Setting Tolerances for Pipettes in the Laboratory

The performance of mechanical action pipettes must be tested periodically to ensure accurate and precise liquid delivery. The results of such testing then may be compared with pre-established tolerances, and out-of-tolerance conditions corrected. Further complicating the situation is the fact that pipette performance is dependent upon factors beyond the mechanical condition of the pipette. This application note reviews the key issues that should be considered when establishing tolerance limits for the working laboratory, and recommends as a starting point a set of achievable tolerance limits for pipettes of various sizes.