LAUDA Alpha A 24 Heated Circulating Bath / Temperature Control System (25–100 °C, ±0.05 °C Stability)

Overview

The LAUDA Alpha A 24 is a precision-engineered heated circulating bath designed for stable, reproducible temperature control in laboratory environments where thermal consistency is critical to experimental integrity. Operating exclusively within the 25 °C to 100 °C range, it employs a fully electronic proportional-integral (PI) controller coupled with a high-efficiency 1.5 kW heating system and an integrated circulation pump (15 L/min at up to 0.2 bar pressure). Its core architecture follows LAUDA’s long-standing design philosophy: functional minimalism without compromise on thermal performance. The unit delivers ±0.05 °C temperature stability under steady-state conditions—verified per ISO 17025-aligned internal calibration protocols—and is engineered for continuous operation in ambient environments between 5 °C and 40 °C. Unlike immersion-style water baths, the Alpha A 24 supports both internal bath circulation and external recirculation via flexible hose connections, enabling precise temperature conditioning of external reactors, viscometers, or analytical cells. It is explicitly rated for use with non-flammable heat transfer fluids only—primarily deionized water or aqueous glycol solutions—ensuring compliance with IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment.

Key Features

• Pressed stainless steel bath vessel (295 × 374 × 200 mm internal dimensions) offering corrosion resistance and long-term dimensional stability
• Three-button intuitive menu navigation with single-line LED display showing either setpoint or actual bath temperature
• Integrated electronic timer function enabling programmable automatic shutdown after user-defined durations
• Dual-safety protection system: level sensor-triggered low-fluid alarm and independent overtemperature cutoff (hardware-based, fail-safe)
• Acoustic and visual alarm indicators activated upon safety threshold breach
• Flow-reduction mode on pump output to maintain laminar flow during low-demand applications
• Universal mounting clamp with M12 threaded interface compatible with bath walls up to 30 mm thickness
• CE-compliant power supply (220 V/60 Hz or 230 V/50 Hz) with CEE7/7 plug; includes two standard pump hose adapters (6 mm and 8 mm ID)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Alpha A 24 is validated for use with non-flammable, low-viscosity heat transfer media—including purified water, 30% aqueous propylene glycol, and other LAUDA-recommended thermostatic fluids. It is not suitable for organic solvents, oils, or flammable liquids. The unit conforms to EN 61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and carries CE marking for the European Economic Area. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant as a standalone device, its deterministic control logic, auditable manual setpoint changes, and absence of data storage make it suitable for GLP- and GMP-aligned workflows when integrated into validated systems with external electronic records. All thermal performance specifications are traceable to NIST-traceable reference thermometers calibrated annually per internal SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The Alpha A 24 operates as a stand-alone analog-controlled instrument with no embedded firmware, network interface, or digital data logging capability. Temperature setpoints and operational status are managed exclusively through the front-panel 3-button interface and displayed on the fixed-segment LED screen. This design eliminates software validation requirements and reduces failure modes associated with microprocessor-based controllers. For laboratories requiring electronic audit trails, integration with external data acquisition systems (e.g., LabVIEW, SCADA, or LIMS) is supported via optional analog 0–10 V or 4–20 mA process output modules (sold separately). No proprietary drivers or cloud connectivity are involved—ensuring full IT infrastructure compatibility and cybersecurity resilience.

Applications

This circulating bath serves as a primary temperature source in method-critical workflows across regulated and research-intensive domains. Typical applications include: controlled-temperature sample preparation for HPLC mobile phase conditioning; thermal equilibration of biological reagents prior to ELISA or PCR setup; viscosity measurement support for rotational rheometers requiring stable bath coupling; accelerated stability testing of pharmaceutical formulations per ICH Q1A(R2); calibration of thermocouples and RTDs against reference standards; and thermal preconditioning of polymer samples in mechanical testing per ASTM D638 and ISO 527. Its robust construction and narrow stability band also support routine QC tasks in clinical chemistry labs—such as serum enzyme assay incubation—where inter-run thermal drift must remain below ±0.1 °C.

FAQ

Can the Alpha A 24 be used with flammable solvents like ethanol or acetone?
No. The unit is certified exclusively for non-flammable heat transfer fluids per IEC 61010-1 Clause 6.4.1. Use with flammable liquids voids safety certification and invalidates warranty.
Is external cooling capability built-in?
No. Cooling requires optional external refrigerated circulators or installation of a factory-supplied cooling coil kit (order code: COIL-A24), which interfaces with a separate chiller unit.
What is the minimum recommended fluid volume for stable operation?
18.0 L—the lower limit specified in LAUDA’s operational guidelines to ensure adequate thermal mass and pump priming.
Does the unit support RS232 or USB communication?
No. The Alpha A 24 has no digital communication ports. Analog signal output modules are available as accessories for external monitoring.
How often does the temperature sensor require recalibration?
Annual verification against a NIST-traceable reference thermometer is recommended. LAUDA provides calibration certificates upon request for traceable units shipped from Shanghai manufacturing site.