Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA Lab Freezer

Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA High-Performance -20°C Laboratory Freezer

The Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA High-Performance Laboratory Freezer is a 23 cu. ft. upright manual-defrost freezer designed for dependable -20°C storage of enzymes, reagents, biological specimens, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic materials, and other temperature-sensitive laboratory products. Featuring a -25°C to -15°C operating range, V-Drive variable-speed compressor technology, manual defrost cooling, and a spacious upright storage chamber, the  is engineered for laboratories where temperature stability and sample protection are priorities.

Unlike automatic-defrost laboratory freezers, the TSX2320FA does not require periodic coil-warming cycles to remove frost. This makes it particularly well suited for materials that may be sensitive to the intermittent temperature fluctuations associated with automatic defrost systems.

This used Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA freezer is reconditioned and tested by American Instrument Exchange prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty.

Key Features

• 23 cu. ft. / approximately 650 L storage capacity

• -25°C to -15°C operating temperature range

• Optimized for -20°C laboratory storage

• Manual defrost design for enhanced temperature stability

• V-Drive variable-speed compressor technology

• Cold-wall convection cooling

• R290 refrigerant

• Microprocessor temperature control and digital display

• Solid insulated exterior door

• Four adjustable shelves

• High and low temperature alarm capability

• Door-ajar and power-failure monitoring

• Compatible with optional remote monitoring solutions

• Upright design provides substantial storage capacity in a relatively compact footprint

• 115V, 60 Hz electrical operation with NEMA 5-15 plug

• 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange

Overview

The Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA is part of the TSX Series of high-performance laboratory refrigerators and freezers, a product family designed to balance sample protection, temperature performance, energy efficiency, and laboratory sustainability.

At the heart of the TSX2320FA is Thermo Scientific's V-Drive variable-speed compressor technology. Rather than operating a compressor only at full output or shutting it completely off, V-Drive technology allows the refrigeration system to adjust compressor speed in response to changing conditions.

When cooling demand increases—for example, following a door opening—the system can increase compressor activity to facilitate temperature recovery. Once chamber conditions stabilize, compressor speed can decrease to maintain the required temperature more efficiently.

For laboratories storing sensitive materials at approximately -20°C, another important feature is the TSX2320FA's manual defrost design. Automatic-defrost freezers periodically warm their evaporator coils to remove accumulated frost. Although useful for general-purpose storage, these cycles can introduce temporary temperature fluctuations.

The TSX2320FA eliminates these automatic warming cycles, making it an attractive choice for laboratories storing materials for which consistent frozen conditions are particularly important.

Common Applications

The Thermo TSX2320FA is designed for laboratory and clinical materials requiring stable frozen storage at approximately -20°C. Typical applications include the storage of enzymes, reagents, biological specimens, diagnostic materials, pharmaceuticals, research compounds, molecular biology materials, proteins, buffers, and other temperature-sensitive laboratory inventory.

Its combination of large-capacity upright storage and manual-defrost temperature stability makes the TSX2320FA particularly useful for laboratories maintaining valuable sample or reagent collections where routine automatic-defrost temperature cycling is undesirable.

The freezer can support workflows in molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, clinical diagnostics, biomedical research, industrial testing, quality-control laboratories, and general life science research.

Ideal Laboratory Types

The TSX2320FA is well suited for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, academic research institutions, clinical and diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, molecular biology laboratories, biomedical research facilities, biorepositories, quality-control laboratories, and industrial testing facilities.

Its 23 cu. ft. chamber is particularly useful for laboratories requiring substantially more frozen storage than an undercounter or benchtop freezer can provide while still wanting the organized accessibility of a single-door upright cabinet.

The combination of manual defrost and V-Drive technology also makes this model particularly attractive for facilities replacing older conventional -20°C laboratory freezers and looking for improved temperature control and energy-conscious operation.

Performance & Temperature Uniformity

The Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA operates from -25°C to -15°C with a typical setpoint of -20°C. Its refrigeration system combines cold-wall convection cooling with V-Drive compressor technology to maintain stable frozen storage conditions.

