Photon Counting Head

H11890 Series
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

@E6-0270-4 Nov. 2020

HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.

Table of contents

1. Safety precautions ........................................................................................................................ 5

1-1. Alert symbols and signal words ..................................................................................................... 5
1-2. Safety precautions ......................................................................................................................... 5
1-3. Disposal ......................................................................................................................................... 6
1-4. Registered trademarks .................................................................................................................. 6
2. Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Part names ................................................................................................................................... 8
3-1. External view.................................................................................................................................. 8
4. Package contents ......................................................................................................................... 8
5. Setup ............................................................................................................................................ 9
5-1. Installing the device driver ............................................................................................................. 9
5-2. Setting up the sample software ................................................................................................... 19
6. How to use the sample software ................................................................................................. 20
6-1. Sample software screen .............................................................................................................. 20
6-2. Operating procedures .................................................................................................................. 22
7. Specifications.............................................................................................................................. 25
7-1. General ratings ............................................................................................................................ 25
7-2. Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 25
7-3. Photodetector characteristics ...................................................................................................... 26
7-4. Count linearity and excessive light detection output ................................................................... 26
7-5. Count rate linearity correction...................................................................................................... 27
7-6. Dimensional outlines (Unit: mm).................................................................................................. 27
7-7. Block diagram .............................................................................................................................. 28
7-8. Separately sold option: Optical fiber adapter .............................................................................. 28
7-9. API functions and configurations for control ................................................................................ 29
7-9-1. Software configuration.......................................................................................................... 29
7-9-2. Overview of API functions .................................................................................................... 29
7-9-3. API functions ........................................................................................................................ 30
8. Warranty ..................................................................................................................................... 33
9. Repair ......................................................................................................................................... 33

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 1. Safety precautions

1-1. Alert symbols and signal words

To help understand the safety instructions in this manual, the following symbols and signal words are
used. Make sure that you understand their contents and comply with the instructions.

"WARNING" indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,

WARNING if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

"CAUTION" indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,

CAUTION if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury or
damage to the equipment.

This symbol shows a caution or warning you must observe. Read the
instructions carefully to ensure correct and safe product use.

This symbol indicates a prohibited action. Read the instructions carefully and
never attempt the prohibited action

This symbol indicates a mandatory action. Read the instructions carefully and
always follow them.

1-2. Safety precautions

WARNING

Do not remove any cover of this unit and do not disassemble this unit. Doing so
may damage this unit or cause electrical shock since some internal parts
generate a high voltage.

Do not handle this unit with wet hands. Doing so may cause electrical shock.
This unit is not designed to be waterproof, so do no immerse it in water.

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 CAUTION

Some parts of the photodetector in this unit are made of glass, so excessive
shock or force may cause cracks. Do not apply excessive shock or force to this
unit.

This unit is not designed for use in a vacuum or in a corrosive gas atmosphere.
Do not use this unit in such environments.

Do not use this unit in humid environments where condensation occurs.

Condensation may damage the internal high-precision electronic components,
causing fire or electrical shock.

When plugging or unplugging the USB connector, always hold the connector
body. Applying an excessive load to the cable or connector may break the wire
or damage this unit.

Handle this unit very carefully.

This unit is assembled with high-precision electronic components. Those
components may be damaged if subjected to excessive vibration or shock,
causing fire or electrical shock.

1-3. Disposal
When disposing of this unit, take appropriate measures in compliance with applicable regulations
regarding waste disposal, and correctly dispose of it yourself, or entrust proper disposal to a licensed
industrial waste disposal company. In any case, be sure to comply with the regulations in your country or
state to ensure correct disposal.

1-4. Registered trademarks

・Windows 7 Professional,10 Pro are the registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.
・Lab-VIEW is the trademark of National Instruments in the United States and/or other countries.
・Other product or software names mentioned in this manual may be the trademarks or registered
trademarks of respective product manufacturers and a detailed listing is omitted for this manual.

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 2. Overview
The H11890 series is a photon counting head with a USB interface. Connecting this unit to a USB port of
your PC allows software control to display and record the count data.
The pulse counting time can be selected by setting the internal counter gate time in a range from 1
millisecond to 10 seconds.
The maximum count per counter gate is 31 bits (2 147 483 648 counts) and so allows measurements over
a wide dynamic range.
The pulse counter section for counting photon pulses uses a double counter method. This method uses
two counter circuits arranged in parallel to receive the input signals. One counter circuit operates to count
the input pulses while the other counter circuit processes the count data so that each counter circuit
alternately counts the input signals. This method allows pulse counting with no dead time along the time
axis.

