Poor maintenance of centrifuges will result in inefficient lab operations. A laboratory centrifuge is an instrument that spins samples at a very high speed, forcing the heavier particles to collect at the bottom of the tube. Ranging in size from bench top models to point-of-care systems, diverse types of centrifuges are available now. Professional lab equipment suppliers offer new as well as refurbished models of centrifuges from reputable manufacturers in the industry.
Proper maintenance of this instrument is crucial to create a safe atmosphere for laboratory workers. Routine cleaning based on the manufacturer's instructions is critical.
Here's what leading manufacturers say about centrifuge maintenance:
- According to the global product manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, rotors that are not properly maintained could explode and cause damage to the unit and potentially to the people around. Now centrifuges are advancing to a point where very little maintenance will be required. The best way to do maintenance is not only follow the instructions from the manufacturer, but also have a system that doesn't need any maintenance at all.
- "Keep it clean every time you use it or at least weekly. Wiping down the interior portion of the centrifuge, the rotor chamber, and also any of the surfaces that have electronic components, such as touch screens or keypads is a good idea when doing daily cleaning. It's important that users are trained on the proper use of the systems, as user error is often the root cause of most problems with operating a centrifuge. That is typically imbalance, maybe not paying enough attention to the balance of the samples across the axis," says the marketing manager, Americas Centrifugation, at Beckman Coulter Life Sciences.
Never use the device if it is hot, or if you notice unusual vibrations, shaking or noises occur, discharge of substances or if the device is not achieving full operating speed. Here are a few more tips to ensure proper maintenance of your laboratory centrifuge.
- Never place the centrifuge on an uneven or slanted work surface
- Initial calibration of a centrifuge should be performed by a qualified service technician
- Regular checks and inspections before, during and after use are critical
- Wiping the centrifuge down after each use prevents contamination
- Clean the inside of the bowl with a disinfectant solution and rinse it thoroughly
- Maintain a chart next to the centrifuge to show when it was last cleaned and who cleaned it
- Do not open the lid while the rotor is moving, though many centrifuges now feature a "safety shutoff" if the lid is opened
- Clean the centrifuge housing, rotor chamber, rotors and rotor accessories with a neutral cleaning agent once in a month
- Consider getting the centrifuge serviced by a qualified service technician once in a year to ensure that the unit is operating safely and properly
- Make sure to shut down the equipment properly after each use
By purchasing the centrifuge from an established supplier, lab professionals can benefit from Preventive Maintenance (PM) service and service contracts, in-house service and repairs, and on-going customized support.