CFX96 and CFX384 Systems Manual
133
Instrument Maintenance
Your CFX96 system or CFX384 system includes a sensitive optical shuttle system that moves
quickly during data collection and a sample block that must heat and cool very fast.
Contamination of these components can interfere with thermal cycling and data collection.
WARNING! Never allow a reaction to run with an open or leaking sample lid. The
reagents could escape and coat the block, inner lid, and optical head in the shuttle
system. Excessive dirt can dim the signal, and fluorescence contamination can
create excessive background signal. The shuttle system cannot be cleaned, except
by trained Bio-Rad service engineers.
Avoid contaminating the CFX96 or CFX384 system by following these suggestions:
• Always clean the outside of any containers before placing them in the block
• Never run a reaction with a seal that is open, loose, punctured, or otherwise
damaged because you could contaminate the block, inner lid, and optical system
• Never run a PCR or real-time PCR reaction with volatile reagents that could explode
and contaminate the block, inner lid, and optical system
• Clean the block and inner lid periodically to prevent the buildup of dirt, biohazardous
material, or fluorescent solutions (page 133)
• Never clean or otherwise touch the optical system behind the heater plate holes that
are in the inner lid (Figure 121 on page 134)
• Clean the outer lid and C1000 base on a regular schedule (for details see C1000
thermal cycler instruction manual)
Cleaning the Optical Reaction Module
The block of the optical reaction module should be cleaned, along with the C1000 thermal
cycler base, on a regular schedule to remove any debris or dirt that might interfere with proper
function. Clean as soon as you discover debris and spilled liquids with a soft, lint-free cloth
that is dampened with water. Cleaning the instrument allows precise instrument function. For
more detailed information about cleaning the C1000 base, see the C1000 thermal cycler
instruction manual.
WARNING! Never use cleaning solutions that are corrosive to aluminum. Avoid
scratching the surface of the C1000 reaction module bay. Scratches and damage
to this surface interfere with precise thermal control.
WARNING! Never pour water or other solutions in the C1000 reaction module bay.
Wet components can cause electrical shock when the thermal cycler is plugged in.
Clean the CFX96 or CFX384 optical reaction module as soon as you discover debris, dirt, or
contamination in the block or on the inner lid. Any dirt can interfere with the ability of the block
to change temperature quickly and collect accurate fluorescent data. To clean the reaction
module, follow these guidelines. Follow these suggestions for cleaning:
WARNING! To prevent electrical shock, always remove the reaction module from
the thermal cycler base, or unplug the base before cleaning the instrument.
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