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How to Troubleshoot Common Autoclave Issues

December 27th, 2024 in Autoclave Basics and Operation
How to Troubleshoot Common Autoclave Issues

Autoclaves perform a serious and critical job using heat, water, and steam to sterilize what goes inside them. That said, sometimes users may encounter problems, so here are some tips on troubleshooting common autoclave issues. 

Power 

If the autoclave does not turn on, then it can be a power issue or an electronic one. Most laymen cannot troubleshoot electronics, but you can certainly check to see if a breaker was thrown, perhaps during a power surge or outage. Since most autoclaves are hard-wired for power, it is not as simple as seeing if they are plugged in. 

Water 

The same holds true for water. Most autoclaves are hard-plumbed for water. So, if you have any doubt about your water source, you might already be seeing a leak somewhere. Otherwise, you really need to consult a professional. 

Loading the Autoclave 

There are several problems that can occur if the autoclave is improperly loaded. Perhaps water does not exit properly or fully, or something appears unclean, or materials that were to be sterilized are damaged. This is most often due to something blocking the drain or the autoclave was loaded too fully, or the wrong materials were loaded in the first place. For that reason, it is really important to have a thorough understanding of how to load the autoclave, and what can be put in there, and also how to test to see if sterilization is occurring as required. 

Wherever you bought your autoclave, or the company that services it should be an easy phone call away if you have any problems that you cannot quickly solve.

  

If you need help choosing, repairing, maintaining, installing, operating, or validating an autoclave, this is our business and area of expertise for many years. Give us a call, in western Canada at (888) 818-4847. We can help with every aspect of autoclaves including choosing the right one for you.

 

Alpha Scientific supplies, installs, and services medical equipment in western Canada. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about medical equipment, please call our toll-free number, (888) 818-4847, or email us at sales@alphascientific.ca.

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