Binder UF V 500 ultra-low temperature freezer, −90 °C to −40 °C, 501 l, 9020-0347

When a sample collection grows beyond the capacity of an initial minus 80 degree freezer, the Binder UF V 500 is the medium-sized model for the next step. This ultra-low temperature freezer covers the same temperature range from −90 °C to −40 °C as the other models in the series and provides 501 litres of usable capacity. Here too, the entire chamber is made of stainless steel and cooled using the climate-neutral refrigerants R-290 and R-170.

Capacity for growing sample collections

Three flexibly positionable stainless-steel shelves are fitted in the chamber as standard, and the configuration can be expanded to accommodate up to eleven shelves if required. With four racks per shelf level, the freezer holds up to 352 cryoboxes in the 50 mm format. Each compartment may carry a maximum of 50 kg, with a total permissible load of 200 kg, an increase compared with the UF V 350, which allows 40 kg per compartment. If the freezer is later upgraded to the maximum number of eleven shelves, cryobox capacity increases beyond the standard configuration of three shelves without requiring a larger housing.

Cooling technology and thermal insulation

Like the entire UF V series, the 500 model operates with a cascade compression cooling machine and climate-neutral R-290 and R-170 refrigerants. Thermal insulation consists of vacuum insulation panels, which achieve high insulating performance with low wall thickness. At a setpoint of −80 °C and an ambient temperature of 20 °C, energy consumption is 7.9 kWh/d according to the data sheet, while the cooling time from 22 °C to −80 °C is 360 min. In addition to the air-cooled standard version described here, Binder also offers the UF V 500 with water cooling. This item relates exclusively to the air-cooled standard version with a 230 V connection.

Access, sealing and safety

An outer door and two removable stainless-steel inner doors divide the chamber into compartments, while an innovative door seal concept reduces ice formation on the seal. The internal data logger records temperature values and can be read via USB in an open format. The freezer can be integrated into a network via Ethernet. A volt-free alarm contact forwards faults to an existing building alarm system, and three 28 mm diameter access ports at the rear accommodate additional cables. As the data logger stores measurements in an open format, records can be evaluated without manufacturer-specific software and incorporated into existing quality management or audit documentation. The freezer can optionally be factory-fitted with CO2 emergency cooling, which cools the chamber in the event of a power failure or cooling machine fault.

Installation and electrical connection

The UF V 500 has a net weight of 247 kg, while the housing is 826 mm wide and 938 mm deep. Allow at least 100 mm clearance behind the freezer and at least 250 mm at the sides to ensure the cooling machine receives sufficient air at the condenser. It connects to a 230 V AC, 50 Hz supply via a CEE 7/7 (Schuko) plug. The unit fuse is rated at 10 A.

UF V series sizes

The UF V 500 is positioned between the compact UF V 350 with 402 litres and the large-capacity UF V 700 with 736 litres. All three sizes share the same cooling technology, operating concept and interfaces, allowing a second freezer from the same series to be put into operation without retraining. Binder also offers the UF V 500 with water cooling for locations with an existing cooling-water connection, but this is not part of the standard equipment for this item. The choice between air and water cooling is generally determined by the heat load in the installation room. In air-conditioned server rooms or small ancillary rooms without dedicated air conditioning, the air-cooled standard version is usually the simpler solution.

Typical applications

The UF V 500 is suitable for laboratories whose sample volume has grown beyond the capacity of an entry-level model but has not yet reached the scale of a biobank. Typical applications:

• Central long-term storage of cell lines and DNA and RNA samples in research laboratories
• Retained samples and reference substances in pharmaceutical quality control
• Sample banks in clinics and diagnostic laboratories with medium throughput
• Replacement of or addition to a smaller ultra-low temperature freezer as sample volumes increase

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• 1 Binder UF V 500 ultra-low temperature freezer, item 9020-0347
• 3 flexibly positionable stainless-steel shelves
• 2 removable stainless-steel inner doors, pre-fitted
• Operating instructions

CO2 emergency cooling, foam-insulated compartment doors with seals and access control are not included in the scope of delivery. These options are separately available as accessories.

Customised requirements & procurement service

A factory-fitted CO2 emergency cooling system (item 8012-1891, increasing housing depth to 1,085 mm) and foam-insulated compartment doors with seals (item 8012-1893) are available for the UF V 500. LT Laborhandel's procurement service is available for shelf inserts, monitoring software or individual calibration.