Precautions for CO₂ Incubator

1. Installation & Placement

1. Place the unit on a flat and stable bench. Reserve sufficient clearance for heat dissipation. Keep away from direct sunlight, heat sources and air‑conditioning outlets to avoid sharp ambient temperature fluctuations.
2. Ambient operating temperature: 18‑26 ℃; ambient humidity ≤85%RH. Avoid dusty, humid or corrosive‑gas environments.
3. Ensure reliable equipment earthing. Use an independent power socket; do not share power outlets with high‑power devices to prevent voltage fluctuation.

2. CO₂ Gas Supply

1. Use high‑purity carbon dioxide (99.99%). Industrial‑grade CO₂ is prohibited to avoid cell contamination.
2. Secure the gas cylinder against tipping. Fit a pressure‑reducing valve. Output pressure shall be set at 0.08‑0.12 MPa; excessive pressure is not allowed.
3. Use dedicated aging‑resistant gas tubing. Perform regular gas‑leak checks. A gas filter is recommended to block impurities entering the chamber.
4. Replace cylinders when gas pressure is low. Close the incubator inlet valve before replacement to prevent gas backflow.
5. Minimize door opening/closing frequency to avoid drastic CO₂ concentration variation which compromises cell culture.

3. Temperature Control

1. Standard setting: 37 ℃. Load samples only after temperature stabilizes; do not place specimens during heat‑up.
2. Avoid over‑temperature operation. Do not over‑crowd the chamber; leave gaps between samples for uniform air circulation.
3. Prevent liquid or heat sources from contacting internal sensors, which will cause temperature reading deviation.

4. Humidity Management (Humidity Water Pan)

1. Fill the water pan with sterile distilled / deionized water only. Tap‑water is forbidden to prevent limescale and microbial growth.
2. Check water level regularly; never run the pan dry. Replace water and clean‑disinfect the water pan periodically.
3. High‑humidity conditions favour mould growth. Avoid spilled culture medium inside the chamber; keep sample vessels properly capped.

5. Operational Practices

1. Open and close the chamber door quickly to limit loss of temperature, CO₂ and humidity; keep door‑opening time as short as possible.
2. Clearly label all cultured samples. Wipe up spilled medium and liquid immediately to prevent contamination.
3. Do not place unsealed liquid containers, which may cause excessive evaporation and spillage into air ducts.
4. Install inner shelves securely. Do not apply heavy load to sensors or infrared detectors.

6. Cleaning, Disinfection & Maintenance

1. Periodic chamber cleaning: power off and cool down the unit before wiping with 75% ethanol. Chlorine‑containing disinfectants such as 84 disinfectant are prohibited, as they corrode metallic components.
2. For models with high‑temperature dry‑heat sterilization: remove water pan, sensors and plastic accessories before sterilization. Follow manufacturer procedures. Allow full cooling before resuming use.
3. Replace HEPA filters according to specified service intervals to maintain internal air filtration performance.
4. Perform regular calibration for temperature and CO₂ concentration. Keep infrared probes clean; dust will lead to inaccurate readings.

7. Safety & Troubleshooting

1. Investigate alarms (over‑temperature, low CO₂ pressure, temperature fault) promptly. Do not continue incubating valuable samples under alarm conditions.
2. For long‑term shutdown: drain the water pan, fully clean and dry the chamber, turn off CO₂ supply and cut off power.
3. High internal humidity carries microbial‑hazard risk. Observe biosafety precautions during operation. In case of heavy mould contamination, complete thorough disinfection before reuse.

8. Prohibited Operations

❌ Tap‑water for humidity water pan 

❌ Chlorine‑containing disinfectants for chamber wiping 

❌ Unsecured gas cylinders or excessively high gas output pressure 

❌ Overloaded chamber blocking air circulation 

❌ Prolonged door‑opening 

❌ Running sterilization cycle without removing sensors and plastic parts