FlashGel™ Power Supply
Instruction Manual

Lonza Rockland, Inc.
www.lonza.com
scientific.support@lonza.com
Scientific Support: 800-521-0390
Customer Service: 800-638-8174
Rockland, ME 04841

Table of Contents

Safety Information2

Maintenance3

Specifications

4

Introduction

7

Operation Instructions

9

Troubleshooting

12

Ordering Information

15

Warranty and Liability Information

17

1

Flas
shGel™ Power Supply
Impportant Safety
S
In
nformatiion
Saffety sym
mbols
The following symbols alert the useru
to immportant operationa
al, mainten
nance,
nty require
ements, oro possiblee hazard e
exposure.
and//or warranSymbolS
inddicates a wa
arning of po
otential exp
posure to ha
azardous vooltagewherewconttact may result in deatth or serious injury.

SymbolS
inddicates disp
posal instrucction. DO N
NOT throw tthis unit intooamunicipal trash bin. Fo
or utmost p
protection oof the global environmeent andtot minimizee pollution, please recyycle this unnit.

neral Prod
duct Warrning Stattement:
Gen
UTION: Hazardouss Voltagee
CAU
Con
ntact mayy cause deathdor serious
s
in
njury
Cau
ution should be exerrcised in thet operattion of thiss system aas it can ddevelop
suffiicient volta
age and currentcto produce a lethal shhock. Too reduce rrisk of
injurry, the sys
stem shou
uld only bee operated
d by prope
erly traine
ed personn
nel andalwa
ays in acc
cordance withw the innstructions provideed.
ng on the DC power source, ensure th
hat the bla
ack lead iss
Prior to turnin
connnected to the negative terminal and th
he red lea
ad is connected to tthe
posiitive terminal. Failure to adheere to theese instrucctions cou
uld result iin
perssonal and /or labora
atory hazaards, as w
well as invvalidate anny warrannty.
Alwa
ays turn off
o the DC power soource prioor to removing casssettes from
m the
dock
k. For maximum safety,salw
ways operrate this ssystem in an isolateed, low
trafffic area noot accessiible to una
authorizedd personnnel. Neverr operatedammaged or brokenbeqquipment.

2

Use a high level of precaution with any electrical device. Before connecting
the electrical supply, check to see if the supply voltage is within the range
stated on the rating label, and see to it that the device plug be firmly seated.
Place the unit in a safe and dry location; it must NOT touch any surrounding
objects. Follow the safety precautions for chemicals / dangerous materials.
If needed, please contact a qualified service representative or
scientific.support@lonza.com.

Environmental Conditions
Ensure the instrument is installed and operated strictly under the following
conditions:








75 kPa – 106 kPa
Pollution degree: 2Main supply voltage fluctuations up to ±10% of the normal voltage
Temperature: 15C-40C
Humidity: ≤95% relative humidity, non-condensing
For indoor use only
Altitude up to 2000m

Maintenance
Visually inspect the power supply prior to use for signs of wear, cracks or
damage. Do not use if damage is found.
There are no user serviceable parts contained in the FlashGel™ Power
Supply.

3

Specifications
Electrical Specifications
Output Voltage / Inc.: 10 - 300V / 1VDC
Output Current / Inc.: 10 - 400mA / 1mA
Max. Watt:
60W
Rated Voltage:
100 - 240 V, 50 - 60 Hz, 2A
Output Type:Constant Voltage or Constant Current
Control:
Microprocessor controller
Timer:
1 - 999 minutes with alarm, continuous
Safety Device:
No load detection; shrouded plugs and sockets
Physical Specifications
Terminal Pairs:
2 Pairs
Display:
3 digit LED
Construction
Polycarbonate housing & aluminum bottom platesmaterial:
Unit Dimension:
140 x 191 x 84mm
Weight:~1 kg
Catalog Number
57068 - FlashGel™ Power Supply

ON/OFF
SwitchMain Power Jack
andFuse Holder

Fan

Front view

Rear view

4Warning
The FlashGel™ Power Supply has been tested and found to comply with the limits of CE
regulation. The power supply is marked with ETL which indicates it conforms to US andCanadian product safety standards. The device also complies with RoHS, indicating it’s
free of certain hazardous substances associated with electrical and electronic equipment
which meets the environmental directive. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the instrument series isoperated in a commercial environment. This instrument used together with theFlashGel™ Dock or other electrophoresis chamber, uses, and can radiate, radio
frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this instrument ina residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at their expense. Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment. It is strongly recommended for the user to read thefollowing points carefully before operating this equipment.
1.
2.

