Hettich ROTINA 420/420R
Hettich · Model ROTINA 420/420R
Entry of parameters - Entry of parameters can be carried out fast and conveniently via the waterproof foil keypad. Just a few keys are all it takes to program the centrifuging parameters. The last entered values will be stored. They remain in the memory even after the centrifuge has been switched off. By pressing the START key the parameters are recalled. Clear Display - The clearly arranged display is easy to read. During centrifugation the actual values are digitally displayed. Programmable small control - Programmable small control- 3 complete operation programs can be stored and recalled. Input in increments of 10 - Input in minutes. Relative Centrifugal Force RCF - Inputs in increments of 1. Run-up/run-down time - Input of acceleration and braking ramps in levels 1-9 and unbraked run-down. Radius r/mm - Input of the radius is required for determining RPM and RCF.
Key tips
- ·Run QC controls before trusting any repair - an analyzer that passes self-test can still report clinically wrong results.
- ·Rule out a reagent lot change before opening the instrument - it can look exactly like a hardware fault.
- ·Centrifuge rotors have a hard retirement age/cycle limit regardless of visible condition - don't eyeball it.
Typical Failure Modes
Compiled for this model from its own documentation and established engineering knowledge for this equipment class - not from a verified service record. Confirm against the manufacturer's service manual.
Will not start / error at start
HighSymptoms: Error code, run will not begin, or aborts shortly after start.
Root cause: Set speed exceeds the rotor maximum, an imbalanced load, the lid / door not locked, an unapproved rotor, or a drive / control fault.
Will not reach speed / excessive noise or vibration
MediumSymptoms: Slow spin-up, rumble, or vibration during a run.
Root cause: Load imbalance, worn drive / motor bearings, a worn drive coupling, or (older units) worn motor brushes.
Timer / speed inconsistency
MediumSymptoms: Run ends early / late, or RPM does not match the setting.
Root cause: Tacho / speed-sensor drift or a control-board fault.
Lid / door will not open or lock
MediumSymptoms: Lid-lock error, will not open after a run, or will not lock to start.
Root cause: Lid-lock solenoid / switch fault, or a run still winding down.
Rotor / bucket wear or corrosion
MediumSymptoms: Visible corrosion, cracks, or a bucket that will not swing; imbalance trips.
Root cause: Rotor / bucket ageing - a safety-critical wear item with a use-life limit.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
Serviceable items for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Service class and relative cost are estimates, not manufacturer figures; no part numbers are given. Confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Drive / motor bearings & coupling
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Lid-lock solenoid / switch
Class Major service partRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Speed sensor / control board
Class Major service partRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Motor brushes (older units)
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $R&R Moderate
Rotor / bucket set & O-rings
Log rotor runs; retire per the manufacturer's rotor-life programme.
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Easy
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive / motor bearings & coupling | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| Lid-lock solenoid / switch | Major service part | $$ | Moderate |
| Speed sensor / control board | Major service part | $$ | Moderate |
| Motor brushes (older units) | Periodic replacement | $ | Moderate |
| Rotor / bucket set & O-rings Log rotor runs; retire per the manufacturer's rotor-life programme. | Major service part | $$$ | Easy |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Daily QC controls run and reviewed
- ·Calibration verification per assay
- ·Routine cleaning and decontamination
- ·Scheduled reagent-path and pump-tubing maintenance
Error Codes
Extracted directly from this unit's own service manual.
TACHO-ERROR 1Speedometer pulses break down during rotation
wait 3:00 During centrifugation the speedometer pulses of the speed sensor (B4) on top of the motor are interrupted. The rotor slows down braked until it stops. No further user operation possible. After the rotor is at standstill and the 3 minutes have elapsed the lid lock will be released and the lid can be opened. • Reset error code: − Open the lid. − Switch off the mains switch (switch position "0"). − Wait at least 10 seconds. − Turn the rotor vigorously by hand. − Switch on the mains switch again (switch position "Ι"). The rotor must turn during switch-on. • Speed sensor (B4) on top of the motor defective or loose contact on plug. Check the function of the speed sensor (B4), see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 6. Measure supply voltage on plug S602 / Electronics (A1) pin 2 – pin 3 (+14-18 VDC). Measure speedometer pulses on plug S602 / Electronics (A1) pin 2 - pin 4 (signal). • Electroni
TACHO-ERROR 2After start command no speedometer pulses from both speed sensors
wait 3:00 After start-up no speedometer pulses will be received from both speed sensors. The rotor slows down braked until it stops. No further user operation possible. After the rotor is at standstill and the 3 minutes have elapsed the lid lock will be released and the lid can be opened. • Reset error code: − Open the lid. − Switch off the mains switch (switch position "0"). − Wait at least 10 seconds. − Turn the rotor vigorously by hand. − Switch on the mains switch again (switch position "Ι"). The rotor must turn during switch-on. • Motor is blocked or defective. • Loose contact on motor plug S104. • Both speed sensors (B4, B2.1) defective or loose contact on plug. − Check the function of the speed sensors, see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 6. − Speed sensor (B4) on top of the motor: Measure supply voltage on plug S602 / Electronics (A1) pin 2 – pin 3 (+14-18 VDC). Measure speedometer pu
IMBALANCE (3)Imbalance on motor axle
Open the lid or perform a MAINS RESET. • Weight difference in rotor components. • The supporting lugs of the rotor are not lubricated. • Check grounding of the motor. A missing grounding of the motor causes disturbing signals which can produce the error. • Check the maximum permissible imbalance values, see pg. 59, chapter 6.15.3. • Imbalance sensor (B2.2) is defective. Measure supply voltage on plug S701 / Electronics (A1) pin 6 – pin 1 (+5 VDC). Measure on Electronics (A1) / plug S701, pin 6 – pin 2 and pin 6 – pin 3 (square wave signal 5 V /100 Hz). • Electronics (A1) is defective.
