Water Bath Device.....

WA
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SECOND -- YEAR
H A S SA N
A B RY - -
SA N - - S
BY H A S
The water bath is a type of vessel, with heated water in it,
that helps to heat the samples. The samples can be the
serum for the blood tests, inflammable chemicals, etc.
They are mainly of three types. They are non-circulating
water bath, circulating water bath, and shaking water bath.
Here, we will be talking about the general operation
and the maintenance of a water bath. Thus, these
things will be applicable to all kinds of water baths .
Water Bath Principle
A water bath helps to maintain the temperature of water to a set
value. This is possible with a help of a temperature sensor and a
temperature controller.
Here I am going to explain to you some basic designs and
workings of the non-circulating water bath. But in the market, you
may find a water bath with many more features than the one
shown in the figures below.
1. Analog Water Bath
The water bath connects to an external three-pin power
socket. From the power socket, the live wire goes to
the thermostat through the fuse and switch. From the
thermostat, the wire then goes to the water immersion
heater (heating rod). The mains indicator is used to
indicate the condition of power from the external supply.
Similarly, the heating indicator is used to indicate the
condition of the heating rod.
The entire system of fuse, switch, indicator, and thermostat lies inside
the water bath surrounded by glass wool
Glass wool covers the three sides of the water bath. It acts as an
insulator and prevents the leakage of heat into the surrounding.
The fourth side of the bath is open. Inside the bath lies a water
immersion heater and the bulb of the thermostat.
Working
When the machine is given a power supply, the mains indicator will glow.
Then the current will go to the thermostat. From the thermostat, the current
will flow through the water immersion heater.
When the temperature of the water is less than the set value, the
thermostat will allow the current to flow through the heating rod. Thus, the
temperature of the water will begin to rise up. Once the temperature of the
water reaches the set value, the thermostat will cut off. Thus, the current
will not flow through the heating rod. Then, the temperature of the water
begins to go down. The heating indicator will also stop glowing
2. Digital Water Bath
The design of a digital water bath is similar to that of an analog water bath.
The only difference is that instead of a thermostat there is a solid-state
relay and the PID temperature controller. Similarly, a temperature sensor is
also present.
Working
The working mechanism is almost similar to that of the analog water bath.
Here, the PID controller and the solid-state relay (SSR) acts as a controller
for the water immersion heater. When the temperature of the water is lower
than that of the set value, the controller will supply a certain DC voltage to
the relay. Then the relay will get activated causing the flow of AC current to
the heating rod. Thus the heater begins to heat up the water.
When the actual temperature of the water goes closer to the set value, the
PID controller will activate and deactivate the relay continuously. Thus the
heating rod will go ON/OFF continuously. So, by controlling the duration of
the ON and OFF stage, the water bath helps to maintain an almost
accurate result with not more than 1°C of variation.
The resistance temperature detector (RTD) such as the PT100 sensor,
senses the temperature of the water. Then, it converts the temperature to
the resistance value and supply to the controller. The controller will
compare this incoming signal with the set value
A digital water bath is an advanced version of an analog water

bath. It is quite expensive. However, it is easy to operate. It has
got a better accuracy. Similarly, the display board present in it
allows the user to see the actual temperature of the water
present in the bath.
Water Bath Temperature Range
Theoretically speaking, the temperature range of the water bath is
from room temperature to 100°C.
Since the water bath does not generally have a cooling system, it can not
maintain the temperature below room temperature. Similarly, on full
heating, the water should boil. At that moment, the temperature of the
water should be at 100°C. But due to the leakage of vapor from the cover/
lid, the water may not reach that level. I personally have found 95.5°C of
water temperature at the maximum setting .
How to use water bath in laboratory?
(Water bath procedure)
• First of all, put distilled or deionized water into the water bath.
The level of water should be above the level of the heating
rod.
• Then, turn on the machine. The digital water bath will show
the display of the present value (PV) and the set value (SV).
If needed, set the set value (SV).
If the water bath is analog, just turn the knob of the
thermostat to the required set value.
• Allow the temperature of the water to reach the set value.
• When, the water temperature reaches the set value, put the
sample inside the water bath.
• Finally, cover the top of the bath with a lid and set the timer
Maintenance of Water
Bath
1. No power supply?
If the machine does not get any power supply, you will not see a
display in the PID temperature controller. Similarly, the indicator
of the mains switch and the heater indicator does not light up.
Solution
There can be a problem with the power supply in the laboratory.
The problem can also be due to the loose connection of the
power cable to the supply. So, try to fix the cable in a suitable
plug. The cable can also be broken. Besides that, there can be a
defect of a switch or the fuse.
Similarly, the indicator of the mains switch and the heater switch
The solid-state relay (SSR) supplies current to the rod. In other words, it
acts as a switch for the switching of the rod. You can also check the
condition of the SSR, which I have stated in the topic of SSR. Make sure
to check the LED present in the relay. If the LED glows, but the heating rod
does not operate, then there can be a fault in the relay. There can also be
a problem in the wiring system from the relay to the rod.
If the LED does not glow, then there can be a problem with the PID
controller. In that case, the PID controller may not supply DC voltage to the
input of the SSR. So, the relay will not operate. You can check the input
supply to the PID controller and the output voltage given by the controller
to the relay. Else, there can be a problem in the internal programming. We
will talk about the PID controller later.
2. Heating rod does not work?
If the heating rod does not work, then the temperature of the water will not
rise up.
Solution
If the heating rod is burned/ damaged, then the rod will not operate. You
can observe the condition of the rod. If damaged, the shape of the rod will
be irregular. It will also turn black. In that case, replace a rod with the
suitable one. Generally, 1KW, 2KW, or 3KW rods are available in the
market. You can put any rod that you like. But if the rod is of low wattage,
the process of heating the water becomes slow. Similarly, if the rod is of
high wattage, the process of heating the water becomes quick. But, there
can be chances of burning the internal wiring system. Due to the overload,
the fuse (MCB) of the room can trip.
3. Water does not heat properly?
Sometimes, the water will heat, but the temperature will
not reach the set value .
Solution
If the heating rod is damaged, it may work partially. Similarly, if the supply
voltage from the plug is lower than the specification, then the rod will not
get sufficient voltage to operate at full capacity. In that case, use a voltage
regulator to control the input voltage.
The temperature sensor (Pt 100 sensor) may not work problem. In that
case, you need to check it. There are a number of ways to check the
condition of the temperature sensor, which I have stated in the topic of the
Pt100 sensor.
The problem can also be in the PID controller.
THANK --------- YOU

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A digital water bath is an advanced version of an analog water

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