Water-Bath Practical

Components of a Laboratory Hot Water Bath
1. Container or Tank Bath: In the container, the test samples are kept in hot water for a long period of
time. The container of a Laboratory Water Bath is made up of insulated metal such as stainless steel.
2. Container Led: The lid helps to keep covering the container, so that water does not evaporate out of it.
It’s mainly made up of heat resistant glass or insulated metal.
3. Heater: A laboratory water bath contains a Cu50 temperature sensor, which helps to generate heat.
4. Thermometer: This helps to check the temperature of the water bath. It can be inbuilt or placed
individually.
5. Thermostat or regulator: A thermostat helps to maintain the temperature of a water bath at a constant
level.
6. Propeller or stirrer device: It helps to circulate the water inside the water bath (Found in Circulating
water baths).
7. Outlet: It helps to get the water out of the container.
8. Indicator light: All water bath should contain an indicator light. When the light is on the water bath is
heating. If the water bath reaches the required temperature the light will be turn off to maintain the
constant temperature.
WATER BATH OPERATION
Installation
1. Install the water bath close to an electrical outlet. The outlet must have its respective ground
pole in order to guarantee the protection and safety of the operator and the equipment. Water
baths generally operate at 120 V/60 Hz or 230 V/60Hz. Its installation and use is facilitated by a
sink close by for supplying and draining of water.
2. Verify that the location selected is levelled and has the necessary resistance to safely support
the weight of the water bath when it is full of liquid.
3. Ensure that the location has a suitable amount of space for putting the samples and the
accessories required for the normal operation of the water bath.
4. Avoid placing the water bath where there are strong air currents which can interfere with its
normal operation. For example: in front of an air-conditioning unit or window
Using the water bath
Before using the water bath, verify that it is clean and that accessories needed are installed. The steps
normally followed are:
1. Fill the water bath with fluid to keep the temperature constant (water or oil). Verify that once the
containers to be heated are placed, the fluid level is between 4 and 5 cm from the top of the tank.
2. Install the control instruments needed, such as thermometers and circulators. Use additional mounts
provided for this purpose. Verify the position of the thermometer’s bulb or thermal probe to ensure that
the readings are correct.
3. If water is used as the warming fluid, verify that it is clean. Some manufacturers recommend adding
products which prevent the formation of fungus or algae.
4. Put the main switch Nº 1 in the ON position (the numbers identifying the controls herein correspond to
those shown in the diagram). Some manufacturers have incorporated controls with microprocessors
which initiate auto-verification routines once the ON switch is activated.
5. Select the operation temperature using the Menu Nº 2 button and the buttons for adjusting the
parameters.
6. Select the cut-off temperature (in water baths with this control). This is a safety control which cuts off the
supply of electricity if it exceeds the selected temperature. This is selected also by using the menu button
and is controlled by the parameter adjustment buttons.
7. Avoid using the water bath with the substances indicated below:
• Bleach.
• Liquids with high chlorine content.
• Weak saline solutions such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride or chromium compounds
• Strong concentrations of any acid.
• Strong concentrations of any salt.
• Weak concentrations of hydrochloric.
• Deionized water, as it causes corrosion and perforation in the stainless steel.
Safety
1. Avoid the use of the water bath in environments where there are flammable and
combustible materials. The equipment has components (resistors generating very high
temperatures) which could start an accidental fi re or explosion.
2. Always connect the equipment to an electrical outlet with a ground pole to protect the user
and the equipment from electrical discharges. The electrical connection must comply with
the required norms of the country and the laboratory.
3. Use the water bath exclusively with non-corrosive or non-flammable liquids.
4. Use personal protective elements when working with the water bath. The bath has resistors
which can cause burns if inadvertently touched, even a considerable time after turning off
the equipment.
5. When working with substances that generate vapors, place the water bath under a chemical
hood or in a well ventilated area.
6. Remember that liquids incubated in the water bath tank can produce burns if hands are
inadvertently placed inside it.
7. Take into account that the water bath is designed for use with a liquid inside the tank. If the
inside is dry, the temperature of the tank can become very high. Use the diff using tray for
placing the container inside of the filled tank of the water bath. This has been designed for
distributing the temperature in a uniform way.
8. Avoid using the water bath if any of its controls is not working, e.g. the temperature or limit
controls
Maintenance
Warning: Before carrying out any maintenance activity, disconnect the equipment from the
electrical feed outlet. Water baths are equipment whose maintenance is simple. The
recommended routines mainly focus on the cleaning of external components. The most common
routines are featured next.
Cleaning
Frequency: Monthly
1. Turn off and disconnect the equipment. Wait until it cools to avoid the risk of burns and
accidents.
2. Remove the fluid used for heating. If it is water, it can be poured through a siphon. If it is oil;
collect into a container with an adequate capacity.
3. Remove the thermal diffusion grid located at the bottom of the tank.
4. Disassemble the circulator and clean to remove scale and potential algae present.
5. Clean the interior of the tank with a mild detergent. If there is any indication of corrosion, use
substances for cleaning stainless steel. Rub lightly with synthetic sponges or equivalent.
Avoid using steel wool to remove rust stains as these leave particles of steel which could
accelerate corrosion.
6. Avoid bending or striking the temperature control capillary tube generally located at the
bottom of the tank.
7. Clean the exterior and interior of the water bath with clean water.
Lubrication Frequency: Daily For water baths with an agitation unit or circulator system:
Lubricate the axis of the circulator’s electric motor. Put a drop of mineral oil on the axis so that a
good lubricating condition is maintained between the motor’s bearings and its axis. Periodic
inspection Frequency: Quarterly Check the thermometer or temperature controls every three
months using known standards. If no reference standard is available, use an ice/water mixture
and/or boiling water. Note that the thermometer or the water bath temperature controls should
also be checked when the equipment is first installed after purchase.

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Components of a Laboratory Hot Water Bath

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