UTEST General Terms and Conditions of Sales and Delivery apply in all cases. Warranty and liability claims arising from personal injury and damage to property cannot be upheld if they are due to one or more of the following causes:

5. Unauthorized modifications to the device and its components.
6. Failure to use the instrument in accordance with its designated use and purpose which is described in this manual.
7. Failure to adhere to the sections of the manual dealing with the performance check, operation and maintenance of the instrument and its components.
8. Incorrect performance checks for operation and maintenance of the instrument and its components.
9. Damage resulting from the effects of foreign bodies, accidents, vandalism and force majeure.

The instrument is only to be used for its designated purpose as describe herein. Replace faulty components only with original replacement parts from UTEST. Accessories should only be installed or connected to the instrument if they are expressly authorized by UTEST. If other accessories are installed or connected to the instrument, then UTEST will accept no liability and the product guarantee is forfeit.

This part contains important safety instructions that the user must follow for operation and storage of UTS-0180.

9. Device should be seated on a steady base.
10. Always follow basic safety precautions when using this product to reduce risk of injury from any dangerous situations.
11. Read and understand all instructions in the documentation that comes with UTS-0180.
12. Wear protective clothing when handling equipment at extreme temperature.
13. Avoid contact with these materials if any organic or inorganic chemicals are used in the test to be performed with the equipment. Wear safety glasses, gloves and a lab coat before starting the test.
14. Observe all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
15. Before removing any covers or performing maintenance repair and service, isolate from electrical supply by removing mains plug.
16. If the instructions given in troubleshooting cannot help to solve your problem, plug out the power cable and call UTEST technical service.
17. Do not lean the cabinet to the wall at zero distance.

10. While the test is in operation do not remove any covers or attempt to adjust any part of the machine.

WARNING: The equipment is not allowed to be operated by children or anyone under the influence of alcohol, drugs or pharmaceutical preparations. Anyone who is not familiar with this manual  must be supervised when using the equipment. Carry out the stipulated maintenance properly and at the correct time. Following completion of the maintenance tasks, perform a functional check.

9. Do not place any heavy objects on the device.
10. Avoid any impact or rough handling that might damage the device.
11. Do not disassemble UTS-0180.
12. Install the product in a protected location where no one can step on or trip over the power cord and in a location where the power cord cannot be damaged.

The UTS-0180 Semi-Automatic Penetrometer for Liquid Limit is used to determine the moisture content at which clay soils pass from a plastic to a liquid state, and used also for the determination of undrained shear strength.

The UTS-0180 consists of a cast iron base with course and fine levelling screws, a digital penetration measurement gauge 0.01 mm resolution/readability and an automatic penetration timer unit.

The UTS-0180 is equipped with a digital, 99 second timer, which can be set to the standard 5 second free-fall time or to some other setting for customized tests. When engaged the timer will allow the cone test gauge to free fall into the sample for the specific time interval and then lock the needle from advancing while providing a direct reading of the test results.

Penetration cone/s, cone test gauge and sample cups should be ordered separately.

Semi-Automatic Digital Bitumen Penetrometer, made of a cast iron base, levelling screws, a digital penetration measurement gauge, levelling wheel, cone test gauge, spirit level, timer, measurement bar, magnifying glass. (see Figure 1).

Timer: The digital timer unit can be set the any value between 1 and 99 seconds. Penetration time of the needle is adjusted using this timer. To set any value on the timer first press “SET” button after that using “UP” button to increase the time and “DOWN” button to decrease the time. When adjust the desired time again press “SET” button and set the time.

Digital Gauge: Digital gauge is used to determine results of the test. Press red “On/Off” button to open the gauge. After test is finished first push the measurement bar and press the hold button on the digital screen. Penetration value is obtained by multiplying the penetration reading on the gauge with 10. By pressing mm/in button, unit of the measurement can be changed.

Distance Arrangement Wheel: Distance arrangement bar is used to approach tip of the needle to the surface of the specimen. By turning clockwise or counter-clockwise the needle can be adjusted to just to touch position to the surface of the specimen.

Measurement Bar: After test is finished by pushing the measurement bar result of the test can be obtained.

