Gilson PIPETMAN P User manual

PIPETMAN®P
ENGLISH

2
PIPETMAN®P
1 - INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on acquiring your new
Pipetman P. Enjoy the following features.
- Continuously-adjustable, designed to dis-
pense precise volumes of liquid safely.
CONTENTS page
1 - INTRODUCTION 2
2 - PARTS CHECK LIST 3
3 - DESCRIPTION 4
4 - OPERATING RANGES 5
5 - SETTING THE VOLUME 5
6 - PIPETTING 7
7 - GILSON DIAMOND®TIPS 10
8 - PERSONALIZING YOUR PIPETTE 12
9 - GLP FEATURES 13
10 - TROUBLESHOOTING 13
11 - LEAK TEST 15
12 - MAINTENANCE 16
13 - CLEANING AND DECONTAMINATION 20
14 - SPECIFICATIONS 22
15 - SPARE PARTS 24

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ENGLISH
- Large range of volumes, eight models cover
a range from 0.1 µL to 10 mL, for many
applications:
P2 and P10: measurement and transfer of
micro-volumes, DNA sequencing and enzyme-
assays.
P20, P100, P200, P1000: measurement and
transfer of general aqueous solutions, acids
and bases.
P5000, P10ml: measurement and transfer of
large volumes.
- Volume is continuously adjustable within the
useful volume range using the digital
volumeter.
- Tip-ejector and disposable tips mean no
need to handle tips, protecting the user from
contamination.
- Carry-over between samples eliminated by
using a new tip from a Tipack™ box for each
transfer.
- Nominal volume (i.e. pipette model) is shown
on the color coded push-button.
- Personalize your Pipetman by fitting a
Coloris™ identification clip to the connecting
nut (5 colors).
2 - PARTS CHECK LIST
Just take a moment to verify that the following
items are present:
- Pipetman P,
- User's Guide,
- Sample pack of tips,
- Safety bag,
- Adhesive id-tags (strip of 4),
- Certificate of conformity (including bar-code
sticker).

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PIPETMAN®P
3 - DESCRIPTION
A) Color coded push-button for setting the
volume, aspirating, and dispensing.
B) Body or handle.
C) Connecting nut to upper part (body or
handle) of removable tip-holder.
D) Diamond tip.
E) Tip-ejector.
F) Tip-ejector button.
H) Tip-holder (removable for cleaning and
decontaminating).
T) Thumbwheel for setting the volume.
V) Volumeter.
A
T
B
V
F
C
E
H
D

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Push-button
Thumbwheel
4 - OPERATING RANGES
Model Range
P2 0.1 - 2 µL
P10 0.5 - 10 µL
P20 2 - 20 µL
P100 20 - 100 µL
P200 30 - 200 µL
P1000 200 - 1000 µL
P5000 1 - 5 mL
P10ml 1 - 10 mL
5 - SETTING THE VOLUME
The volume of liquid to be aspirated is set using
the volumeter. The volumeter consists of three
number-dials, which are read from top (most
significant digit) to bottom (least significant
digit). A marker is used to set exact or
intermediate volumes using the scale on the
bottom dial. The dials are colored either black
or red to indicate the position of the decimal
point, according to the model (see examples).
The volume is set by
turning the thumbwheel
(T) or the push-button (A).
The push-button makes it
easier and quicker to set
volumes, especially when
wearinggloves.Thethumb-
wheel may be turned to
slowly reach the required
setting.
To obtain maximum
accuracy when setting the
volume, proceed as follows:
- when decreasing the volume setting, slowly
reach the required setting, making sure not
to overshoot the mark.

