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Pre-Cycle Vacuum (if fitted and selected)
Heat-up to freesteam temperature
Freesteaming
Heat-up to Process Temperature
Process Time
Cooling
Media Warming in Operation (if selected)
Cycle Complete
The first segment of the cycle status indicator bar will illuminate and the autoclave will now
gradually heat up to process temperature. The cycle status indicator will also advance
through its stages to give 'at a glance' indication of the cycle's progress.
Once a cycle has been started the function selection settings cannot be changed; attempting
to do so will cause a fault to be signalled. If changes are required the cycle should be aborted
by pressing the start button again.
Pressing the Free-steam Button
indication of free steam time remaining as a flashing display in the timer window.
On Priorclaves not fitted with the setting lock key-switch changes can be made to the process
time and temperature settings once a cycle has started. At the end of the cycle the time
setting will reset to its original setting.
Vent button.
The vent button may be used at any stage during the cycle. When used it opens a large bore
solenoid vent valve at the back of the machine. It may be left open for free steaming to
achieve better steam penetration of the load if Automatic Free-steaming has not been
selected. Care should be taken with this manual method however as failing to switch the vent
off will waste a large amount of steam and to eventual cycle failure. It may also be used with
certain loads as a means of rapidly venting the autoclave. If used for manual free-steaming the
vent button must be manually released before pressure will build up and process temperature
can be achieved.
Care should be taken if using the vent button when the autoclave is pressurised. Venting of
the autoclave under these circumstances with a liquid load may lead to the load boiling over
and glassware may be broken.
During the process time.
11.
Once set temperature is reached, the process time will begin to count down and the process
indicator will illuminate. If the Load Sensed Process Timing Option is fitted and selected there
may be a delay between the autoclave reaching set point and commencement of the process
time whilst the load reaches set temperature.
During the process time a check should be made that there is correct correlation between
temperature and pressure readings on the control panel. A steam table is included at the back
of this manual for this purpose. The check should be made to ensure that air has been
properly purged from the autoclave. Generally, a pressure reading higher than would be
30
during the freesteam part of the cycle will give an
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