k. Connecting the CO2Gas Supply
High concentrations of CO2gas can cause asphyx-
iation! OSHA Standards specify that employee
exposure to carbon dioxide in any eight-hour shift
of a 40-hour work week shall not exceed the eight-
hour time weighted average of 5000 PPM (0.5%
CO2). The short term exposure limit for 15 min-
utes or less is 30,000 ppm (3% CO2). Carbon diox-
ide monitors are recommended for confined areas
where concentrations of carbon dioxide gas can
accumulate.
This incubator is designed to be operated with
CO2gas only. Connecting a flammable or toxic
gas can result in a hazardous condition.
Gases other than CO2should not be connected to
this equipment. CO2gas cylinders have a UN1013
label on the cylinder and are equipped with a
CGA 320 outlet valve. Check the gas cylinder for
the proper identification labels. The CO2gas sup-
ply being connected to the incubator should be
industrial grade, 99.5% pure. Do not use CO2gas
cylinders equipped with siphon tubes. A siphon
tube is used to extract liquid CO2from the cylin-
der which can damage the pressure regulator.
Consult with your gas supplier to ensure that the
CO2cylinder does not contain a siphon tube. Gas
cylinders should also be secured to a wall or other
stationary object to prevent them from tipping.
A two-stage CO2pressure regulator is required to
be installed on the outlet valve of the gas cylinder.
Input pressure to the incubator must be main-
tained at 15 psig (103.4 kPa) for proper perform-
ance of the CO2control system. A single stage CO2
pressure regulator will not maintain 15 psig
(103.4 kPa) to the incubator as the pressure in the
CO2 cylinder decreases; therefore, a two stage
regulator is recommended.
If higher purity CO2is desired inside the incuba-
tor (greater than 99.5% pure), the pressure regu-
lator should be constructed with a stainless steel
diaphragm, along with specifying the purity of the
CO2from the gas supplier. Follow the manufac-
turer’s instructions to ensure proper and safe
installation of the pressure regulator on the gas
cylinder.
Consult your facility safety officer to ensure that
the equipment is installed in accordance with the
codes and regulations that are applicable in your
area.
Model 370 and 380 Series ____________________________________________________________Installation and Start-Up
The CO2gas supply being connected should be industrial
grade 99.5% pure and should not contain siphon tubes. Install a
two-stage pressure regulator at the cylinder outlet. The high
pressure gauge at the tank should have 0-2000 psig range. The
low pressure gauge, at the incubator inlet, should have a 0-30
psig range. Input pressure to the incubator must be maintained
at 15 psig (103.4 kPa).
The incubator has serrated fittings on the back of the cabi-
net to connect the gas supply. Refer to Figure 1-14. The fitting
is labeled CO2Inlet #1 Tank. Make sure that the connections
are secured with clamps. Check all fittings for leaks.
For units having the CO2Gas Guard option, refer to
Section 6.2.
1.6 Incubator Start-Up
With the incubator properly installed and connected to
power, the humidity pan filled, and the unit connected to gas
supplies, system setpoints can be entered. The following set-
points can be entered in Set mode: Temperature,
Overtemperature and CO2. To enter Set mode, press the Mode
key until the Set indicator lights. Press the right and/or left
arrow keys until the proper parameter appears in the message
center. See Chart 1-1 for more detail.
a. Setting the Operating Temperature
All 370/380 Series incubators have an operating tempera-
ture range of 10°C to 50°C, depending on ambient temperature.
The incubator is shipped from the factory with a temperature
setpoint of 10°C. At this setting, all heaters are turned off. To
change the operating temperature setpoint:
1. Press the Mode key until the Set indicator lights.
2. Press the right arrow until “Temp XX.X” is displayed in
the message center.
3. Press the up/down arrow key until the desired tempera-
ture setpoint is displayed.
4. Press Enter to save the setpoint.
5. Press the Mode key until the Run indicator lights for
Run mode or press the right/left arrow keys to go to
next/previous parameter.
b. Setting the Overtemp Setpoint
The independent overtemp system is designed as
a safety to protect the incubator only. It is not
intended to protect or limit the maximum temper-
ature of the cell cultures or customer’s equipment
inside the incubator if an overtemp condition
occurs.
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