Cold-wall cooling helps distribute low temperatures throughout the storage chamber without relying on an automatic-defrost refrigeration cycle. This design is especially valuable when storing enzymes and other materials that may benefit from minimizing intermittent temperature changes.

V-Drive technology continuously responds to refrigeration demand. Increased demand following a door opening or product loading can cause the compressor to operate more aggressively, while periods of stable operation allow the system to reduce compressor speed.

This variable approach helps balance temperature stability, recovery performance, compressor workload, and energy consumption.

Actual freezer performance will depend on laboratory ambient temperature, sample loading, shelf arrangement, door-opening frequency, frost accumulation, ventilation, and other installation and operating conditions.

Sample Storage Recommendations

The TSX2320FA provides four adjustable shelves and approximately 23 cu. ft. of interior storage, allowing laboratories to organize frozen materials according to sample type, department, project, frequency of access, or other inventory requirements.

Frequently accessed materials should generally be positioned where they can be retrieved quickly. Reducing door-open duration limits the introduction of warmer ambient air and helps the freezer return to its normal operating temperature more quickly.

Because this is a manual-defrost freezer, frost accumulation should be monitored as part of routine maintenance. Excessive frost can reduce usable storage space, interfere with door sealing, and negatively affect freezer efficiency. Defrost frequency will depend on humidity, door-opening frequency, and laboratory operating conditions.

High-value or irreplaceable samples should be supported by appropriate laboratory procedures, which may include remote temperature monitoring, documented alarm-response procedures, backup freezer capacity, and contingency plans for equipment failure or extended power loss.

Key Specifications

Energy Efficiency & Operating Costs

Laboratory freezers operate continuously, making energy consumption an important consideration when comparing equipment—particularly for facilities operating multiple cold-storage units.

Thermo Scientific designed the TSX Series around V-Drive variable-speed compressor technology, which allows the refrigeration system to adjust compressor output according to actual cooling demand rather than relying exclusively on conventional fixed-speed cycling.

When the freezer is operating under stable conditions, compressor speed can decrease. When greater cooling capacity is required, such as following a door opening, the system can increase output to support temperature recovery.

This approach can reduce unnecessary compressor operation while maintaining the stable frozen conditions required for laboratory storage.

The TSX2320FA also uses R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant, reflecting the industry's transition toward refrigeration systems with lower environmental impact than many older refrigerant technologies.

Actual operating costs will depend on the laboratory's electrical rates, ambient temperature, freezer setpoint, loading, door-opening frequency, ventilation, frost accumulation, and equipment condition.

Refurbishment & Testing

This Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA is supplied used and reconditioned by American Instrument Exchange.

Before shipment, our technicians inspect, clean, and test the freezer to verify proper operation. Temperature-controlled laboratory equipment is tested using NIST-traceable temperature probes and data logging equipment as appropriate to confirm temperature performance.

Temperature controls and readouts are checked for accuracy, and the freezer is operated under cold-storage conditions to verify its ability to reach and maintain the appropriate operating temperature. Door gaskets, hinges, handles, shelves, controls, displays, alarms, cabinet components, electrical systems, and refrigeration components are inspected for proper function and physical integrity.

Worn or defective components are repaired or replaced as necessary during the refurbishment process, and the interior and exterior are thoroughly cleaned before the freezer is released for shipment.

Customers with specific temperature-testing, documentation, or application requirements are encouraged to discuss those requirements with American Instrument Exchange before shipment so that they can be addressed during the testing process when practical.

This refurbished Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.

Shipping & Installation

The TSX2320FA is a full-size upright laboratory freezer measuring approximately 28"W × 37.5"D × 78.6"H and weighing approximately 388 lb. before packaging.

Laboratories should verify doorway, hallway, elevator, loading-dock, and final-placement clearances before delivery. Adequate clearance should also be maintained around the freezer according to manufacturer recommendations to permit proper airflow and heat dissipation.

The TSX2320FA operates on 115V, 60 Hz power and uses a NEMA 5-15 plug, allowing installation in many laboratories without the dedicated higher-voltage electrical service required by some larger laboratory freezers.

