Bio-Rad PowerPac Universal Power Supply User Manual

PowerPac™ Universal

Power Supply

Instruction Manual

Catalog Number

164-5070

Table of Contents

Page

Safety ...........................................................................................i

Section 1 Introduction ......................................................................................1

1.1 Overview.................................................................................................1

1.2 Unpacking...............................................................................................2

Section 2 Control Features.........................................................................4

Section 3 Setup and Operation ..................................................................5

3.1 Setup ......................................................................................................5

3.2 Manual Mode Operation .........................................................................7

3.3 Method Mode Operation

3.3.1 Create and Run a New Method .................................................8

3.3.2 Edit (or View) and Run a Saved Method ..................................11

3.3.3 Edit a Paused Run...................................................................13

Section 4 Operation with a Personal Computer and PDA ......................15

4.1 Operation with a Personal Computer ....................................................15

4.2 Operation with a PDA ...........................................................................15

4.2.1 Create, Edit and Transmit Methods .........................................15

4.2.2 Transmit Data..........................................................................17

Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting..........................................19

5.1 Maintenance .........................................................................................19

5.2 Troubleshooting ....................................................................................19

5.2.1 Basic Troubleshooting .............................................................19

5.2.2 Power Failure Detection ..........................................................19

5.2.3 Rapid Resistance Change/No Load Detection .........................20

5.2.4 User Serviceable Error Messages ...........................................21

5.3 Replacing a Fuse..................................................................................23

5.4 Expediting Technical Support................................................................23

Appendix A Specifications...........................................................................24

Appendix B Warranty and Ordering Information ........................................25

List of Figures

1. Front View.

2. Rear View.

3. Front View with Legs in Lowered Position.

4. Front Panel.

5. Power Leads Connected Correctly.

6. Power Leads Connected Incorrectly.

7. Rear View Showing Fuse Drawer with Notches.

© 2013 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

Safety

!

Caution/Warning

PowerPac power supplies use high output voltages that are electrically isolated from earth
ground to minimize the risk of electrical shock to the user. The following guidelines should
be observed and followed when using a PowerPac power supply.

PowerPac power supplies have been tested for operation at temperatures between 0° and
40°C, with relative humidity between 0 and 95% non-condensing. Operating the power
supply outside these conditions is not recommended by Bio-Rad and will void the warranty.

1. To ensure adequate cooling of the power supply, be sure that there is at least 6 cm
clearance around the power supply. Do not block the fan vent at the rear of the unit.

2. Always connect the power supply to a 3-prong, grounded AC outlet, using the
3-prong AC power cord provided with the power supply.

3. Bio-Rad electrophoresis cells have molded two-prong plugs that are inserted into the
power supply’s high voltage output jacks. These plugs have been EN 61010* certified
for safety compliance for use with PowerPac power supplies. Use of other plugs or
banana jacks is done at the user’s own risk and is not recommended by Bio-Rad.
When inserting and removing the molded two-prong plug, always grasp the plug by the
molded support at the rear of the plug. Do not grasp the individual prong ends.

4. Do not operate the power supply in extreme humidity (>95%) or where
condensation can short the internal electrical circuits of the power supply.

5. When taking the power supply into a cold room, the unit can be operated immediately.
However, when removing the power supply from the cold room, let the unit equilibrate
to room temperature for a minimum of 2 hours before using it.

6. Never connect a high voltage output lead to earth ground. This defeats the floating
electrical isolation of the power supply and exposes the user to potentially lethal high
voltages.

Important

This instrument is intended for laboratory use only.

This product conforms to the class A standards for Electromagnetic Emissions, intended for
laboratory equipment applications. It is possible that emissions from this product may
interfere with some sensitive appliances when placed nearby or on the same circuit as
those appliances. The user should be aware of this potential and take appropriate measures
to avoid interference.

Bio-Rad’s PowerPac power supplies are designed and certified to meet EN 61010* safety
standards. Certified products are safe to use when operated in accordance with the
instruction manual. This safety certification does not extend to electrophoresis cells or
accessories that are not EN 61010 certified, even when connected to this power supply.

This instrument should not be modified or altered in any way. Alteration of this instrument
will void the manufacturer’s warranty, void the EN 61010 certification, and create a potential
safety hazard for the user. Bio-Rad is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by
the use of this instrument for purposes other than those for which it is intended, or by
modifications of the instrument not performed by Bio-Rad or an authorized agent.

*EN 61010 is an internationally accepted electrical safety standard for laboratory instruments.

Section 1

Introduction

1.1 Overview

The PowerPac Universal power supply is designed to provide constant voltage,
current or power for a wide range of electrophoresis applications, including high
throughput electrophoresis with the Dodeca cells and electrophoretic blotting.

Output specifications:

Voltage: Adjustable from 10 to 500 volts (V) in 1 V increments

Current: Adjustable from 10 to 2500 mA in 1 mA increments.

