VWR Power Source 300V User manual

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Instruction Manual
VWRTM Power SourceTM 300V
Electrophoresis Power Supply
North America Catalog Number
US Cord: 93000-744
European Article Numbers:
Euro Cord: 700-0112
UK Cord: 700-0113
Swiss Cord: 700-0114

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Table of Contents
FCC Warning 3
Safety Information 3
Package Contents 4
Product Specifications 5
Overview 6
Description of Buttons and Switches 6
Getting Started 7
Important Guidelines 8
Operation 8
Choosing Limiting Parameter Settings 9
Troubleshooting 11
Repair and Maintenance of 300V Power Supply 12
APPENDIX 13
Ohm’s Law Conversions 13
Flowchart 14
Technical Service 15
Warranty 15
Equipment Disposal 16

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Warning
Federal Communications Commission Advisory
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely
to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference
at their expense. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Safety Information
Avoiding Electrical Shock
The Power Source 300V Power Supply produces an output of up to 300 volts which are
electrically isolated from ground to reduce the risk of electrical shock to the user. Please follow
the guidelines below, and read this manual in it’s entirety to ensure safe operation of the unit.
The 300V Power Supply has been designed for use with electrophoresis gel box systems with
shielded banana plugs thus minimizing any potential shock hazard to the user. Always use
gel box systems that are compatible with the Power Supply, have been designed for your
specific applications, and are suitable for the voltage and current range of the Power Supply.
Always use gel box systems that have safety lids to prevent accidental electric shocks to the
user. VWR recommends against the use of gel box systems and/or power leads that have
unshielded banana plugs.
To avoid electrical shock:
1. NEVER connect or disconnect wire leads from the power jacks when the red indicator light
at the Start/Stop key is on or when “RUNNING” is displayed on the screen.
2. WAIT at least 5 seconds after stopping a run before handling output leads or connected
apparatus.
3. ALWAYS make sure that hands, work area, and instruments are clean and dry before
making any connections or operating the power supply.
4. ONLY connect the power supply to a properly grounded AC outlet.

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Avoiding Damage to the Instrument
1. For proper ventilation, leave at least 10 cm of space behind the instrument, and at least 5
cm of space on each side.
2. Do not operate the power supply in high humidity environments (> 95%), or where
condensation may occur.
3. To avoid condensation after operating the power supply in a cold room, seal the unit in a
plastic bag and allow at least 2 hours for the unit to equilibrate to room temperature before
removing the bag and operating the unit.
Symbols
Used on the 300V Power Supply to indicate an area where a potential shock
hazard may exist.
Package Contents
Component Quantity
300V Power Supply 1 each
Instruction Manual 1 each
Extra Fuse 1 each
Power Cord 1 each
Warranty Card 1 each
Quick Reference Card 1 each
Upon Receiving the Instrument
Examine the unit carefully for any damage incurred during transit. Any damage claims must be
filed with the carrier. The warranty does not cover in-transit damage.
To ensure safe, reliable operation, always operate the 300V Power Supply in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Always wear protective
gloves and safety glasses when working in a laboratory environment. See
Safety Information and Warranty Information in this manual.

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Product Specifications
Power Source TM 300V Power Supply Specifications
Input Power (switchable) 110 VAC, 50-60 Hz
230 VAC, 50-60 Hz
Fuses One 4A/250V, one extra fuse is provided
Output power in watts 90 watts
Output voltage range 2~300V
Output current range 4~500 mA
Duration Limits Time ~1min - 99hr 59min
Terminal pairs 4 (4 positive voltage and 4 negative voltage)
Operating Modes
Constant Voltage 1V increment settings
Constant Current 1 mA increment settings
Crossover Automatic
Display type Backlit LCD Graphic type
Display size 53.64 x 15.64 mm (W x H)
Pause function Yes
Safety features No Load Detection
Load Change Detection
Overload Detection
Ground Leak Detection
Auto Restart
Stackable Yes
Housing material Flame retardant ABS
Housing size 200 x 290 x 70 mm (W x D x H)
Operating temp. 0°C-40°C
Environmental condition 85% RH, 75 KPa-106 Kpa, Altitude not to exceed 2000 meters
Weight 1.2 kg
Certifications CE, RoHS, ETL, CSA
Warranty 2 years

