The SHEL LAB BACTRON 300 Anaerobic Chamber, manufactured by Sheldon Manufacturing, is a controlled-atmosphere laboratory workstation designed for handling, cultivating and studying anaerobic microorganisms. With a 453 L (16 cu. ft.) workspace and an integrated 300-plate incubator, it provides room for microbiology research that requires oxygen-sensitive samples to remain in an anaerobic environment during handling and incubation.
For Canadian universities, the BACTRON 300 is suited to research in microbiology, microbiome science, anaerobic bacteriology, microbial ecology, fermentation and related disciplines. It can also support supervised teaching and research-training activities where students need experience working with anaerobic cultures.
The chamber combines an enclosed workspace, built-in incubator, airlock and gas-control system. Researchers can manipulate culture plates and specimens through sealed armport sleeves while maintaining the chamber atmosphere.
Manufacturer model: BACTRON300 | 120 V part ID: BAA30023 | Incubator capacity: 300 plates
For research involving oxygen-sensitive microorganisms, a consistent anaerobic environment can be important during sample preparation, culture handling and incubation.
The BACTRON 300 gives researchers access to both a working area and an incubator within the same controlled environment. This is particularly useful when experiments require repeated handling, inspection or transfer of anaerobic cultures.
Anaerobic jars and pouches are often practical for smaller numbers of cultures or occasional anaerobic incubation. An anaerobic chamber is designed for work that also requires handling or manipulating samples under anaerobic conditions.
The BACTRON 300 provides a working environment where appropriately trained researchers can prepare, inspect and transfer cultures without routinely exposing them to normal room air.
For universities running multiple research projects, this may make a chamber more suitable than relying exclusively on individual anaerobic jars. However, it requires dedicated laboratory space, a continuous gas supply and ongoing maintenance.
A chamber may be a good fit when a research group:
For occasional anaerobic incubation without extensive sample manipulation, simpler culture systems may be more economical.
| Manufacturer | Sheldon Manufacturing / SHEL LAB |
| Model | BACTRON300 |
| 120 V Part ID | BAA30023 |
| Workspace Volume | 453 L / 16.0 cu. ft. |
| Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H) | 1583 x 813 x 701 mm (62.3 x 32.0 x 27.6 in) |
| Workspace Dimensions (W x D x H) | 1059 x 734 x 635 mm (42.5 x 28.9 x 25.0 in) |
| Airlock Volume | 36.5 L / 1.29 cu. ft. |
| Airlock Dimensions | 406 x 254 x 292 mm (W x D x diagonal) |
| Airlock Capacity | Up to 216 plates |
| Integrated Incubator Capacity | 300 plates |
| Incubator Volume | 39.6 L / 1.4 cu. ft. |
| Incubator Dimensions (W x D x H) | 699 x 216 x 343 mm (27.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 in) |
| Incubator Temperature Range | Ambient +5°C to 70°C |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±1.0°C at 37°C |
| Temperature Stability | 0.2°C, midrange |
| Controller | Digital, 0.1°C display resolution |
| Electrical Requirements | 110-120 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 11 A (BAA30023) |
| Unit Weight | 138 kg / 304 lb |
| Safety Standards | Manufacturer lists applicable UL, EN and CSA 61010-1 and 61010-2-010 standards. See current operator manual. |
Specifications are based on Sheldon's current BAA30023 product listing and April 2026 manual. Verify the electrical version, supplied configuration and any institution-specific requirements before ordering.
Before purchasing a BACTRON 300, the research group and university purchasing team should confirm the available laboratory space, utilities, gas supply and delivery arrangements.
This equipment requires more planning than a conventional benchtop incubator. Reviewing these requirements before issuing a purchase order helps avoid unexpected installation costs or delays.
| Requirement | What Your University Should Confirm |
|---|---|
| Laboratory Space | Suitable bench or equipment stand, room for the full 1583 mm width and additional operating and ventilation clearance. |
| Electrical Supply | A suitable grounded 110-120 V power source for the 11 A unit. The manufacturer recommends a separate circuit. |
| Anaerobic Mixed Gas | A continuous supply of manufacturer-specified AMG from an approved compressed-gas supplier or suitable institutional system. |
| External Gas Regulator | A compatible regulator is required but is not included with the chamber. Sheldon lists part 9740560. |
| Room Conditions | Indoor ambient temperature of 15°C to 30°C and conditions meeting the manufacturer's humidity and temperature-stability requirements. |
| Receiving and Placement | Campus delivery location, freight access, door clearances, handling equipment and movement to the final laboratory. |
| Institutional Safety Review | Approval of gas cylinder storage, laboratory safety procedures, organism handling and applicable biosafety requirements. |
| Commissioning and Training | Determine who will install, commission and train users. Confirm whether any services are included in the quotation. |
The standard BAA30023 model operates on 110-120 V AC, 50/60 Hz and draws 11 A. Sheldon recommends a separate, properly grounded electrical circuit with a 15 A breaker.
