Cole-Parmer Chempette Digital Pipette A3-21DG-10

Overview

The Cole-Parmer Chempette Digital Pipette A3-21DG-10 is a high-precision, manually operated single-channel pipette engineered for accurate and repeatable liquid handling in analytical, quality control, and research laboratories. Designed around a robust glass syringe-based displacement principle, it delivers volumetric accuracy compliant with ISO 8655-2 (2022) for piston-operated volumetric apparatus. Unlike air-cushion pipettes, the A3-21DG-10 employs direct positive displacement—where the plunger physically displaces liquid within a sealed glass cylinder—eliminating compressibility errors associated with air gaps and ensuring consistent performance across viscous, volatile, or temperature-sensitive samples. Its 2–10 mL range targets mid-volume applications often underserved by standard fixed-range pipettes, including buffer preparation, reagent dilution, cell culture media formulation, and sample aliquoting in clinical chemistry and environmental testing workflows.

Key Features

• Digitally adjustable volume setting with 0.1 mL increments, enabling precise, repeatable calibration without mechanical recalibration tools
• Autoclavable construction (121 °C, 20 min, saturated steam): glass barrel, stainless-steel plunger, and polypropylene dispensing tip are all compatible with standard laboratory sterilization cycles
• Dual-material housing: impact-resistant polymer shell protects the internal glass cylinder and precision-machined plunger assembly from mechanical shock and thermal stress
• Integrated Tygon® tubing with PTFE-reinforced fixed-position sinker ensures stable immersion depth and minimizes meniscus variability during aspiration
• No-slip ergonomic grip and low-force plunger actuation reduce operator fatigue during extended use sessions
• Non-sterile configuration; suitable for aseptic processing when paired with sterile disposable tips or validated autoclaving protocols

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The A3-21DG-10 is validated for use with aqueous solutions, organic solvents (including ethanol, acetone, and DMSO), glycerol-containing buffers (up to 40% v/v), and cell suspensions. Its positive-displacement architecture avoids aerosol generation and cross-contamination risks inherent in air-displacement systems. The device meets ISO 8655-2 requirements for accuracy (±1.00% of full scale at 10 mL) and repeatability (±0.2% of full scale), and supports GLP/GMP documentation through traceable volume settings and mechanical logbook compatibility. While not pre-certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11, its manual operation and immutable physical calibration allow straightforward audit trail implementation via lab notebook entries or LIMS-integrated SOPs.

Software & Data Management

As a fully manual, non-electronic instrument, the A3-21DG-10 does not incorporate onboard memory, Bluetooth connectivity, or firmware. Volume selection is purely mechanical and digitally displayed via engraved rotary dial—ensuring zero drift, no battery dependency, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. This design aligns with environments requiring intrinsic safety (e.g., explosion-proof labs) or regulatory simplicity (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing facilities where software validation burdens are avoided). Users maintain full traceability through standardized calibration logs per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.4.6, referencing NIST-traceable gravimetric verification at defined points across the 2–10 mL range.

Applications

• Preparation of calibration standards for HPLC, ICP-MS, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry
• Accurate dispensing of viscous reagents such as restriction enzyme master mixes or PCR enhancer solutions
• Aliquoting of serum, plasma, or fermentation broths in bioprocessing QC workflows
• Environmental water analysis: spiking of certified reference materials into field samples prior to extraction
• Educational laboratories requiring durable, serviceable pipettes with transparent mechanical operation for pedagogical demonstration

FAQ

Is the A3-21DG-10 compatible with autoclaving?
Yes—the entire assembly (glass barrel, stainless-steel plunger, PP dispensing tip, and Tygon® tubing) is rated for 121 °C, 20-minute steam autoclaving per manufacturer specifications.
Does it require routine recalibration?
Calibration verification is recommended before first use and at defined intervals per your lab’s quality management system (e.g., quarterly or per 1000 operations); full recalibration is only necessary if mechanical damage or performance deviation beyond ±1.00% is observed.
Can it be used with corrosive solvents like concentrated acids or bases?
Tygon® E-3603 and PTFE components exhibit broad chemical resistance; however, prolonged exposure to >10% nitric acid or >30% sodium hydroxide is not recommended—consult the Cole-Parmer Chemical Resistance Guide for application-specific validation.
What maintenance is required?
Routine cleaning with isopropanol and compressed air; annual inspection of glass cylinder clarity and plunger seal integrity; replacement of Tygon® tubing every 6–12 months depending on usage frequency and solvent exposure.
Is a certificate of conformance included?
Each unit ships with a manufacturer’s Certificate of Conformance stating compliance with ISO 8655-2 and listing nominal volume, accuracy specification, and serial number—suitable for initial IQ/OQ documentation.