Shellab BACTRON600 - Manual (Page 59)

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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 will likely result in condensation on incubator and workspace surfaces.
Condensation will appear wherever 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, condensation will first appear on surfaces that are
cooler than the air temperature. Near the dew point, condensation will form on any item or exposed
surface that is even slightly cooler than the air. When the dew point is reached, condensation forms
on nearly all exposed surfaces.
Mild condensation 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 to 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 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 condensation 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 incubator.
 Does the ambient humidity in the room exceed the BACTRON’s stated 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. Do not drain the manometer.