6
PIPETMAN®P
- when increasing the volume setting, pass
the required value by 1/3 of a turn and then
slowly decrease the volume to reach the
volume, making sure not to overshoot the
mark.
Model Color of volumeter numbers
Black Red
P2 to P200 µL 0.1 µL and 0.01 µL
P1000, P5000 0.1 mL and 0.01 mL mL
P10ml mL 0.1 mL
Example for each pipette:
To avoid parallax errors, make sure that the
volume indicator and the selected volume
marking are in your direct line of vision. At close
range you may find it helps to close one eye.
0
7
5
7.5 µL
P10
1
2
5
1.25 µL
P2 1
2
5
12.5 µL
P20 0
7
5
75 µL
P100
0
7
5
7.5mL
P10ml
1
2
5
125 µL
P200
0
7
5
0.75 mL
P1000
1
2
5
1.25 mL
P5000

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☞
Witha precisepipetting techniqueP2 maybe
usedto aspiratevolumes downto 0.1µL,P10
at 0.5 µL, and P200 at 30 µL.
Volatile Solvents
For volatile solvents you should saturate the
air-cushion of your pipette by aspirating and
dispensing the solvent repeatedly before
aspirating the sample.
6 - PIPETTING
1) Fit a new Gilson Diamond Tip.
Plastic tips are for a single application - they
must not be cleaned for reuse. Push the tip-
holder into the tip using a slight twisting
motion to ensure a firm and airtight seal.
(1) ForP2 andP10:tipejectorextensions
aresupplied.
(2) P5000andP10ml:insertafilterintothe
tipholder beforefitting atip. (Ifthefilter
gets dirty it should be replaced with a
cleanone.)
(3) P5000andP10ml:thesemodelsarenot
equippedwith tip-ejectors.
2) Pre-rinse the tip.
Some liquids (e.g. protein-containing solu-
tions and organic solvents) can leave a film
of liquid on the inside the wall of the tip; pre-
rinse the tip to minimize any errors that may
be related to this phenomenon.
Pre-rinsing consists of aspirating the first
volume of liquid and then dispensing it back
intothesamevessel(ortowaste).Subsequent
volumes that you pipette will have levels of
accuracy and precision within specifications.
3) Aspirate.
Press the push-button to the first stop (this
corresponds to the set volume of liquid).
Hold the pipette vertically and immerse the tip
☞

8
PIPETMAN®P
in the liquid (see immersion depth table).
Release the push-button slowly and
smoothly (to top position) to aspirate the set
volume of liquid.
Wait one second (time depends on model,
see table); then withdraw the pipette-tip
from the liquid.
You may wipe any droplets away from the
outside of the tip using a medical wipe,
however if you do so take care to avoid
touching the tip’s orifice.
4) Dispense.
Place the end of the tip against the inside
wall of the recipient vessel (at an angle of
10° to 40°).
Press the push-button slowly and smoothly
to the first stop.
Wait for at least a second; then press the
push-button to the second stop to expel
any residual liquid from the tip.
Keep the push-button pressed fully down
and (while removing the pipette) draw the
tip along the inside surface of the vessel.
Release the push-button, smoothly.
Top
1st Stop
2nd Stop

9
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5) Eject the tip by pressing firmly on the tip-
ejector button.
General Guidelines for Good Pipetting
1) Make sure that you operate the push-button
slowly and smoothly.
2) When aspirating, keep the tip at a constant
depth below the surface of the liquid (refer
to the table).
Table - Immersion Depth & Wait Time
Model Immersion Wait Time
Depth (mm) (Seconds)
P2 1 1
P10 1 1
P20 2-3 1
P100 2-4 1
P200 2-4 1
P1000 2-4 2-3
P5000 3-6 4-5
P10ml 5-7 4-5
3) Change the tip before aspirating a different
liquid, sample, or reagent.
4) Change the tip if a droplet remains at the
end of the tip from the previous pipetting
operation.
5) Each new tip should be pre-rinsed with the
liquid to be pipetted.
6) Liquid should never enter the tip-holder; to
prevent this:
- press and release the push-button slowly
and smoothly,
- never turn the pipette upside down,
- never lay the pipette on its side when there
is liquid in the tip.
7) When pipetting liquids with temperatures
different to the ambient temperature, pre-
rinse the tip several times before use.
8) You may remove the tip-ejector (see “Main-
tenance”) to aspirate from very narrow tubes.

