PASCO TD-8888 Steam Generator Instruction Manual
- June 1, 2024
- PASCO
Table of Contents
Steam Generator
TD-8888
Introduction
The Steam Generator is designed to be used in specific heat and thermal expansion or conductivity experiments. Water in the inner chamber can be brought to a temperature between 50 °C and 90 °C and held there with the lid off. When the lid is placed onto the chamber and sealed, the temperature is increased and the water begins to boil. The steam then passes through the nozzle on top of the lid, allowing it to be used in the Thermal Expansion Apparatus (TD-8856) or a similar device.
Components
Included components:
- Steam Generator
- Power cord
- Plastic tubing
Recommended equipment:
- Thermal Conductivity Apparatus (TD-8561)
- Thermal Expansion Apparatus (TD-8856)
Features
-
Lid
Use to cover the water tank during experiments which require steam. When the lid is secured in place, the tank’s internal temperature increases and the device produces steam. -
Nozzle
Steam is emitted from here while the lid is secured. The rubber tube should always be connected here while the Steam Generator is active and the lid is attached. -
Pressure release valve
If too much pressure builds up during the experiment, this valve will automatically release the pressure by allowing steam to escape until the pressure returns to a safe level. -
Lid holder tabs
Use to hold the lid in place during experiments where steam will be produced. -
Add Water LED
Lights up red to indicate that the water level in the Steam Generator is low and that the tank must be refilled before the heating process can resume. (See Safety shutoff.) -
Setting indicator and buttons
Press the + button to increase the selected setting by one, or press the – button to decrease the setting by one. The LED indicator shows the number of the currently selected setting. A dash is displayed before a setting has been selected, and a flashing E is displayed after a safety shutoff. -
Heating LED
Lights up green to indicate that the device is currently heating the water in the tank. Blinks to indicate that a safety shutoff has occurred. -
Power switch
Flip to turn the Steam Generator on or off. -
Power cord port
Plug the power cord in here.
Safety
CAUTION: When using this product, ALWAYS adhere to the guidelines below!
-
Avoid any contact with hot surfaces!
-
The unit generates hot steam, which is not always visible.
Ensure the rubber tube is connected to the nozzle throughout the experiment. Do not remove the tube from the nozzle while or shortly after using the heater. Direct exposure to concentrated steam can cause burns. -
To avoid risk of electric shock, do not expose any part of the device other than the tank to water.
-
Always turn the device off when the heater is not in use.
-
If the fuse needs to be replaced, replace it ONLY with the appropriate type for your model of the Steam Generator:
◦ 110 V model: 8A, 250 V Type 5X20 fuse
◦ 220 V model: 4A, 250 V Type 5X20 fuse
Settings
The Steam Generator features nine distinct settings, represented by the
numbers 1 through 9 on the digital display. The settings correspond to
different levels of heater power, with 9 being the hottest and 1 being the
least hot. The behavior of the Steam Generator on different levels depends on
whether the lid is on or off.
If the lid is off, the Steam Generator maintains the water inside the tank
close to a specific temperature. The approximate temperature of each setting
is indicated by the table below.
| Setting | Approx. Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 50 |
| 2 | 55 |
| 3 | 60 |
| 4 | 65 |
| 5 | 70 |
| 6 | 75 |
| 7 | 80 |
| 8 | 85 |
| 9 | 90 |
NOTE: After changing the setting, it may take a few minutes for the water to reach the new temperature and stabilize there, particularly if the new temperature is lower than the previous one. If desired, you can use a thermometer or a temperature sensor, such as the Wireless Temperature Sensor (PS-3201), to monitor the water temperature as it increases or decreases.
If the lid is on and secured in place, then the settings do not correspond to the above values. The temperature of all settings will be increased to above the boiling point of water, and steam will emerge from the nozzle. The setting on the front panel controls the rate at which steam is created and emitted, with setting 1 corresponding to the lowest rate of steam release and 9 corresponding to the highest rate.
Usage
Follow the setup instructions below for the type of experiment you will be using the Steam Generator for. Setup for specific heat experiments:
- Connect the power cord to a standard wall outlet, then plug the other end of the cord into the power cord port on the side of the Steam Generator.
- Fill the tank of the Steam Generator with up to 500 mL of water.
- Flip the power switch to turn on the Steam Generator, then use the + and – buttons to select an appropriate heat setting for your experiment.
- Wait a few minutes while the device heats up. If desired, you can monitor the temperature of the water using a thermometer or temperature sensor.
Setup for experiments requiring directed steam:
-
Connect the power cord to a standard wall outlet, then plug the other end of the cord into the power cord port on the side of the Steam Generator.
-
Fill the tank of the Steam Generator with up to 500 mL of water.
-
Align the slots on the edges of the lid with the lid holder tabs and lower it onto the apparatus. Turn the lid slightly clockwise to secure it in place.
-
Cover the nozzle on the lid with one end of the plastic tubing, then connect the other end to the apparatus you will be using. Do not remove this tubing at any point while the Steam Generator is running!
NOTE: If you are using the Steam Generator with the Thermal Expansion Apparatus (TD-8856), you must instead use the specialized tube included in that product to connect the Steam Generator to the apparatus. -
Flip the power switch to turn on the Steam Generator, then use the + and – buttons to select an appropriate heat setting for your experiment.
-
Wait a few minutes while the device heats up until steam begins to be produced.
Safety shutoff
To prevent overheating, the Steam Generator features a safety shutoff
function, which turns off the heater if the water level becomes too low.
A sensor inside the device monitors the water level and triggers the shutoff
if the water falls below a certain threshold. When this happens, the heater
will immediately turn off, the Add Water LED will light up, the Heating LED
will begin to blink, and the setting indicator will display a flashing E
instead of a number.
If a shutoff occurs, remove the lid and refill the tank with water up to a
maximum of 500 mL. Replace the lid and secure it in place, then press the +
button to turn the heater back on. You can also restart the heater after a
safety shutoff by cycling the power switch off and back on and selecting a
setting as usual.
Specifications and accessories
Visit the product page at pasco.com/product/TD-8888 to view the specifications and explore accessories. You can also download experiment files and support documents from the product page.
Technical support
Need more help? Our knowledgeable and friendly Technical Support staff is ready to answer your questions or walk you through any issues.
Chat pasco.com
Phone 1-800-772-8700 x1004 (USA)
+1 916 462 8384 (outside USA)
Email [email protected]
Limited warranty
For a description of the product warranty, see the Warranty and Returns page at www.pasco.com/legal.
Copyright
This document is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Permission is granted
to nonprofit educational institutions for reproduction of any part of this
manual, providing the reproductions are used only in their laboratories and
classrooms, and are not sold for profit.
Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the written consent of
PASCO scientific, is prohibited.
Trademarks
PASCO and PASCO scientific are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO
scientific, in the United States and in other countries. All other brands,
products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and
are used to identify, products or services of, their respective owners. For
more information visit www.pasco.com/legal.
Product end-of-life disposal
This electronic product is subject to disposal and recycling regulations
that vary by country and region. It is your responsibility to recycle your
electronic equipment per your local environmental laws and regulations to
ensure that it will be recycled in a manner that protects human health and the
environment. To find out where you can drop off your waste equipment for
recycling, please contact your local waste recycle or disposal service, or the
place where you purchased the product. The European Union WEEE (Waste
Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol on the product or its packaging
indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste
container.
CE statement
This device has been tested and found to comply with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of the applicable EU Directives.