Fisher Scientific 146E

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Low Temperature Incubator

Model 146E

Catalog Number

97-990E(115VAC)

97-995E(230VAC)

Fisher Low Temperature Incubator offers laboratories

precise temperature control over the -10°C to 60°C range.

Performance meets requirements for the preservation of

vaccines, biologicals, incubation of bacterial cultures, and

determination of bio-chemical oxygen demand of sewage.

The extended operating temperature range also includes

temperatures associated with drug stability projects, dairy

product evaluation and entomological studies.

Features include:

¾Spacious 6.1 cu ft chamber accommodates up to 114

standard BOD bottles or similar containers.

¾Under the counter model with reversible door

¾2 Removable shelves

¾3 Molded door shelves

¾Microprocessor based temperature controller, with

temperature readout to .1°C

¾Solid state relay for heater

¾Over/ under temperature safety relay and alarm LED

¾Over temperature thermostat

¾3 Cooling control modes: High precision with cooling,

High precision without cooling and Frost free with variable

cooling

¾Compressor relay for energy conservation

¾Compressor overload relay

¾RTD temperature probe

¾Protected setpoint mode to avoid accidental change

¾Convenience outlet inside chamber, 2 amp

WARNING

• This manual must be carefully read and thoroughly

understood before operating the unit, failure to follow

directions or precautionary measures could result in

serious adverse effects.

• This equipment must be used only as specified in these

instructions.

• This equipment is intended for indoor use only.

• This equipment must be earth grounded for safe

operation.

• Maximum ratings of accessories that may be plugged

into convenience outlet: Load current 2 Amps. @

115VAC, Leakage Current 250 micro Amps.

IMPORTANT: When operating at 100% cooling,

the unit should be defrosted periodically,

especially during times of high humidity. The customer

will be responsible for any repair work done caused by

evaporator ice build up. See “Defrosting”.

CAUTION

The aluminum evaporator and other portions of these units

should not be exposed to the corrosive effects of acidic or

caustic materials. Extreme care must be exercised if such

materials are stored within to prevent voiding the warranty.

This Incubator is NOT suitable for flammable material

storage.

SPECIFICATIONS

Power Requirements:

97-990E 115V, 9.5A, 60Hz

97-995E 230V. 5.8A, 50Hz

Including 2A for internal convenience outlet.

Dimensions:

Height: 34.5 in (87.6cm)

Width: 24 in (61cm)

Depth: 24.5 in (62.2cm)

Volume: 6.1 cu ft (0.173m

)

Shelf Data: 2 chamber, 3 door

Capacity: 114 BOD bottles

Shipping Weight:

126 lb. (57 kg)

Operating Environment:

Temperature Range: 10°C to 40°C

Humidity Range: 0% to 90% RH Non-Condensing

Maximum Altitude: 6600 ft (2 km)

Air clearances: Front and back, 3” minimum

Overvoltage Category II (IEC664)

Pollution Degree 2 (IEC664)

Performance Characteristics:

Operating Range: -10° to +60°C

Uniformity: ±1.0°C

Stability: ±0.2°C

Display Readability: 0.1°C

Per ASTM method E 1292-94, cooling modes 00 and 100

PACKING LIST

Qty

Item

1 Low Temperature incubator

1 Instructions

1 Latching Duct

1 End Cap for Duct

3 J Clamps

1 Plastic Bag containing 4 feet

UNPACKING and INSPECTION

NOTE: If damage is observed, keep the shipment intact

(including the carton and all packing material) and file a

claim with the final carrier.

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The Fisher Low Temperature Incubator, Model 146E, is a laboratory device designed for precise temperature control within a range of -10°C to 60°C. It is available in two models: 97-990E (115VAC) and 97-995E (230VAC). This incubator is suitable for a variety of applications including the preservation of vaccines and biologicals, incubation of bacterial cultures, determination of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of sewage, drug stability projects, dairy product evaluation, and entomological studies.

Important Technical Specifications:

Power Requirements:
- 97-990E: 115V, 9.5A, 60Hz (including 2A for internal convenience outlet)
- 97-995E: 230V, 5.8A, 50Hz (including 2A for internal convenience outlet)
Dimensions:
- Height: 34.5 in (87.6 cm)
- Width: 24 in (61 cm)
- Depth: 24.5 in (62.2 cm)
- Volume: 6.1 cu ft (0.173 m³)
Shelf Data: 2 chambers, 3 door
Capacity: 114 BOD bottles
Shipping Weight: 126 lb (57 kg)
Operating Environment:
- Temperature Range: 10°C to 40°C
- Humidity Range: 0% to 90% RH Non-Condensing
- Maximum Altitude: 6600 ft (2 km)
- Air Clearances: Front and back, 3" minimum
- Overvoltage Category: II (IEC664)
- Pollution Degree: 2 (IEC664)
Performance Characteristics:
- Operating Range: -10° to +60°C
- Uniformity: ±1.0°C¹ (Per ASTM method E 1292-94, cooling modes 00 and 100)
- Stability: ±0.2°C¹ (Per ASTM method E 1292-94, cooling modes 00 and 100)
- Display Readability: 0.1°C

Usage Features:

The incubator boasts a spacious 6.1 cu ft chamber, designed as an under-the-counter model with a reversible door. It includes two removable shelves and three molded door shelves for flexible storage.

