An additional piece of hardware that is required for electrophoresis & gel imaging is the electrophoresis power supply. This post will all about the safety facts related to this piece of equipment. We would like to share some of the safety related points to help you work smoothly and without any accidents.
Electrophoresis equipment is frequently used in laboratories without incident. However, the power source operates at a voltage and amperage high enough to provide a possibly lethal electric shock. Therefore, it is crucial to utilize electrophoresis power supply very securely.
Electrical Hazards
Burns and injury to the skin, muscles, and nerves can result from the electric shock from an electrophoresis power source. Generally speaking, the risk increases with increasing amperage. Over 50 milliamps (mA) of amps can be lethal. Direct current (DC) up to 3,000 volts and 500 mA can be generated using standard electrophoresis power sources.
Physical Effects of Electric Shock
- Overstimulation of nerves by an electrical shock can have a wide range of physiological repercussions.
- Your heart can stop or quiver. Your arteries might also tighten, which would make it more difficult for your heart to pump blood.
- Electricity can harm nerves, leading to further issues including brain damage, paralysis, and unconsciousness.
- Where it enters and exits the skin, electricity can burn. A person might die from these burns or have an arm or a leg amputated.
- Muscle contractions and spasms are brought on by electricity flowing through them. You could find that you are unable to release the powered equipment as a result. Breathing may be challenging if the chest muscles contract.
Voltage and Amperage
The majority of electrophoresis power supply include labels that read “Danger, High Voltage” in a very apparent manner. Even if a jolt of a few thousand volts is unpleasant, most individuals won’t be harmed by it. The hazard is caused by the current, or amperage. The physical harm to the body is caused by the amps, not the volts, which produce the shock. The majority of electrophoresis power supply has high current or amperage levels, which is enough to be harmful. “Current kills” is a proverb that is frequently used by electricians. If the amperage is high enough, a shock with even a very moderate voltage can be lethal. so why be concerned about voltage?
In order to understand that, let’s get Ohm’s law which correlates current (I), voltage (E) and resistance (R): I = E / R.
Current (I) is directly proportional to the voltage (E) (i.e., the power supply) and inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the circuit (i.e., whatever the power passes though).
Equipment Inspections
- Inspect the electrophoresis equipment and individual components before each use to ensure they are in excellent operating condition.
- Inspect vertical electrophoresis chamber gaskets to verify they are not leaking. If leaks are discovered, contact the manufacturer for new gaskets.
- All cables that fail the test should be discarded and replaced. Some manufacturers advise replacing banana jacks once a year.
- Inspect the safety guards, including no load sensors, open load sensors, ground leakage detectors on the power supply, and safety interlocks on the cover, to guarantee appropriate operation.
Preventing Problems
- Without the authorized permission of the manufacturer, do not alter or modify the equipment.
- Only a trained professional should perform repairs and maintenance.
- Safety interlocks must not be defeated or removed.
- Create, execute, and teach staff and students on documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Keep organics, solvents, and combustibles away from the area.
- Only utilize electrophoresis chambers with lids, ideally ones that are linked with the power supply.
- Check that the banana plugs are fully seated. Arcing may occur if the plugs are not fully inserted.
- Always turn off the power before detaching leads, entering the chamber, or modifying the settings.
- Check that power supply and equipment are correctly matched. High voltages have the potential to harm some chambers.
Any concerns concerning the safety of the electrophoresis power supply and chambers should be directed to the manufacturer.