The H11890 supports USB hot-swap and so operates without having to restart the PC. The H11890
comes with device drivers, dynamic links and libraries, and sample software for operation on Windows 7
Professional, 10 Pro and so greatly reduces the time required to make setups.

This instruction manual applies to the following models of the H11890 series.
H11890-110
H11890-210
H11890-01

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 3. Part names

3-1. External view

The photos below show the external view of the H11890 series.

(1)

(2)

H11890 Front View H11890 Rear View

(1) Light input window

A light-sensitive photocathode is formed on the inner side of this light input window.
Do not allow the photocathode to be exposed to excessive light, since excessive
light will reduce the sensitivity and service life of this unit.

(2) USB connector

Do not apply excessive shock to the receptacle of this unit when plugging or
unplugging the USB connector. Excessive shock may deform or damage the USB
connector and the receptacle of this unit. Be careful not to apply excessive force
when plugging the USB connector into this unit.

4. Package contents
After unpacking, first check that all items are included. If any part is missing or externally damaged,
please notify our sales office.

・Photon counting head H11890

・USB cable
・CD-R

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 5. Setup
The procedures explained in this section apply only to cases where your PC runs on Windows 7
Professional, or 10 Pro.
* This unit does not support other OS (operating systems)

5-1. Installing the device driver

∼When using OS Windows 7∼
When using the H11890 for the first time, install the device driver as described below.
(1) Turn on the PC power switch.
(2) Connect the H11890 to the PC using the USB cable that comes with the H11890.

Do not connect the USB cable to other than the USB ports.
Connecting the USB cable to other than the USB ports may cause electrical shock
or fire, or may damage this unit and PC.

(3) When the USB cable is connected, the following message appears. Proceed to the next step.

Proceed to the next step even when the above message does not appear.
(4) Insert the supplied CD-R into the CD (DVD) drive of the PC.
(5) Start the Windows Device Manager.
From the Start button, select “Control Panel” and then “Device Manager” to open the “Device
Manager” window.

Start
button

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(6) Update the driver.
In the “Device Manger” window, double-click “H11890 USB Photon Counting Unit” under “Other
devices.”

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In the “H11890 USB Photon Counting
Unit Properties” dialog box, click the
[Update Driver] button.

In the “Update Driver Software” dialog box, select “Browse my computer for driver software….”

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In the dialog box that appears, specify the “driver” folder in the supplied CD-R inserted into the PC
and click the [Next] button to continue.

When the “Windows Security” dialog box appears, select “Install this driver software anyway.”

Installation of the driver software starts.

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When the installation is complete, the following message appears.

In the “Device Manager” window, check whether the device driver for this unit is correctly installed.
The installation was successful when “libusb-win32 devices” is generated and “H11890 USB
Photon Counting Unit” is listed under it. If no device is listed there, unplug the USB cable once and
then reinstall the device driver from step (2).

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∼When using Windows 10∼
When using the H11890 for the first time, install the device driver as described below.
(1) Turn on the PC power switch.
(2) Connect the H11890 to the PC using the USB cable that comes with the H11890.

Do not connect the USB cable to other than the USB ports.
Connecting the USB cable to other than the USB ports may cause electrical shock
or fire, or may damage this unit and PC.

(3) Insert the supplied CD-R into the CD (DVD) drive of the PC.
(4) Start the Windows Device Manager.
From the Start button, select "Control Panel", select "Hardware and Sound", and open the "Device
Manager" window.

Start
button

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(5) Update the driver.
In the “Device Manger” window, double-click “H11890 USB Photon Counting Unit” under “Other 
devices.”

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In the “H11890 USB Photon Counting Unit Properties” 
dialog box, click the [Update Driver] button.

In the “Update Driver Software” dialog box, select “Browse my computer for driver software….”

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In the dialog box that appears, specify the “driver” folder in the supplied CD-R inserted into the PC 
and click the [Next] button to continue. 

When the installation is complete, the following message appears.

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In the “Device Manager” window, check whether the device driver for this unit is correctly installed. 
The installation was successful when “Microchip Tools” is generated and “H11890 USB Photon 
Counting Unit” is listed under it. If no device is listed there, unplug the USB cable once and then 
reinstall the device driver from step (2).

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5-2. Setting up the sample software
The sample software is included in the CD-R that comes with the H11890. Copy the file by selecting 
SampleSoftware >> H11890ver0220.exe, and then paste it on the desktop of the PC.

See Section 6 “How to use the sample software” for details on the sample software.

The copyright on the sample software is the property of Hamamatsu Photonics. 
Duplicating and distributing the sample software for any purpose other than controlling 
the H11890 is not permitted. Adaptation or reverse engineering of this software such as 
decompilation and disassembly are prohibited.

