Description Of The System; The Separation And Control Unit - GE PhastSystem User Manual

3. Description of the system

3. Description of the
system
The aim of this chapter is to introduce you to PhastSystem. Each
component of PhastSystem is described in turn; the separation and
control unit, the development unit, and PhastGel media and
chemicals. After you have read this chapter you will know what the
components look like, how they function, and how they work
together to form a system for fast electrophoresis, PhastSystem.
The separation and control unit is the heart of PhastSystem because it
3.1 The separation
contains the microprocessor which controls and monitors both
and control unit
separation and development processes according to programmed
methods. Methods are programmed using the keyboard. The LCD
display shows the method steps during programming. When
separation and development methods are started, the display shows
the actual running conditions so you can monitor the progress of the
methods.
The separation and control unit also contains the separation
compartment and the power supply. The microprocessor, separation
compartment and power supply are described below. The keyboard is
described in a following chapter.
Microprocessor
The microprocessor in the separation and control unit controls and
regulates all parameters during separation and development runs.
Methods are programmed using the keyboard, and stored in a
semiconductor memory. This memory is guarded by a battery so that
methods are not lost when the system is turned off or if mains power
fails.
Every time the system is turned on, the microprocessor does a
diagnostic test to make sure everything functions properly. If an error
is detected a message will appear on the display.
The microprocessor will also detect programming errors or instru-
ment malfunctions during operation. In this case, an alarm will
sound, running methods will be paused, and a message will appear
on the display telling you what is wrong. These messages, called help
messages, are listed by number in chapter 7, where you can find more
information about trouble shooting.
Separation compartment
The separation compartment in the separation and control unit
contains a separation bed with positions for two gels. There are two
alternate positions for each gel. The vertical position, with the tab at
the front, is the normal position. The horizontal position, with the tab
to the left, is for running the second dimension in electrophoretic
titration curves.
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