MKN HH-S4 Digital Constant-Temperature Water Bath
| Brand | MKN |
|---|---|
| Model | HH-S4 |
| Heating Power | 800 W |
| Temperature Control Range | Ambient to 100 °C |
| Temperature Stability | ±0.5 °C |
| Chamber Dimensions (W×D×H) | 325 × 300 × 150 mm |
| External Dimensions (W×D×H) | 470 × 330 × 190 mm |
| Number of Wells | 4 |
| Construction | Stainless Steel 304 Inner Bath |
| Heating Method | Immersion Heater with PID Control |
| Display | LED Digital Thermometer & Setpoint Interface |
| Compliance | CE-marked design principles |
Overview
The MKN HH-S4 Digital Constant-Temperature Water Bath is a precision-engineered thermal platform designed for stable, uniform, and repeatable temperature control in routine laboratory workflows. Operating on the principle of convection-based heat transfer via immersion heating, it maintains consistent thermal equilibrium across its stainless steel bath chamber—ensuring minimal spatial temperature gradients (< ±0.3 °C across working volume under steady-state conditions). Unlike dry-block or oil baths, water baths provide superior thermal homogeneity and gentle heat delivery, making them ideal for applications where sample integrity, low thermal stress, and precise time–temperature profiles are critical—such as enzyme incubation, serum inactivation, reagent equilibration, and solvent evaporation control.
Key Features
- Four-well stainless steel 304 bath chamber—deep-drawn, seamless construction ensures long-term corrosion resistance and easy decontamination.
- PID-controlled digital thermostat with real-time LED display of both setpoint and actual bath temperature—enabling rapid stabilization and high repeatability.
- 800 W high-efficiency heating element with over-temperature cut-off protection and automatic shut-down upon dry-run detection.
- Front-panel keypad interface with intuitive navigation; no software installation required for basic operation.
- Robust mechanical design with non-slip rubber feet, reinforced housing, and insulated outer casing for operator safety and energy conservation.
- Compliant with general electrical safety standards (IEC 61010-1) and engineered for continuous operation under GLP-aligned lab conditions.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HH-S4 accommodates standard laboratory glassware including beakers (up to 1000 mL), test tubes (12–25 mm OD), centrifuge tubes, and sample vials—without requiring custom fixtures. Its open-bath configuration allows direct access for stirring, sampling, or sensor insertion. The unit meets foundational requirements for use in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories and supports traceable temperature validation when paired with an external calibrated thermometer (e.g., NIST-traceable Pt100 probe). While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, audit-ready operation is achievable through documented calibration procedures, logbook maintenance, and periodic verification per ASTM E1112 or ISO 17025 Clause 6.5.
Software & Data Management
The HH-S4 operates as a standalone analog–digital hybrid instrument with no embedded data logging or network connectivity. Temperature setpoints and real-time readings are displayed locally only. For labs requiring electronic records, integration with external data acquisition systems is supported via optional analog voltage output (0–5 V DC proportional to temperature) or RS-232 serial interface (available on upgraded firmware variants). Users may implement manual logging per SOPs or adopt third-party DAQ platforms compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic signature and audit trail functionality.
Applications
- Biological sample preparation: DNA/RNA denaturation, antibody dilution, cell culture media warming, and blood bank reagent equilibration.
- Pharmaceutical QC: Dissolution medium conditioning, stability study incubation, and extract concentration under controlled thermal profiles.
- Environmental analysis: BOD incubation, nutrient solution tempering, and pesticide residue extraction protocols.
- Chemical synthesis support: Solvent reflux pre-heating, hydrolysis reaction staging, and catalyst activation at defined temperatures.
- Educational laboratories: Demonstrating Arrhenius kinetics, phase-change thermodynamics, and calorimetric principles with reproducible boundary conditions.
FAQ
What is the maximum operating temperature and how quickly does it reach 100 °C?
The HH-S4 achieves 100 °C from ambient in ≤70 minutes under standard load conditions (filled with 6 L deionized water, uncovered).
Is the temperature uniformity verified across all four wells?
Yes—uniformity is maintained within ±0.5 °C across the full bath volume during steady-state operation, confirmed by multi-point validation using calibrated thermistors.
Can this unit be used for sterilization or autoclaving procedures?
No—this is a constant-temperature immersion bath, not a steam sterilizer. It does not generate pressurized saturated steam and lacks validated microbial kill cycles.
Does the HH-S4 support external temperature probe input for enhanced accuracy?
Standard configuration includes internal sensor feedback only; external probe input requires optional hardware modification and firmware update—contact technical support for compatibility assessment.
How often should calibration be performed in a regulated environment?
Per ISO/IEC 17025 guidance, initial verification is recommended upon installation; subsequent calibration intervals should be risk-assessed—typically every 6–12 months depending on usage frequency and criticality of application.

