Volumetric Pipette use, accuracy… 7th February 2022 – Tags: , ,

There are many types of pipettes, volumetric pipettes, graduation pipettes… but first of all, what is a pipette?

A pipette is a small tube that can transfer liquids from one container to another. Pipettes, or pipettes, are common pieces of laboratory equipment.

What is a pipette?

A pipette is a common laboratory tool used to transfer and dispense fixed amounts of liquids. There are many varieties of pipettes, each with specific uses, constructions and usage requirements. Two of the most common types of pipettes are volumetric and graduated pipettes, which are found in most laboratories and research facilities. However, there are significant qualities that differentiate them, and each type of pipette is constructed with distinct advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to understand the functions of each before use.

Both tools are intended to transfer small, measurable amounts of a liquid solution. However, there are differences in accuracy, demarcation styles and volume capacity. In general, graduated pipettes allow different liquid sizes to be transferred from one place to another. A volumetric pipette can only transfer a specific (or fixed) amount of solution.

Types of pipette

Pipettes can be made of glass or plastic and are used to transfer a measurable amount of liquid.

They are designed to hold (TC) or dispense (TD) a specific volume and are so stated by the manufacturer. TC pipettes will hold a specific volume but will not dispense the exact volume, and TD pipettes will dispense the exact volume.

Volumetric pipettes

Volumetric pipettes (also known as bulb or belly pipettes) are thin pipettes calibrated for extreme precision. These pipettes are often used by people analysing reactions or studying chemical or biological properties. They are best suited for acute measurements as they can be calibrated to deliver a precisely set volume of liquid with an accuracy of up to 4 significant figures.

The main advantage of a volumetric pipette is its accuracy. It is especially accurate when delivering solutions, as another advantage of the standard construction is its narrow neck. This allows the meniscus to be read more accurately and therefore gives more accurate results than graduated pipettes.

Standard volumetric pipettes can come in different fixed sizes, from 1 ml, 10 ml, 25 ml, and up to 50 ml options. There are also variable volume pipettes, which are volumetric pipettes that have an adjustment system that reduces the time and trivialities associated with selecting accurate volumes. These pipettes use a digital click-stop system, come in a variety of size ranges, and are easy to calibrate and maintain.

So far, volumetric pipettes have the following:

Pros:

  • Extremely precise
  • Easy to read (reduces the risk of human error)
  • They come in a variety of fixed sizes
  • Variable-volume pipettes increase both accuracy and ease of use

Cons:

  • They can be more expensive
  • The measurements are fixed and are specific to each volumetric pipette. For a range of laboratory procedures requiring a variety of volume sizes, a user would need a range of separate volumetric pipettes.
volumetric pipette use

At Gentaur we offer the best volumetric pipettes of Europe