Good Centrifuge Practice

Centrifuges can be potentially dangerous. Therefore it is vital that they are properly maintained and used correctly.

• Always run with a full compliment of buckets. Failure to do so can distort rotor.

• Ensure the rotor and all lids are tightened correctly before use.

• Only use accessories intended for use in your particular centrifuge, as recommended by your centrifuge supplier.

• Balance accessories and samples to within less than 2 gms per bucket.

• Samples should be diametrically distributed evenly around the buckets as shown.

• Clean and lubricate rotor pins monthly.

• High strength aluminium corrodes easily, to prevent this, remove adaptors and keep buckets clean and dry at all times.

• Only clean aluminium buckets in a neutral ph cleaner. Do not use strong alkalis, acids or chloros.

• Condensation build up in a centrifuge bowl will damage the motor and buckets. Allow this to evaporate by leaving the lid open at night with power switched off.

Centrifuge Bucket Cleaning Guidelines

It is important that centrifuge buckets are kept clean and dry at all times to stop corrosion developing and to ensure that they remain in safe working condition. Once a month or at times of sample spillage this cleaning procedure should be followed:

• Remove all cushions and or tube adaptors from buckets.

• Wash buckets and adaptors in warm water with a mild hand washable detergent.

• Do not use soaps or detergents which contain strong alkalis or acids.

• Do not under any circumstances scratch the protective anodised surface of the bucket. Light use of a plastic scouring pad is acceptable in extreme cases.

• When all parts have been washed, rinse in clean water and allow to dry completely.

• Only reassemble once completely dry as moisture trapped between adaptor and bucket will cause corrosion.

• In some circumstances it may be necessary to coat the buckets in corrosion resistant oil after washing.

Remember

• Do not scratch the anodised surface of the buckets

• Do not leave buckets to soak for any length of time in cleaning or disinfecting products (i.e. overnight).

• The most common cause of corrosion is liquid/sample caught between adaptor and bucket and overnight soaking in cleaning products.

• Any sign of corrosion should be reported to DJB Labcare for assessment.

An example of some severely corroded buckets recently removed from use

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