CONTROL-ERROR 4.1Lid lock error 1
After the rotor has stopped perform a MAINS RESET. If the left LED in the button STOP / OPEN is blinking after turning the centrifuge on again, press this button so that the motor-driven lid locking once again assumes the normal position (opened). • An emergency unlocking was performed during the centrifugation run. • Switches of the lid lock defective. Check the function of both switches, see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 21. Pull out plug S703 and check the function of the switches at the plug of the cable between pin 1 - pin 2 (left hook) and pin 3 - pin 4 (right hook). • Electronics (A1) is defective.
CONTROL-ERROR 4.2Lid lock error 2
Perform a MAINS RESET. • Switches of the lid lock defective. Check the function of both switches, see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 21. Pull out plug S703 and check the function of the switches at the plug of the cable between pin 1 - pin 2 (left hook) and pin 3 - pin 4 (right hook). • Electronics (A1) is defective.
CONTROL-ERROR 4.3Lid lock error 3
Perform a MAINS RESET. • Position switch "Mc" defective. Check the function of the switch, see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 21. Pull out plug S703 and check the function of the switch at the plug of the cable between pin 6 - pin 7 (position switch "Mc"). • Electronics (A1) is defective.
CONTROL-ERROR 4.4Lid lock error 4
Perform a MAINS RESET. • After opening the lid one of the two lid switches (for the hooks) remains closed. • Switches of the lid lock defective. Check the function of both switches, see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 21. Pull out plug S703 and check the function of the switches at the plug of the cable between pin 1 - pin 2 (left hook) and pin 3 - pin 4 (right hook). • Electronics (A1) is defective.
CONTROL-ERROR 4.5Lid lock error 5
Perform a MAINS RESET. • Position switch "Mo" defective. Check the function of the switch, see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 21. Pull out plug S703 and check the function of the switch at the plug of the cable between pin 5 - pin 7 (position switch "Mo"). • Electronics (A1) is defective.
N > MAX 5Excessive speed error
Perform a MAINS RESET. • Both speed sensors (B4, B2.1) defective or loose contact on plug. − Check the function of the speed sensors, see chapter "6.17, item 6". − Speed sensor (B4) on top of the motor: Measure supply voltage on plug S602 / Electronics (A1) pin 2 – pin 3 (+14-18 VDC). Measure speedometer pulses on plug S602 / Electronics (A1) pin 2 - pin 4 (signal). − Speed sensor (B2.1) at the bottom of the motor: Measure supply voltage on plug S701 / Electronics (A1) pin 6 – pin 8 (+14-18 VDC). Measure speedometer pulses on plug S701 / Electronics (A1) pin 6 - pin 7 (signal). • Electronics (A1) is defective.
CONTROL-ERROR 6Lid lock error
Perform a MAINS RESET. • The motor of the li Open the lid. Switch off the mains switch (switch position "0"). Wait at least 10 seconds. Turn the rotor vigorously by hand. Switch on the mains switch again (switch position "Ι"). The rotor must turn during switch-on. • Motor is blocked or defective. • Loose contact on motor plug S104. • Both speed sensors (B4, B2.1) defective or loose contact on plug. − Check the function of the speed sensors, see pg. 62, chapter 6.17, item 6. − Speed sensor (B4) on top of the motor: Measure supply voltage on plug S602 / Electronics (A1) pin 2 – pin 3 (+14-18 VDC). Measure speedometer pulses on plug S602 / Electronics (A1) pin 2 - pin 4 (signal). − Speed sensor (B2.1) at the bottom of the motor: Measure supply voltage on plug S701 / Electronics (A1) pin 6 – pin 8 (+14-18 VDC). Measure speedometer pulses on plug S701 / Electronics (A1) pin 6 - pin 7 (signal)
ROTORCODE 10.1No start code recognized
ROTORCODE 10.2Invalid rotor code
ROTORCODE 10.3Error during reading the rotor code
MAINS INTERRUPT (11)Mains interruption.
