Thermo Scientific HERAcell 150i Copper-Lined CO2 Incubator

Brand : Thermo

Product Code : SKU 3180V INC

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Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Copper-Lined CO₂ Incubator

Some laboratory equipment is designed to increase productivity. Other equipment is designed to reduce risk. The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Copper-Lined CO₂ Incubator accomplishes both by combining precise environmental control with one of the most effective passive contamination-control strategies available in a laboratory incubator. Featuring a 100% solid copper interior chamber, this incubator helps reduce microbial contamination while maintaining the stable temperature, humidity, and CO₂ conditions required for successful cell culture.

With a 150-liter (5.3 cu. ft.) chamber, the Heracell 150i Copper provides an ideal balance between usable incubation capacity and laboratory footprint. Whether supporting academic research, biotechnology startups, pharmaceutical development, regenerative medicine, or clinical laboratories, the incubator delivers dependable environmental performance while helping protect valuable cultures from contamination. Purchasing a refurbished Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Copper from American Instrument Exchange allows laboratories to obtain premium incubation technology at a substantial savings compared with purchasing new equipment.

Key Features

150 L (5.3 cu. ft.) chamber capacity
100% solid copper interior chamber
Natural antimicrobial chamber surfaces
Direct heat incubation technology
Temperature range from ambient +3°C to 55°C
CO₂ control range from 0% to 20%
Thermal conductivity (TC) CO₂ sensor
Integrated heated humidity reservoir
ContraCon™ moist heat decontamination cycle
Mirror-finish copper chamber with rounded interior corners
iCAN™ touchscreen controller
RS-232 communication port
Heated inner glass door
Adjustable stainless steel shelving
Compact, stackable design
90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange

Designed for Laboratories That Cannot Afford Contamination

In many laboratories, contamination is more than an inconvenience—it can mean weeks of lost work, discarded reagents, delayed timelines, and the loss of irreplaceable cell lines. While proper aseptic technique remains the foundation of contamination control, the equipment used throughout the cell culture workflow plays an equally important role in protecting valuable research.

The Heracell 150i Copper was developed specifically for these environments. Instead of relying solely on periodic cleaning or sterilization, the incubator incorporates a chamber constructed entirely from solid copper. Copper's naturally antimicrobial properties provide continuous passive protection against many microorganisms that come into contact with chamber surfaces, helping reduce contamination risk every day the incubator is in operation.

Its 150-liter chamber is well suited for laboratories performing routine mammalian cell culture, stem cell research, primary cell isolation, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, IVF research, and pharmaceutical development. The compact footprint also makes it an excellent choice for laboratories operating multiple incubators dedicated to separate projects or individual research groups.

Common Applications

The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Copper is commonly used for:

Mammalian cell culture
Primary cell culture
Stem cell research
Cell and gene therapy research
Tissue engineering
Regenerative medicine
IVF and reproductive medicine
Hybridoma production
Cancer biology
Pharmaceutical drug discovery
Vaccine development
Clinical laboratory research
Biotechnology process development
Academic life science research

Its contamination-resistant chamber design makes it particularly valuable for laboratories maintaining long-term cultures or highly sensitive cell lines where environmental cleanliness is essential to experimental success.

Ideal Laboratory Environments

The Heracell 150i Copper is widely used in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, university research laboratories, hospital research facilities, IVF laboratories, government laboratories, and contract research organizations. Laboratories working with high-value cultures often dedicate copper-lined incubators to their most contamination-sensitive projects while using standard incubators for routine production work.

The compact chamber size also makes this model well suited for laboratories expanding their cell culture capacity without requiring additional floor space or major facility modifications.

Temperature Recovery and Environmental Stability

Maintaining consistent environmental conditions is critical for healthy cell growth and reproducible research. Temperature fluctuations, inconsistent humidity, or unstable carbon dioxide concentrations can affect media pH, alter cell metabolism, and introduce unnecessary variability into experimental results.

The Heracell 150i Copper utilizes direct heat technology to provide efficient temperature control throughout the incubation chamber. Operating from ambient +3°C to 55°C, the system maintains excellent temperature stability while recovering quickly following routine door openings. Multiple temperature sensors continuously monitor chamber conditions and automatically adjust heating output to minimize fluctuations throughout the chamber.

