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During cleaning and general operation take care not to scratch the surface of the top plate as this
could result in subsequent thermal breakage.
WARNING:
A ceramic top which is scratched, chipped, chemically etched or damaged must
not be used.
Metal Top Units:
The metal top plate should be cleaned using a damp cloth and a mild detergent solution.
Cleaning is made easier if spillages are attended to promptly. In any case, spillages of acids and
alkalis MUST be removed immediately as these chemicals can attack and damage the surface of the
coated aluminum alloy. Ensure that the appropriate safety precautions are observed.
Preparation of Media
Take particular care when heating liquids having a high viscosity. Viscous liquids can act as thermal
insulators and can cause thermal breakage of the glassware. This is very important with media
solutions as the viscosity will usually increase as the temperature rises.
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Check that the stirring action is sufficient to agitate the whole of the liquid. Unstirred areas in the
liquid can result in uneven heat transfer and “hot spots” in the glassware. This can induce thermal
stress and so cause failure.
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Check the stirring action regularly to ensure that it remains adequate as the viscosity of the solution
increases.
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Always use the largest magnetic stirrer bar possible and, if necessary, use a mechanical overhead
stirrer.
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Do not use glass vessels with thick walls, e.g. Pyrex Heavy Duty Ware or standard beakers and
flasks having capacities of 5 liters (170 fl oz) or greater.
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NEVER heat glass bottles on a hotplate.
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Ensure that the heat is built up slowly to avoid localized overheating.
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Ensure the glassware is completely free from scratches or other defects.
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Place the hotplate in a tray large enough to contain the liquid in the event of glassware failure.
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Wear the appropriate safety clothing, e.g. gloves, goggles, protective apron etc.
Storage
The unit is designed so that the top plate fits into the base plate of the next unit for easy and
compact storage when placed on their side (see Figure 5).
Accessories
Retort Rod
The optional Retort rod is available to support apparatus used with the instrument. The instrument is
equipped with a fitting on the rear to accept the support rod accessory available from Cole-Parmer
(see Figure 2). To fit the rod to your instrument, first isolate unit from the power supply and allow to
cool. Screw the threaded end of the support rod into the fitting on the rear of the instrument. The
shape of the base also allows a rectangular shaped retort rod stand, whose dimensions must not
exceed 19.5mm (0.75 in.) high and 125mm (5 in.) wide, to be placed directly underneath the unit.
The Retort Rod accessory is 12mm (0.47 in.) wide x 600mm (23.6 in.) high.
Temperature Controller
For more information on the optional temperature controller and its usage, please see page 6.