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 6. How to use the sample software

6-1. Sample software screen

When you start the sample software that you set up in 5-2 “Setting up the sample software,” the following
screen appears.
L1. Gate Number display

L2. Data display

CB1. Select Serial Number combo box
B2. HV ON button
B1. Search Device button
B3. HV OFF button

S1.PMT Power Supply indicator

S2. PMT Power Err. indicator

L3. Err frequency display

E1. Gate Time edit box

E2. Gate Number edit box

C1. Correction Mode check box

B4. START button

S3. Measurement indicator

B5. STOP button

C2. With File Save check box

B6. SAVE button

G1. Graph display C3. Real Time Display check box

CB1. Select Serial Number When you press the B1 “Search Device” button, this combo box shows the serial
combo box number of the H11890 being connected. If two or more H11890 units are
connected, the serial number of each unit and an option “All Devices” are added to
the list of the combo box. Select “All Devices” when operating two or more units.

B1. Search Device button When the device driver is already installed, pressing this button searches for the
H11890 units that are connected to the PC via USB. The results are reflected in the
CB1 ”Select Serial Number” combo box.
L1. Gate Number display Shows the current number of counter gates (number of count measurements)
when measurement starts counting.
L2. Data display Shows count data when measurement starts counting.
G1. Graph display Shows time-series data in a graph when measurement starts counting.
B2. HV ON button Supplies a voltage to the photodetector (PMT).
B3. HV OFF button Stops supplying a voltage to the photodetector (PMT).
S1. PMT Power Supply indicator Shows whether a voltage is supplied to the photodetector （PMT） or not. Lights up
green when a voltage is supplied, and stays white when no voltage is supplied.

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S2. PMT Power Err. indicator Lights up red when excessive light is detected and stays white during normal
operation.

L3. Err frequency display Count the number of times when excessive light is detected.

E1. Gate Time edit box Set the counter gate time in milliseconds (ms). The setting range is from 1 to 10
000 (1 ms to10 s).
E2. Gate Number edit box Specify the number of counter gates (number of count measurements). The
setting range is 0 to 16 777 216. When set to 0, measurement will continue until
you press the B5. STOP” button.
C1. Correction Mode check box Select this check box when correcting the count rate linearity in the H11890(see
7-5). When measurement starts counting with this check box cleared, data will be
output without correction.

B4.START button Starts measurement under the specified conditions.

S3. Measurement indicator Lights up green during measurement and stays white when not in measurement.
B5. STOP button Stops counting and measurement.
C2. With File Save check box When this check box is selected, the H11890 performs measurement while
saving the count data in a file. Data equal to the number of count measurements
is written in the specified file. Specify the local HDD (hard disk drive) as the
location to save the file. If other media are specified, such as those with a longer
write access time, this software may have problems with its operation depending
on the counter gate time setting (especially when the counter gate time is short).
B6. SAVE button Measured data is stored in the PC memory. Pressing this button saves the
measured data in a file. Up to 100 000 pieces of data can be stored in the PC
memory. If more data is needed, select the C2 ”With File Save” check box to
record data during measurement.

C3. Real Time Display check box When this check box is selected, data is displayed in G1 “Graph.” No data will be
displayed in the graph when this check box is cleared. Also, no data will be
displayed in the graph if the counter gate time is shorter than 10 ms or in some
cases where the PC processing performance is poor.

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6-2. Operating procedures
1. Make the necessary setup in advance (See Section 5 “Setup.”)
2. Turn on the PC power switch (if off).
3. Connect the USB cable to the H11890.
4. Connect the other end of the USB cable to a USB port of the PC.
5. Start H11890ver0220.exe.
6. Press the B1 ”Search Device” button and check that the serial number for the H11890 is shown in 
the CB1 “Serial Number” combo box. 

7. Install the H11890 in a dark box or cover it with a light-shielding cloth so that no excessive light 
enters the light input window of the H11890.

Excessive light

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8. Press the B2 “HV ON” button to supply power to the photodetector in the H11890.
9. Enter the counter gate time and the number of counter gates (number of count measurements) in 
the following edit boxes:
  E1 “Gate Time” edit box (On the above screen, 1000 is specified.)
  E2 “Gate Number” edit box (On the above scree, 1 is specified.)
10. Select the C2 “With File Save” check box and press the B4 “START” button.
The following dialog box then appears. Specify the local HDD as the location to save data.

11. Measurement starts as shown below.
To stop the measurement, press B5 “STOP” button.
Do not open or delete a stored file during measurement. 

