ISO/IEC 17043 accredited · Volume (PJLA L24-898)

Pipette calibration proficiency testing

Two pipette PT programs for labs that calibrate air-displacement pipettes. We send a characterized Eppendorf pipette and tips. Your technician calibrates it gravimetrically with your normal procedure and reports the volume and expanded uncertainty at three settings. We score each result with an En number against our reference value.

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2 programs

300 µL Pipette proficiency test

Proficiency test for pipette calibration at 300 µL.

Kit: Eppendorf Explorer Plus electronic pipette, with tips
Test points: 30 µL, 150 µL, 300 µL
You'll need: A balance set to grams that has a capacity of 0.5 g or more and a readability of 0.01 mg or better
Note: Set the pipette to its PIP setting before testing.
Price: $695 for one participant, +$100 each additional participant

Program details →Request this PT →

Sample instructions

Calibrate the balance with your weight set and fill out a calibration report like you would for a customer. Use Lake Balance Calibration Solutions as the customer.
Set the pipette to PIP setting.
Test the pipette at 30 µL and record reading and uncertainty on the Data Reporting Sheet.
Test the pipette at 150 µL and record reading and uncertainty on the Data Reporting Sheet.
Test the pipette at 300 µL and record reading and uncertainty on the Data Reporting Sheet.
DO NOT ADJUST THE PIPETTE
Email results and your uncertainty budget to proficiency@lakebalance.com
After you've received your completed test results return to Lake Balance Calibration Solutions.

Kit barcodes in these sample instructions are examples; the kit you receive may differ.

1000 µL Pipette proficiency test

Calibration of a pipette.

Kit: Eppendorf Research plus 100–1000 µL pipette, with tips
Test points: 100 µL, 500 µL, 1000 µL
You'll need: A balance set to grams that has a capacity of 2 g or more and a readability of 0.01 mg or better
Price: $695 for one participant, +$100 each additional participant

Program details →Request this PT →

Sample instructions

Calibrate the balance with your weight set and fill out a calibration report like you would for a customer. Use Lake Balance Calibration Solutions as the customer.
Test the pipette at 100 µL and record reading and uncertainty on the Data Reporting Sheet.
Test the pipette at 500 µL and record reading and uncertainty on the Data Reporting Sheet.
Test the pipette at 1000 µL and record reading and uncertainty on the Data Reporting Sheet.
DO NOT ADJUST THE PIPETTE
Email results and your uncertainty budget to proficiency@lakebalance.com
After you've received your completed test results return to Lake Balance Calibration Solutions.

Kit barcodes in these sample instructions are examples; the kit you receive may differ.

What a pipette PT tests

The pipette PT checks your gravimetric calibration process, not the pipette. Before you start, you calibrate your balance with your own weights and write it up as you would for a customer, using Lake Balance Calibration Solutions as the customer. Then you dispense and weigh at each test volume and convert to volume using your procedure.

Your reported result carries everything an assessor looks at: balance performance, water temperature and density corrections, evaporation, technique, and your uncertainty budget. Do not adjust the pipette. The reference value only holds for the pipette as shipped.

Getting a satisfactory result

Let the pipette acclimate in the room for 24 hours before testing.
Use the tips supplied with the kit for every reading.
Hand warmth affects results. Wear gloves, or let the pipette rest for 5 minutes between volume points.
Report expanded uncertainty at the coverage factor you use on customer certificates.

How it's scored

Each reported value is compared with the Lake Balance reference value using the En number, which accounts for both your expanded uncertainty and ours. An |En| below 1 is satisfactory. Your report is released in the customer portal.

Accreditation

Lake Balance is accredited by PJLA to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 as a proficiency testing provider (certificate L24-898). The scope supplement lists the Volume scheme: pipettes.

View certificate and scope

Pipette PT questions

What balance do we need for the pipette PT?

A balance set to grams with a readability of 0.01 mg or better. The 1000 µL program needs a capacity of at least 2 g and the 300 µL program at least 0.5 g.

Which volumes are tested?

The 1000 µL program is tested at 100 µL, 500 µL and 1000 µL. The 300 µL program is tested at 30 µL, 150 µL and 300 µL. You report a reading and expanded uncertainty at each volume.

Is pipette PT within your ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation?

Yes. The PJLA L24-898 scope supplement lists a Volume scheme for the calibration of pipettes. The certificate and scope are on our accreditation page.

Can more than one technician use the same pipette kit?

Yes. Each additional participant who measures the same kit is $100. Each one reports their own readings and uncertainties and receives their own En scores.

Other PT disciplines

Compare every discipline, pricing and the PT process on the calibration proficiency testing page.

Plan your pipette PT

Choose a program, the number of participants and a preferred test date. We'll match a kit, confirm the schedule and price, and invite you to the portal.

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