 5 or 6 ethernet cable. For optimal performance, use the included Cat6 S/FTP cables or similar ones.
Unusual conditions#
If any of the conditions listed below are noticed, please power down the equipment immediately and contact the Qblox support team.
Condition |
Explanation |
|---|---|
Fan stopped working/is working incorrectly |
Turn off the equipment immediately to prevent overheating. |
The power cord/supply is damaged |
Turn off the equipment immediately. Exchange the power cord/supply only with the specified and certified product. |
The equipment emits noise, smell, or sparks. |
Turn off the equipment immediately and prevent further usage. |
Swapping modules#
Caution
Before and during the handling of any module, make sure that you are electrostatically discharged (ESD safe). This can be done via attaching a wrist strap which is connected to an ESD safe table or ESD foot grounder strapped around the shoes in order to stay grounded during the whole process. In the case of the ESD foot grounder, note that the floor requires to be conductive and grounded.
Caution
It is vital that the cluster is powered off before taking out or inserting any module inside the cluster.
Note
It is advised to use a torque screwdriver when tightening the screws on the front panel of each module in order to not damage the mainframe. In order to avoid damage, make sure that the torque does not exceed of 0.3 Nm!
Begin by unscrewing the screw situated at the very top and the screw at the bottom of the front panel of the module.
Once both screws are unscrewed, we may begin detaching the module from the mainframe by pressing down the white button on the black handle, located on the bottom of each module.
Press the button and pull the handle down gently from its horizontal position and towards you.
The module is now detached from the mainframe and is ready to be removed or transferred to another slot.
Caution
Beware! The modules can still be hot when extracted from the cluster in case the instrument was running shortly before extraction.
When transferring a module or inserting a module into an empty slot, make sure that you grip the module gently such that your thumb and your fingers are gripping the top respectively the bottom edges of the module.
To insert the module into an empty slot, align the module along the slits found at the top and the bottom of the interior inside each slot.
Once aligned, slide the module all the way inside the slot via the slits and complete the attachment by pressing the white button and pushing the handle upwards and towards the mainframe. The handle should now be in its original horizontal position.
To confirm that the module is in place, the button should give off a ‘click’ sound and the module should not be able to be slid out from the slot.
Lastly, retighten the top and the bottom screws of the inserted module. The retightening of the screws allow for optimal shielding and grounding of the module. It will also allow better airflow when using the cluster.
Note
If there are any remaining empty slots, please make sure these slots are filled with appropriate flowblockers provided by Qblox. By using the provided flowblockers to cover the remaining empty slots, it will ensure optimal cooling of the system when the cluster is powered on.
Once the modules are in the desired configuration and each slot in the cluster is occupied by a module or a flowblocker, you may power up the cluster and use it.
Important
For operation it is required that the firmware of all cluster modules matches, so a firmware update might be necessary.