PB-MF-MAN-046-REV1.0
Hot plate
13
8.2.
START-UP
When the instrument is switched on (switch to ON), the
screen displays the
present temperature of the hot plate (between 20ºC and 70ºC). If the temperature is
above/below this, the screen will display: “––“.
When the
button is pressed, the required temperature appears on
screen
with a flashing decimal dot.
Press the
ARROWS to modify (increase or reduce) the required
temperature. Press the
button again to select the required temperature, which
will be stored in the device's memory, eliminating the need to adjust it every day.
While the required temperature is being modified the plate heating system remains
active at the previously set temperature. The LED
remains on while the heating
system is active. The amount of electrical power applied to the plate is proportional to
the difference between the actual and the target plate temperature. Once the
required temperature is reached, the led
will go off, and the plate will stop
heating.
When the plate temperature falls below the required temperature due to the heat
released into the environment, the heating system switches on automatically until the
required temperature is reached again.
WARNING
: the stability of the plate's temperature does not only
depend on the heating control system, but also on environmental
conditions. Stability is lower if the unit is in a place where ambient
temperature is variable (near an open window, air-conditioning
unit, etc.) or if there is a substantial difference between the required
temperature and the ambient temperature.
Following a brief pre-heating period (between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on the
difference between required and present plate temperature), the required
temperature should be reached. The unit is now ready to begin testing with animals.
The test consists of visually detecting a characteristic motor response in mice when
they are placed on a hot plate, that is following a very brief period of exploration the
mouse licks its leg.
The user measures the time elapsed from when the animal is placed on the plate (start
point: the timer is started by pressing the PEDAL once) until it licks its leg (end point:
the timer is stopped by pressing the PEDAL again).
