CRTS:Hotplate Stirrers
Function / Use
Hotplate-Stirrers can be found in almost all modern Chemistry labs. They are as fundamental to modern Chemistry as the age-old, iconic , Bunsen Burner - without the inherent risk of ignition/naked flame issues.
Maintenance / Basic Care
A lot of IKA hotplate-stirrers are currently being found with missing knobs. This may seem trivial, especially where they are only required for one fucntion, however it does expose the user to some electrical risk. As a result, any found with missing knobs will be very quickly condemned by Stefanos at the time of PAT Testing.
In the past the CRT have replaced these knobs at the Department's expense. This will no longer be the case. We encourage you to save the potential loss of your equipment and protect yourselves by purchasing replacement knobs for your IKA hotplates-stirrers as necessary. Product information can be found here.
Alternatively, we would encourage you to buy better Hotplate_Stirrers which do not suffer from this problem, notably the CRT recommended Heidolph model. This recommendation is in-line with the College's carbon footprint policy: to buy better equipment that does not need to be replaced so frequently. Avoiding wasted energy and cost in the form of increased production and waste disposal.
Tutorial
Recommended Supplier
Replacement Knobs
IKA replacement knobs and bypass contacts are available from VWR.
| Part | VWR Part Code | Cost (each, ex.VAT) | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control Knob | 008103246 | £8.40 | 31/01/12 |
| Plug Contact (For RTC Basic) | IKAA1584002 | £8.54 | 31/01/12 |