Description
Overview
The C1 is for the laboratory that cannot answer the airflow question once and for all. One month the work is cell culture; the next it is sample preparation with solvents, and the safety officer asks why the cabinet recirculates.
A damper and a mode interlock switch the cabinet between A2 behaviour (30% exhaust) and B2 behaviour (100% exhaust). The duct is installed once and sized for B2, so the building work happens at commissioning rather than at the next protocol change.
It costs more than an A2 and less than an A2 plus a B2, and it needs a written SOP for the mode change. For core facilities and contract research organisations, that is usually a good trade.
Key features
- A2 and B2 modes. Recirculating mode for biology, total exhaust for chemistry, on the same work zone.
- Mode interlock. The cabinet will not run a total-exhaust protocol in recirculating mode, and the sash is locked during a mode change.
- Duct sized once. The duct and make-up air are sized for B2 so the building does not need rework when protocols change.
- Pressure sensor. Plenum pressure and duct static are monitored in both modes, with a single alarm set.
Specifications
| Airflow class | Class II Type C1 — convertible A2 / B2 |
|---|---|
| Modes | A2: 30% exhaust, 70% recirculation; B2: 100% exhaust |
| Downflow velocity | 0.33 ± 0.025 m/s |
| Inflow velocity | 0.53 ± 0.025 m/s |
| Exhaust volume | 1400 m³/h in B2 mode |
| Filter | ULPA U15, 99.9995% at 0.12 µm |
| Working width | 4 ft / 1.2 m |
| External dimensions | 1300 × 800 × 2250 mm (W × D × H) |
| Internal dimensions | 1150 × 600 × 660 mm (W × D × H) |
| Power | 1800 VA maximum, 230V |
| Noise | ≤65 dB(A) |
| Certification | CE, UKCA, EN 12469, certified in both modes |
Where you would install it
- Core facilities. Mixed users with different airflow requirements on the same cabinet.
- Contract research. Protocols that rotate between biology and chemistry.
- Teaching. One cabinet that can demonstrate both airflow classes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the cabinet certified in both modes?
Yes. Field certification covers both A2 and B2 operation, and the mode must be recorded in the certification report.
What happens if someone changes mode mid-protocol?
The interlock requires the cabinet to be empty and the sash closed. The mode change is a logged procedure, not a switch you can flip during work.
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