This photo shows the type of equipment commonly used in electrophoresis. The box on the shelf is the power supply, which provides the regulated electric current to separate the charged molecules.

The power supply can be monitored and operated in current (amps), voltage (volts), or power (watts) mode. The black and red cords leading from the power supply are then attached to the tray in which the gel is run, which is resting on the white benchtop. We will learn more about that as we proceed through the experiment.

Most research laboratories have several sets of equipment like this so multiple gels can be run at the same time. In fact, three different power supplies can be seen in this photo alone!

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