How to Install a Market Forge Autoclave

Autoclaves have become increasingly popular in recent years due to greater awareness of their advantages. In addition to laboratory settings where sterility is essential, autoclaves are becoming a prominent feature of body-art studios, to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases. Because autoclaves pull a lot of electricity to heat water to very high temperatures, manufacturers such as Market Forge typically build their autoclaves to run on 208 volts current or higher. As such, installation of an autoclave is largely determined by local electrical codes, and any new high-voltage outlets must be installed by an electrician.

Things You'll Need

• 4-6 Quart drain pan
• 10 mm IPS pipe and bending joints
• Pipe-fitting equipment

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose a place where the autoclave will be permamently installed. The location should factor in access to a 208 or 220V outlet (depending on your specific model), a conventional 120V outlet, a liquid catch pan or drain for expelled water and a vent to the atmosphere for vapor exhaust. Keep in mind that the vapor exhaust should have a downward slope and as few bends as possible to prevent condensation from re-entering the unit, and should be no more than 15 feet long.

• 2

  Set the autoclave in place after a 208-220 volt power supply has been furnished. Remove the lid of the autoclave and locate the vaport exhaust valve. Connect a 10-mm inner-diameter pipe to the vapor exhaust valve and circulate it through the access hole in the lid, then install a bend in the pipe to slope downward to the exhaust.

• 3

  Place a four- to six-quart catch pan underneath the drain outlet at the front of the autoclave's base. Alternatively, you may install a drain line that attaches to the outlet by fitting a pipe over the outlet and running it to the building's central waste line. If you choose to install a drain line, you must attach an airbreak into the pipe connection in order to prevent pressure buildup.

• 4

  Insert the 120V electrical connection for the timer and solenoid valve into a conventional outlet. Then plug in the larger 208-220V plug into the high-voltage outlet.

• 5

  Fill the reservoir with the designated amount of distilled water and start a test run to verify that all components work properly.