Read and follow the manual instructions carefully.
Do not alter the equipment. Failure to follow these directions could result in personal
and/or laboratory hazards, as well as invalidate any warranty.
3. Use a properly grounded electrical outlet with correct voltage and current handling
capacity.
4. Disconnect from power supply before maintenance and servicing. Refer servicing toqualified personnel.
5. Do not use the unit if there is any sign of damage. Replace damaged parts.
6. Do not use in the presence of flammable or combustible material; fire or explosion
may result. This device contains components which may ignite such materials.
7. Refer maintenance and servicing to qualified personnel.
8. Ensure that the system is connected to electrical service according to local andnational electrical codes. Failure to make a proper connection may create fire orshock hazard.
9. Use appropriate materials and operate correctly to avoid possible hazards of
explosion, implosion or release of toxic or flammable gases arising from overheatedmaterials.
10. The unit shall be operated only by qualified personnel.

5

Avoiding Electrical Shock
Follow the guidelines below for safe operation of the unit.
The FlashGel™ Power Supply has been designed to utilize shielded wires thus
minimizing potential shock hazard to the user. Lonza recommends against the use ofunshielded wires.
To reduce risk of electrical shock:1. In the event of solution spilling on the instrument, it must be dried out for at least 2
hours and restored to NORMAL CONDITION before each operation.
2. Never connect or disconnect wires loading from the power jacks when the red
indicator light of power switch is on.
3. WAIT at least 5 seconds after stopping a run before handling output leads or any
connected apparatus.
4. ALWAYS make sure that your hands, work area, and instruments are clean and dry
before making any connections or operating the power supply.
5. ONLY connect the power cord to a properly grounded AC outlet.
Avoiding Damage to the Instrument
1. Do not attempt to operate the device if damage is suspected.
2. Protect this unit from physical damage, corrosive agents and extreme temperatures(direct sunlight, etc.).
3. For proper ventilation and safety concerns, keep at least 10 cm of space behind the
instrument, and at least 5 cm of space on each side.
4. Do not operate the unit out of environmental conditions previously listed.
5. Prior to applying any cleaning or decontamination methods other than in accordancewith manufacturer’s recommendation, users should check with the manufacturer’s
instructions to see if the proposed method will damage the equipment.
Equipment Operation
Follow the guidelines below for safe operation of the unit:
1. NEVER access dangerous chemicals or other materials to reduce the likelihood of
possible hazard of explosion and damage.
2. Do not operate the unit without lids or covers.
3. A temporary conductivity caused by condensation might occur even though thisseries is rated Pollution Degree 2 in accordance with IEC 664.

6

Introduction
The Lonza FlashGel™ Power Supply completes the FlashGel™ System. The
FlashGel™ Power Supply is designed for use with the FlashGel™ Dock and extends its
capabilities outside the FlashGel™ System to most general electrophoresis applications.
The FlashGel™ Device Pack which includes the FlashGel™ Power Supply, FlashGel™
Dock, and FlashGel™ Camera offers an all in one comprehensive package for fast easy
nucleic acid separation. Its compact size, with two terminal pairs which provide sufficientand accurate output voltages, can deliver reliable experimental results from one
experiment to another. Lonza’s FlashGel™ Power Supply is ETL (US and Canada),
RoHS and CE compliant to address environmental and safety concerns.

FlashGel™ Device Pack

FlashGel™ Camera

FlashGel™ Power Supply
FlashGel™ Dock

For additional information on the FlashGel™ System visit: www.flashgel.com

7

Product Description & Feature
The FlashGel™ Power Supply is powerful enough to provide the constant 225V or 275V
output, which is recommended to run the FlashGel™ Cassettes while being a fraction of
the size of power supplies with similar outputs. Continuous or timed operations are easily
performed using the simple and user-friendly interface. The FlashGel™ Power Supply
features 2 electrode pairs, allowing for up to 2 FlashGel™ Cassettes to be run
simultaneously, saving both time and valuable bench space. With a universal voltage
rating, the FlashGel™ Power Supply is also designed and constructed to rigorous safety
standards.

- Compact size
- Power capacity: 60W, 400mA, 300V
- Constant Voltage or Constant Current operation- 1 V step voltage selection; 1 mA step current selection- Timer- No load detection- Shrouded plugs and sockets- Two pairs of outlet terminals- Output voltage stability- CE marked, ETL (conforms to US and Canadian product safety standards)

8

Operation Instructions

Control interface

You will find six buttons and four LED indicators on the faceplate.
The LED indicates the status of the unit.
a. Setup Mode (before pressing RUN/Start)
LED light indicates your current parameter. If you are setting a value for Voltage, theVoltage LED will be lit.
b. Operation Mode
After you start the experiment, the LED light next to the RUN/STOP button will lightup to indicate the unit is under operation.
1.

– Select voltage value

2.

– Select current value

3.

