GENERAL INFORMATION 7
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The following general instructions, and the precautions regarding the
prevention of corrosion in rotors and accessories, as described under
MAINTENANCE, must be noted and carefully observed.
The maximum load should always be checked before commencing any operation. If
the sample has a relative density greater than 1.2, the maximum permissible speed of
the rotor should be calculated as given in this publication, and applied.
Any liquid spilt in the centrifuge should be removed immediately because corrosion is
a major cause of failure in centrifuges. Where particularly corrosive solutions are used,
the samples should be placed in sealed containers and all necessary precautions
observed. The following list gives some examples of corrosive liquids used, particularly
in the biochemical field:
Phenol/cresol/water, chloroform/isoamyl alcohol, salt solutions (especially ammonium
sulphate), solutions of ammonium hydroxide and solutions of acids such as
hydrochloric, trichloroacetic and perchloric acids.
It should be noted that many other substances used in different fields are often equally
corrosive. Users should always check whether or not a substance being used is
corrosive in order to take suitable precautions.
NOTE: The following materials are prohibited:
Flammable or explosive materials
Materials which chemically interact vigorously
The load must be distributed symmetrically round the rotating assembly so that it is
evenly balanced and complies with the manufacturer's instructions in this respect.
After use the sleeves and adaptors in centrifuge rotors should be removed to allow
thorough cleaning of rotors and accessories and so prevent corrosion.
Special care is necessary when using infective material in centrifuges. Containers,
when used with such materials, should be closed while being centrifuged and sterilised
immediately after use, using non-corrosive means.
NOTE: Sealed containers and related components are intended to be part of
biosafety systems such as are specified in international and national
biosafety guide lines, and cannot be relied on as the only means of safeguarding
workers and the environment when handling pathogenic
micro-organisms.
Care should be taken to preserve intact, sets of accessories which have been supplied
as sets, in which all the members possess closely similar weights.
It is advisable to have the centrifuge checked by a competent engineer, preferably the
manufacturer's representative, at least every six months.
Carbon brushes, whilst being of the highest quality obtainable are expressly excluded
from the guarantee. A spare set is included in the accessory pack. The method of
replacement is detailed in section 6.7 of this manual.
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