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12. When count measurement data has been recorded, the setting items, product serial number and
measured data will be saved in the specified file.
Measured data is in a format of “counter gate” + “space separated + count measurement data.”
These are saved in a text file.

H11890
GateTime 1000
GateNumber 0
SN 30060074
1 17
26
3 10
4 15
5 11
6 14
7 21
…

If a USB hub is used between the PC and the H11890, the normal communication
speed may not be maintained, causing the sample software to freeze. Use a USB
port of the PC being used.

If communication or operation fails during count measurement, then restore it by

using the following procedure:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing CTL+ALT+DEL and exit the sample software.
2. Unplug the USB cable from the H11890.
3. Plug the USB cable into the H11890.
4. After the OS has recognized the H11890, restart the sample software.

Do not start other application software.

The H11890 is communicating with the PC via USB. If application software that
imposes a load on the OS is started, such as those for processing complex
calculations or displaying graphs, the desired communication speed may not be
obtained, causing the sample software to freeze.

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 7. Specifications

7-1. General ratings

Power input USB bus power (+6 Vdc)
Power consumption 0.5 W or less
Dimensions 22 mm (W) x 48 mm (H) x 40 mm (D)
Weight 94 g (main unit only: 54 g)
Location for use Indoor use
Altitude for use 2 000 m or less
Operating temperature +5 °C to +40 °C (no condensation)
Storage temperature -20 °C to +50 °C (no condensation)

7-2. Specifications
Items H11890-110 H11890-210 H11890-01 Units
Effective photocathode size 8 dia. mm
Spectral response range 230 to 700 230 to 870 nm
Wavelength of maximum sensitivity 400 nm
5 5 5
300 nm 3.7 x 10 3.9 x 10 2.7 x 10
400 nm 4.9 x 105 6.1 x 105 3.6 x 105
500 nm 3.7 x 105 4.6 x 105 2.8 x 105
Count sensitivity Typ. s-1 . pw-1
600 nm 1.1 x 105 1.3 x 105 2.0 x 105
700 nm 7.7 x 103 9.1 x 103 1.2 x 105
800 nm - - 3.0 x 104
Typ. 50 600
Dark count 1) s-1
Max. 100 1000
5.0 x 106
Count linearity 2) s-1
2.0 x 107 (after count correction)
Pulse-pair
Typ. 20 ns
resolution
Counter method Double count method
Counter capacity 231
counts/
4 bytes
Counter data counter gate
(MSB: Excessive light detection bit)
Counter gate time 0.001 to 10 s
Compatible OS (operating system) Windows 10 Pro,7 Pro -
1) Measured after 30-minute storage in darkness
2) Random pulses, at 10% count loss

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7-3. Photodetector characteristics

7-4. Count linearity and excessive light detection output

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7-5. Count rate linearity correction

7-6. Dimensional outlines (Unit: mm)

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7-7. Block diagram

7-8. Separately sold option: Optical fiber adapter

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7-9. API functions and configurations for control

7-9-1. Software configuration

Software for controlling this unit and acquiring the count data is configured as follows.

Application Software

H11890api.dll

Libusb 0.sys

USB

H11890 Series (Hardware)

Normal Win32 application software calls up the H11890api.dll from the application. The H11890api.dll
provides API functions that begin with "H11890." Using these API functions allows easy control of the
H11890.

7-9-2. Overview of API functions

API (Application Program Interface) functions used for this unit are described below.

(1) H11890OpenDevices( ) Obtains a handle to control the H11890. This handle is used to
access the H11890.

(2) H11890CloseDevices( ) Closes the driver and frees various sources. No access to the
H11890 is allowed after this function is run.

(3) H11890SetInf( ) Sets the number of counter gates, counter gate time, and a voltage
applied to the photodetector.
(4) H11890ReadInf( ) Reads the number of counter gates, counter gate time, and whether
a voltage is applied to the photodetector.
(5) H11890CountStart( ) Instructs the H11890 to start counting.
(6) H11890CountStop( ) Stops the counting operation of this unit.
(7) H11890ReadData( ) Reads out count data from the H11890.

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7-9-3. API functions
The H11890API uses the following structures as arguments.
typedef struct _H11890_INF{
HANDLE hDeviceHandle;
CHAR cSerialNumber[10];
DWORD IT;
DWORD RN;
BOOL HVON;
}
H11890_INF INF[16]; and the following are treated as being declared.

(1) H11890OpenDevices()

Declaration DWORD H11890OpenDevices(H11890_INF Inf[16]);
Argument Hands the H11890_INF type. The inf[16] handle, serial number, counter gate
time, the number of counter gates (number of count measurements), and
whether a voltage is supplied to the photodetector are returned.
Return value The number of the H11890 units being connected is returned if the function
succeeds.
0 is returned if the function fails.