– Timer button

4.

– Increase the Voltage, Current or Time5.

– Decrease the Voltage, Current, or Time6.

– Start or stop the unit
9

Start the operation
NOTE: To operate under constant voltage or constant current modes, adjust the otherparameter to the maximum value. For example, to operate under constant voltage,
adjust current to max before running using constant voltage, and vice versa.
1. Place the unit on a sturdy and level surface in a safe, dry place, away from laboratory
traffic.
2. Ensure that the AC power switch is OFF, and then plug the three-pronged power cord
into a grounded three-prong AC outlet with appropriate voltage (100V to 240V as
indicated on the rating sticker near the AC cord on the back of the unit).
3. Power on the unit by pressing the ON/OFF switch.
4. Connect the DC output jacks from the FlashGel™ Dock or other electrophoresis unit;
insert the red lead (+) into the red output jack, and the black lead (-) into the black
output jack.
5. Constant voltage or current*To set constant voltage, press, the LED indicator will light up.

*To set constant current, press, and LED indicator will should light up.

6. Adjust the output value by pressing theorbutton.

*When running FlashGel™ Cassettes, refer to the FlashGel™ Dock instruction
manual for recommended electrophoresis conditions.
7. After adjusting your constant mode output value, switch to the other parameter andset it to maximum.
8. Timer Setting: After setting the current or voltage output value, press the Timer button,
and then press

button or

button to adjust timer accordingly.

10Note: When timer is set as “0”, it means continuous operation.

9. Press
next to the

10. Press

button to start the run. Once the electrophoresis starts, the LED lightbutton will light up.

button again to stop the unit at any time if necessary.

11. When the run is completed, Press

button to terminate a timed run, and turn

the AC power OFF by the switch on the rear.
12. The programmed settings will be automatically saved into the system. The next time
you turn it on, the same settings as your previous experiment will be displayed.

11Troubleshooting
Many operating problems may be solved by carefully reading and following the
instructions in this manual. Some suggestions for troubleshooting are given below.
Should these suggestions not resolve the problem or if you have any questions, contact
Lonza Scientific Support or the Lonza distributor in your region for assistance. If
troubleshooting service is required, please include a full description of the problem.

ProblemPossible CauseNo AC power

No Display / lights

Repeated fusebrokenOperation stops

Potential Solution
Check if the power supply is
unplugged, or AC power source
problemAC power cord is not Check AC power cord connections atconnected
both ends. Use the correct cords.
The fuse has blown

Replace the fuse

Hardware failure

Contact Lonza Scientific Support

Electrophoresis
leads are notconnected to thepower supply or to
the electrophoresis
unit(s), or there is abroken circuit in theelectrophoresis cell

Check the connections to the power
supply and on your electrophoresis
cell to make sure the connection is
intact; check condition of wires inelectrophoresis unit. Close the circuitby reconnecting the cables. Press

High resistance due
to tape left on apre-cast gel,incorrect bufferconcentration, orincorrect buffer
volumes in theelectrophoresis cell*

Correct the condition by making surethe tape is removed from the precast
gel, buffers are prepared correctly,
and the recommended volume ofbuffer is added to the electrophoresis
unit.

START/STOP to restart the run.

12

Er1
Error message

Over current(400mA Check if the buffer concentration islimitation reached)appropriate. Excessive bufferconcentration may cause over current
issue.* To clear the error message,press the START/STOP button again

Er2
Error message

Over voltage(300V
limitation reached)

Press START/STOP button to clear
the error message. Contact Lonza
Scientific Support if the problem
persists.

Er3
Error message

Thermal limitation
reached(Output
voltage <10V)(1) Check the connectionsnLD
Message

No load is detected(1) Check the connections(2) Check the buffer condition / buffer
level.

AL1
Alarm message

Max. watts(60W) of
power reachedWarning message for reference(2) If Er3 error message persists, theproblem may be caused by internal
fan failure. Contact Lonza ScientificSupport.

*Not likely when used with FlashGel™ Dock

Encountering Problems
1. Check the troubleshooting section.
2. Call Scientific Support or e-mail scientific.support@lonza.com

13

Replacing the Fuse
For additional fuses, call Lonza Scientific Support or e-mailscientific.support@lonza.com
To replace the fuse:
1. Turn off the main power switch at the rear of Power Supply and detach the powercord.
2. Open the fuse compartment located inside the Power Entry Module by inserting asmall flat blade screwdriver into the slot below the ON/OFF switch. Turn thescrewdriver to gently pry open the fuse compartment.
NOTE: The fuse compartment will not open with the power cord in place.
3. Pull the fuse holder out of the compartment and inspect the fuse. If the fuse is burnedor there is a break in the fuse element, replace the fuse with the identical type of fuse
(T2AH250V) as provided in the fuse holder (see figure below).
4. Place the fuse holder back into the compartment.
5. Snap the cover closed.