10
PIPETMAN®P
9) After pipetting acids or other corrosive
liquids that emit vapors, remove the tip-
holder and rinse the piston and O-ring and
seal with distilled water.
10) Do not pipette liquids having temperatures
above 70 °C or below 4 °C.
The pipette can be used between + 4 °C
and + 40 °C but the specifications may
vary according to the temperature (see
Chapter 14 for controlled conditions of
use).
7 - GILSON DIAMOND TIPS
Gilson Diamond Tips are made to the highest
specifications, strict quality control is
maintained throughout the manufacturing
process.
Diamond Tips are used to calibrate Pipetman P,
therefore for optimum performance, you are
strongly advised to use Gilson's Diamond Tips
with your Pipetman P. Diamond Tips have the
Gilson logo engraved on their collar, ensuring
that you have a genuine Gilson product.
To ensure accuracy and precision, Gilson's
Quality Assurance System focuses on the
following critical parameters.
• Diamond Tips are made from pure polypro-
pylene(virgin,metal-free, to avoid the possibility
of contamination). They are available
sterilized.
• Optimized shape (revised collar for optimum
sealing, thin walls, and fine point), making
them easier to mount, more flexible, with no
vortexing, and improved precision.
• Diamond Tips are free from even microscopic
defects, especially at the orifice. All surfaces
are smooth and hydrophobic, thereby avoid-

11
ENGLISH
ing the excessive retention of liquids that
causes poor accuracy and a lack of precision.
• Moldandcavityreferences
are marked on the collar,
ensuring the traceability
for quality assurance
purposes, batch numbers
appear on all packages
(bags and boxes).
• They form an air-tight seal with the tip-holder,
preventingtheleaksthatcause pooraccuracy
and a lack of precision.
• They may be autoclaved at 121°C for 20
minutes at 0.1 MPa.
Diamond Filter Tips
Filter tips are used when sample-to-sample,
sample-to-pipette, or sample-to-operator con-
tamination must be avoided.
Becauseofthere uniqueconstruction,Diamond
Filter (DF) Tips may be autoclaved, without risk
of damage to the filters. Gilson's sterilized
Diamond Filter Tips are certified free of detect-
able RNase, DNase, DNA, RNA, and protease.
Table - Tips to Use for Best Results
Gilson
Logo IDNumber
Pipette Diamond Tips Volume (Range)
P2 D10, DL10, DF10, DFL10 0.1 µL to 2 µL
P10 D10, DL10, DF10, DFL10 0.5 µL to 10 µL
P20 DF 30, D200 2 µL to 20 µL
DF30 20 µL to 30 µL
D200, DF100 20 µL to 100 µL
DF100 20 µL to 100 µL
D200, DF200, D300, DF300 20 µL to 200 µL
P1000 D1000, DF1000 200 µL to 1 mL
P5000 D5000 1 mL to 5 mL
P10 ml D10 ml 1 mL to 10 mL
P200
P100

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PIPETMAN®P
8 - PERSONALIZING YOUR PIPETTE
Personal Label - Application Name Tag
In addition to the
four round adhesive
stickers, supplied
with your pipette,
you can identify
your pipette with a
Coloris clip. Made
of polyacetal, these
clips accept perma-
nent ink, and wipe
clean with ethanol.
Ideal for recording service or calibration dates.
Perfectforquickvisualidentification. Alsouseful
for identifying pipettes dedicated to specific
applications or as a warning when there is risk
of contamination.
These brightly colored clips snap quickly over
the connecting nut of Pipetman models P2 to
P1000. Because they don’t require dismantling
or changing original parts, there’s no danger of
the pipette’s calibration being affected.
Tip-ejector: Dual-position Adaptor for P2
and P10
The component parts of a tip-ejector assembly
are a metallic rod and a blue plastic connector,
which goes into the body of the pipette.
For P2 and P10, a
dual-position adaptor
(plastic) is also
required; the metallic
rod is shaped so that
the adaptor may be
clipped to it in either of
two positions.

13
ENGLISH
Pipetman P2 and P10 are delivered with the
adaptor in place and configured to accept
DL10 tips. When you use D10 tips, which are
shorter, you must reposition the adaptor as
follows.
1) Pull the adaptor away from the metallic rod.
2) Turn the adaptor through 180°.
3) Refit the adaptor so that the end of the
metallic rod engages the shorter slot of the
adaptor.
4) Finally, check that end of the metallic rod is
correctly seated in the appropriate slot of
the adaptor; the ‘dimple’ on the metallic rod
must be engaged in the corresponding
hole on the adaptor.
9 - GLP FEATURES
These are as follows:
• Serial Number:
engraved on body
of the pipette.
• Bar Code:
on the box and with
the certificate (can
be transferred).
• ID Tag (Application
or User).
10 - TROUBLESHOOTING
You may be able to identify and to correct the
problem by reference to the following table.
If you can’t solve the problem, contact your
Gilson representative.
However, a quick inspection of the pipette may
help you isolate the problem.
ID Tag
SerialNumber

