MSE UK Ltd is required under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 and other UK legislation as designers,
manufacturers, suppliers and importers of articles for use at work to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable,
articles which we design, produce, supply or import are safe and without risk to health.
We are required to provide information on the safety and handling precautions to be observed when installing,
operating, maintaining and servicing our products. Such advice is contained in this manual.
We are also obliged to update this information should circumstances change and to operate a system to this end.
We should also like to point out, however that you as users have an important responsibility in the provision
and maintenance of safe working practices and conditions.
Accordingly, we draw the following matters to your attention:
1. This apparatus should only be used as intended and within its design parameters by
suitably qualified and trained personnel who have read and understood the relevant
sections of this manual.
2. This manual should be readily available to such personnel at all times.
3. In addition to that which is written in the manual, normal common-sense safety precautions
must be taken at all times to avoid the possibility of accidents. Particular care is required
when working with apparatus at high temperature or pressure.
4. Installation, maintenance, repairs and servicing should only be carried out by a MSE (UK)
Ltd approved engineer, and suitably trained personnel should only carry out connection to
electrical supplies.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WARRANTY SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
UK customers; if you are in any doubt whatsoever regarding the correct use of this apparatus, or if you require any
technical data or assistance, please contact the MSE UK Ltd Technical Support Department at:
OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS: Should contact their local Distributor.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES: Voltage and frequency
MSE (UK) Ltd electrical apparatus is offered and labelled in a number of voltage ranges and, where necessary,
different frequencies of mains supply. MSE UK Ltd does not accept any responsibility for the operation of any such
apparatus should it be connected to electricity supplies which are normally outside, or vary outside, the stated
voltage and frequency values for which it is designed, nor for any consequential loss, damage or injury, howsoever
caused.
MSE UK Ltd Warranty
Terms and Conditions
We hope that you do not have the need to use the extensive warranty cover that MSE UK Ltd.
extends to you. However should you have a problem, our prompt response is greatly helped if you have
filled in and posted the pre-paid Warranty Registration Card supplied with your new equipment.
This entitles you to a one-year warranty from the date of delivery. During this period, component
parts proven to be defective in materials or workmanship will be repaired or replaced at our expense.
Installation, commissioning and calibration are not covered by this warranty agreement. The MSE
approved service agent must be contacted for warranty determination and direction prior to any work
being carried out.
These warranties are only applicable to new products, and not second hand nor refurbished
products even if repaired by MSE UK Ltd. Any such products are covered by separate warranty terms and
conditions which will be made available on request.
Replacement or repair of component parts or equipment under this warranty shall not extend the
warranty to either the equipment or the component part beyond the original one-year warranty period
unless agreed in writing by MSE UK Ltd.
The above warranties are extended to the original purchaser upon full invoice payment. A
purchase receipt or other proof of purchase may be required before warranty service will be performed.
These warranties only cover failures due to defective workmanship which occur during the normal
operation of the product by the original purchaser, and not failures which result from accident, misuse,
abuse, neglect, mishandling, misapplication, alteration, faulty installation, electrical power fluctuations,
dust, or other environmental extremes, modification or service other than by an approved service agent or
following the written authority of the manufacturer, or damage that is attributable to acts of God.
Expendable items such as motor brushes, door seals, lid seals, "O" rings or lamps are excluded.
MSE UK Ltd, or its approved service agent, reserves the right to repair defective equipment on
the premises of the customer, or at a service station, at the sole discretion of MSE UK Ltd or their
approved agent. In the event of return to an approved service centre the customer is responsible for the
safe packaging of the instrument and notification to the service centre. Neither MSE UK Ltd nor its agents
are responsible for any damage occurring during shipment.
Specification and Material Changes: MSE UK Ltd reserves the right to supply our latest and
improved models at time of shipment.
Taxes: The prices quoted do not include any taxes imposed by the State or Country in which the
purchase was made.
Installation: Installation of all equipment shall be at the expense of the purchaser unless stated
otherwise. Access to the site, and the provision of required utilities e.g. Power, water and drainage to
suitable connections, will be the responsibility of the purchaser, and at the purchaser's expense.