Carbon dioxide concentrations from 0% to 20% are controlled using a thermal conductivity sensor that provides dependable performance for routine laboratory applications. Combined with the integrated heated humidity reservoir, the incubator rapidly restores humidity and CO₂ after chamber access, helping maintain stable culture conditions while minimizing stress placed on sensitive cells.

The relatively compact chamber also contributes to faster environmental recovery compared with larger incubators, allowing researchers to access cultures without prolonged disruption to neighboring samples.

Contamination Control

The defining feature of the Heracell 150i Copper is its 100% solid copper interior chamber. Unlike antimicrobial coatings that may wear or degrade over time, solid copper continuously provides passive antimicrobial activity throughout the life of the incubator. This natural property helps inhibit the survival of many microorganisms on chamber surfaces, reducing one potential source of contamination between routine cleaning cycles.

The chamber's mirror-finish copper construction includes rounded interior corners that simplify routine cleaning by eliminating hard-to-reach crevices where contaminants can accumulate. Copper also offers excellent durability under warm, humid incubation conditions while providing an attractive, easy-to-maintain interior.

Routine chamber decontamination is accomplished using Thermo Scientific's ContraCon™ moist heat decontamination cycle. Rather than requiring harsh chemical disinfectants, ContraCon uses controlled moist heat to reduce microbial contamination throughout the chamber, simplifying preventive maintenance while minimizing downtime between cleaning cycles.

The integrated heated humidity reservoir further supports contamination control by reducing handling compared with traditional removable water pans. Together, the copper chamber, ContraCon decontamination system, smooth chamber design, and stable environmental controls provide multiple layers of protection that help safeguard valuable cell cultures throughout long-term incubation.

Sample Storage Recommendations

The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Copper is designed to support a broad range of cell culture workflows while maintaining a compact laboratory footprint. Its 150-liter (5.3 cu. ft.) chamber accommodates T-flasks, tissue culture dishes, multiwell plates, roller bottles, spinner flasks, suspension cultures, organoid cultures, and other commonly used cell culture vessels.

Three adjustable shelves are supplied as standard and may be repositioned to accommodate vessels of varying heights. Additional shelving can be installed to increase culture capacity while preserving adequate airflow throughout the chamber. Proper spacing between culture vessels allows conditioned air to circulate freely, helping maintain uniform temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentrations across every shelf.

Many laboratories dedicate individual shelves to separate investigators, projects, or cell lines. This organization not only improves workflow efficiency but also minimizes unnecessary handling of unrelated cultures. For long-term studies or sensitive primary cell cultures, reducing the frequency and duration of door openings can further improve environmental stability and help maintain consistent experimental conditions.

Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs

The Heracell 150i Copper is engineered for continuous laboratory operation while minimizing routine operating costs. Its direct heat design transfers heat efficiently to the chamber without the added complexity of a water-jacketed system, allowing the incubator to reach operating temperature quickly while reducing energy consumption.

The integrated heated humidity reservoir minimizes water loss and requires less routine handling than conventional removable water pans, reducing both maintenance time and opportunities for contamination. Likewise, the thermal conductivity CO₂ sensor provides dependable gas regulation for routine laboratory applications while helping optimize CO₂ consumption during extended operation.

The incubator's compact footprint also contributes to lower facility costs by allowing multiple units to be installed within the same laboratory space. For growing research organizations, this flexibility makes it possible to dedicate separate incubators to specific projects or cell lines without significantly increasing infrastructure requirements.

Combined with its durable construction and proven reliability, the Heracell 150i Copper offers laboratories an economical long-term solution for contamination-sensitive cell culture applications.

Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Thermo Scientific
Model	Heracell 150i Copper
Catalog Number	51026283
American Instrument Exchange SKU	3180W INC
Incubator Type	Direct Heat CO₂ Incubator
Chamber Capacity	150 L (5.3 cu. ft.)
Chamber Material	Solid Copper
Exterior Construction	Powder-Coated Steel
Temperature Range	Ambient +3°C to 55°C
Temperature Stability	±0.1°C
Temperature Uniformity	±0.3°C at 37°C
CO₂ Control Range	0% to 20%
CO₂ Sensor	Thermal Conductivity (TC)
Relative Humidity	Up to 95% RH at 37°C
Humidity System	Integrated Heated Water Reservoir
Decontamination Method	ContraCon™ Moist Heat Cycle
Interior Dimensions	Approximately 20.9" W × 21.7" D × 24.8" H
Exterior Dimensions	Approximately 27.6" W × 31.5" D × 38.2" H
Standard Shelves	3
Maximum Shelves	Up to 10
Shelf Material	Stainless Steel
Shelf Dimensions	Approximately 19.8" W × 20.1" D
Maximum Shelf Load	26 lb (12 kg)
Maximum Chamber Load	79 lb (36 kg)
Interior Door	Heated Glass
Exterior Door	Reversible
Controller	iCAN™ Touchscreen
Communications	RS-232
Alarm System	Audible and Visual High/Low Alarms
Access Port	42 mm (1.65 in.)
Electrical Requirements	120 V, 50/60 Hz
Maximum Power Consumption	Approximately 650 W
Net Weight	Approximately 175 lb (79 kg)