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PIPETMAN®P
☞
Is the operating rod straight?
Is the operating rod free of chemical damage?
Are the volumeter digits clear and easy to
read?
Can you set any volume in the useful range?
Can you set the nominal (maximum) volume?
Does the volumeter operate smoothly without
hitching?
If the answer to any of these questions is NO,
it is probable the pipette has been damaged as
the result of a mechanical shock or chemical
damage, in which case it should be returned to
your supplier for repair.
If the answer to these questions is YES, conti-
nue as follows.
Is the tip-ejector straight?
Is the tip-ejector free of chemical damage?
Remove tip-ejector; is the tip-holder undamaged
and free of chemical damage?
Are the O-ring and seal undamaged and free
of chemical damage?
If answer is NO, clean or replace the damaged
part.
If the answer is YES, refer to the table on page 15;
you may need to clean or replace the piston
assembly, O-ring and seal. Pipetman must be
adjusted (recalibrated) after the piston
assembly is changed.
If you see a bubble in the aspirated liquid:
dispensetheliquid intoits originalvessel,then
ensurethatthetip isproperlyimmersedbelow
the surface of the liquid and aspirate more
slowly- ifa bubbleappearsagain, replacethe
tip.
Before returning any pipette, ensure
that it is completely free of chemical,
biological,orradioactivecontamination.

15
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Symptom Possible Cause Action Pipetteisleaking sample WornO-ringorseal. Replace both parts. Pipette won’t aspirate WornO-ringorseal. Replace both parts.
Tip holder is loose. Tighten connecting nut. Pistonisdamaged(chemicallyor mechanically). Return pipette to supplier. Damaged tip holder. Replace the tip-holder. Connecting nut is loose. Tighten connecting nut.
Pipette is inaccurate Improperassembly. See'Maintenance'.
Unscrewedtip-holder. Tighten connecting nut. Connecting nut is loose. Tighten connecting nut.
Pipette is not precise Tip-holder is loose. Tighten connecting nut.
Incorrect operator technique. Operator training. WornO-ringorseal. Replace both parts. Connecting nut is loose. Tighten connecting nut. Pistonisdamaged(chemicallyor mechanically). Return pipette to supplier. Damaged tip-holder. Replace the tip-holder.
Tips fall off or don’t fit Low quality tips. UseGilsonDiamondTips.
Damaged tip-holder. Replace the tip-holder. Damagedtip-ejector. Replace the tip-ejector.
11 - LEAK TEST
This test may be performed at any time to check
that the pipette does not leak, especially after
performing a maintenance or decontamination
procedure. If a pipette fails this test you should
replace the O-ring and seal and repeat this test,
after making sure that the pipette is correctly
reassembled.
P2 to P200
- fit a Gilson Diamond Tip,
- set the pipette to the maximum volume given
in the specifications, and pre-rinse,

16
PIPETMAN®P
- aspirate the set volume from a beaker of
distilled water,
- maintain the pipette in the vertical position
and wait for 20 seconds,
- if a water droplet appears at the end of the tip
there is a leak,
- if you see no droplet, re-immerse the tip below
the surface of water,
- the water level inside the tip should remain
constant; if the level goes down there is a leak.
P1000 to P10ml
- fit a Gilson Diamond tip,
- set the pipette to the maximum volume given
in the specifications,
- aspirate the set volume from a beaker of
distilled water,
- maintain the pipette in the vertical position
and wait for 20 seconds,
- if a water droplet appears at the end of the tip,
there is a leak.
12 - MAINTENANCE
Routine maintenance will help keep your pipette
in good condition, ensuring a continued high
level of performance. Maintenance is limited to
cleaning or autoclaving the parts specified
under “Cleaning and Decontamination” or to
replacing the push-button, connecting nut, tip-
ejector, tip-holder, seal and O-ring.
Pipetman P2 and P10 should not be dis-
assembled, so you may only replace the push-
button, tip-ejector, dual position tip-ejector and
its adapter; with these pipettes if the tip-holder
is damaged, the piston may also be damaged.

