Thermo Scientific SORVALL RC-5C PLUS User manual

Analyze • Detect • Measure • Control™
RC-5C Plus
User´s Manual
PN 74559 - 9

PN 74559-9
Issued February 2007
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
SORVALL RC-5C PLUS
Superspeed
Centrifuge
Thermo Scientific
Asheville, North Carolina
U.S.A.


SORVALL®Centrifuges
ii
This manual is a guide for use of the
SORVALL®RC-5C PLUS Superspeed Centrifuge
Data herein has been verified and is believed adequate for the intended use of the centrifuge. Because
failure to follow the recommendations set forth in this manual could produce personal injury or property
damage, always follow the recommendations set forth herein. Thermo does not guarantee results and
assumes no obligation for the performance of products that are not used in accordance with the
instructions provided. This publication is not a license to operate under, nor a recommendation to
infringe upon, any process patents.
Publications prior to the ssue Date of this manual may contain data in apparent conflict with that
provided herein. Please consider all data in this manual to be the most curent.
WARNING , CAUTION , and NOTE within the text of this manual are used to emphasize important
and critical instructions.
WARNING informs the operator of a hazard or an unsafe practice that could result in personal
injury, affect the operator's health, or contaminate the environment.
CAUTION informs the operator of an unsafe practice that could result in damage of equipment.
NOTE highlights essential information.
CAUTION and WARNING are accompanied by a hazard symbol
!
and appear in the left
sidebar near the information they correspond to.
© 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003 by Thermo Scientific

RC-5C PLUS
iii
Important Safety Information
Certain potentially dangerous conditions are inherent to the use of all centrifuges. To ensure safe
operation of this centrifuge, anyone using it should be aware of all safe practices and take all
precautions described below and throughout this manual.
W A R N I N G
Use specified SORVALL® rotors only. Use of another manufacturer's rotor can cause rotor failure which could result in
personal injury and/or centrifuge damage.
When using radioactive, toxic, or pathogenic materials, be aware of all characteristics of the materials and the hazards
associated with them in the event leakage occurs during centrifugation. n the event of a tube failure, a rotor without a
biocontainment seal cannot protect you from particles dispersed into the air; if a rotor fails, the centrifuge cannot protect
you from particles dispersed into the air. To protect yourself, we recommend additional precautions be taken to prevent
exposure to these materials, for example, use of controlled ventilation or isolation areas.
Always be aware of the possibility of contamination when using radioactive, toxic, or pathogenic materials. Take all
necessary precautions and use appropriate decontamination procedures if exposure occurs.
Never use any material capable of producing flammable or explosive vapors or creating extreme exothermic reactions.
Never exceed the maximum rated speed of the installed rotor; to do so can cause rotor failure.
Always reduce (derate) rotor speed as instructed in this manual whenever:
•the rotor speed/temperature combination exceeds the solubility of the gradient material and causes it to precipitate.
•the compartment load exceeds the maximum allowable compartment load specified.See Chapter 4, Operation.
Failure to reduce rotor speed under these conditions can cause rotor failure.
Centrifuges routinely deal with high energy levels and could move suddenly in the unlikely event of rotor failure. During
centrifuge operation, never lean on or move the centrifuge, keep the surrounding area clear of objects (including all
hazardous materials), and do not work on top of or next to the centrifuge.
The use of sealed rotors, buckets and/or sample containers will provide increased protection from contamination
during routine operation. However, these items will not guarantee contamination protection from accidents
resulting in damage to the rotor or buckets. Do not run hazardous materials in the centrifuge unless placed in a
biohazard enclosure and operated using all appropriate safety precautions.
Do not attempt to open the chamber door when the rotor is spinning; never override or otherwise disable any of the safety
systems of the centrifuge.
C A U T I O N
Do not operate or precool a rotor at the critical speed, as this will have a detrimental effect on centrifuge component life.
See Appendix, Rotor nformation Table, for critical speeds of rotors.
Do not operate the centrifuge with the rotor out of balance. Operating the rotor out of balance can cause damage to the
centrifuge drive assembly.
Do not operate the centrifuge unless the rotor is properly seated on the drive spindle and locked in place. See the rotor
instruction manual.
Locate the centrifuge on a level surface to avoid rotor imbalance during operation.
The centrifuge can be damaged if it is connected to the wrong voltage. Check the voltage before plugging the centrifuge
into a power source. Thermo is not responsible for incorrect installation. See Chapter 2.
Always maintain the centrifuge in the recommended manner. See Chapter 5, Care and Maintenance.
Important Safety Information
!
!

SORVALL®Centrifuges
iv
Table of Contents
Page
mportant Safety nformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION
Centrifuge Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Centrifuge Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Centrifuge Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Chapter 2. INSTALLATION
nspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Electrical Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Environment Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Location Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
nstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Chapter 3. CONTROLS, DISPLAYS, & INDICATORS
Controls, Displays, & ndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Key Switch and Power Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Temperature Switches and Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Speed Switches, Display, and ndicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Time/
∫ω
2dt Switches, Display, and ndicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rotor Code Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
TIMED/HOLD Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
OFF/BRAKE Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
START Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
STOP Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
RPM/RCF Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
OFF/ARC Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
OFF/
∫ω
2dt Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Backlit Advisory Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Diagnostic ndicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

RC-5C PLUS
v
Table of Contents
Page
Chapter 4. OPERATION
Setting the Centrifuge Power ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Opening the Centrifuge Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Normal Mode Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Rate Control (ARC) Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Zonal Mode Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
ntegrator Mode Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
ntegral Recall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Rotor Precool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Reducing Speed for Loads in Excess of Design Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
RCF Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Test Run for Low Speed and Low Temperature Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Entry Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Chapter 5. CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Cleaning and Decontamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
LED and ndicator Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Parts Ordering nformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Emergency Sample Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Service Decontamination Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
APPENDIX
Rotor nformation Table
Warranty
Glossary and Abbreviations
ndex
Decontamination nformation Certificates