Power: Adjustable from 1 to 500 Watts (W) in 1 W increments.

Output jacks: Four sets of output jacks are provided to facilitate connection

of up to 4 identical electrophoresis cells simultaneously.

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FRONT PANEL

OUTPUT JACKS

Fig. 1. Front view.

Fig. 2. Rear view.

1

The PowerPac Universal has the following features:

• Constant voltage, constant current, or constant power operation with automatic
crossover

• LCD screen displays all run parameters at once

• Programmable methods with up to nine steps

• Storage capacity for up to nine user defined methods

• Continuous, hour and volt-hour time modes

• Paused run editing

• Safety features: no-load, short circuit, rapid resistance change, ground leak,
and internal thermal protection

• User optional run completion after an AC power failure

• Adjustable LCD display contrast

• EN61010 international safety certification

• Input power 100-120/220-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, auto-switching

• Four output terminals

• Stackable case with adjustable viewing angle via flip down legs (See Figure 3)

• Infrared port, for transmitting data to a personal computer or PDA

Optional:

• Data transfer software (DTS) for data file management on a PDA and PC

LEGS

(LOWERED POSITION)

Fig. 3. Front view with legs in lowered position.

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1.2 Unpacking

When you receive your power supply, carefully inspect the container for any
damage which may have occurred in shipping. Severe damage to the container
may indicate damage to the power supply itself. If you suspect damage to the unit,
immediately file a claim with the carrier in accordance with their instructions before
contacting Bio-Rad Laboratories.

After unpacking the PowerPac Universal, remove the plastic film from the
translucent green top case. The plastic film may leave a residue. If so, clean with a
soft, damp cloth. Also remove the die-cut plastic film covering the display window.

Contents include:

• PowerPac Universal power supply

• Power cord

• Instruction manual

• Warranty card

• Declaration of conformity

If any part is missing or damaged, contact Bio-Rad Laboratories immediately.

3

Section 2

CLEAR ENTRY KEY

ALPHANUMERIC
KEYPAD

ARROW KEYS

SETUP KEY

SOFT KEYS

EDIT KEY

IR PORT

RUN/PAUSE KEY

Control features

Fig. 4. Front Panel.

Key Description

Run/Pause Starts or pauses a run. When paused, the run parameters for the

current or subsequent step(s) may be edited. The modified
method may be stored to permanent memory by pressing SAVE at
the end of the run.

Stop/Home Terminates the run in progress and displays the final run

parameters, or if no run is active, changes the display to the Home
screen.

Note: If a method has been edited during a run, SAVE must be
pressed at the end of the run to save the changes.

Setup Used to set the PowerPac Universal default settings such as:

power failure detection, rapid resistance change detection, no load
detection as well as clock, contrast and key chirp settings (see
Section 3.1).

EDIT Toggles soft key assignments between those used to set the run

mode (constant voltage, constant current or constant power), run
limits (voltage, current or power) and time mode (hours, volt-hours
or untimed).

Arrow Keys Used to scroll through method list or method protocol. An

asterisk (*) is used to identify the selected method or step.

CE Deletes alphanumeric characters from a parameter value or

CE

method name, or restores previous numeric value.

Alpha-numeric Used to enter parameter values and method names. When
keypad method names are entered, the manner in which keys are pressed

determines the characters entered and their placement. Rapid
repetitive strokes on a single key cause the character displayed at
the cursor position to toggle between those associated with the
key (i.e. a®b®c®2®A®B®C®2). The cursor position advances
each time a different key is pressed or when there is a pause
between strokes of a single key.

Soft Keys The commands on the LCD screen immediately above the soft

keys assign their functionality.

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Section 3

Universal

Setup and Operation

3.1 SET UP

This section describes how the PowerPac Universal power supply is set up and
connects to an electrophoresis cell(s).

Step Procedure Description

1.

Connect Cells Insert power leads into one of the output

terminals located on the front of the power
supply (shown to the left). Note that the
symbol indicates high voltages and that
the power leads must be inserted perpendicular to
the curve of the case (see Figure 5).

Fig. 5. Power Lead Connected Correctly

Universal

Fig. 6. Power Leads Connected Incorrectly

2. Turn power on Use the switch located on the right side of the

power supply to turn the power on. When turned

FW Version: 1.20

Serial No. 000002

on, the unit briefly displays the firmware version
and serial number and then goes to the Home
screen. The Home screen soft keys are used to
operate the power supply in
manual (Section 3.2) or method mode (Section

3.3).

SELECT MODE

MANUAL mode: Program and run a single step
method without storing into memory.

MANUAL METHODS

METHODS mode: Program, store, and run
single or multistep methods.

3. Open the setup editor Press SETUP to start the setup editor. SETUP

can be pressed from any screen except the run
screen.

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