Probe Specifications
Manufacturer | Hamilton Process Analytics |
Model | CO2NTROL RS485 |
Part Number | 10087810-11 |
Measurement principle | Optical infrared (IR), solid-state |
Measurement output | Dissolved CO2 (pCO2) in mmHg |
Measurement interval | Every 30 seconds |
Measuring range | 0.5–100 %vol (≈3.75–750 mmHg) |
Accuracy | ±5 mbar (5–100 mbar); ±5% above 100 mbar |
Connection type | PG13.5 port / VP8 to M12 cable |
Autoclave compatible | Yes (140°C, 30-minute sterilization) |
Operating temperature | -10 to 140°C (no CO2 reading above 60°C) |
Probe diameter / insertion length | 12 mm / 120 mm |
Important Note: Cables
Cable pinouts may vary among probe suppliers. If another PAT probe was previously connected to the expansion port, disconnect the cable before attaching the CO2 probe and cable. Only used cables approved by Culture Biosciences for the expansion port and matched to the appropriate PAT probe, otherwise damage may occur to the probe or the bioreactor.
Approved Cables for Hamilton Incyte CO2NTROL 120:
Data Cable VP8 / M12 - recommended length 1m (Part # 10070910) to minimize excess cabling. Contact your Culture Bio representative, custom lengths may be available for your Stratyx system.
Physical Setup
The CO2 probe requires a two-point standard calibration using Hamilton's ArcAir desktop software before it can be autoclaved and installed. Follow these steps in order:
Perform Standard Calibration (CP1/CP2) using Hamilton's ArcAir software. This is a two-point gas-phase calibration (N₂ zero point and a CO₂/N₂ gas mixture for the high point) that must be completed before autoclaving. See Hamilton's documentation for the full procedure. If standard calibration is not completed successfully, the probe will not initialize in Console.
Autoclave the probe separately from the vessel (140°C, 30 minutes).
Inside a biosafety cabinet, insert the sterile probe into the vessel headplate and secure it firmly.
Connect the probe cable to the M12 expansion port on the top of the bay.
When the vessel has been secured in the bioreactor, attach the VP8 end of the cable to the probe.
Location of the M12 expansion port, above the BNC connection for the optional analog pH probe. Note that the analog pH probe uses the same PG-13.5 port on the vessel as other probes, so both cannot be used simultaneously.
Enabling the Probe in Console
The CO2 probe must be enabled in Console before data collection begins. Choose the method that fits your workflow.
Option 1: Via SVE Script
Include a "Wait for CO2" function anywhere in your script. Console will automatically detect that the CO2 probe is required and enable it when the run starts.
Option 2: Via Live Controls
To enable the probe on a run that is already in progress:
Navigate to the Experiment Dashboard for the active run.
Select Live Controls.
In the Calibration: CO2 Probe section, set Probe Enabled to Yes and submit.
To stop the probe during an active run, return to Live Controls and set Probe Enabled to No. Any active probe alerts will resolve automatically.
Calibrating the Probe
CO2 probe calibration is a two-stage process: standard calibration happens before the run (outside Console), and product calibration can be applied during the run using an offline sample.
Standard Calibration (pre-run, required)
Standard two-point calibration (CP1/CP2) must be performed before autoclaving using Hamilton's ArcAir desktop software. See Hamilton's documentation for instructions.
If the probe was not successfully calibrated before installation, Console will detect the error during initialization and the probe will not be usable until the calibration issue is resolved with ArcAir.
Product Calibration (in-run, optional)
Product calibration applies a single-point in-process correction to the pCO2 reading based on an offline measurement from your Flex2 analyzer. It is performed through Analytical Data Entry (ADE) during an active run.
Step 1: Add the offline CO2 measurement to the table
In ADE, create a Sample Group and select Add Measurement to Table.
Select the instrument Flex2 and measurement pCO2 - Flex2 - Whole Broth (mmHg).
Check the Include recalibration measurements box, then click Append to Table.
Step 2: Initiate measurement
Once the table is ready, the Calibration Status column for qualifying runs will show Ready. Take a sample from the vessel, then:
Enter the Measurement Time and Sample Volume for the run.
Click Submit Group Data to send the initial measurement command.
Calibration Status will update to Waiting for value if successful.
Step 3: Assign the offline value
Measure the sample on your Flex2 to get the pCO2 reading, then:
Enter the Flex2 pCO2 value into the pCO2 - Flex2 - Whole Broth (mmHg) cell (highlighted blue).
Set Send Calibration to Yes.
Click Submit Group Data.
Calibration Status will update to Product calibration applied when complete.
Additional calibration actions:
To cancel an in-progress or applied product calibration, use the Cancel CO2 Calibration button above the ADE table. To revert to standard calibration, use Restore Standard Calibration. To re-apply a previously applied product calibration, use Restore CO2 Calibration.