Universities should confirm the outlet location, circuit capacity and electrical requirements with their facilities department. A separate 220-240 V configuration is also described in the manufacturer manual and should be specified before ordering if required.
The instrument measures approximately 1583 mm wide, 813 mm deep and 701 mm high. Additional clearance is required for ventilation, the airlock, gas connections, access panels and normal operation.
The manufacturer specifies a minimum 64 mm clearance around required ventilation areas. Additional service and operator clearance should be evaluated for the intended installation.
A suitable rolling equipment stand may be considered where available.
The chamber still requires anaerobic mixed gas. An optional dual-gas configuration allows nitrogen to be used for some airlock cycles, which can reduce AMG consumption.
Confirm the gas arrangement and appropriate regulator requirements with the manufacturer, your institutional gas supplier and university safety personnel before installation.
For a university research group, the initial equipment quotation should also account for the items required to establish and maintain the chamber atmosphere.
| Item | Manufacturer Part Number | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| AMG Gas Regulator | 9740560 | Required external regulator, purchased separately |
| Anaerobic Indicator Strips | 9900706 | Ongoing monitoring of anaerobic conditions |
| Oxygen Scrubber Cartridges | 9990759 | Catalytic oxygen removal system components |
| Petri Plate Racks | 5110729 | Organization of culture plates |
| Handheld Oxygen Sensor | 9902223 | Optional instrument for checking oxygen levels |
| Rolling Equipment Stand | BACSTAND-MD22 | Optional support stand for chamber placement |
Accessory numbers are drawn from Sheldon documentation. Availability, compatibility with the current BAA30023 revision and whether individual items are included in the factory shipment should be confirmed when preparing a quotation.
Cambridge also supplies related microbiology consumables that may be useful when setting up a research laboratory:
Culture media and consumables should be selected according to the organism, experiment and laboratory protocol. Not all media or dishes are appropriate for every anaerobic research application.
The BACTRON 300 is a significant laboratory equipment purchase, and the total project cost may include more than the chamber itself.
Cambridge Environmental can work with Canadian university researchers, laboratory managers and purchasing departments to prepare a quotation that addresses the proposed equipment configuration and purchasing requirements.
When requesting a quote, we recommend providing:
We can help confirm equipment and accessory pricing in Canadian dollars, freight arrangements, estimated availability and manufacturer documentation needed for internal purchasing review.
If installation, commissioning, training or special delivery services are required, these should be discussed and confirmed in the quotation rather than assumed to be included with the chamber.
Yes. The BACTRON 300 is intended for anaerobic microbiology applications, including culture-based research, microbiome studies, anaerobic bacteriology, fermentation studies and environmental microbiology. Researchers should confirm that the chamber meets the conditions required for their specific organisms and protocols.
Yes. It provides an enclosed anaerobic environment for handling and cultivating appropriate oxygen-sensitive microorganisms. Suitability depends on the microbiome organisms, culture media, gas conditions and research procedure.
The integrated incubator has a stated capacity of 300 culture plates. The airlock has a separate stated capacity of 216 plates. Actual loading depends on the plate dimensions, racks and laboratory arrangement.
Yes. A temperature-controlled incubator is integrated into the anaerobic workstation, allowing appropriate cultures to be incubated without removing them from the chamber environment.
The chamber requires anaerobic mixed gas. Sheldon recommends a mixture of 5% hydrogen, 5% carbon dioxide and 90% nitrogen. The external gas supply and compatible regulator must be arranged separately. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and university safety procedures.
No. The BACTRON 300 includes an integrated vacuum pump for its airlock system. It still requires an external anaerobic mixed gas supply and suitable regulator.
No. The BACTRON 300 is designed to establish an anaerobic atmosphere for laboratory work. It should not be assumed to provide the personnel or environmental containment functions of a certified biological safety cabinet. Consult your university biosafety office before handling regulated or potentially hazardous organisms.
A shared laboratory may use the BACTRON 300 across multiple projects when the research protocols and safety requirements are compatible. The university should establish procedures for scheduling, sample identification, contamination control, cleaning and gas management.
University purchasing departments can contact Cambridge Environmental for a formal quotation and to confirm purchase order processing, institutional account arrangements, freight and applicable taxes before ordering.
Yes. Provide the campus location, laboratory access information, electrical requirements and gas supply details. We can help review manufacturer documentation and confirm applicable delivery and installation arrangements before the university places an order.
Researchers and purchasing departments should review the manufacturer documentation, particularly the installation, gas supply, electrical and operating requirements.
The 2023 brochure describes an earlier configuration. For current part IDs, electrical requirements and installation instructions, refer to the 2026 manual and the exact unit being quoted.
Cambridge Environmental Products works with Canadian universities, researchers and laboratory purchasing departments to source scientific equipment and supplies. We can help you determine whether the BACTRON 300 fits your research requirements, laboratory space and available utilities.
Contact us for Canadian pricing, accessory selection, gas regulator requirements, shipping arrangements and a formal equipment quotation. If you are preparing a research equipment purchase, send us your university, department and intended application so we can help put together the right configuration.
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