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Centrifuges are used very frequently in biological laboratories to separate and purify samples. Through high-speed rotation, centrifuges can use centrifugal force to effectively separate components of different densities in samples, which is essential for analysis and experimental operations.

According to relevant reports, accidents occur from time to time due to improper operation of centrifuges in laboratories, which cause damage to laboratory equipment, sample leakage, loss of experimental data, and even serious consequences such as injury to laboratory personnel. Understanding and preventing centrifuge accidents is critical to ensure the safety of your experiments, and Welso will discuss with you in detail the common factors that cause centrifuge accidents and provide recommendations for common troubleshooting.

Unbalanced Load:

When the sample is unevenly placed in the rotor, the centrifuge may vibrate violently during operation, resulting in an imbalance of the equipment which will increase the load on the rotor and equipment, accelerate equipment wear, and may even directly lead to damage to the centrifuge bearing and rotor. Strong vibrations can also cause the internal parts of the centrifuge to fall off the normal track, and even the sample can easily break or loosen due to excessive vibration, resulting in sample leakage and contamination of the experimental environment.

Balancing is the most important part of the centrifugation process, and Welso has previously shared articles like this, "Experiment Sharing: How To Balance Centrifuge Samples?", which will definitely help you.

Over-Speed

Failure to set the appropriate speed for the sample or setting the speed to exceed the rated speed may expose the centrifuge to excessive centrifugal forces, which may lead to fatigue or rupture of the rotor material, causing equipment damage and even potential laboratory safety hazards. At high speeds, the wear and tear of the bearings and other mechanical parts of the centrifuge will be exacerbated, shortening the service life of the equipment.

Centrifuge tube not suitable

Using sample tubes that are not suitable for centrifugation or tubes of inferior materials, especially at high speed centrifugation may result in tube cracking, sample leakage, contamination, or even ejection resulting in personal injury.

No Routine Maintenance

The rotor is usually made of metal, which needs to be cleaned daily, and can not be cleaned with corrosive disinfectants and surface cleaners. If the rotor is not checked and replaced regularly, the worn rotor will break at high speeds.

Failure to do routine centrifuge maintenance, aging bearings and seals may lead to internal overheating or damage to components which might lead to accidents.

Improper operation

Door not closed: The operator does not close or lock the centrifuge when using the equipment, and the rotor is loose during high-speed rotation which may cause the rotor to fly out or the equipment to burst, and in severe cases, it will injure the operator.

Ignoring Centrifuge Failure Warnings: Ignoring abnormal vibrations, noises, or alarm signals from a centrifuge can cause a minor malfunction to turn into a serious accident.

Trouble Shootings and Solution

Regular and correct maintenance can not only ensure the normal operation of the equipment, but also extend its service life and avoid potential safety hazards.