1    Why a routine check?

Pipettes should be calibrated annually to maintain their performance. In the interim, it is recommended to perform a quick routine check to test the functionality of your pipettes in order to be confident with your pipetting results during important experiments.

Note: On INTEGRA's electronic pipettes you can set a calibration reminder either in days or cycles.

2    Environment and materials

2.1    Environment

Draft free, constant temperature between 15 °C and 30 °C, max. ±0.5 °C deviation during the measurements.

2.2    Materials

Balance

Equipped with draft protection and evaporation trap.
Alternative trap: 4 containers filled with water in each corner of the windshield.

Number of required digits is determined by the nominal volume of your pipette:

Weighing container

Preferably use a metal container to minimize build-up of static charges.  
Alternative: 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube.

Test liquid

Distilled water

Pipette tips

Use pipette manufacturer’s recommended tips for best results.

Note: INTEGRA GripTip pipette tips snap on and never loosen, leak or fall off.

3    Before you start

Place pipette, tips and test liquid in the test room 2 hours before starting measurements to reach equilibrium with room conditions. 

Note date, ambient temperature and air pressure. If no barometer is available, search the internet for atmospheric pressure at a local weather station.

The use of correct pipetting techniques is crucial.

4    Leak test

Before performing any gravimetric measurements, test if the pipette is leaking:

1. Pre-wet the tip(s) by aspirating and dispensing the nominal volume 3 times.
2. Using the same tip(s), aspirate the nominal volume.
3. With the tip(s) immersed 2 mm in liquid, hold the pipette vertically for 30 seconds.
4. If liquid level does not drop, continue with validation. A decreasing liquid level indicates a leak. Contact the manufacturer to discuss further steps.
    

5    Gravimetric measurement

The weighing container should not be dry. Add some distilled water.

5.1    Number of measurements

Perform at least 4 measurements each at 100 % and at 10 % of the nominal volume. Start at 100 %.

Validate the first and a middle channel on multichannel pipettes.

5.2    Procedure of the gravimetric measurement

1. Tare the balance with the weighing container.
2. Load a new pipette tip.
3. Perform a pre-wet (see section 4).
4. Dispense liquid into the weighing container. Ensure to dispense along the inner container wall and finish by drawing the tip end along wall to remove residual liquid.
5. Record the weight in a table.
6. Using the same tip, repeat steps 4 to 5 at least 4 times. Tare the balance after each reading.
7. Eject the tip and load a new tip.
8. Repeat steps 1 to 7 for the second test volume.
    

6    Data analysis

1. Convert balance readings (mg) to volume (µl) using the Z factor (table to determine the correct Z factor):
   
   
   V_i = Single volume in µl
   m_i = Single weighing in mg
   Z = Z factor
    
2. Calculate the mean volume per test volume and per channel:
   
   
   V = mean volume
   n = Number of weighings
    
3. Calculate the accuracy (systematic error) in %:
   
   
   e_s = Systematic error in %
   V_s = Selected test volume
    
4. Calculate the precision (random error) in %:
   
   
   s_r = Repeatability standard deviation
   CV = Coefficient of variation in %

Compare the calculated accuracy and precision with the manufacturer's specifications. If the calculated values are not within specifications, the pipette needs to be calibrated. If the pipette has passed the routine check, it is working as intended.

Note: INTEGRA electronic pipettes can be easily calibrated. Simply enter target volume and actual volume you have measured and then click calibrate.

7    Conclusion

Here's a summary of how to calculate the accuracy and precision of your pipette when performing a routine check:

1. Perform the routine check in a draft free environment with a constant temperature between 15 °C and 30 °C
2. Prepare a balance equipped with draft protection and evaporation trap, a metal weighing container, distilled water and tips
3. Place the pipette, tips and distilled water in the test room 2 hours before starting measurements
4. Note the date, ambient temperature and air pressure
5. Test if the pipette is leaking
6. Perform at least 4 gravimetric measurements each at 100 % and at 10 % of the nominal volume
7. Calculate the accuracy and the precision and compare them with the manufacturer's specifications
    

And if you liked this article, don't forget to download the guidelines as a poster:

Download guidelines as a poster

Further reading: Everything you need to know about pipettes