Specifications are believed to be accurate but may vary depending on factory-installed options. Please verify all specifications prior to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the advantage of a copper-lined CO₂ incubator?

The primary advantage of the Heracell 150i Copper is its 100% solid copper interior chamber, which provides continuous passive antimicrobial protection. Copper naturally inhibits the survival of many microorganisms that contact its surface, helping reduce one potential source of contamination between routine cleaning and decontamination cycles.

Which laboratories benefit most from the Heracell 150i Copper?

This incubator is an excellent choice for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, IVF facilities, academic research institutions, hospital laboratories, and any organization maintaining contamination-sensitive cell cultures. It is especially valuable for stem cell research, primary cell culture, regenerative medicine, and long-term cell culture studies.

Does the copper chamber replace routine cleaning and good aseptic technique?

No. The copper chamber is designed to complement—not replace—proper laboratory practices. Routine cleaning, scheduled decontamination, and careful aseptic technique remain essential for successful cell culture. The copper chamber simply provides an additional passive layer of contamination protection during everyday operation.

How does the ContraCon™ decontamination cycle work?

The ContraCon™ system uses controlled moist heat to reduce microbial contamination throughout the chamber without requiring harsh chemical disinfectants. This simplifies preventive maintenance and helps laboratories return the incubator to service with minimal downtime.

Why does the Heracell 150i Copper use a thermal conductivity CO₂ sensor?

Thermal conductivity sensors have been widely used in laboratory incubators for many years and provide dependable CO₂ regulation for routine cell culture applications. They help maintain appropriate media pH while delivering stable performance under normal operating conditions.

Can the Heracell 150i Copper support multiple research projects simultaneously?

Yes. The adjustable shelving and spacious 150-liter chamber allow laboratories to organize cultures by project, investigator, or cell line while maintaining consistent environmental conditions throughout the chamber. Many laboratories dedicate individual shelves to separate studies to improve organization and reduce unnecessary handling.

Is the Heracell 150i Copper appropriate for laboratories with limited space?

Absolutely. The incubator provides substantial culture capacity while maintaining a relatively compact footprint. It is well suited for laboratories adding cell culture capabilities, expanding research programs, or operating multiple incubators within a limited amount of laboratory space.

Why purchase a refurbished Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Copper from American Instrument Exchange?

A refurbished Heracell 150i Copper provides laboratories with a premium CO₂ incubator featuring a solid copper antimicrobial chamber at a significant savings compared with purchasing new equipment. Every incubator is inspected and tested by American Instrument Exchange prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty, providing confidence that the instrument is ready to support demanding laboratory applications.

Testing Procedures for Used and Refurbished CO₂ Laboratory Incubators
Ensure Atmosphere Control, Temperature Accuracy, and Regulatory Compliance

At American Instrument Exchange, all used and refurbished CO₂ incubators undergo a multi-step testing and calibration process. These procedures are designed to ensure precise environmental control, microbial safety, and long-term reliability—critical for cell culture, IVF, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical R&D applications.

Why Testing Used CO₂ Incubators Is Essential

Before a CO₂ incubator is redeployed into a laboratory, it must be thoroughly tested for:
• CO₂ sensor accuracy and gas concentration control
• Temperature uniformity and stability
• Humidity system function
• HEPA filtration and contamination control
• Electrical and safety compliance

Proper testing ensures viable growth environments for sensitive cultures and prevents costly contamination or culture loss in high-stakes lab environments.

Our standardized refurbishment protocol ensures used CO₂ incubators deliver laboratory grade performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable new units.

