Procedure No.
456-20010301 Centrifuges (Combined)
centrifuge has a vacuum or diffusion pump, check
its condition. (AccePtance)
Motor/Rotor/Pump- Check the physical
condition and proper operation of these
components. Check the brushes, commutator'
'fruurings of the motor. Check the condition of
unO
gaskets, sJals, and mounts- Check the rotor for
6alance and the condition of trunnion bearings,
and check the rotor attachment for tightness and
e*cessire wear. (Note: If using an ultrahigh speed
centrifuge, follow the manufacturer's deratinq
schedule fior the rotor' It should be outlined in the
operator's manual.) Clean and lubricate
components as required, and note this on the
inspection form. If a centrifu96 has a vacuum or
diffr.rsion PumP, check its condition, and perform
appropriate maintenance according to the
manuiacturer's specifications. (Major)
Brake. Check the action of the mechanical or
electrical brake. When the brake is applied (e'g',
Oy pusninq the stop button), the centrituge should
deceleratd smoothly. (Major, Acceptance)
Indicators/ DisPlays. Verify the operation
of all lights, indicators, meters, gauges, and visual
display! on the centrifuge. Be sure that all
segments of a digital display illuminate and
function properly'. (Major, Acceptance)
Atarms/ Interlocks. veriry that configurable
alarm features are appropriately set and
consistent among all centrifuges' It should not be
possible .tor critic;l alarms to be turned off'
silenced, or defeated without adequate warning to
the ope;ator or automatic alarm reactivation after
i snort delay' Such deficiencies should usually be
recognized during prepurchase evaluation'
How6ver, if any are found, review the justification
for purchasing this centrifuge and discuss
coriective aAion with the manufacturer' (Alarm
features may be optional or programmable') if no
remedy is available, a user traininq program
should be instituted to reduce the risk of incorrect
use. A warning label on the centrifuge or a
poster
use may be appropriate'
in the area of
Verify that alarms are loud, distinctive, and'/or
bright enough to be noticed in the environment in
which the c6ntritu9e will normally be used' If a
remote alarm-indilator is required, verify that it is
available and functioning' Audible alarm-volume
controls should not allow the alarm to be turned
off or lowered to an indiscernible volume'
HealthDevtceslnspectlonandPreventrveMalntenancesYstemo2oolECRl.AllRightsReserved.
Induce alarm conditions to activate audible and
,i*uf ufrt*s. Check that all associated interlocks
If the .
Gtri"t tunction (e.g., lid interlock)' check the
"r
centrifuge has an alarmlsilence feature'
(i.e., ma:rual or automatic)
method;f reset
against the manufacturer's specifications'
Refrigerated centrifuges should indicate whether
the u-nit is at the appiopriate temperature' Check
the lid latching meciranism and verify that it holds
the lid securel-y. The centrifuge should not start
with the lid open. A lid interlock should either shut
off the motor when the lid is opened or keep the
tiJ tatcned until the rotor has stopped' If the lid
can be opened with the rotor spinning, the
buckets or rotor should have an inner protective
tiO anO it should not spin faster than can be
irackeO by hand movement, (Acceptance)
Alarms/ Interlocks. Induce alarm
ionditioni, and verify that alarms are activated'
a"fti9"t.t6A centrituges shoufd indicate whether
the uiit is at the appiopriate temperature' Check
the lid latching meciranism for wear, and verify
that it holds the lid securely' The centrltuge
should not start with the lid open' A lid interlock
should either shut off the motor when the lid is
opened or keep the lid latched until the rotor has
sioppeO. If the lid can be opened w-ith the rotor
spinning, the buckets or rotor should have an
inner piotective lid and it should not spin f,aster
than can be tracked by hand movement' Replace
or modify any centrifuges that lgck-.a.latch' Do not
use centiituges that iack a lid; if a lid is
retrofitted, iI should have a safety latch' (Major)
Audibte Signals- operate the centrituge to
activate any audible signals' Confirm appropriate
,otu*", as well as the operation of a volume
control, if so equipped. (Major, Acceptance)
Labeling. Check that all necessary placard.s'
labels, coiversion cha:'ts, and instruction cards
,r" p."t"nt and legible. (Major, Acceptance)
Verify that the proper type of
Accessori€S.
accessories (e.g., sample buckets,.sample
nofOert) have blen supplied with the centrlfuge'
At least one copy each (two are generally
oieferreOl of the instructlon and servlce manuals'
ir':cluding schematics, shoutd be shipped with-the
."nt.ifr6" and filed in the central equlpment file'
A .;ry 6r tne instruction manual should be kept
*ltn'tit" centrlfuge anrl read by all operators
before the centrifuge is Put in use'
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