14Ordering Information
FlashGel™ Devices
Cat No. Description
57068

FlashGel™ Power Supply

57025

FlashGel™ Dock
For use with all FlashGel™ Cassette types

57040

FlashGel™ Camera
Includes Camera, hood enclosure USB cable, and FlashGel™ Capture
Software. For use with the FlashGel™ Dock.

FlashGel™ Device Packs
Cat No. Description
57062

FlashGel™ Device Pack
Includes FlashGel™ Dock, FlashGel™ Power Supply, and FlashGel™ Camera

57069

FlashGel™ Power Supply Pack
Includes FlashGel™ Dock and FlashGel™ Power Supply

57065

FlashGel™ Camera Pack
Includes FlashGel™ Dock and FlashGel™ Camera

FlashGel™ Consumable Kits
Cat No. Description
57063

FlashGel™ DNA Kit
Includes FlashGel™ DNA Cassettes 1.2% 12+1 well single tier 9pk,
FlashGel™ Loading Dye, and FlashGel™ Marker 100 bp – 4 kb

57064

FlashGel™ Recovery Kit
Includes FlashGel™ Recovery Cassettes 1.2% 8+1 well double tier 9pk,
FlashGel™ Recovery Buffer, FlashGel™ Loading Dye,
FlashGel™ QuantLadder, and Visualization Glasses

57024

FlashGel™ RNA Kit
Includes FlashGel™ RNA Cassettes 1.2% 12+1 well single tier 9pk,
RNA Marker, Sample Buffer, and Molecular Biology Water

15

Notes16

Warranty and Limitation of Liability
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, LONZA ROCKLAND, INC. MAKES NO WARRANTY OF
ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY FACT OR LAW, OTHER THAN LONZA'S (I)OBLIGATION TO DELIVER PRODUCT COMPLYING WITH LONZA'S PUBLISHEDSPECIFICATIONS (OR AS OTHERWISE REFERENCED IN THE CONTRACT) AND (II)IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF TITLE, FREEDOM FROM ENCUMBRANCE, AND RIGHT TO
TRANSFER SAME. LONZA MAKES NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OTHER THAN AS
STATED HEREIN.
Lonza Rockland, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanshipunder normal service for one year from date of shipment, subject to the exclusions set forth
below and provided that the product has been operated and maintained according to the
instructions provided. If the product proves defective during this period, Lonza Rockland, Inc.,
will repair or replace it at our option, free of charge, if returned to us postage prepaid. This
warranty does not cover: Consumable parts (fuse), damage in transit, damage caused bycarelessness, misuse or neglect, normal wear through frequent use, damage caused by solvent
corrosion, damage caused by improper handling or user alteration, nor unsatisfactory
performance as a result of conditions beyond Lonza’s control.
LONZA ROCKLAND INC.'S TOTAL LIABILITY AND BUYER'S EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
FOR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PRODUCT, WHETHER BASED IN
TORT, CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY IS
EXPRESSLY LIMITED TO REPLACEMENT OF NONCONFORMING PRODUCT OR
PAYMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SPECIFIC
PRODUCT FOR WHICH DAMAGES ARE CLAIMED, AT LONZA'S OPTION. LONZAROCKLAND, INC., SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY OTHER DAMAGESINCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS, LOSSOF INCOME, LOSS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, LOSS OF USE AND OTHER
RELATED DAMAGES, HOWEVER CAUSED, NOR ANY DAMAGE ARISING FROM THE
INCORRECT USE OF THE PRODUCT.

License and Trademark Information
Some components and technology of the FlashGel™ System are sold under licensing
agreements. The nucleic acid stain in this product is manufactured and sold under license from
Molecular Probes, Inc. and the FlashGel™ Cassette is sold under license from Invitrogen IP
Holdings, Inc. and is for use only in research applications or quality control, and is covered bypending and issued patents. Dark Reader is a trademark of Clare Chemical Research, Inc. The
FlashGel™ Dock technology contains Clare Chemical Research, Inc. Dark Reader®
transilluminator technology and is covered under US Patents 6,198,107; 6,512,236; and6,914,250. The electrophoresis technology is licensed from Temple University and is covered
under US Patent 6,905,585.
All trademarks herein are marks of the Lonza Group or its affiliates.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Manufactured for Lonza© 2012 Lonza Rockland, Inc.

17

Lonza Rockland, Inc.
www.lonza.com
scientific.support@lonza.com
Scientific Support: 800-521-0390
Customer Service: 800-638-8174
Document # 00525706-0812-2
Rockland, ME 04841