Controls and Display:

The unit features a microprocessor-based temperature controller with a temperature readout to 0.1°C. It includes a solid-state relay for the heater, an over/under temperature safety relay with an alarm LED, and an over-temperature thermostat.

Cooling Control Modes:

Three distinct cooling control modes are available:

High precision with cooling: Offers precise temperature control.
High precision without cooling: For specific applications where active cooling is not required.
Frost-free with variable cooling: Designed to minimize frost buildup.

Additional Features:

Compressor relay for energy conservation.
Compressor overload relay.
RTD temperature probe for accurate sensing.
Protected setpoint mode to prevent accidental changes.
Convenience outlet inside the chamber (2 amp) for powering auxiliary devices like shakers, rotators, photosynthesis lights, and recording thermometers.

Controller Operation:

The controller continuously displays the chamber temperature. Users can access and change the setpoint temperature by pressing the SET key and using the ▲ (Increase) or ▼ (Decrease) keys. The controller also features a MENU key to access advanced settings.

Cooling Modes (Pct Menu):

100% Mode: Compressor runs continuously for high precision control (±0.2°C Stability) across the entire temperature range. This mode requires manual defrosting.
50% Mode: Compressor runs approximately half the time, conserving power and reducing frost buildup. This mode significantly reduces the frequency of manual defrosting but offers less temperature stability (±1.5°C).
00% Mode: Compressor is completely off. Ideal for incubating samples at 10°C or higher above ambient (35°C to 60°C), providing the greatest power savings without requiring defrosting.

Protection Modes (Pro Menu):

The Protection Menu allows selection of operation modes that determine when the alarm is activated and if the control setpoint can be changed (Range 0.0 to 0.2).

0.0 Mode (Normal): Allows the user to change the setpoint. The alarm activates if the chamber temperature falls outside specific limits (e.g., chamber ≤ 15.0°C and chamber < (setpoint - 3) or chamber ≥ 40.0°C and chamber > (setpoint+3)). An alarm bypass is active when the setpoint is changed or power is first applied, allowing the unit to stabilize.
0.1 Mode: Similar to 0.0 Mode, but the setpoint is locked and cannot be changed.
0.2 Mode: Setpoint is locked, and the alarm activates and the safety relay opens if chamber temperature falls outside (setpoint -3) or rises above (setpoint +3). This mode is intended for stable conditions where the door remains shut and external disturbances are minimal.

Safety Features:

An added safety feature is a thermostat in the heater compartment that limits the upper chamber temperature to 65°C.
The unit must be earth grounded for safe operation.
Maximum ratings for accessories plugged into the convenience outlet are 2 Amps @ 115VAC, with a leakage current of 250 micro Amps.

Maintenance Features:

Cleaning:

The incubator should be disconnected from the power source before cleaning. Spilled materials should be cleaned immediately. The interior and exterior can be cleaned with warm soap and water. Harsh chemical cleaners should not be used.

Defrosting:

Periodic defrosting is necessary, with frequency depending on operating temperature, ambient humidity, and sample moisture. Defrosting may be required even in 50% mode, especially for control temperatures below 15.0°C.

Method I (Less Disruptive): For control setpoints down to 10°C, samples can remain in the chamber if they can withstand a temperature stability of +/- 1.5°C for 24 hours. This involves setting the Pct menu to 50 for approximately 24 hours or until frost disappears, then returning to the previous Pct setting.
Method II (More Thorough): Remove any samples sensitive to temperatures up to 35°C. Set the Pct parameter to 00 and the setpoint to 35.0°C. Allow the temperature to stabilize for one hour, then remove power, open the door, and wipe up excess moisture. Reapply power and reset operating parameters.

Calibration:

If temperature controller calibration is needed, an accurate temperature-measuring device should be placed in the geometric center of the chamber. The controller should be set to the desired operating temperature in 100% cooling mode and allowed to stabilize for two hours. The difference between the chamber display reading and the geometric center reading is then used to adjust the calibration parameter in the CAL Menu.

Replacement Parts:

The manual provides detailed instructions for replacing various components, including:

Temp. Controller (TC1)
RTD Temp. Sensor
SSR1, K1, K2 (relays), or T1 (transformer)
FAN2, THM1 (thermostat), HTR1 (heater)

Important Note: When operating at 100% cooling, the unit should be defrosted periodically, especially during times of high humidity. The customer is responsible for any repair work caused by evaporator ice buildup.

Cautions:

The aluminum evaporator and other portions of these units should not be exposed to corrosive acidic or caustic materials to prevent voiding the warranty.
This incubator is NOT suitable for flammable material storage.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, disconnect from the power source before servicing.
Ensure the safety ground is intact and making a good connection after maintenance.