This page covers the Elmasonic P range of ultrasonic cleaning units, P 30 H, P 60 H, P 70 H, P 120 H, P 180 H and P 300 H. Everything below is taken from the official Elma operating instructions supplied with the unit in New Zealand by Techspan. If you want the original document, the full PDF is linked at the top and bottom of this page.
Download: Elmasonic P series Operating Instructions (PDF): full manual including installation, safety warnings, cleaning media limits and the manufacturer's troubleshooting table.
Controls at a glance
The P series has a digital display and dedicated keys for each function. The four that cause the most confusion are degas, sweep, pulse and freq. Each is switched on by holding the ▶■ key and pressing the mode key. Degas, Sweep and Pulse cannot run at the same time, selecting one cancels the others.
Degas mode
A special mode for quickly degassing HPLC samples or solvents. Oxygen bubbles held in the liquid are carried out to the atmosphere by a specific modulation and clocking of the ultrasonic waves. Use it on every fresh bath before you clean anything, undegassed liquid badly reduces cavitation.
Sweep mode
In standard operation, zones of higher ultrasonic intensity form directly above the transducers and weaker zones form at the tank edges. That is useful if you are deliberately positioning glass beakers or Erlenmeyer flasks into the strong zones. For large cleaning items it is usually better to switch Sweep on: it continuously displaces the sound-pressure maxima, giving a more uniform intensity throughout the tank.
Pulse mode
Increases the ultrasonic effect by 20% through a higher signal amplitude. Use it for tenacious contamination that standard operation will not shift.
Frequency: 37 kHz or 80 kHz
Every P series unit switches between two frequencies with the freq key, and you can change it during operation.
- 37 kHz: coarse contamination, plus dissolving, mixing, dispersing and degassing.
- 80 kHz: noise-reduced and gentler, ideal for quiet work areas and for hollow items such as capillaries. Expect a longer cleaning time.
Ultrasonic power
Power is adjustable from 30% to 100% in 10% steps using the pow key, so you can protect sensitive surfaces. It can be changed at any point during a cycle.
Running a cycle
- Press the on/off key to start the unit.
- Select the required temperature.
- Set the ultrasonic cleaning period.
- Activate Degas, Sweep or Pulse and set frequency and power if the application needs it.
- Hold ▶■ for more than 2 seconds.
The unit begins heating, pulsing the ultrasound periodically to stir the liquid, and the display flashes the set cleaning time. Once the target temperature is reached the ultrasound runs for the full set period. When the period expires the ultrasound switches off automatically and the heating continues holding temperature.
Technical specifications, full P range
| P 30 H | P 60 H | P 70 H | P 120 H | P 180 H | P 300 H | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank max. capacity (L) | 2.75 | 5.75 | 6.9 | 12.75 | 18.0 | 28.0 |
| Tank service capacity (L) | 1.9 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 9.0 | 12.9 | 20.6 |
| Tank internal W×D×H (mm) | 240×137×100 | 300×151×150 | 505×137×100 | 300×240×200 | 327×300×200 | 505×300×200 |
| Unit external W×D×H (mm) | 300×179×221 | 365×186×271 | 568×179×221 | 365×278×321 | 390×340×321 | 568×340×321 |
| Weight (kg) | 3.3 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 11.0 |
| Basket internal W×D×H (mm) | 198×106×50 | 255×115×75 | 465×106×50 | 250×190×115 | 280×250×115 | 455×250×115 |
| Basket max. loading (kg) | 1 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| Ball valve | 3/8" | 3/8" | 3/8" | 3/8" | 3/8" | 3/8" |
| Ultrasonic frequency (kHz) | 37 / 80 switchable | |||||
| Total power consumption (W) | 320/300 | 580/550 | 820 | 1130 | 1130 | 1580 |
| Ultrasonic power effective (W) | 120/100 | 180/150 | 220 | 330 | 330 | 380 |
| Ultrasonic peak performance max. (W) | 480/400 | 720/600 | 880 | 1320 | 1320 | 1520 |
| Heating power (W) | 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 800 | 1200 |
Sound pressure level (LpAU) is under 70 dB and ultrasonic sound level (LpZ) under 105 dB at 37/80 kHz, measured with basket and cover at 1 m. Mains voltage 220-240 Vac (P 30 H, P 60 H and P 70 H are also available 115-120 Vac).