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Overview
The Power SourceTM 300V Power Supply is a microprocessor-controlled power supply
designed to meet most electrophoresis needs in a single, easy to use unit. The power supply
is capable of running constant voltage / constant current applications concurrently. This
instrument is ideal for DNA/RNA electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, native PAGE, and
second-dimension SDS-PAGE applications. With four sets of output jacks that can be used
simultaneously, the 300V Power Supply is designed to efficiently handle multiple
electrophoresis gel tanks and use a small amount of lab space. The 300V Power Supply
offers two modes, Constant Voltage or Constant Current Mode. This manual describes the
setup and operation of the 300V Power Supply including important information on safety and
maintenance of the unit.
Description of Buttons and Switches
Front View of 300V Power Supply
Rear View of 300V Power Supply

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Operational keys
Key Functions
STOP key: Used to stop operation from the Running Screen
START/PAUSE key: Used to start operation / temporarily interrupt power to an
operation in progress without terminating electrophoresis and to resume power
after pausing without resetting the timer.
CONSTANT key: Used to set up constant voltage or current values
MODE key: Used to choose either Constant Voltage or Constant Current mode
Down Arrow key: Used to move cursor down between parameters and to
decrease numeric values
Up Arrow key: Used to move cursor up between parameters and to increase
numeric values
Getting Started
Installing the 300V Power Supply
1. Check the label located near the AC inlet to ensure that the unit is compatible with locally
provided voltage.
2. Place the 300V Power Supply on a level laboratory bench. Keep the area around the power
supply clear to ensure proper ventilation of the unit.
3. For your safety: Position the unit properly such that the On-Off switch and the AC inlet
located on the rear of the unit are easily accessible.
4. Ensure the AC power switch is in the Off position.
5. Attach the power cord to the AC inlet. Use only properly grounded AC outlets and power
cords.
6. Connect the leads from the electrophoresis unit; insert the red lead (+) into the red output
jack, and the black lead (-) into the black output jack.

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Important Guidelines
Important guidelines for operating the 300V Power Supply are provided in this section. We
recommend that you carefully review these guidelines before operating the instrument.
Important: For best results, do NOT use the 300V Power Supply at its maximum
electrical load limits. Variations in buffer conditions can result in exceeding the power supply’s
maximum voltage, current, or power output capacity and produce undesirable variations in
electrophoretic separations.
General Operating Instructions
Follow the instructions below to operate the 300V Power Supply.
• Turn on the 300V Power Supply by pressing the power switch on the rear side of the
instrument. Upon start-up, the Display Screen on the front of the instrument will illuminate.
• Use the START/PAUSE and STOP keys to switch on and off the power to the output jacks.
Recommendation
The duration of electrophoresis can be defined in time (hours/minutes). When using this or any
electrophoresis product, we recommend that you adhere to the time protocols provided in
protocol and application manuals.
Important: For best results, follow these important guidelines when running multiple
gels and electrophoresis units concurrently.
• Avoid running samples with differing buffer salt concentrations at the same time.
Note: Variations in conductivity due to differences in buffer salt concentrations can affect the run of all the
samples run at the same time.
Operation
The 300V Power Supply is designed to operate under two modes, Constant Voltage Mode or
Constant Current Mode, depending upon your electrophoresis application.
Use the Constant Voltage / Current Mode for applications that require only one specific voltage
limit or current limit during the entire duration of electrophoresis.
Display Screen
The Display Screen illuminates after turning on the power to your instrument and the factory
default settings (or last settings used) will be displayed. You can choose the operational
Mode (Constant Voltage or Constant Current Mode) by pressing the “constant” button.