Limitation of liability: In no event, whether as a result of breach of contract or warranty, shall MSE
UK Ltd be liable for any consequential or incidental damages including, but not limited to, loss of profit or
revenues, loss of use of the equipment or any associated equipment, down time costs, costs of substitute
equipment, costs of labour, costs due to delays or claims of purchaser's own customers for such
damages. The purchaser agrees to indemnify MSE Ltd and to hold them harmless from any and all
liability, claims, demands, actions, suits, expenses or costs, including attorney's fees relating to such
consequential or incidental damages.
All expressed and implied warranties, including the warranties of merchantable quality and fitness
for a particular purpose, are limited to the application period of one year.
Validity: Legal rights vary from country to country and states within countries, so some or all of
the exclusions or limitations listed above may not apply, but if any part of these conditions shall be found
to be unenforceable it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of the conditions.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
Before connecting this apparatus to the electricity supply, check the information given
on the apparatus rating plate and ensure that;
A) Your supply is single phase A.C. (alternating current) of the stated frequency
with neutral nominally at earth potential.
B) Your supply voltage is within the stated range.
C) The current rating is within the capacity of your outlet.
D) Your plug or electricity supply circuit is fitted with a suitable fuse.
220v - 240v 110v - 120v
Fuse rating 5 amp see note for 110V - 120V
WARNING! This apparatus must be earthed.
The wires in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code;
220v - 240v 110v - 120v
Live Brown Black
Neutral Blue White
Earth Green and Yellow Green
Connect the wires to a non-reversible 3-pin plug as follows;
Green and Yellow or Green to terminal marked E (Earth), G (Ground), coloured Green
or Green and Yellow or marked with the Earth symbol.
Blue or White wires to terminal marked N (Neutral) or Common or coloured Blue.
Brown or Black wires to terminal marked L (Live) or Phase or coloured Brown.
Note 110v - 120v installations to comply with National and State Wiring Codes.
IMPORTANT Consult an electrician if in any doubt or if your supply system has any of
the following:
No earth.
A coloured code different from the above.
Reversible plugs.
Supply and return leads that are both above earth potential.
NOTE: Do not touch plug pins within two seconds of plug removal from socket.
CONTENTS 5
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION.................................................................................7
2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.....................................................................................8
2.1 Controls And Indicators..................................................................................9
10. PRODUCT DISPOSAL - ISO 14001 COMPLIANCE......................................34
11. HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE ON YOUR FALCON CENTRIFUGE ...............35
GENERAL INFORMATION 7
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The following general instructions, and the precautions regarding the
prevention of corrosion in rotors and accessories, as described under
MAINTENANCE, must be noted and carefully observed.
The maximum load should always be checked before commencing any operation. If
the sample has a relative density greater than 1.2, the maximum permissible speed of
the rotor should be calculated as given in this publication, and applied.
Any liquid spilt in the centrifuge should be removed immediately because corrosion is
a major cause of failure in centrifuges. Where particularly corrosive solutions are used,
the samples should be placed in sealed containers and all necessary precautions
observed. The following list gives some examples of corrosive liquids used, particularly
in the biochemical field:
Phenol/cresol/water, chloroform/isoamyl alcohol, salt solutions (especially ammonium
sulphate), solutions of ammonium hydroxide and solutions of acids such as
hydrochloric, trichloroacetic and perchloric acids.
It should be noted that many other substances used in different fields are often equally
corrosive. Users should always check whether or not a substance being used is
corrosive in order to take suitable precautions.
NOTE: The following materials are prohibited:
Flammable or explosive materials
Materials which chemically interact vigorously
The load must be distributed symmetrically round the rotating assembly so that it is
evenly balanced and complies with the manufacturer's instructions in this respect.
After use the sleeves and adaptors in centrifuge rotors should be removed to allow
thorough cleaning of rotors and accessories and so prevent corrosion.
