128 | Chapter 5: Preventive Maintenance
BioTek Instruments, Inc.
Inspecting/Cleaning Excitation and Emission Filters
Laboratory air is used to cool the lamp, and the filters can become dusty as a result. The
filters should be inspected and cleaned at least every three months. You’ll need:
• Isopropyl, ethyl, or methyl alcohol
• Lens-cleaning tissue
Do not touch the filters with your bare fingers!
To inspect and clean the Excitation and Emission filters:
1. Turn off and unplug the instrument.
2. Pull down the hinged door on the front of the instrument. Observe the two
thumbscrews within the compartment. The
left thumbscrew holds the
excitation (EX) filter wheel in place; the right secures the emission (EM) filter
wheel. Remove each thumbscrew and slide the filter wheel’s supporting metal
bracket straight out of the compartment.
Chapter 3, Getting Started contains illustrations for identifying the
filter wheels and their unique characteristics. This chapter also
contains instructions for replacing filters if necessary.
3. Inspect the glass filters for speckled surfaces or a halo effect. This may indicate
deterioration due to moisture exposure over a long period of time.
• If you have any concerns about the quality of the filters, contact your
BioTek representative.
4. Clean the filters using lens-cleaning tissue moistened with a small amount of
isopropyl, ethyl, or methyl alcohol. Ensure that the filters remain in their
current locations.
5. Replace the filter wheel brackets in their respective positions and replace the
thumbscrews. Close the hinged door.
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