Abstract: A method of operating an item of laboratory equipment cooled by means of a flammable refrigerant. The method includes ventilating an interior of the cooled laboratory equipment with the aid of a fan, wherein control of the fan is carried out over a first time period by a first control device; checking, with the aid of a first predefined criterion, whether the ventilation was successful; transferring control of the fan to a second control device if ventilation was successful over the first time period; checking, with the aid of a second predefined criterion, whether the fan is being successfully controlled by the second control device; activating a power supply for at least one further device, which is to be electrically powered, of the cooled laboratory equipment if the fan is being successfully controlled by the second control device. A corresponding item of laboratory equipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the rotational speed of an element are disclosed. The element may be part of a centrifuge, e.g. a motor, drive shaft, or rotor of a laboratory centrifuge. The rotational speed of the element is not determined directly, but rather clock cycles are counted while the element rotates by a predetermined rotational angle. Exceeding a predetermined rotational speed is determined by comparing a number of counted cycles with a predetermined value. The method and device can be implemented in hardware without requiring a microcontroller with corresponding software, thereby eliminating a need to software certification.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the rotational speed of an element are disclosed. The element may be part of a centrifuge, e.g. a motor, drive shaft, or rotor of a laboratory centrifuge. The rotational speed of the element is not determined directly, but rather clock cycles are counted while the element rotates by a predetermined rotational angle. Exceeding a predetermined rotational speed is determined by comparing a number of counted cycles with a predetermined value. The method and device can be implemented in hardware without requiring a microcontroller with corresponding software, thereby eliminating a need to software certification.