What is exactly meant "Equlibriate the SPR system" ?

Hi everyone, Am using BiaCore 3000 SPR system.
I got a suggestion to equilibrate the system.
I need small clarification in this step.
equilibration could be done for an overnight / minimum of 3 hours / 6 prime runs.
I can do 6 prime runs. But
When we are telling "equilibrate the system for 3 hours means"? what i should do in the SPR machine?
Is it running the sensorgram with injecting running buffer at a specific flow rate? or just standby runs?
How i can do that in Biacore 3000 instrument?
Is it necessary before every experiment? or after docked a new chip? after changing the buffer?
ThankYou in Advance

Hi,

Equilibration means that the system is washed thoroughly with the running buffer. If you run a sensorgram the drift in the lines should be almost zero indicating a stable system. Run standby, prime several times or perform a manual run for some time and check the lines.
When you run a method it is advised to program 3-5 dummy cycles to 'equilibrate' and stabilize the system. The dummy runs consist of all steps but without the analyte and including the regeneration step and extra washes is needed.
In a cycle you can program a wait period of 5 minutes to stabilize the curves after starting the sensorgram. Generally the system starts from a low flow rate and the experiment is at a higher flow rate. The wait period will stabilize the curves.

- prime after changing a sensor chip or flow buffer bottle
- run a sensorgram until the curves are stable
- program a wait period in a cycle and dummy cycles each time you run a program

Arnoud