SORVALL®Centrifuges
vi
List of Illustrations
Figure Page
1-1. Centrifuge Parts Location and dentification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
3-1. Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
4-1. ntegral Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
5-1. Door Latch Override Button Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
List of Tables
Table Page
4-1. Rotor Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
5-1. Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents (continued)

RC-5C PLUS Introduction and Description
1-1
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION
This manual provides you with the information you will need to operate and maintain your SORVALL®
RC-5C PL S Superspeed Centrifuge. If you encounter any problem concerning either operation or
maintenance that is not covered in the manual, please contact our Technical Support Group for
assistance. In the nited States, call toll-free 800-522-7746; outside the nited States, contact your local
distributor or agent for SORVALL® products. SORVALL® product information is available on our internet
web site at http://www.thermo.com or http://www.thermo.de.
Centrifuge Description
The RC-5C PL S is a high-speed (to 21 000 rpm) centrifuge used to
separate substances of different densities at controlled temperatures.
Some of the outstanding features of the RC-5C PL S are:
• A high-performance brushless dc drive motor.
• Relative Centrifugal Force (RCF, or g-force) calculator. It allows
you to calculate RCF before a run and display RCF at any time
during a run.
• Automatic temperature compensation for all compatible
SORVALL® superspeed rotors.
• Integrator (
∫ω
2dt). It can be used either as a control or a display
or both. When used as a control, the centrifuge will shut down
based on a preselected integral value rather than a preselected
time and when used as a display, the accumulated integral
value will be displayed during and after a timed run.
• Automatic rate-controlled slow start and slow stop.
• Refrigeration system charged with CFC-free S VA® refrigerant.
• Automatic diagnostic indicators to alert of a system malfunction,
plus other indicators that let you know system status.
• Automatic self-test routine by the microcomputer. Every time
the centrifuge is started, the microcomputer will go through a
routine check to ensure its proper performance.
The centrifuge can be operated in several modes or a combination
of modes. Run conditions are selected by setting the switches on the
front control panel, and during operation, actual run conditions are
indicated on easy-to-read displays. For your protection, system
interlocks keep the centrifuge from starting if the chamber door is
open, and prevent the door from being opened if a run is in progress
and the rotor is spinning. System interlocks will also automatically
terminate a run in progress if a system malfunctions.

Introduction and Description SORVALL®Centrifuges
1-2
The RC-5C PL S drive system has a directly coupled, fan-cooled
brushless dc motor designed to provide long life without the need
to change motor brushes. The high-torque motor provides smooth,
quiet operation at all speeds, while delivering precise speed control
and exceptional acceleration and braking performance. The gyro-
action self-centering drive design allows users to, in many cases,
balance the centrifuge tubes by "eye" rather than by weighing them.
The refrigeration system, charged with environmentally-friendly
CFC-free S VA® refrigerant, offers reliable performance similar to
earlier SORVALL® superspeed centrifuges. The high-capacity
refrigeration system is a low temperature, hermetically-sealed unit
that consists of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator/rotor
chamber, and interconnecting tubing. During operation, the
refrigeration system will maintain selected temperatures within the
range specified for the centrifuge.
The RC-5C PL S accepts the SORVALL® superspeed rotors listed in
the Rotor Information Table in the Appendix.
Refer to figure 1-1 to identify the parts of the RC-5C PL S.
Figure 1-1 Centrifuge Parts Location and Identification

RC-5C PLUS Introduction and Description
1-3
Centrifuge Specifications
Run Speed1
Speed Selection Range (rpm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 to 21 000
Speed Control Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ±1% or 100 rpm,
whichever is
greater
Maximum Relative Centrifugal Force . . . . . . . . . 51 427 g
Run Temperature
Temperature Selection Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . –20 to +40°C
Temperature Control Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2 to +40°C2,3
Temperature Control Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . ±2°C3,4
Run Time Selection Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 to 99 hr, 59 min
or Hold
Ambient Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +15 to +38°C3
Mass (Weight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362 kg (800 lb)
Dimensions
Width. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 cm (30 in)
Height to top of control console . . . . . . . . . . . 114 cm (45 in)
Depth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 cm (39 in)
Noise Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <62 dB5
Heat Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 kW6
(13 500 Btu/h6)
Electrical Requirements
Input Power (single phase, 30 A) . . . . . . . . . . 240 V, 50 Hz
230 V, 60 Hz
230 V, 50 Hz
220 V, 50 Hz
208 V, 60 Hz
200 V, 60 Hz
200 V, 50 Hz
Input Power (polyphase, 30 A) . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 V, 50 Hz
1 Speed in revolutions per minute (rpm) is related to angular velocity, ω , according to the following:
ω = (rpm) = (rpm) (0.10472)
Where ω = rad/s. All further references in this manual to speed will be designated as rpm.
2 May vary at very low speeds (below approximately 2000 rpm).
3 The centrifuge will operate at ambient temperatures up to 38°C, but refrigeration system performance may be less than optimal above 25°C.
4 After the centrifuge system has reached equilibrium.
5 For the SE-12 rotor at 21 000 rpm, measured 3 feet from the front panel at an approximated operator's height.
6 For the SS-34 rotor spinning 20 000 rpm at 4°C, after it has reached equilibrium. Other rotors, speeds, and temperatures cause the heat output
to vary.
2π
60
)
(