The most common pipetting errors - LOTRIČ Metrology (2024)

The most common pipetting errors

The most common pipetting errors can be detected by observing the pipetting technique.
14. 09. 2018

The most common pipetting errors - LOTRIČ Metrology (1)

  • Uneven pressure on the pipette button (piston movement), which causes the captured volume to be greater than the set volume.
  • Uneven rhythm and pipetting time interval. In case of too slow pipetting, heat the pipette by hand, which causes the volume to be lower than set. Too fast pipetting leads to incomplete aspiration.
  • Unsaturation of the pipette and pipette tip leads to increased evaporation of the medium, which means an increase in the volume of the air column above the medium.
  • Wrong wiping of the pipette tip causes the pipetting to be incomplete, as liquid remains in the pipette tip.
  • Wrong aspiration angle causes the water column in the nozzle to be lower and consequently the volume larger than the set one.
  • Deep immersion of the nozzle during aspiration leads to increased hydrostatic pressure of the medium, which pushes the medium back into the pipette nozzle.
  • Operation with aggressive chemicals requires special cleaning after using the pipette, which must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Leakage of the pipette tip means that the tip is not firmly attached to the pipette tip and not the test tip, or the pipette tip is damaged.

All these errors can be detected by observing the pipetting technique.

If you want to improve your pipetting technique and reduce the number of errors, we invite you to join us in the practical training “Everything you need to know about pipetting”.

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The most common pipetting errors - LOTRIČ Metrology (2024)

FAQs

The most common pipetting errors - LOTRIČ Metrology? ›

Some of the causes of instrumental error are poor calibration, poor quality pipettes, poor pipette handling (dropping or jamming pipettes), and a lack of maintenance among others.

What is the error of a pipette measurement? ›

Some of the causes of instrumental error are poor calibration, poor quality pipettes, poor pipette handling (dropping or jamming pipettes), and a lack of maintenance among others.

What is the standard pipetting error? ›

Pipetting error 1: ignoring temperature fluctuations

Temperature variations between pipettes, tips and liquids can affect the volume of the air cushion inside the pipette, leading to volume variations and, ultimately, inconsistent measurements.

What is the random error in pipette? ›

The second pipette error, random error, is known as a statistical measure that outlines the possible fluctuation in pipetted values due to chance events that might not be replicable every time.

What can affect the accuracy of a pipette? ›

Temperature and air pressure can affect the density of liquids, which you should consider when checking your pipettes. Pure water has a density of 1 g/mL at 20°C and 1 atmosphere of pressure, so ideally, measure the accuracy of your pipettes under these conditions.

What are the common errors done when using micropipettes? ›

Common mistakes we make when pipetting:

Failure to properly maintain the pipettes. Do not calibrate the pipettes within the established deadlines. Pipetting from an incorrect angle. Keep pipettes horizontal.

What is the maximum permissible error for pipette? ›

ISO 8655 specifies a systematic error of 8 µL for a 1000 µL pipette regardless of the selected volume.

Why is my pipetting not accurate? ›

Temperature and pressure affect the volume of the air cushion, which affects pipetting accuracy. Also, volatile solvents can evaporate into the air cushion, which leads to an inaccurate and lower dispensed volume than that displayed on the pipette.

What are the three rules of pipetting? ›

The following rules apply to all types of pipettes. Never put a pipette in your mouth. Draw the liquid into the pipette using a rubber bulb or pipette pump. Never withdraw a liquid from a near-empty container.

What are common random errors? ›

Some common sources of random error include: natural variations in real world or experimental contexts. imprecise or unreliable measurement instruments. individual differences between participants or units. poorly controlled experimental procedures.

What is the percent error in pipetting? ›

The percent error formula will be the amount of discrepancy divided by the total volume being pipetted in this case. Thus, for the 1mL pipette, it will be 5*(. 05mL)/1mL, which is 25% error. The percent error can then be scaled down for each of the following pipets: 5% for the 5mL, and 2.5% for the 10mL.

What are 3 sources of error in an experiment? ›

Physical and chemical laboratory experiments include three primary sources of error: systematic error, random error and human error. These sources of errors in lab should be studied well before any further action.

What are 3 sources of error in an experiment examples? ›

Common sources of error include instrumental, environmental, procedural, and human. All of these errors can be either random or systematic depending on how they affect the results. Instrumental error happens when the instruments being used are inaccurate, such as a balance that does not work (SF Fig.

What are the three possible errors? ›

There are three types of errors that are classified based on the source they arise from; They are: Gross Errors. Random Errors. Systematic Errors.

What errors may account for under pipetting? ›

Some common types of pipetting errors include: 1. Volume Inaccuracy: This occurs when the delivered volume of liquid is not the same as the intended volume. It can happen due to incorrect pipette calibration, variations in technique among different operators, or mechanical issues with the pipette.

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