Cleaning media and what you must not do
The manual is explicit on this and it is the most common cause of damage we see:
- Never fill flammable liquids into the cleaning tank. Risk of fire and explosion. Solvents are used in an insert beaker in the bath, not in the tank itself.
- The unit is designed for treating items and liquids only.
- Surfaces, liquid, basket and the items themselves can get very hot depending on run time.
- Do not reach into the liquid or touch the tank, basket or items while ultrasound is running.
- Ultrasonic units are noisy. Elma recommends running with the correct cover, and a dedicated noise-reduction box is available for units up to P 120. Wear ear protection when running uncovered.
Elma lists recommended media by sector: dental, medical, optics and laboratory. In New Zealand we stock the matching Elma TEC CLEAN cleaning solutions; if you are unsure which concentrate suits your contamination and substrate, ask us before you run a bath.
Current equivalents by tank size
If you are running an older P series unit and need to replace it, the Elmasonic EASY series uses the same tank capacities:
| Your P series unit | Tank capacity | Same-capacity current model |
|---|---|---|
| P 30 H | 2.75 L | EASY 30H |
| P 60 H | 5.75 L | EASY 60H |
| P 70 H | 6.9 L | No exact match: EASY 100H (9.5 L) is the nearest size up |
| P 120 H | 12.75 L | EASY 120H |
| P 180 H | 18 L | EASY 180H |
| P 300 H | 28 L | EASY 300H |
One important difference. The EASY range runs at a single 37 kHz frequency with a simple timer, so it is not a feature-for-feature swap: it has no 80 kHz setting and no Sweep or Pulse modes. If you rely on dual-frequency operation or those modes, talk to us about the P series and Select ranges rather than assuming EASY will do the same job, 0800 603 603.
Maintenance and service life
The transducer tank is a wearing part. Its service life depends heavily on how the unit is used, running with an unsuitable cleaning medium, running dry, or cavitation erosion from very aggressive chemistry will all shorten it. The unit must only be opened by authorised specialised personnel; pull the mains plug before any maintenance, if you suspect moisture inside the unit, and after operation.
If a unit is not performing as it should, test it before you condemn it. A SonoCheck activity test vial tells you in one cycle whether the bath is actually producing useful cavitation.
Frequently asked questions
What frequency does the Elmasonic P series run at?
All P series units switch between 37 kHz and 80 kHz using the freq key, and the frequency can be changed during operation. Use 37 kHz for coarse contamination and 80 kHz for gentler, quieter cleaning of hollow or delicate items.
What is the difference between Sweep, Degas and Pulse?
Sweep continuously moves the sound-pressure maxima for more even coverage across the tank. Degas drives dissolved gas out of a fresh bath. Pulse raises the ultrasonic amplitude for a 20% stronger effect on stubborn soil. Only one can be active at a time.
Why should I degas a new bath?
Fresh liquid holds dissolved air. Those bubbles absorb ultrasonic energy and suppress cavitation, so cleaning is poor until the bath is degassed. Run Degas mode before the first cycle on any fresh fill.
Can I put solvent in the tank?
No. Do not fill flammable liquids into the cleaning tank, the manual warns of fire and explosion risk. Solvents must be used in an insert beaker suspended in the bath.
How do I reduce the noise?
Run the unit with its cover fitted, select 80 kHz where the application allows, and use the noise-reduction box available for units up to P 120. Wear ear protection when running uncovered.
Need help with your unit?
We supply, service and support Elma ultrasonic equipment throughout New Zealand. If you have a fault, need consumables, or want a like-for-like replacement quoted, call 0800 603 603, email info@elma-ultrasonic.co.nz, or see our service & support page.
Download the full Elmasonic P series Operating Instructions (PDF)