When working in the fast-paced lab environment, you don’t have time to worry about mundane tasks like cleaning labware. Yes, you can maximize your output by automating this inevitable task with a laboratory glassware washer, but the question arises – how long will it take to get contaminant free glassware? You should consider the multiple factors that go into determining glassware washer run times when selecting your specific model.
The amount of time required to clean a load of dirty labware is determined by the washer’s heater size, power supply and programming flexibility.
The power supply is of the utmost importance when selecting a new glassware washer for your lab. The electrical configuration will directly affect the efficiency and productivity of your glassware washer, so it should not be based solely on the easiest connection to the building’s power source. It is well worth the time and effort to identify the best energy source to avoid the potential of reduced performance in the future.
The heating rate is the biggest determinant of the overall time required for a washer to complete a run. Current rating and heater size determines how fast the feedwater is heated for each fill. The greater number of fills a program has, the greater affect the feedwater heating rate will have on the run time. And the more powerful the heater, the faster the wash or rinse run, and the more productive the washer will be.
Non-viable particles include dust or other non-living materials that may transmit viable particles within the aseptic area. Maximum counts for non-viable particles are noted in the following tables for US and EU GMP.
Electrical Configuration |
Heater (Watts) |
Heating Rate (° C/min) |
115V 60 Hz, single phase |
1200 W |
0.7° C/min |
230V 50/60 Hz, single phase |
2000 W |
1.7° C/min |
230V 50/60 Hz, triple phase |
6000 W |
3.4° C/min |
*Electrical configuration can increase water heating rate by over 4 times. |
In addition to the power supply and heater size, the run time is also determined by the temperature of the feedwater and the required temperature of the run cycle. The closer in temperature the feedwater is to the required run temperature, the less amount of time will be required to heat the water.
The time required for each wash or rinse step in the program can be calculated with this formula:
((Water Temperature Required – Feedwater Temperature)/ Heating Rate) + Minutes in Cycle = Step Time
Labconco Glass Plus Program
Segment |
Time |
Temp ° C |
Water Source* |
Pre-Wash |
0:05 |
38 |
Hot |
Steam 1 |
0:10 |
- |
- |
Wash 1 |
0:15 |
70 |
Hot |
Rinse 1 |
0:05 |
38 |
Hot |
Rinse 2 |
0:05 |
38 |
Hot |
Rinse 3 |
0:05 |
70 |
Hot |
Dry |
1:00 |
80 |
- |
*Water Source Temperature: 40° C |
Total Time Required
Electrical Configuration |
Heater (Watts) |
Total Time Required |
115V 60 Hz, single phase |
1200 W |
3 hr 26 min |
230V 50/60 Hz, single phase |
2000 W |
3 hr 4 min |
230V 50/60 Hz, triple phase |
6000 W |
2 hr 49 min |
*Electrical configuration can increase water heating rate by over 4 times. |
Having the ability to customize and adjust programs specific to your lab washing needs ensures consistent results at the greatest efficiency. Consistent cleanliness with the least number of washes or rinses is the goal. All Labconco Glassware Washers are programmed using CleanWorks OS, which provides ample room for program storage and maximum flexibility. This intuitive operating system has nine factory-set programs and can save up to 200 user-defined programs to fit all your lab’s glassware washing needs. During each wash the current internal water temperature, wash steps remaining and wash step time remaining are displayed on the screen.
Run times and efficiencies are just two of the many factors that should be considered when selecting a glassware washer for your lab. For more information on Labconco Glassware Washers, visit labconco.com/washers.
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