American Instrument Exchange can arrange freight shipment throughout the United States and internationally. Customers with liftgate, inside-delivery, rigging, or other special transportation requirements should discuss those requirements with AIE before shipment.

Related Laboratory Equipment

Laboratories requiring additional frozen storage can browse American Instrument Exchange's selection of laboratory freezers, including refurbished -20°C freezers from Thermo Scientific, Revco, VWR, Fisher Scientific, Panasonic, PHCbi, and other major laboratory equipment manufacturers.

For biological materials requiring substantially colder storage, AIE also offers a large inventory of ultra-low temperature freezers designed for typical -80°C applications.

Facilities maintaining temperature-sensitive materials above freezing can explore our selection of laboratory refrigerators, including general-purpose, chromatography, blood-bank, pharmacy, and high-performance laboratory refrigeration systems.

American Instrument Exchange also offers refurbished centrifuges, CO₂ incubators, and biosafety cabinets for laboratories building or expanding complete research and sample-processing workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA used for?

The TSX2320FA is a high-performance -20°C laboratory freezer designed for frozen storage of enzymes, reagents, biological specimens, diagnostic materials, pharmaceuticals, research compounds, and other temperature-sensitive laboratory products.

What is the temperature range of the TSX2320FA?

The Thermo TSX2320FA has an operating temperature range of -25°C to -15°C, with -20°C serving as the typical operating setpoint.

Is the Thermo TSX2320FA a manual-defrost freezer?

Yes. The TSX2320FA uses a manual-defrost refrigeration system. It does not periodically warm the evaporator coil through an automatic-defrost cycle, helping minimize the intermittent temperature variations that can occur in auto-defrost freezers.

Why would a laboratory choose manual defrost instead of auto defrost?

Manual-defrost freezers are often selected when temperature stability is more important than the convenience of automatic frost removal. Because there is no periodic defrost heating cycle, sensitive samples and reagents are not routinely exposed to the temperature changes associated with automatic defrosting.

The tradeoff is that accumulated frost must periodically be removed manually.

What is Thermo Scientific V-Drive technology?

V-Drive is Thermo Scientific's variable-speed compressor technology. Instead of operating at only one compressor speed, the refrigeration system can adjust output according to cooling demand.

Following a door opening, for example, the compressor can increase output to assist temperature recovery. Once stable conditions are restored, compressor speed can decrease to maintain temperature more efficiently.

What refrigerant does the TSX2320FA use?

The TSX2320FA uses R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant.

How large is the Thermo TSX2320FA?

The freezer provides approximately 23 cu. ft. of internal storage capacity. Exterior dimensions are approximately 28"W × 37.5"D × 78.6"H, making it a full-size upright laboratory freezer.

What electrical service does the TSX2320FA require?

The TSX2320FA operates on 115V, 60 Hz power, draws approximately 4.3 amps, and uses a NEMA 5-15 plug. Laboratories should always confirm available electrical service and installation requirements before delivery.

Is the TSX2320FA appropriate for enzyme storage?

Yes. Manual-defrost -20°C freezers are commonly selected for enzyme and reagent storage because they avoid the periodic warming cycles used by automatic-defrost systems. Individual materials should always be stored according to the manufacturer's or laboratory's specified temperature requirements.

Is the TSX2320FA an ultra-low temperature freezer?

No. The TSX2320FA is a -20°C-class laboratory freezer with a -25°C to -15°C operating range. Laboratories requiring approximately -80°C storage should instead use an ultra-low temperature freezer.

How is a refurbished TSX2320FA tested by American Instrument Exchange?

American Instrument Exchange operates and tests temperature-controlled equipment before shipment. Temperature controls and readouts are checked, and NIST-traceable probes and data logging equipment are used as appropriate to verify temperature performance. Mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, cabinet, and control components are also inspected and repaired or replaced as necessary.

Does this refurbished Thermo TSX2320FA include a warranty?

Yes. This used and reconditioned Thermo Scientific TSX2320FA includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange unless otherwise specified.

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