Special care is necessary when using infective material in centrifuges. Containers,
when used with such materials, should be closed while being centrifuged and sterilised
immediately after use, using non-corrosive means.
NOTE: Sealed containers and related components are intended to be part of
biosafety systems such as are specified in international and national
biosafety guide lines, and cannot be relied on as the only means of safeguarding
workers and the environment when handling pathogenic
micro-organisms.
Care should be taken to preserve intact, sets of accessories which have been supplied
as sets, in which all the members possess closely similar weights.
It is advisable to have the centrifuge checked by a competent engineer, preferably the
manufacturer's representative, at least every six months.
Carbon brushes, whilst being of the highest quality obtainable are expressly excluded
from the guarantee. A spare set is included in the accessory pack. The method of
replacement is detailed in section 6.7 of this manual.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION 8
2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Centaur 2 centrifuge is CE marked in line with required European Directives
for Electromagnetic and Low Voltage Compatibility, see “Declaration of
Conformity” for EC Directive/standard used.
120v units designed for CSA approval to the following standards:
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1-92
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 1010.2.020-94
INDEPENDENT SPEED SENSING - 120 volt Machines only
To comply with certain USA standards the 120 volt machines are fitted with a
small window in the cover. This permits independent speed check directly from the
rotor with use of an optically coupled tachometer.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION 9
2.1 Controls And Indicators
Figure 1.
Control Panel of the Centaur 2 Centrifuge
1. The Power On rocker switch, when on (switch illuminated) connects power
through to various circuits and components within the centrifuge.
2. The Fuse Holder carries a 20mm long, 5 Amp glass cartridge fuse. It is easily
removable.
3. The Timer control allows a run period up to 30 minutes-selected by turning the
knob clockwise. When the time selected has run out, the rotor will automatically
run down to a stop. If required, the knob may be returned (anti-clockwise) to a
lesser time or to the Off position at will. It cannot be turned anti-clockwise
between the 'Hold' and '30' 'positions. The Hold position switches the centrifuge
for continuous running until manually reset to Off.
4. The Rev/min indicator is a digital display giving continuous read-out of the
rotational speed of the rotor, rounded off to the nearest hundred rev/min, e.g.
2500, 3200.
5.
The Speed control allows selection of any speed between 300 rev/min and the
maximum allowed for the rotor in use (see section 4.5 Rotors And Accessories
Tables) as indicated on the Rev/min digital display.
6. The Imbalance indicator lamp (Red) when on, gives warning that the rotor is
misloaded to a marked degree. In this event, drive to the rotor will cease and
the rotor will run down to a stop. Loading and balance must be checked and
corrected before re-starting the centrifuge.
7. The Lid Unlocked indicator lamp (Amber) when on, indicates that the rotor is
at a standstill and the lid may be opened safely. When the rotor is spinning the
lamp remains off and the lid is locked.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION 10
2.2 Centrifuge Bowl
The centrifuge bowl is easily removable for cleaning or disinfection purposes see
section 6 (Maintenance).
2.3 Opening Lid Manually
An electrical interlock prevents the lid being opened while the rotor is turning, or
when the power is disconnected. If access to the rotor is required during a power
failure, insert the Lid Lock Release Key (supplied with accessories) to its fullest
extent, into the small hole on the top of the lid, near the front; move the point
towards the rear against a slight spring pressure to actuate the lid lock
mechanism. Press the lid actuator to the right and open the lid.
The lid is friction-controlled, to remain open at any intermediate position desired.
Front
Figure 2.
Manual Over-ride of Lid Lock
2.4 Specifications
Dimensions
Height 336mm (with lid open - 470mm)
Width 436mm
Depth 487mm
Weight 36kg (without rotor)
Power Supply
Input voltage and frequency.
Cat. No. MSB020.CX1.5 220/240V 50/60 Hz.
Cat. No. MSB020.CX1.1 110/120V 50/60 Hz.
Operating
Humidity MRH 80% up to 31°C decreasing linearly to 50% RH at 40°C
Altitude Up to 2000M
NOTE: Motor, as fitted, contains overtemperature cut-out device.