IKA HB digital Heating Bath

Overview

The IKA HB digital Heating Bath is a compact, ergonomically engineered laboratory heating bath designed for precise and safe temperature control of liquid media in open or semi-enclosed vessels. Based on resistive immersion heating with PID-controlled thermal regulation, it delivers stable, uniform heat distribution across the stainless steel bath chamber—optimized for applications requiring reproducible thermal conditioning from ambient up to 180 °C. Its DIN 12876 Class II certification confirms compliance with internationally recognized safety standards for laboratory heating equipment, ensuring reliable operation with water, silicone oil, glycerol, and other common heat-transfer fluids. The unit’s robust architecture, integrated dual safety circuits, and IP21-rated enclosure make it suitable for routine use in QC labs, R&D environments, and teaching laboratories where consistent thermal performance and operator safety are non-negotiable.

Key Features

• Ergonomic design with integrated handle and key-lock function to prevent accidental parameter changes during operation
• High-contrast monochrome LCD display showing both setpoint and real-time bath temperature simultaneously
• Dual independent safety temperature circuits: fixed upper limit at 190 °C and adjustable range (50–190 °C) for application-specific thermal cutoffs
• PID temperature controller with ±1 K stability (measured in 3 L water at 90 °C) and ±2 K stability in silicone oil (3 L, 150 °C, 50 mPa·s)
• Stainless steel 1.4404 (AISI 316L) bath vessel—chemically resistant, corrosion-proof, and compliant with GMP-relevant material specifications
• USB interface (Type-B) enabling firmware updates and optional integration with IKA Labworld software for remote monitoring and data logging
• Low standby power consumption (3 W), supporting energy-conscious lab operations without compromising readiness

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HB digital accommodates standard laboratory glassware including beakers, flasks, and reaction vessels up to 4 L total volume, with a minimum fill level of 60 mm to ensure sensor accuracy and thermal homogeneity. It supports all common heat-transfer media—aqueous solutions, silicone oils (up to 50 mPa·s viscosity), ethylene glycol mixtures, and low-volatility organic solvents—within its specified operating range. Certified to DIN 12876 Class II for heating baths, it meets essential safety requirements for overheating protection, electrical insulation, and mechanical stability. Additional conformity includes EN 61010-1 (safety of electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use), EN 60529 (IP21 ingress protection), and RoHS/CE directives. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit-ready operation is supported via external timestamped logging when paired with validated third-party software.

Software & Data Management

The built-in USB port facilitates direct connection to Windows-based PCs running IKA Labworld software (v3.0 or later), allowing users to configure heating profiles, monitor real-time temperature curves, export CSV-formatted datasets, and generate PDF reports. Firmware updates are distributed through IKA’s official support portal and require no hardware modification. All temperature setpoints, safety limits, and operational logs are stored locally in non-volatile memory—retaining configuration integrity across power cycles. For GLP/GMP environments, manual recording of batch-specific parameters (e.g., start/end time, max deviation, operator ID) remains standard practice unless interfaced with a validated LIMS or ELN system.

Applications

• Controlled heating of reagents prior to titration, extraction, or enzymatic reactions
• Temperature equilibration of calibration standards (e.g., viscosity reference oils, pH buffers)
• Pre-warming of culture media and agar solutions in microbiology workflows
• Thermal activation of catalysts or polymerization initiators in synthetic chemistry
• Supporting dissolution testing per USP when used with calibrated probe assemblies
• General-purpose warming of samples in analytical sample preparation (e.g., prior to HPLC injection or GC vial loading)

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended viscosity of heat-transfer fluid for stable control at 150 °C?
Silicone oil up to 50 mPa·s is validated; higher viscosities may reduce thermal response time and increase controller drift beyond ±2 K.
Does the HB digital support external PT100 probe input for vessel-specific temperature feedback?
No—temperature sensing is internal only, located within the stainless steel bath wall; external probe integration is not supported.
Can the unit be operated continuously at 180 °C?
Yes, provided ambient conditions remain within 5–40 °C and relative humidity ≤80 %, with adequate ventilation around the housing to prevent thermal buildup.
Is the USB interface compatible with macOS or Linux systems?
Official drivers and Labworld software are Windows-only; generic USB CDC communication is not exposed for cross-platform development.
What does the “absolute average deviation” specification indicate?
It reflects the mean difference between displayed temperature and NIST-traceable reference measurements across three repeated 30-minute stabilization cycles under defined load conditions.