Sample gives an error
Clean and try again. If the error comes back, run a QC test.
When a sample gives an error, the cause is either in the sample or in your BactoBox®. A QC test tells the two apart, because it measures a vial with a known content.
What to do
Clean and try again
Run Clean with a fresh SBT disinfection vial. Make a new sample vial and measure it.
An error can happen once, for example because of an air bubble. If the error does not come back, carry on.
Check how you prepared the sample
Some errors point to the sample. Look up your code in Errors a sample can cause below, and fix the sample before you go on.
Use SBT consumables to prepare your samples. They rule out many errors that are very hard for us to trace in a sample. See Check your consumables.
Run a QC test
Error still there? Run a QC test with SBT consumables only. Then the result tells you about your BactoBox®, not about your vials.
QC test passes. Your BactoBox® works, and the cause is in the sample. Read Before you measure. If the error keeps coming back, contact support. We help you find the cause.
QC test fails. Go to QC test fails.
Errors a sample can cause
1201, 1205 Conductivity is too high
Your BactoBox® measures in a liquid with a set conductivity. Warm dilution liquid conducts more. So does leftover growth medium when you dilute only 1:10, or 1:100 for some media.
Make sure your dilution liquid is at room temperature, not warm. Then dilute more, for example 1:1 000. If the error goes away, the growth medium is raising the conductivity too much for a 1:100 dilution.
1200, 1206 Conductivity is too low
The liquid conducts too little. Cold dilution liquid, or a liquid that is not SBT dilution liquid, can cause it. So can an air bubble at the conductivity sensor.
Clean and try again. Use SBT dilution liquid at room temperature.
2000–2030 Flow errors
A sample with many particles can disturb the flow through the flow cell.
If your sample holds many particles, dilute it more. Then clean and try again.
3000 Particle concentration is too high
The vial is too concentrated for your BactoBox® to measure accurately.
Dilute more. Then clean and try again. See Hit the right concentration.
For any other code, follow the During a sample column in Error codes.
No error, but the result looks wrong?
Read Before you measure. It covers the five mistakes we see most often.
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