Labotery DB Series Stainless Steel Electric Heating Plate
| Brand | Labotery |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tianjin, China |
| Model | DB12-35 / DB24-35F |
| Heating Power | 2 kW |
| Max. Operating Temperature | 360 °C |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±2 °C |
| Plate Dimensions | 300 × 400 mm / 400 × 600 mm |
| Heating Zone Dimensions | 300 × 400 mm / 400 × 600 mm |
| Display Type | Digital LED |
Overview
The Labotery DB Series Stainless Steel Electric Heating Plate is a precision-engineered laboratory heating platform designed for controlled, uniform thermal treatment of samples during digestion, evaporation, reflux, and drying procedures. Built upon a robust resistive heating principle—where electrical energy is converted into heat via alloy-based heating elements embedded beneath a corrosion-resistant surface—the DB Series delivers stable, repeatable temperature profiles across its entire working area. Unlike open-flame or oil-bath alternatives, this plate eliminates combustion hazards and volatile organic exposure while maintaining ISO/IEC 17025-aligned thermal consistency required in accredited environmental, agricultural, and regulatory testing laboratories. Its fixed-temperature operation (non-programmable but highly stable) makes it especially suitable for standardized methods such as EPA Method 3050B (acid digestion of sediments and soils), ASTM D5191 (volatility determination), and AOAC 984.27 (ash content analysis), where reproducible heating without overshoot or gradient drift is critical.
Key Features
- High-integrity 304 stainless steel top plate offering excellent resistance to inorganic acids (HNO₃, HCl, HF up to 20% v/v at ≤150 °C) and long-term thermal cycling stability.
- Dual-zone thermal design ensures ±2 °C uniformity across the full heating surface—validated per ASTM E220 calibration protocol using NIST-traceable thermocouples.
- Digital LED controller with real-time temperature readout (resolution: 1 °C), manual setpoint adjustment, and over-temperature cut-off protection (auto-shutdown at 380 °C).
- Integrated timer function supports delayed start and automatic shut-down (up to 99 hours), enabling unattended overnight digestion protocols compliant with GLP documentation requirements.
- Low-profile chassis with non-slip rubber feet and reinforced aluminum housing provides mechanical stability during extended operation and meets IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment.
- No moving parts or consumables—designed for >10,000 hours of continuous service life under routine QC/QA lab conditions.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DB Series accommodates standard borosilicate glassware (e.g., 100–500 mL digestion tubes, beakers, Petri dishes) and PTFE-coated vessels used in trace-metal analysis. Its flat, non-porous surface prevents cross-contamination between runs and facilitates rapid cleaning with dilute nitric acid or ethanol. The unit complies with key regulatory frameworks including ISO 17025:2017 (clause 6.4 on equipment suitability), USP residual solvents testing thermal requirements, and EU Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC Directive). While not intrinsically rated for Class I Division 1 hazardous locations, it may be deployed in fume hoods certified to ANSI/AIHA Z9.5 when handling volatile reagents. All models are CE-marked and supplied with factory calibration certificate (as-found/as-left data included).
Software & Data Management
The DB Series operates as a standalone analog-digital hybrid instrument with no embedded firmware or network interface. Temperature logging requires external data acquisition via Type K thermocouple input to a validated DAQ system (e.g., Keysight 34972A or NI cDAQ-9188). For audit readiness, users may integrate the unit into LIMS workflows by recording setpoint, duration, and operator ID manually—or via barcode-scanned run sheets linked to electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant signature capture. No proprietary software is provided; however, Labotery supplies a detailed SOP template aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7 on method validation and equipment verification.
Applications
- Acid digestion of soil, sludge, and plant tissue prior to ICP-MS or AAS analysis.
- Controlled evaporation of aqueous extracts in pesticide residue testing (SANCO/10684/2009).
- Drying and ashing of filter papers in particulate matter (PM₂.₅/PM₁₀) gravimetric analysis.
- Pre-concentration of environmental water samples per EPA Method 1631 (mercury).
- Heating reaction mixtures in synthetic organic chemistry teaching labs (under supervision).
- Standardization of reference materials in metrology labs requiring fixed-temperature thermal baths (e.g., viscosity reference oil conditioning).
FAQ
Is the DB Series compatible with hydrofluoric acid (HF) digestion?
Yes—when equipped with optional graphite-coated variants (DS-series), the plate withstands HF concentrations up to 5% at temperatures ≤200 °C. Standard stainless steel models (DB) are not recommended for HF use.
Does the unit support ramp-soak temperature programming?
No—this is a fixed-setpoint heater. For programmable thermal profiles, consider Labotery’s TC Series digital hotplates with PID control and RS-485 Modbus output.
What maintenance is required?
Annual verification of temperature uniformity using a 9-point grid per ASTM E220 and visual inspection of surface integrity. No lubrication or recalibration is needed under normal use.
Can multiple units be stacked or mounted in enclosures?
Not recommended—adequate ventilation (≥10 cm clearance on all sides) is mandatory to prevent thermal derating and ensure compliance with IEC 61010-1 Clause 8.3.2.
Is a NIST-traceable calibration certificate included?
Yes—each unit ships with a factory-issued certificate listing as-found and as-left deviations at three points (100 °C, 250 °C, 350 °C) measured against a Fluke 1523 reference thermometer.