After this process, take the weight attached on the device and place the new weight in the same way through the space in the middle of the weight. Secure the needle holder in place after placing the weight.

Table 1: UTS-0180 Electrical Connection Properties

Main electricity line must be free from instabilities and repetitive power cuts for both the extended life of the device and the continuity of testing. Therefore, make sure that the mains supply is well grounded. If the power cuts are frequent or the grounding is not well enough, the use of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is recommended.

Make sure that the device is placed in a clean and dry surrounding. Direct contact of the device with the sunlight should be avoided. A conditioned room for example, will comply the above conditions and will result in best operational performance and measurement results. Device should be well

accessible from the front and the sides for connections, testing and maintenance.

In order to prevent inaccurate test results, the ground should be rigid enough to minimize vibrations or shocks. If there are any other testing equipment or a source that creates vibrations on the floor, UTS-0180 should be placed maximum possible distance to that source. Surface of the ground should be horizontal and smooth enough so that the horizontal and vertical alignment of the device are not shifted.

NOTE: If remote assistance will be required from the UTEST Technical Service Department, the room should have an internet access.

Take necessary precautions and carefully transport and place the device to its place.

1. Read the requirements of the standard to be tested before starting the test. Prepare all materials required to conduct the test.
2. Prepare the sample and fill the penetration sample cup with sample. Pay attention that there is no air bubble trapped inside the cup.
3. Make sure the UTS-0180 is on a flat surface. You can check the spirit level on the base plate to see if the device is standing on is flat surface or not. If the bubble on the level is not in the middle, you can adjust the levelling nuts located under the device by turning clockwise or counter-clockwise.

4. After connecting the power cord, turn on the power switch by pressing on/off button located at the back side of the device. Then open the device from a switch located at the left side.

Figure 4: On/Off Switches

5. Remove the cone test gauge. To do this, turn the screw securing the cone test gauge counterclockwise.

6. Clean the cone test gauge with water and dry it with a clean cloth. After that place the cone test gauge to its place.

7. Check the location of the cone test gauge. It must be in contact with the upper part. There is a gap between upper part and needle holder, push the button located on the upper part and lift the needle holder. After that release the button.

8. Use the distance arrangement wheel to move the holder to adjust the needle. Turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise to adjust the needle just to touch the sample.

9. To set a different penetration time press “SET” button and increase or decrease the time by pressing “UP” or “DOWN” buttons. Then press “SET” button again.

10. To start the test press “START” button and needle will release to penetrate. After five seconds (eg. If user arrange the time value as 5) the needle will be locked. Push the measurement bar in vertical direction until it touches the needle holder and press the “HOLD” button on the digital gauge. By pressing this button, the result value will be freeze on the screen.
    

11. Read the displacement on the screen. Penetration value is obtained by multiplying the penetration reading on the gauge with 10.
12. To move the cone test gauge to initial position, push the release button and lift the shaft.
13. Make at least three determinations at points on the surface of the sample not less than 10 mm from the side of the container and not less than 10 mm apart.

ELECTRIC HAZARD: It is important to care that the unit must be switched off and the main cable must be removed before starting any maintenance for user’s safety.

All safety devices must be functional at all times. Damaged protective

covers or devices must be replaced as soon as possible. When safety components are replaced, the protective devices are to be properly attached and tested.

We recommend that the device is cleaned of any particles and dust from the scattered specimen after the test with a damp cloth and brush to avoid incrustations which could damage the paint work. Also needle has to be cleaned with gasoline or trichloroethylene every time after the test.

As with all electrical equipment, machine must be used correctly and maintenance and examination must be performed at regular periods. Such precautions will guarantee the safe and sufficient functioning of the equipment.

Maintenance to the equipment is responsibility of the purchaser and must be performed as stated by this chapter. Failing to perform the recommended maintenance actions or maintenance performed by unauthorized people can void the warranty.

Possible problem and repair technics are mentioned below. Please read this section before calling UTEST technical service.

If the machine does not switch on, fuse in rocker switch is changed with its spare given. You must first plug out the power cable to perform this operation. After that extract the box which carries the fuse with screwdriver and change the fuse with its spare (See Figure 12 and 13).