Explanation Calls to use the driver.

Hereafter, use the return value (device handle) when using other APIs.

When ending the operation of the H11890, call up H11890CloseDevices( ) to cancel

the driver.

(2) H11890CloseDevices()

Declaration void H11890CloseDevices(H11890_INF Inf[16]);

Argument Hands the H11890_INF type.
Return value None
Explanation Releases the device handle that was obtained.

Once this API has succeeded, Inf[16]. hDeviceHandle is hereafter disabled.

To control the H11890 again, call up H11890OpenDevices() and obtain a new device
handle.

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(3) H11890SetInf()

Declaration BOOL H11890 SetInf (H11890_INF &Inf);
Argument Hands the H11890_INF type.
●Uses H11890_INF.IT, H11890_INF.RN, and H11890_INF.HVON.
●H11890_INF.IT is the counter gate time. Specify 1 (1 ms) to 10000 (10 s).
●H11890_INF.RN is the number of counter gates (number of count
measurements). Specify 0 to 16 777 216. When set to 0, measurement will
continue until the H11890CountStop() function is issued.
●H11890_INF.HVON specifies whether or not to supply a voltage to the
photodetector. When set to True, the voltage is supplied. When set to False,
the voltage supply is stopped.

Return value A true is returned if the function succeeds. A false is returned if the function
fails.
Explanation Makes the H11890 settings.

(4) H11890ReadInf()

Declaration BOOL H11890 ReadInf (H11890_INF &Inf);
Argument Hands the H11890_INF type and reads the settings for each structural
member.
●Uses H11890_INF.IT, H11890_INF.RN, and H11890_INF.HVON.
●H11890_INF.IT is the counter gate time that is set.
●H11890_INF.RN is the number of counter gates (number of count
measurements) that is set.
●H11890_INF.HVON returns whether or not a voltage is supplied to the
photodetector.
Return value A true is returned if the function succeeds. A false is returned if the function
fails.
Explanation Reads the H11890 settings.

(5) H11890CountStart()

Declaration BOOL H11890CountStart(HANDLE handle,BOOL Correction);
Argument handle Specifies the device handle to start measurement.
Correction Specifies whether to correct the count linearity. The linearity
will be corrected if a true is specified.

Return value A true is returned if the function succeeds. A false is returned if the function
fails.
Explanation Starts measurement.

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(6) H11890CountStop()

Declaration BOOL H11890CountStart(HANDLE handle);
Argument handle Specifies the device handle to stop measurement.
Return value A true is returned if the function succeeds. A false is returned if the function
fails.
Explanation Stops measurement.

(7) H11890ReadData()

Declaration DWORD H11890 ReadData(HANDLE handle,DWORD *GateNum,DWORD

*DataBuf,BOOL *OLD);
Argument handle Specifies the device handle to stop measurement data.
*GateNum Returns the number of counter gates (number of count
measurements).
*DataBuf Returns count data.
A data number 15 is returned if the counter gate time is set
within 10 ms.
*OLD Returns whether or not excessive light is detected. If a true is
returned, this means that excessive light is detected.
Return value A data number 1 or 15 is returned if the function succeeds. Other values are
returned if the function fails.
Explanation Reads count measurement data.

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 8. Warranty
This product has been thoroughly tested by Hamamatsu Photonics and checked to meet
nominal performance specifications before shipment. Should any failure be found in this product
due to defects in the workmanship or materials used in manufacture, please notify our sales
office or representatives. This product is warranted for a period of one year from the date of
delivery.
The warranty provides free repair or replacement of defective parts when the claim is made
within one year after delivery.

However, even within the warranty period, the warranty shall not apply to failure in cases where
the product has been abused due to not following this instruction manual, mishandled, modified
or damaged by accidents such as natural or man-made disasters.
We are not liable for any physical injury and equipment damage arising from incorrect use and
handling of this product, which did not comply with the “Safety Requirements” and “Precautions
during use” instructions in this manual.

9. Repair
If a failure is found in the product or you suspect possible trouble, contact us with the specific
symptom and detailed description of the trouble, as well as the production serial number. We will
make every effort to repair the returned product in as short a time as possible. In the following
cases, however, the repair might be expensive or repair might be refused.

■ The product was purchased a long time ago.

■ The maintenance parts used in the product are not in current production.
■ The product was modified or altered.
■ The product was severely damaged.
■ Other unavoidable factors.

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Accessories and contents in this instruction manual are subject to change without prior notice.

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