VERSION ERROR 12Incorrect machine type and/or cooling version
N < MIN 13Speed error: slippage is too high
CONTROL-ERROR 22Communication error I2 C bus
CONTROL-ERROR 25.1EEPROM read error
CONTROL-ERROR 25.2EEPROM write error
CONTROL-ERROR 25.3EEPROM communication error
CONTROL-ERROR 25.4EEPROM storage error
SER I/O-ERROR 31TIME OUT, communication error with frequency converter
SER I/O-ERROR 34Communication error with frequency converter
SER I/O-ERROR 36NAK, communication error with frequency converter
°C / *-ERROR 51Overtemperature on condenser
°C / *-ERROR 52Overtemperature in centrifuge chamber
°C / *-ERROR 53Temperature sensor at the bottom of the centrifuge chamber is defective
°C / *-ERROR 54Temperature sensor at the top of the centrifuge chamber is defective (not existing in ROTINA 420 R)
°C / *-ERROR 55Temperature sensor on condenser is defective
FU/CCI-ERROR 60Faulty release signal to frequency converter (drive-processor)
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.1Undervolt, undervoltage frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.2Overvolt, overvoltage frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.4OverT FU, Übertemperatur frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.5OverT Mot, overtemperature in motor
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.9OverI Peak, peak current error frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.13Short cir, short circuit cut-off frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.16FU Enable, no enabling for frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.17Communication error with control-processor
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.18frequency converter receives wrong direction of rotation command
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.19Overspeed, frequency converter recognizes excess speed
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.20Faulty speed measurement of the frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.128Internal frequency converter error
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.129System error of the frequency converter
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.130Program memory of the frequency converter defective
FU/CCI-ERROR 61.131Reset by Watchdog of the frequency converter
SENSOR-ERROR 90No mains synchronisation
SENSOR-ERROR 91Imbalance sensor – error (x-axis)
SENSOR-ERROR 92Imbalance sensor – error (y-axis)
SENSOR-ERROR 93Imbalance sensor - error: temperature sensor of the imbalance sensor defective
TACHO-ERROR 96Speed sensor at the bottom of the motor: Speedometer pulses break down during centrifugation run
°C / *-ERROR 97Temperature sensor on the Electronics defective
°C / *-ERROR 98Temperature sensor on the Electronics detects overtemperature
PROGRAMM-ERROR 100Ceck sum error with programs (Single programs)
MULTI PROG ERROR 101Ceck sum error with program linking (Multi programs)
NO ROTOR OR ROTORCODE ERRORNo rotor installed or speed sensor on top of the motor defective
N > ROTOR MAXSpeed in the selected program greater than the maximum speed of the rotor (Nmax).
FC INIT ERRORInitialisation of the frequency converter is faulty
Troubleshooting Approach
A starting sequence for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Error code / message in the speed display, run aborted
- Note the exact code shown in the RPM display (e.g. TACHO-ERROR, CONTROL-ERROR, ROTOCODE, imbalance).
- Perform a MAINS RESET: switch the mains switch off, wait at least 10 seconds, then switch it back on.
- For a tacho / speed error, open the lid, switch off, wait, turn the rotor vigorously by hand, then switch on - the rotor must turn during switch-on.
- Look the code up in the service manual's Error Messages chapter and follow its cause list (speed sensor B4, lid-lock motor, U320 electronics, rotor magnetic code).
- Run a functional check with a loaded rotor plus an electrical-safety test after any component replacement.
Symptom: Lid will not open (power failure or fault)
- Confirm mains is present and the unit is switched on, and that the rotor has fully stopped.
- Try a MAINS RESET.
- If it still will not open, use the mechanical emergency lid release per the manual (release cord / lever), only at standstill.
- If the lid-lock motor runs slowly or is blocked, check the mains voltage is within spec and inspect the lid-lock assembly.
- Replace a faulty lid-lock motor / micro-switch and re-test.
Symptom: Excess vibration or will not reach speed
- Stop, open the lid and re-load the rotor symmetrically with paired, equal-mass tubes; every carrier must be fitted even if empty.
- Inspect the rotor and chamber for a broken vessel or debris.
- Turn the rotor by hand and feel the drive bearing for roughness.
- Check the drive belt (belt-drive models) and motor.
- Verify speed with a tachometer after any drive work.
Technical Specs
- Height
- 15.2 in
- Length
- 22.5 in
- Maximum Speed
- 15000 rpm
- Width
- 19.4 in
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Central / core laboratory
- Point-of-care testing stations
- Blood bank
- Microbiology lab
Documents & Manuals
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From BioLab, for work done with this kind of equipment.
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