17
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A
P
C
E
H
S1
A) Color coded
push-button.
C) Connecting nut.
E) Tip-ejector.
H) Tip-holder.
P) Piston assembly.
S1) Seal.
S2) O-ring.
쒆
S2

18
PIPETMAN®P
Tip-ejector and Tip-holder
These parts must be changed, if they are
accidentally damaged or attacked chemically.
You should also remove these parts for cleaning
or decontamination purposes. A cloth
dampened with ethanol may be used to
routinely clean the outside of the pipette.
Changing the Tip-ejector
1) To remove the tip-ejector, keep the tip-
ejector button depressed and pull down on
the flanged upper part of the tip-ejector with
the other hand (moderate force is required).
2) To refit the tip-ejector, keep the tip-ejector
button depressed, slide the end of the tip-
ejector over the end of the tip-holder and
push the plastic end of the tip-ejector back
into the body of the pipette until it is gripped
firmly by the tip-ejector rod (metal).
Changing the Tip-holder
1) Remove the tip-ejector (see above).
2) Unscrew the connecting nut by turning it
counterclockwise, by hand.
3) Carefully separate the lower and upper parts.
4) Remove the piston assembly, O-ring and
seal.
5) Clean, autoclave, or replace the tip-holder.
6) Reassemble the pipette (refer to the figure).
7) Tighten the connecting nut (turn by hand,
clockwise).
8) Refit the tip-ejector (see above).
Servicing the Piston Assembly
You may remove the piston assembly for
cleaning purposes only. If the piston assembly
is changed, the pipette must be adjusted and
calibrated.

19
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The piston assembly must not be
autoclaved.
1) Remove the tip-ejector (see above).
2) Unscrew the connecting nut by turning it
counterclockwise, by hand.
3) Carefully separate the lower and upper
parts.
4) Remove the piston assembly, O-ring and
seal.
5) Clean and decontaminate the piston
assembly.
6 Reassemble the pipette (refer to the figure).
7) Tighten the connecting nut (turn by hand,
clockwise).
8) Refit the tip-ejector (see above).
Changing the O-ring
The O-ring and seal are normally to be found
on the piston; they must not be autoclaved, if
worn or damaged in any way (chemical or
mechanical), they must be replaced. The di-
mensions of the O-ring vary according to the
model of pipette.
1) Remove the tip-ejector (see above).
2) Unscrew the connecting nut by turning it
counterclockwise, by hand.
3) Carefully separate the lower and upper parts.
4) Remove the piston assembly, O-ring and
seal.
5) Clean or replace the seal then the O-ring.
6) Reassemble the pipette (refer to the figure
opposite).
7) Tighten the connecting nut (turn by hand,
clockwise).
8) Refit the tip-ejector (see above).

20
PIPETMAN®P
13- CLEANING ANDDECONTAMINATION
Pipetman P is designed so that the parts
normally in contact with liquid contaminants,
can easily be cleaned and decontaminated.
However, because Pipetman P2 and P10
contain miniaturized parts, it is best not to
disassemble these pipettes yourself.
Liquid must never enter the upper part
(body) of any pipette.
Cleaning
The pipette must be cleaned, as described below,
before it is decontaminated. Soap solution is
recommended for cleaning Pipetman P.
External
1) Remove the tip-ejector .
2) Wipe the tip-ejector with a soft-cloth or lint-
free tissue impregnated with soap solution.
3) Wipe the entire pipette with a soft-cloth or lint-
free tissue impregnated with soap solution,
to remove all dirty marks. If the pipette is
very dirty, a brush with soft plastic bristles
may be used.
4) Wipe the entire pipette and the tip-ejector
with a soft cloth or lint-free tissue
impregnated with distilled water.
5) Refit the tip-ejector and allow the pipette to
dry.
Internal
The following components only can be im-
mersed in a cleaning solution: connecting nut,
tip-ejector, tip-holder, piston assembly, seal
and O-ring.
1) Disassemble the pipette as described in
"Maintenance".
2) Set aside the upper part in a dry and secure
location.