Magnetic Stirrer with Control Units
Modern magnetic stirrers come along with control units that control the stirring drives. The basic control units give you control of stirring speed, catching/centering, safe and steady acceleration of the stirring bar.
A more powerful control unit for larger volumes can come with advanced features such as multi-step power settings, digital displays, automatic memory, quick settings for speed control, USB and ethernet ports, etc.
For example, MIXdrive 6 is a magnetic stirrer with 6 different stirring points that is compatible with multiple MIXcontrol units.
The number 6 indicates the number of stirring points on the MIXdrive. You can find similar magnetic stirrers with a range of different numbers of stirring points and compatible control units.
Which Control Unit Do I Need for my Magnetic Stirrer?
A magnetic stirrer might be compatible with multiple control units. Similarly, a control unit can be used with multiple kinds of magnetic stirrers. You have to pick the right combination of the control unit and the stirrer based on your requirements.
Picking the Right Control Unit
Since the pairing of control units and magnetic stirrers can change on a case-by-case basis, here are a few criteria to keep in mind before you pick one:
- Speed range – What is the lowest and highest rpm setting that the control unit can manage.
- Stirring power – What is the maximum stirring power of the control unit.
- Power setting – How many steps of power can the control unit maintain for stirring (depending on volume and viscosity).
- IP protection – It is always safer to have a decent IP rating for your unit for it to be able to survive any accidental spills.
- Operating conditions – At what temperature and humidity levels can the control unit be operated.