Shel lab BACTRON300, Installation And Operation Manual, Page: 69 / 86

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USER MAINTENANCE (CONTINUED)
C
ONDENSATION AND THE
D
EW
P
OINT
Relative humidity inside the BACTRON should never exceed 80% at 25°C. Exceeding this
threshold can result in condensate forming on incubator and workspace surfaces.
Condensate will appear whenever the humidity level in the chamber reaches the dew point. The
dew point is the level of humidity at which the air cannot hold more water vapor. The warmer the
air, the more water vapor it can hold.
As the level of humidity rises in the chamber, condensate will first appear on surfaces cooler than
the air temperature. Near the dew point, condensate forms on any item or exposed surface that is
even slightly cooler than the air. When the dew point is reached, condensate forms on nearly all
exposed surfaces.
Mild condensate can be present in BACTRON units fully loaded or loaded to near capacity with
open media plates, depending on ambient temperature and humidity. Cold air blowing on the
exterior of the BACTRON may help cause condensation in the workspace chamber by chilling the
acrylic glass panels or metal bulkheads.
Managing excessive condensation at humidity levels that overwhelm the BACTRON condensate
controller depends on either lowering the humidity level in the chamber or increasing its air
temperature.
Note: Note: Rising or falling air pressure from the weather will adjust the dew point up and down in
small increments. If the relative humidity in the BACTRON is already near the dew point,
barometric fluctuations may push it across the dew point threshold.
If excessive condensate is forming in the BACTRON chamber, check the following:

Is the BACTRON exposed to an external flow of cold air such as an air-conditioning vent or
a door to a cooler hallway or adjacent room? Block or divert the air, or move the
BACTRON.

Does the ambient humidity in the room exceed the stated BACTRON operating range of
80% relative humidity? If so, lower the room’s humidity.

Does the number of media containers in the BACTRON exceed its rating? The
BACTRON300 can hold 300 plates; the BACTRON600 holds 600 plates; the
BACTRON900 can hold 900 plates. Reduce the number of sample containers.

Remove or cap open containers of water or media. Drain the condensate controller catch
vessel frequently.
Do not drain the manometer .