PRIMA UP Series Precision Biochemical Incubators
| Brand | PRIMA |
|---|---|
| Model | UP65 / UP130 / UP230 / UP400 / UP700 |
| Temperature Range | +5 °C to 80 °C |
| Chamber Volume | 65–700 L |
| Uniformity | ±1% of setpoint |
| Stability | ±0.1 °C |
| Display Resolution | 0.1 °C |
| Heating Power | 1000–2500 W |
| Safety Features | Triple over-temperature protection, door-open alarm, sensor fault detection, leakage current protection, auto-recovery after power failure |
| Optional | RS232/RS485 interface, temperature programming, data logging software, test port, fresh air inlet & exhaust ducts |
Overview
The PRIMA UP Series Precision Biochemical Incubators are engineered for stable, reproducible thermal environments essential in pharmaceutical QC, cell culture, microbiological assay development, and environmental simulation studies. Utilizing a high-efficiency axial fan system with optimized laminar airflow distribution and four-directional heating elements, the UP Series maintains uniform temperature profiles across the entire chamber volume—even under full load—without compromising stability or energy efficiency. The incubators operate on a robust PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control architecture, delivering precise thermal regulation from ambient +5 °C up to 80 °C. All models feature a fully welded, electropolished stainless-steel interior with radius-corner construction to eliminate crevices, minimize microbial retention, and support routine cleaning validation per ISO 14644 and cGMP Annex 1 requirements.
Key Features
- Electropolished 304 stainless-steel inner chamber with seamless welds and rounded corners for enhanced cleanability and corrosion resistance
- Four-zone independent heating system combined with low-noise high-volume axial fans ensures ±1% temperature uniformity across the working volume
- PID microprocessor controller with 0.1 °C display resolution, ±0.1 °C temperature stability, and integrated 0–100 hour countdown timer
- Triple redundant over-temperature protection: independent mechanical thermostat, electronic safety cut-off, and programmable upper limit alarm
- Intelligent door-open detection with audible/visual alarm and automatic heater deactivation to preserve sample integrity and conserve energy
- Standard fresh air inlet and exhaust ports enable controlled atmospheric exchange—critical for aerobic microbial growth and CO2-independent long-term culture
- Backlit LED interface with intuitive menu navigation; supports multi-language firmware (English, German, French, Spanish)
- Power-failure memory function retains setpoints and operational status, resuming automatically upon restoration without manual reconfiguration
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The UP Series accommodates standard ISO-compliant culture vessels—including Petri dishes, multi-well plates, flasks, and roller bottles—across all shelf configurations. Each model is certified to IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory equipment safety and conforms to EN 60335-1 for household and similar electrical appliances where applicable. The stainless-steel construction meets USP endotoxin-free surface criteria when cleaned per validated SOPs. Optional RS232/RS485 interfaces support 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails when paired with PRIMA’s certified data acquisition software—enabling traceable temperature logging, user access control, and electronic signature functionality required in GLP and GMP environments.
Software & Data Management
PRIMA’s optional IncuControl™ software provides real-time remote monitoring, configurable alarm thresholds, and automated report generation in PDF or CSV format. When connected via RS232/RS485, the incubator logs timestamped temperature readings at user-defined intervals (1 sec to 24 hr), stores up to 30 days of local history, and exports data with metadata including operator ID, event type (e.g., door open, alarm trigger), and calibration verification stamps. The software supports IQ/OQ documentation templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards, facilitating rapid validation in regulated labs.
Applications
- Microbial growth studies under defined thermal conditions (e.g., ASTM D5589 for biodegradation rate assessment)
- Bacterial and fungal culture maintenance in clinical microbiology and food safety testing laboratories
- Enzyme activity assays requiring strict thermal consistency across replicate runs
- Stability testing of biological reagents and diagnostic kits per ICH Q1A(R2)
- Environmental simulation for water quality monitoring (e.g., BOD5 incubation per ISO 5815-1)
- Cell line expansion and passaging in academic and industrial bioprocessing workflows
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable load for full-shelf configuration without compromising temperature uniformity?
All UP models maintain ±1% uniformity across the full chamber volume—even with all shelves installed and loaded with standard glassware or plastic vessels totaling ≤80% volumetric occupancy.
Does the incubator support external data integration with LIMS or SCADA systems?
Yes—via optional RS485 Modbus RTU protocol, enabling bidirectional communication with enterprise lab informatics platforms for centralized device management and regulatory reporting.
Is the stainless-steel interior compatible with common sterilants such as hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) or vaporized peracetic acid?
The electropolished 304 SS surface has been validated for repeated exposure to HPV cycles (≤1000 ppm, 60 °C) without pitting or passivation loss, per ASTM F1980 accelerated aging protocols.
Can temperature calibration be performed internally without third-party service?
Yes—the built-in digital calibration offset function allows users to adjust displayed temperature against a NIST-traceable reference probe, with change logs retained in the audit trail.
What is the typical warm-up time to reach 37 °C from ambient (25 °C)?
The UP130 achieves thermal equilibrium within 18 minutes; larger models (UP400/UP700) require 22–26 minutes depending on initial load and ambient humidity.
