20
6 Operation
6.1.2 Sample volume
Temperature control can be set to thermoblock or to sample.
The device can adapt to the actual sample quantity and test tube type via the command "CNTRL /TUBE".
For maximum flexibility, the program will prompt for tube sizes and volumes when it is startetd.
The following sample quantities should be used:
0.2 ml test tubes or "plate": not larger than 50
µ
l
0.5 ml or 0.5 ml thin-walled test tubes: not larger than 100
µ
l
When
"in situ"
is selected, the sample quantity is not taken into consideration.
6.1.3 Heated lid
After the samples have been loaded, the heated lid is closed over the thermoblock and locked using the
locking lever in accordance with the type of tube used.
Note
:
Some types of PCR plates lock into position at the 0.2 ml tube level. Do not force the locking lever when
this happens.
Since the heated lid prevents the liquid from condensing in the upper part of the tube, it is not necessary to
use an oil layer.
Note:
Different tube types should not be loaded together as they cannot be sealed correctly by the heated lid.
If it is absolutely necessary to process different tube types simultaneously in the thermoblock, an oil layer is
necessary for the smaller tubes.
The lid temperature (up to 110
°
C) is controlled automatically by the program. The user can decide whether
the program should start immediately (NOWAIT) or whether it should start after a preset lid temperature has
been attained (WAIT). If the program has to start quickly, the heated lid can be preheated using the "Lid"
menu.
All tubes are easily accessible during the temperature-control procedure since the lid can be opened at any
time.
Caution:
To avoid the risk of burns (110
°
C) caused by touching the inner surface of the lid or the
thermoblock, do not open the lid while the program is running.
Depending on the processing temperatures used, test tubes and microtiter plates may also be extremely hot.
During
in situ
reactions, the heated lid is not temperature-controlled and remains open at all times.
6.1.4 Temperature-control of the block
To carry out incubation experiments or to speed up the start of a method, it is possible to preheat the
thermoblock and the heated lid. The "Incubate" menu is selected in the main menu, a block temperature is
entered and "Heater" is set to "on".
Caution:
Since the thermoblock and the heated lid can become very hot, there is a burns risk for the user
when test tubes and microtiter plates are inserted.
To Next Page
Loading...