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• On the Display Screen:
• The chosen constant parameter (Voltage or Current) is displayed in bold on the left side of the
display.
• The Timer is the first line on the right-top, and the non-constant value is displayed in
the second line on the right side of the display screen.
Choosing Limiting Parameter Settings
The 300V Power Supply is capable of operating at limiting voltage, or limiting current. We
recommend operating the 300V Power Supply at limiting voltage for most applications. See
below for more details.
Voltage Limiting
For most electrophoresis methods, resistance increases during the run. Limiting the voltage
provides the following advantages:
• The same voltage setting can be used regardless of the number or thickness of gels being
processed.
• Current and power output decrease throughout the run, providing a greater margin of safety
over time.
Current Limiting
Discontinuous buffer systems and, to a lesser extent, continuous systems increase resistance
during the run. If you use the current limiting setting on the 300V Power Supply, the voltage will
increase as resistance increases to satisfy Ohm’s law (V=IR). If no voltage limit is set and a
local fault condition occurs, such as a poor connection, very high local resistance may cause
the voltage to increase to the maximum capacity of the power supply. This may lead to local
overheating and damage to the electrophoresis running tank or create unsafe conditions.
When operating under constant current conditions, set a voltage limit on the power supply at or
slightly above the maximum expected voltage.
Basic Constant Operation Protocol
The Constant Voltage and Constant Current Modes allow you to specify a voltage limit, and
current limit to be used continuously during the entire duration of electrophoresis. Review the
guidelines provided in this manual before starting electrophoresis.
A basic Constant Voltage / Current Mode operating procedure of the 300V Power Supply is
provided below. We recommend reading the guidelines provided in this manual for best results
before starting an operation.
1. Use the power switch on the rear side of the instrument to turn on the 300V Power Supply.

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The Display Screen will illuminate.
2. Press the CONSTANT key to select either Constant Voltage Operation or Constant Current
Operation from the Display Screen.
3. Use the Up Arrow / Down Arrow keys to set either voltage (V) or current (mA) parameters to
the appropriate values.
4. Press the MODE key to choose the TIME parameter, and use the Up Arrow / Down Arrow
keys to set the duration (hours/minutes) of the electrophoresis run.
5. Press START/PAUSE key to start electrophoresis.
6. Press the START/PAUSE key again to temporarily interrupt power. The red “Run” LED will
flash to indicate that the electrophoresis run is paused. Pressing the START/PAUSE key
again will restart the electrophoresis run.
7. Press the STOP key to permanently stop the electrophoresis run (the timer will reset).
8. To change the limits (Voltage or Amperage) of the electrophoresis run in progress:
Press the Mode key. Enter the changes using the Up Arrow / Down Arrow keys, and then
press START/PAUSE key once again to restart your operation.
Note: After stopping (using the STOP key) and restarting an operation, the timer resets and does not take
into account the time that electrophoresis was in progress before it was stopped.

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Troubleshooting
Review the information in the table below to troubleshoot operating problems.
Problem Cause Solution
AC power cord is not connected Check AC power cord connections at both ends. Use
the correct cords.
The LCD screen
remains blank and the
fan does not run when
the power is turned on
The fuse has blown Replace the fuse
Electrophoresis leads are not
connected to the power supply or to
the electrophoresis unit(s), or
there is a broken circuit in the
electrophoresis cell
Check the connections to the power supply and on your
electrophoresis cell to make sure the connection is
intact; check condition of wires in electrophoresis unit.
Close the circuit by reconnecting the cables. Press
START/PAUSE to restart the run.
High resistance due to tape left on a
pre-cast gel, incorrect buffer
concentration, or incorrect buffer
volumes in the electrophoresis cell
Correct the condition by making sure the tape is
removed from the pre-cast gel, buffers are prepared
correctly, and the recommended volume of buffer is
added to the electrophoresis unit.
Operation stops with
alarm: The screen
displays “NO LOAD”
High voltage application is set to run
on a very low current
DISABLE No Load alarm on the Display Screen
Operation stops with
alarm: Display shows
“OVER VOLTAGE”
Circuit is interrupted • Verify that the running buffer is correct.
• Verify the all cables are attached correctly
• Turn the Power switch off and on again; restart
application.
• If you cannot restart the instrument, turn off the
power, disconnect the power cord from the outlet, and
contact Technical Service.
Operation stops with
alarm: Display shows
“LEAKAGE”
Ground leak detected during run Check the electrophoresis system for improper
grounding. Restart the power supply by turning the
Power switch off and on.
Operation stops with
alarm:
Display shows
“OVER TEMP”
Power supply is overheating • Turn off power supply. Check for sufficient airflow
around the power supply fan. After cooling down,
restart the power supply by turning the Power switch to
the on position.
• If you cannot restart the
instrument, turn off the power, disconnect the power
cord from the outlet, and contact Technical Service.

