Guidelines for Prolonging the Lifespan of Pipette
Aug 10, 2023
Pipettes are precision instrument consumables widely used in laboratories. During their usage, strict adherence to operational guidelines is crucial to minimize errors and extend their lifespan.
Instructions for Prolonging Pipette Lifespan:
Setting the Pipette Volume. Adjust from a larger range to a smaller range by turning the scale clockwise.When adjusting from a smaller range to a larger range, first go beyond the desired volume scale and then dial it back to the set volume. This ensures precision.
Assembling the Pipette Tip. Insert the pipette tip vertically into the nozzle, rotate half a turn left and right, and then tighten upwards. Avoid tapping the tip with the pipette, as this can loosen internal components and potentially jam the adjustment knob.
Liquid Aspiration and Dispensing. Aspirate vertically, with the tip submerged about 3mm below the liquid surface. Before aspiration, pre-rinse the tip in the liquid. Aspirate and dispense slowly; for minimal volumes, ensure the tip is against the container wall while dispensing.
Pipettes containing liquid should not be laid flat, as the liquid can contaminate the internals and cause spring corrosion.
After each experiment, adjust the scale to the maximum to allow the spring to return to its original state, thus prolonging the pipette's lifespan.
When aspirating, release the thumb slowly and steadily; sudden release can lead to rapid aspiration and potential damage to the pipette's piston due to corrosion.
For higher accuracy, pre-aspirate a sample solution into the tip before actual pipetting. This prevents residue on the tip's inner wall, which can affect the volume and accuracy of dispensing, especially with solutions like serum proteins or organic solvents.
Highly concentrated or viscous liquids can introduce errors. To compensate for this, determine the error correction through experimentation. Use the adjustment knob to alter the reading in the window of the pipette's display.
Calibration can be achieved by weighing the volume of distilled water and calculating the correction factor. At 20°C, 1mL of distilled water weighs 0.9982g.
While setting the range, ensure the desired numerical value is clearly visible in the display window. Do not turn the knob beyond the range; this can jam the mechanical mechanism and damage the pipette.
Do not use the pipette for aspirating volatile or highly corrosive liquids (e.g., concentrated acids, bases, organics).
Blowing to mix liquids is strictly prohibited when using the pipette.
Avoid using a large-capacity pipette to dispense small volumes to maintain accuracy. Additionally, if dispensing volumes beyond the pipette's range is necessary, use a pipette tip for the operation.
In conclusion, following these guidelines for pipette usage will ensure accurate and reliable results while extending the instrument's lifespan.
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