Autoclave is used to sterilize various equipment by producing high temperature steam under pressure. Autoclave works at approx.121° C temperature and 15 psi pressure. Autoclave is one of the important equipment in hospitals, laboratories, research centers, dental clinic and many other places. In markets autoclaves are available in various sizes. The smallest autoclave is portable autoclave which is usually used in dental clinics, tattoo maker shops and Saloon etc. Large size autoclave is used in hospitals, laboratories and many others places.
It is necessary to calibrate your autoclave on a regular basis to make sure that it is working properly at all times of peak usage. The difference of only a few degrees indicates that sterilizing process is incomplete and there is need to calibrate the autoclave in order to take correct results. Calibration is an easy process and for calibrating an autoclave you need only two tools a stopwatch to record the time and thermometer that records the temperature.
Calibrating the time
Set the time of autoclave for a standard cycle. Hold the stopwatch in hand and prepare to start stopwatch. Start autoclave and stopwatch at the same time. Repeat the process 3 to 4 times if the time and the stopwatch do not match.
If there is a difference between the time on stopwatch and the time on the autoclave, it is advised to note it down and tell the technician so that he may correct the proper adjustments.
Calibrating the temperature
In order to avoid any accident while measurement of temperature it is always recommended using maximum registering thermometer for this test. Place thermometer next to the temperature sensor inside the chamber and run through another cycle. Let the autoclave cool. Open the door and check the temperature on both thermometers the one you have place and the attached thermometer. If any difference is found, make the necessary adjustments each time they run another cycle.
Calibrating the pressure
Set time and temperature before this test. When the temperature display shows 121 degrees Celsius, check the pressure it should be shown 15 psi. Again, mark the differential on the gauge so your technicians can make the proper adjustments when they're sterilizing your instruments.
It is recommended to make a log of every calibration process with complete data. It is necessary to calibrate autoclave regularly within a period of a week or a month for sterilizing tools properly. In each calibration process if you find that there are some differences then this is the right time to calibrate your autoclave system. This process may require change of sensors and other small parts if they are not working properly. Here you just saw that the autoclave calibration process is so easy and requires not technical skills.
It is necessary to calibrate your autoclave on a regular basis to make sure that it is working properly at all times of peak usage. The difference of only a few degrees indicates that sterilizing process is incomplete and there is need to calibrate the autoclave in order to take correct results. Calibration is an easy process and for calibrating an autoclave you need only two tools a stopwatch to record the time and thermometer that records the temperature.
Calibrating the time
Set the time of autoclave for a standard cycle. Hold the stopwatch in hand and prepare to start stopwatch. Start autoclave and stopwatch at the same time. Repeat the process 3 to 4 times if the time and the stopwatch do not match.
If there is a difference between the time on stopwatch and the time on the autoclave, it is advised to note it down and tell the technician so that he may correct the proper adjustments.
Calibrating the temperature
In order to avoid any accident while measurement of temperature it is always recommended using maximum registering thermometer for this test. Place thermometer next to the temperature sensor inside the chamber and run through another cycle. Let the autoclave cool. Open the door and check the temperature on both thermometers the one you have place and the attached thermometer. If any difference is found, make the necessary adjustments each time they run another cycle.
Calibrating the pressure
Set time and temperature before this test. When the temperature display shows 121 degrees Celsius, check the pressure it should be shown 15 psi. Again, mark the differential on the gauge so your technicians can make the proper adjustments when they're sterilizing your instruments.
It is recommended to make a log of every calibration process with complete data. It is necessary to calibrate autoclave regularly within a period of a week or a month for sterilizing tools properly. In each calibration process if you find that there are some differences then this is the right time to calibrate your autoclave system. This process may require change of sensors and other small parts if they are not working properly. Here you just saw that the autoclave calibration process is so easy and requires not technical skills.