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Repair and Maintenance of 300V Power Supply
The 300V Power Supply requires no periodic maintenance program with the exception of an
occasional dry wipe-down of the instrument.
Encountering Problems
1. Check the troubleshooting section.
2. Contact VWR’s Technical Service Department. Their contact information in your area can
be found at www.vwr.com.
3. If the unit must be shipped back for repair, contact your distributor for a Return Authorization
Number and shipping instructions. The unit will be repaired as quickly as possible and
returned to you.
Replacing the Fuse
One extra fuse is supplied with the 300V Power Supply. For additional fuses, contact VWR’s
Technical Service department.
To replace the fuse:
1. Turn off the main power switch at the rear of the 300V Power Supply and
detach the power cord.
2. Open the fuse compartment located inside the Power Entry Module by inserting a small flat
blade screwdriver into the slot below the ON/OFF switch. Turn the screwdriver to gently
pry open the fuse compartment.
Note: The fuse compartment will not open with the power cord in place.
3. Pull the fuse holder out of the compartment and inspect the fuse. If the fuse is burned or
there is a break in the fuse element, replace the fuse with an identical type of fuse (4A/250V)
as provided in the fuse holder (see figure below).
4. Place the fuse holder back into the compartment.
5. Snap the cover closed.

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APPENDIX
Ohm’s Law Conversions
Electrophoresis is the migration of a charged particle under the influence of an electrical field.
The power supply output parameters voltage, current, and power are related by the following
two equations:
Voltage (V) = Current (I) x Resistance (R); (V=IR)
Power (W) = Current (I) x Voltage (V); (W=IV)
Resistance
Resistance of the assembled electrophoresis cell is dependent on the conductivity of the gel
buffer, the thickness of the gel, and the number of gels being run. Although the resistance is
determined by the gel system, the resistance can vary over the course of an electrophoretic
separation.
Voltage
The velocity with which an ion moves in an electric field will vary in proportion to the field
strength (volts per unit distance). The higher the voltage the faster an ion will move.
Current
Current is a function of the number of ions passing a given cross-section of the circuit at a
given time. For a given gel/buffer system, at a given temperature, current will vary in proportion
to the field strength (voltage) and/or cross-sectional area (number and/or thickness of the
gels).
Power
The power in Watts, or the rate of heat generated by the system, is directly proportional to
voltage and current (W=IV).

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Technical Service
Web Resources
Visit the VWR’s website at www.vwr.com for:
• Complete technical service contact information.
• Access to VWR’s Online Catalog, and information about accessories and related products.
• Additional product information and special offers.
Contact Us For information or technical assistance contact your local VWR representative or
visit. www.vwr.com.
Legal Address of Manufacturer
United States Europe
VWR International VWR International Europe BVBA
1310 Goshen Parkway Haasrode Researchpark Zone 3
West Chester, PA 19380 Geldenaaksebaan 464
800-932-5000 B-3001 Leuven
http://www.vwr.com + 32 16 385011
http://www.be.vwr.com
Warranty
VWR International, Inc. warrants that this product will be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of two (2) years from date of purchase. If a defect is present, VWR
will, at its option, repair, replace, or refund the purchase price of this product at no charge to
you, provided it is returned during the warranty period. This warranty does not apply if the
product has been damaged by accident, abuse, misuse, or misapplication, or from ordinary
wear and tear.
For your protection, items being returned must be insured against possible damage or loss.
This warranty shall be limited to the replacement of defective products. IT IS EXPRESSLY
AGREED THAT THIS WARRANTY WILL BE IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES OF FITNESS
AND IN LIEU OF THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY.
For research use only. Not intended for any animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use.

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Equipmentdisposal
This equipment is marked with the crossed out wheeled bin symbol to indicate that this
equipment must not be disposed of with unsorted waste.
Instead it's your responsibility to correctly dispose of your equipment at lifecycle -end by
handling it over to an authorized facility for separate collection and recycling. It's also your
responsibility to decontaminate the equipment in case of biological, chemical and/or
radiological contamination, so as to protect from health hazards the persons involved in the
disposal and recycling of the equipment.
For more information about where you can drop off your waste of equipment, please contact
your local dealer from whom you originally purchased this equipment.
By doing so, you will help to conserve natural and environmental resources and you will
ensure that your equipment is recycled in a manner that protects human health.
Thank you