Key Testing Procedures for Refurbished and Used CO₂ Incubators

1. Initial Visual Inspection
• Inspect the exterior for corrosion, dents, or door alignment issues
• Check door gasket integrity and hinge function
• Verify presence and condition of internal shelves, water pans, and humidity trays
• Examine power cords, gas connectors, and display interfaces for signs of wear

2. Functional Startup Test
• Power on the unit and check for successful system boot
• Verify touchscreen or keypad response, and test all user-programmable settings
• Check door alarms and temperature/CO₂ alerts

3. Temperature Control and Uniformity Testing
• Use temperature probes to verify internal temperature accuracy
• Monitor temperature uniformity across multiple chamber zones
• Ensure fast recovery times after door openings

4. CO₂ Sensor Testing and Gas Delivery System Test
• Test accuracy of infrared (IR) or thermal conductivity (TC) CO₂ sensors using certified reference gas and probes/Fyrite analyzers
• Test inlet pressure regulators and gas flow control systems
• Confirm stable CO₂ levels at multiple setpoints (e.g., 5%, 10%)
• Check for proper mixing and diffusion throughout the chamber

5. Humidity and Contamination Control Testing
• Test humidity generation (via water pan or active system) and verify chamber RH levels
• Inspect HEPA filters (if equipped) and airflow systems for particulate control
• Sanitize interior and confirm antimicrobial coatings or copper components are intact

6. Electrical Safety and Compliance Check
• Ensure proper grounding and insulation of all electrical components
• Perform leak and continuity testing
• Verify the unit meets electrical safety standards for laboratory environments

7. Final Quality Assurance and Performance Validation
• Run a 24-hour performance cycle with monitored CO₂, temperature, and RH
• Document data and final readings
• Complete service report

All refurbished CO₂ incubators sold by American Instrument Exchange are tested to meet the performance demands of today's advanced laboratory workflows—ensuring safety, precision, and peace of mind with every unit.

Repair and Refurbishment Protocol for Used Laboratory Incubators
Performance and Quality from American Instrument Exchange

At American Instrument Exchange, every used laboratory incubator we sell goes through a repair and refurbishment protocol. Whether it’s a standard, CO₂, or refrigerated incubator, our goal is to restore each unit to laboratory-level performance—ensuring temperature accuracy, environmental stability, and long-term reliability in your lab.

Why Choose a Refurbished Laboratory Incubator from American Instrument Exchange?

• Fully tested for performance and safety
• Backed by a warranty
• Cost-effective alternative to new equipment
• Environmentally sustainable through reuse and restoration
• Refurbished by expert technicians with decades of lab equipment experience

Step-by-Step Refurbishment Protocol

Every incubator at American Instrument Exchange follows this comprehensive, multi-stage process:

1. Initial Intake & Inspection
• Visual inspection for cosmetic wear, corrosion, dents, or broken components
• Mechanical assessment of door hinges, gaskets, seals, and chamber components
• Document any missing parts or issues requiring repair or replacement

2. Cleaning and Decontamination
• Thorough internal and external cleaning using non-abrasive solutions
• Decontamination/cleaning of surfaces to remove biological, chemical, or particulate residue
• Cleaning of removable parts (e.g., shelves, trays, etc.)

3. Mechanical and Electrical Repair
• Repair or replacement of worn mechanical components such as door latches, fans, hinges, and seals
• Evaluation and repair of control panels, switches, thermostats, and displays
• Inspection and testing of wiring, fuses, relays, and power supplies

4. Environmental Control System Assessment
• For CO₂ incubators: CO₂ sensors, regulators, and gas delivery systems are tested
• For refrigerated incubators: compressors, condensers, and cooling systems are evaluated for performance and leaks
• Fan motors and airflow systems are tested to ensure uniform environmental conditions

5. Temperature and Sensor Testing
• All temperature sensors and controllers are tested using thermometers/probes
• Uniformity and accuracy tested at multiple chamber locations
• For humidified or CO₂ incubators, humidity and CO₂ stability are verified

6. Safety System Testing
• Test of over-temperature protection systems and alarms
• Evaluation of door sensors, safety interlocks, and power failure recovery

7. Final Quality Control and Documentation
• Full performance test run over 24 hours
• Validation of setpoints for temperature, CO₂ (if applicable), and humidity (if applicable)
• Final inspection and cleaning before packaging
• Complete service report

Trust the Experts at American Instrument Exchange

With over 50 years in the lab equipment industry, American Instrument Exchange is a trusted source for high-quality refurbished laboratory incubators. Our proven refurbishment protocol ensures every unit is reliable, accurate, and ready to meet the demands of your lab from day one.

