MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF LABORATORY AND HOSPITAL EQUPMENT Use of water-baths 4. ‘The level of water in the water-bath must be above the level of the solution to be incubated. 2, Open containers, vials, or tubes must be incubated in a water-bath with the lid of the water-bath open to avoid contamination and dilution of the incubated material by condensed water. 3. The water in water-baths must be changed regularly to avoid the growth of algae and bacteria. Periodic inspection and cleaning © Circulators should be regularly disassembled and cleaned to remove scale and algae. © Thermometers must be checked when they are received from the suppliers, and thereafter every 3 months, against a known standard (i. ice/water mixture or boiling water © The functioning of manometers must be checked every 3 months. Balances Balances are used to measure the weight or mass of a substance. If a comparison is made between two objects, one known and one unknown, then the measurement is mass. Ifthe measurement is made against gravitational pull, then the measurement is weight. ‘There are two main categories of balance: mechanical balances, ~ electromagnetic balances Balances that are based on other principles of measurement (e.g., piezoelectric balances, magneto-elastic balances, gyrodynamie balances, string balances} are less frequently used and will not be discussed here. A number of factors influence the weighing processes. They become more important the smaller the mass of the substance to be measured. Therefore, the weighing of small quantities is more prone to errors than the weighing of large quantities. The following influences can cause errors in measurement: temperature, = moisture (atmospheric humidity), — dlectrostatic effects, magnetism, gravitational forces, vibration. Many analytical balances, and particularly those measuring in the microgram range, are constructed to minimize the effects of as many of these factors as possible. The collective term “analytical balance” describes a balance suitable for chemical analysis. The weighing range of certified analytical balances is between 10 jig and 50 kg. They may be mechanical or electronic. Optical balances are mechanical balances equipped with an optical read-out.Mechanical balances Mechanical balances can be subdivided into: spring balances, - sliding-weight balances, — parallel-guidance-system balances, substitution balances: three-knife substitution balances, — two-knife substitution balances. With a spring balance the force of an object is compared with the known force of a spring. The calibration of a spring balance depends on the gravitational force on the object, which varies from one locality to another. Therefore spring, balances must be calibrated at their place of use (Fig. 2.5) Fig. 2.5. Spring balance. unwed With a sliding-weight balance, the weight of an unknown object or substance is determined by a sliding device containing a known weight. Equilibrium is reached by displacement of the sliding weight along the runner, which is marked with scale divisions (household balance, Roman beam scale) (Fig. 2.6) Fig. 2.6. Sliding-weight balance. In a parallel-guidance-system balance, the degree of displacement of a beam from the equilibrium position is taken as a measure for an unknown mass. The parallel guidance prevents the weighing-pan from tipping over (letter balance) (Fig. 2.7). In substitution balances, the sensitivity remains the same during measurement, since the beam always carries the same load on both sides, no matter what the load is, Substitution balances include equal-lever-arm balances (three-knife balances), and unequal-lever-arm balances (two-knife balances)MAINTENANCE AND REPAIM OF LABORATORY AND HOSPITAL EQUPMENT Fig. 2.7. Parallel-guidance balance. ‘An equal-lever-arm balance has a symmetrical lever and three knife-edges—one in the centre and one at each end. The difference between two counter-rotating, torques, generated by a known mass and an unknown mass, keeps the beam in a deflected position, which is taken as a measure for the unknown mass (Fig. 2.8) Fig. 2.8. Equal-lever-arm balance. Unequal-lever-arm balances (two-knife balances) have one main knife-edge and a secondary knife-edge, which support both the load and the mass pieces, while a fixed counterweight is at the other end of the lever. If an unknown mass is placed on the pan, the balance beam deflects to that side. An appropriate number of masses must be removed from the side of the beam with the unknown load, so that the pointer returns to zero (Fig. 2.9) Fig. 2.9. Unequal-lever-arm balance. Aye &, 10