Centrifuge Safety

What risks do I face when exposed to an imbalanced load?

Incorrect loading can reduce the lifetime of the rotor, and uncontrolled, heavy vibration can lead to permanently damaging the centrifuge. More importantly, however, an imbalanced load can injure you or someone else. In the worst case, an imbalance can lead to a rotor crash.

Does my centrifuge realize the load is imbalanced?

Many centrifuges have auto-imbalance detection and will decelerate or automatically shut off if they sense an excessively unbalanced load (sensors are specifically built into the centrifuge for this purpose). Mostly bigger models (large benchtop and floor-standing centrifuges as well as ultracentrifuges) have this option. Smaller benchtop models, on the other hand, do not create strong enough forces to cause harmful imbalances; with these models, you would just notice a slight vibration and/or a higher noise level. Be aware that auto-imbalance detection does not automatically compensate for an unbalanced load.

If the number of tubes with samples is uneven, counterbalance using water in an additional tube. Remember to balance the mass (weight) of the tubes, not the volume (size). Weigh the tube with your sample and record the mass. If you are spinning more than two tubes, only the tubes directly opposite each other have to be equal in mass.For swing-out rotors, always load all rotor positions with buckets (incomplete loading of the rotor may reduce the lifetime of the rotor). The weight of the maximum load or maximum weight of the completely loaded bucket is specified (weight class) on the buckets. Do not exceed this weight. When loading the buckets, make sure the tubes or plates are placed symmetrically.Always check to see that the buckets swing out smoothly. If they do not, clean the pivots and grooves and apply grease.

Loading

• Make sure the tubes you’re using have been specified for use with your centrifuge rotor. If necessary, support the tubes with adapters and check to see that the tube length allows the buckets to swing out to a horizontal position. When using aerosol-tight buckets, check to see that the tube length fits with the lid. Some centrifuge suppliers offer special rotors dedicated for use in the centrifugation of spin columns without risk of tearing off the tube lids. Using a different rotor than recommended by the manufacturer can easily lead to spills within the centrifuge, which may result in the formation of aerosol. This can be dangerous to your health and the environment.
• Inspect centrifuge bottles and tubes or plates for cracks before use. Because a centrifuge can spin at such high speeds, a liquid sample can easily become an aerosol if it is not properly contained. Cracked tubes can fracture at high speeds or, at the very least, leak the sample into the rotor. As a last step, be sure to securely fasten the rotor lid provided with the centrifuge or the aerosol-tight cap of the buckets.

• Wipe the outside of the tube with disinfectant before placing it in the centrifuge. Wiping the tube is particularly important if you are working with a biohazardous material. You want to limit any possible spills or aerosol formation with your sample. The best prevention is to wipe down the tube with a proper disinfectant before the spin begins.
• Ensure you have not exceeded the maximum filling quantity for the sample containers specified by the manufacturer.
• Fill the sample containers outside the centrifuge. No liquid should be allowed to enter the centrifuging chamber during filling.

• The rotor must be loaded symmetrically: This means opposing tubes should be the same type of tube and filled with the same mass. If you are spinning more than two tubes, only the tubes directly opposite each other have to be equal in mass. At high speeds, a centrifuge can easily become unbalanced if equal masses aren’t located opposite each other in the rotor.

Automatic rotor recognition

Many centrifuges (especially multipurpose benchtop centrifuges) have automatic rotor recognition. This feature detects a newly inserted rotor and automatically limits g-force (rcf)/speed (rpm) to the rotor’s maximum permissible value. In other words, automatic rotor recognition prevents a rotor from being used at a higher speed than it was designed for. However, smaller centrifuges with a limited selection of rotors, in particular, and similar types of rotors often do not have rotor recognition. In these cases, all rotors have been designed to work at the maximum speed of the centrifuge. The Eppendorf Centrifuge 5424 R is one example of this type of centrifuge: All of its rotors are designed to spin up to 15,000 rpm, thus no automatic rotor recognition is needed for this centrifuge.

Handling of Hazardous Material