User's instructions for the hot plates VTL-series, as produced by Polymetaal.

1. These hotplates are developed for the heating of metal plates (normally copper or zinc) as used by printmakers. The warming of the plate makes the etching ink more liquified allowing the ink to penetrate in the etched (or engraved) grooves more easily. The hotplate can also be easily used for the melting of "soft" or "hard" wax on the etching plate (acid resisting substance which covers the etching plate).
2. These hotplates are not suited for melting resin powder or asphaltum powder as used for "aquatint". The necessary temperature is higher than these hotplates can realize. Technically it is possible to give these hotplates a higher temperature. For the following reasons we choose not to do so::
   - For the melting of resin or asphaltum powder the necessary temperature is between 200 to 250°C. Seen from the legislation regarding safety standards it is unwise to make hotplates with these high temperatures without extra and costly safety measures.
   - The necessary electrical power is much higher, therefore the normal supply of 220 Volts is not sufficient..
   - The heat transfer between the aluminium upper plate of the hot plate and the etching plate can be irregular especially with higher temperatures. This irregularity comes from the combination of heat transfer through conductivity and radiation..
   Polymetaal however supplies hotplates with higher temperatures in the VTS-series.

• At the back of the hotplate you will find the electric connection to the electrical supply line. The cable is included (3x1mm²). Ensure that the outlet has an "Earth Pen". The construction of the outlet may vary in different countries. If the cable plug does not fit the outlet, the plug has to be replaced by a qualified electrician.
• The "onn/off" switch sets the electrical circuit of the hotplate "on" and "off". When the switch is set "off" the heating elements are turned off completely. When the switch is turned "on" the light on the switch indicates that the hotplate is "on". When the switch is turned "off" the switch light goes off.
• With the thermostat button the desired temperature can be set between 30° and 110°C. By turning the thermostat button a switch is operated connected to a liquid filled temperature sensor which is located beneath the top of the aluminium hotplate. Due to the construction of the thermostat (liquid based) a precise temperature control is not possible. Electronic thermostats have a much more precise temperature control (see hotplates VTS-series) As soon as the hotplate, through cooling, reaches a certain temperature (regulated by the thermostat button), the electricity is switched back on through the thermostat. Then the full electric power of the hotplate is used to heat up the hotplate to a certain value, related to the position of the thermostat button. As soon as this value is reached, the current is switched off and the hotplate cools off until the current is switched back on. Because of this control system there is a "pendulant" in the temperature which causes the temperature to deviate from 5 to 10 degrees.
• The label shows the CE marking as well as model, serail number, voltage, current and power.
• When the top plate can be hot always be careful, especially when the switch "on" lamp is burning. Even when the hotplate is switched "off" the top plate can remain hot so be careful.
• Do not use water in the vicinity of this equipment. Water can lead to electrical malfunctioning of the equipment.
• This equipment does not contain any asbestos insulating material.

NORMS AND STANDARDS
The manufacturer of these products:
Polymetaal
P.O. Box 694
2300 AR Leiden
the Netherlands
, declares that these equipment comply to the European Standard IEC 335-1 "Safety of household and similar electrical appliances"
-and are produced according to the CE-standards (Guidelines Machinery and Magnetic Compatibility)
-and bear the marking "CE"