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.
❖ 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.
❖ Check the stirring action regularly to ensure
that it remains adequate as the viscosity of the
solution increases.
❖ Always use the largest magnetic follower
possible and if necessary, use a mechanical
overhead stirrer.
❖ Do not use glass vessels with thick walls, e.g.
Pyrex Heavy Duty Ware or standard beakers and
flasks having capacities of 5 litres or greater.
❖ NEVER heat glass bottles on a hotplate.
❖ Ensure that the heat is built up slowly to avoid
localised overheating.
❖ Ensure the glassware is completely free from
scratches or other defects.
❖ Place the hotplate in a tray large enough to
contain the liquid in the event of glassware
failure.
❖ 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
SR1
The SR1 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 catalogue number SR1 (see figure 2).
To fit the rod to your instrument, first isolate from
the mains 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
6
stand, whose dimensions must not exceed
19.5mm high and 125mm wide, to be placed
directly underneath the unit. SR1 is 12 x 600mm
(W x H).
SCT1
For more information on the SCT1 temperature
controller see page 4.
Heating blocks
A complete range of modular heating blocks for
heating round bottom flasks is available for use
with the metal top hotplates. Please visit the
Stuart website www.stuart-equipment.com for
further information.
Note: Modular heating blocks are not suitable for
use with ceramic top hotplates.
Troubleshooting
UC150, UC152, UC152D, US150, US152,
US152D
The following error codes are displayed if the
instrument detects an error condition. On the
digital models the errors are shown as Er1, Er2
etc. on the LED display. On the analogue models
the Er1 condition is shown by flashing the first
LED on the temperature scale, Er2 would be
shown by flashing the second LED and so on.
❖ Er1 – Probe Range Error – If SCT1 reports probe
temperature of >325°C or < -99°C.
❖ Er2 – SCT1 Box Lost Error – Communications
with the SCT1 have been lost.
❖ Er3 – Hotplate Temperature Error – If the
hotplate measures its temperature > 585°C or
< -9.9°C.
❖ Er4 – Hotplate Ambient Error – If the
temperature sensed inside the hotplate (not the
plate temperature) is 85°C.
❖ Er5 – SCT1 Character Error – An unknown
character was received from the SCT1.
❖ Er6 – Probe Out Error – The instrument detects
that the SCT1 probe has been removed from
the solution being heated.
❖ Er7 – SCT1 Timeout Error – The SCT1 did not
respond to a request in the required time.