Subsequent product calibrations can be initiated at any point by creating a new Sample Group and repeating steps 1–3.
Using CO2 in Your SVE Script
Wait for CO2
Pauses script execution until the pCO2 reading meets a defined condition, then automatically advances to the next step.
Required settings:
Target value — the pCO2 threshold in mmHg
Condition — ≥ (greater than or equal to) or ≤ (less than or equal to)
Advanced settings:
Condition type — how the condition is evaluated:
Mean (default) — the average pCO2 over the condition duration must meet the target
Median — the median pCO2 over the condition duration must meet the target
Continuous — pCO2 must remain above/below the target without interruption
Condition duration — how long the condition must be satisfied before the script advances (default: 25 minutes)
Viewing CO2 Data
Once the probe is running, pCO2 and Probe Quality data are available in Workspaces and included in data exports.
Measurement | Display Name in Workspaces | Units | Interval |
Dissolved CO2 | pCO2 | mmHg | Every 30 seconds |
Probe Quality Indicator | CO2NTROL Probe Quality | % | Every 30 minutes |
Note on units: The probe natively reports CO2 in %vol. Console converts this to mmHg using a factor of 1 %vol = 7.5 mmHg (at 25°C, 1,013 mbar atmospheric pressure). If you are comparing Console readings to literature or offline instruments reporting in other units (mbar, kPa, %vol), refer to the unit conversion table in the Hamilton CO2NTROL user manual.
A Probe Quality Indicator below 40% indicates the probe is nearing end-of-life and should be replaced soon. Below 10%, the probe is no longer suitable for reliable measurements and must be replaced.
<!-- IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of a Workspaces view with pCO2 data plotted as a time series across a run, with the y-axis displaying pCO2 in mmHg. -->
Alerts and Troubleshooting
While the probe is active, alerts may appear in the Alarms and Alerts Dashboard. Most alerts auto-resolve when the underlying condition clears. Disabling the probe also resolves any active alerts.
No CO2 Data
Severity: High
Console has not received a new pCO2 reading for more than 5 minutes.
What to check:
Confirm the M12 cable is securely connected to the bay's expansion port.
Confirm the probe is powered on and seated properly in the vessel.
Review any other active CO2 alerts for additional context.
Standard Calibration Error
Severity: High
Console detected a standard calibration (CP1/CP2) error when trying to initialize the probe. The probe will not be usable until this is resolved.
What to check:
Re-perform the two-point standard calibration using Hamilton's ArcAir desktop software.
Confirm the probe was calibrated in the correct gas environment (N₂ zero point, CO₂/N₂ high point).
Reconnect the probe after resolving the calibration issue — Console will retry automatically.
Product Calibration Error
Severity: High
A product calibration step (initial measurement or value assignment) failed.
What to check:
If the S/R value or the entered CO2 value was out of range, restart the product calibration process with a new sample group.
If a communication error occurred, confirm the probe cable is securely connected and retry.
If the error persists, contact Culture support at support@culturebiosciences.com.
Probe Warnings
Severity: High
The probe has reported a condition that may affect measurement quality. Warnings auto-resolve when the condition clears.
Warning | What it means |
CO2 reading below lower limit | pCO2 reading is below the probe's calibrated floor. Perform a new zero-point calibration (CP1). |
CO2 reading above upper limit | pCO2 reading is above the probe's calibrated ceiling. Perform a new high-point calibration (CP2). |
Temperature outside measurement range | Probe temperature is outside the operating range. Measurements are paused until temperature returns to range. |
Measurement not running | CO2 measurement has stopped. May indicate a power or temperature issue. |
CO2 calibration recommended | Calibration is due to ensure reliable measurement accuracy. |
Supply voltage too low/high | Check the M12 cable connection or contact Culture. |
Replace sensor recommended | Probe Quality Indicator has dropped below 40%. Plan for probe replacement in the near future. |
Probe Errors
Severity: Critical
The probe has reported a hardware fault. Errors auto-resolve when the condition clears. Contact Culture support at support@culturebiosciences.com if a critical error appears.
Error | What it means |
CO2 reading failure | CO2 measurement algorithm error. Contact Culture. |
Temperature sensor defective | Internal temperature sensor has failed. Contact Culture. |
Sensor defective | Probe Quality Indicator is below 10%. Probe must be replaced. |
Internal errors (various) | Internal hardware or communication failure. Reset the probe and retry. Contact Culture if the error persists. |
Hamilton Documentation
For topics not covered in this guide, refer to the Hamilton CO2NTROL RS485 product page or the Hamilton user manual. Topics covered there include standard calibration procedures, probe cleaning, general maintenance, sterilization, and operation using the ArcAir desktop software.
For questions or troubleshooting assistance, contact the Culture support team at support@culturebiosciences.com or use the messenger in the bottom-right corner of Console.