Warranty Information

All used equipment sold by American Instrument Exchange is refurbished/reconditioned, tested to meet specifications, cleaned, and comes with a 90-day warranty from the date of shipment unless otherwise specified. New products include a warranty from the manufacturer. Your warranty is only valid if you have paid your invoice. If your invoice is over 30 days old, warranty work will not be performed until your invoice is paid in full. American Instrument Exchange is not liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials on this site or the performance of the products,

Exceptions include international sales and items that are agreed to be sold with a lesser warranty or items that are agreed to be sold “as is.”

Should there be visible shipping damage to packaging or concealed shipping damage to item(s) supplied, buyer must communicate such damage to the delivering entity or carrier upon receipt first and to American Instrument the same day item is accepted / signed for. Failure to do so voids warranty. Customer decision to involve / procure third party or OEM service other than American Instrument or AIE assigned vendors to resolve in-warranty instrument failure or defect without first placing a service call to American Instrument voids warranty.

Return & Cancellation Policy

American Instrument Exchange will authorize the return of and issue a full refund for any equipment that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer’s satisfaction by AIE or a representative of AIE during the warranty period. Returns without prior authorization and an RMA number will not be accepted.

Customers are responsible for proper packaging of the equipment and all included accessories. American Instrument will pay for insurance and shipping costs. Non-inventory items bought specifically to fill customer orders may possibly be returned, but on a case by case basis.

Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun or after delivery where there are no equipment performance issues may be subject to a Restocking/Cancellation Fee of 20% or more and responsible for shipping costs for both the delivery and return.

Ongoing and Extended Support Options

American Instrument Exchange is able to provide additional repair and support services outside the warranty terms for most products that sell.

For biosafety cabinets, clean benches, chemical fume hoods, and other clean air products our team at AIE Laboratory Services can provide certifications, repairs, decontaminations, and other services for customers throughout New England, and guidance and limited technical assistance for any customers in the US and Canada for new or refurbished biosafety cabinets purchased from American Instrument Exchange.

For all other products, the repair service team at American Instrument Exchange can provide both field and depot repair evaluations. We can easily schedule and coordinate the pick-up and transportation of your malfunctioning equipment. By offering hourly rates lower than most OEM service providers and eliminating travel time for technicians, we help reduce repair costs. Furthermore, our lab depot repair service minimizes or eliminates scheduling delays. Our experienced service technicians are qualified to restore your equipment to factory specifications.

Please contact our team at info@americaninstrument.com for more details.

FAQ

Does the equipment come with a warranty?

Yes, all equipment from American Instrument Exchange comes with a warranty.
Used/reconditioned/refurbished equipment is tested to make sure it operates to the manufacturer's specifications and comes with a 90-day warranty (unless otherwise noted). New equipment comes with a warranty from the manufacturer.

How do you test and recondition the equipment?

Testing requirements vary across all the equipment categories we sell. Temperature controlled units are tested with NIST traceable probes and data loggers. Gaskets, external housing, glass, handles, controls and control screens are all thoroughly inspected for integrity and functionality.
We test all equipment using the manufacturer's parameters and specifications to confirm that the unit operates properly.

How do products ship from American Instrument Exchange?

We can ship products both nationally and internationally using a well-established network of transporters. Smaller items will ship via UPS. Larger equipment will be palletized and shipped either LTL or air-ride, depending on the specific equipment and/or delivery requirements.

Return and order cancellation policy

American Instrument Exchange will accept the return of any product that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer's satisfaction during the warranty period. Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun will be subject to a cancellation and restocking fee of between 20% and 40%.

Are discounts available for educational or non-profit institutions, or for bulk purchases?

Yes – call or email us today with a list of equipment you're looking for and we can potentially put together a quote that includes a discount.

How does your price matching policy work?

We strive to keep our pricing competitive and reasonable. If you find comparable items for sale at a lower price from other vendors please send us a link and or quote for the item and we'll do our best to match or beat the price.

Can I see the equipment in person before committing to a purchase?

Customers are welcome to make an appointment to view equipment in our warehouse. Given our workload we may not be able to test or clean the equipment prior to your arrival if you have not committed to an order.

1023 Western Avenue is a working warehouse, not a showroom, and customers should dress appropriately and wear closed toe shoes.

Can I ship products that I purchased elsewhere to American Instrument for repair?

Yes – please see our repair services page for more information.