These instructions for use should be read prior to Uniclave 77 process of installation. In this
way, not only is the machine protected against possible failure, as errors on misuse are
avoided.
Use Uniclave 77 solely for the referred purposes in this instructions manual. The maker
cannot be held responsible for any kind of malfunction or damage caused by misuse of this
equipment.
The Uniclave 77 must not be installed where a risk of explosion may exist.
Uniclave 77 electrical security is only guaranteed if the equipment is grounded. The maker
does not take responsibility in any malfunction, failure or interruption in the ground conductor.
When carrying any kind of repair work, Uniclave 77 should be unplugged from its power
supply; by disconnecting its circuit breaker.
Do not wash Uniclave 77’s exteriorwith water or corrosive/abrasive products.
Do not allow children or uninformed personnel to use Uniclave 77.
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
All products supplied by A.J.Costa (Irmãos) Lda, are fully tested, in site, before shipment to
our clients. Each machine is subject to all operational tests in our rehearsal room, during
which a full set of validation cycles are performed.
Any damaged component due to manufacture or assembly defect, within twelve months from
the date of shipment from our factory, is covered in this warranty. All defective components
should be sent to our factory for inspection and replacement. The replacement component
will be sent, free from charges, to the original delivery address.
The shipment of the component(s) will be carried out by postal mail or normal freight.
Replaced components shall remain with A.J.Costa (Irmãos) Lda.
A.J.Costa (Irmãos) Lda, assures maintenance and service, except for labor costs which are
not included. We reserve the right to charge for labor and transportation costs.
Maintenance and service may only be carried out by A.J.Costa (Irmãos) Lda, or by certified
representatives for such services.
It should be noted that sometimes there is a considerable lapse of time until the equipment’s
set in use, which may cause problems outside our control.
It is important that the equipment remains protected and that the reservoir lids remain closed.
In any other way problems and premature damage may arise caused by entry and deposition
of foreign particles, dirt, dust, etc., namely in the deposits, pumps, steam generator, valves or
electrical components.
Regarding the installation there should be taken special precautions so to assure that the
plumbing residue, filings from pipes and threads, debris from sealers or fillings, do not enter
the components or fluid circuits of Uniclave 77. After finalizing all plumbing work, all the
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
pipes should be cleansed, by flushing pressurized water through them and into the sewer,
before connecting them to Uniclave 77.
Periodically determine the hardness of the water that is used in Uniclave 77 for the adverse
consequences caused by lime deposits and/or foreign particles may not be imputed to
A.J.Costa (Irmãos) Lda.
The non-compliance to this set of precautions and basic procedures, will nullify this
warranty.
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
The vertical sterilizers, of the Uniclave 77 series, are designed for the sterilization of surgical
instruments, liquids, rubber, and laboratory materials.
The sterilizer is top-loaded, using specially designed steel baskets.
The Uniclave 77 has variable controls that offer a range of cycles with temperatures varying
between 100ºC and 135ºC and sterilization times between 0 and 120 minutes.
Drying is improved by vacuum produced by thermal shock, using the water coil or by slow
exhaust.
Manufacture is standardized with two cylindrical sterilization chambers of 45 x 80 cm and 50
x 80, diameter x depth respectively (usable areas). The electric connection can be 3-phase
(400 VAC) or 1-phase (230 VAC).
The chamber and lid as well as the front and side panels are constructed in stainless steel.
The lid is closed by means of several stainless steel screws and threaded handles.
The hermetic sealing between the chamber and the lid is achieved by the compression of a
silicone rubber ring.
In all the sterilizer models constructed by A.J.Costa (Irmãos) Lda, the sterilizing chambers
are tested both hydraulically and with steam during assembly.
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
The vertical sterilizers of the Uniclave series are used in the sterilization of a wide variety of
materials like surgical instruments, rubbers, plastics, laboratory material, etc.
The use of Uniclave 77 in a laboratory should be performed by qualified technicians or by
the direct supervision of a qualified technician, likewise should be this technician to establish
the appropriate parameters for each material or load type.
A.J. Costa (Irmãos), Lda recommends that the following parameters be used for the
sterilization of typical loads:
5. Set the required sterilization temperature, on the temperature controller and indicator,
located on the control panel.
6. Turn the three position main switch to the “ON” position. The green indicator “ON” will light
and a buzzer will sound.
7. Turn the clock to the required sterilization time. The buzzer will stop and the resistances
will start to heat up.
8. Open the “CONDENSER” tap slightly (just enough to condense the steam entering the
drain).
9. As soon as the required sterilisation temperature is reached, the red indicator
“STERILIZATION” will light and the sterilization timer will start counting.
10. At the end of the sterilization time, the buzzer will sound. Turn off the three-position
switch to “0” and the indicator lamps will go off. Slowly open the “DRAIN” tap.
11. Before the pressure vacuum gauge, located on the control panel, shows 0 bar, the
“CONDENSER” tap should be closed. Immediately afterwards, when 0 bar is reached,
close the “DRAIN” tap and open the “DRYING” tap for water to run in the coil for a period
of ± 20 min. (drying time).
12. At the end of the fore mentioned period, proceed as follows:
1. Close the “DRYING” tap.
2. Loosen the threaded handles that tighten the lid.
3. Turn the three-position switch to “VACUUM BREAK” position.
4. Open the lid, when the pressure vacuum gauge indicates 0 bar.
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
Dimensions of the sterilizer Uniclave 77 and sterilization chamber.
1 - Sterilizer drain 3/4”
1A - Installation Drain 1 1/2” female at ground level
2 - Water connection flexible hose to 3/4” M tap on the wall
3 - Power supply
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
The equipment installation should be accomplished with the help of the installation drawing,
which indicates the service area and the necessary connections of the equipment.
8.1 PRECAUTIONS ON INSTALLATION
It’s important to verify the safety regulations concerning the legal requirements on your
country regarding electric installation, pipefitting, drains, or any requirement specially
connected with the installation of this type of equipment.
8.2 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Prior to the installation of the Uniclave 77 be sure that all the necessary connections to the
equipment’s correct functioning are available, for that purpose consult the installation
drawing.
For the installation of the Uniclave 77, the following connections must be available:
Drain pipe, 1 ½ `` female connection at ground level
Electricity box at 1000 mm above the ground. 3-phase cable or 1-phase cable
(according to the selected model) capable of supporting 400 V AC or 230 V AC 50 Hz
+ Neutral and Ground (3x2,5+N2,5 ) with power supply according to the model, and a
differential protection of 300 mA.
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
Clean external panels with special cleaning product for stainless steel.
Clean internal chamber with special cleaning product for stainless steel.
10.1.2 Weekly
Check that indicating lamps are working.
Check Pressure/Temperature ratio during sterilization.
10.1.3 Monthly
Perform a vacuum test.
Clean drainage filter.
Test temperature controller.
Lubricate handles with non-melting grease (”Spanjard – Non-Melting Grease”).
Clean, check and replace purger, if necessary.
10.1.4 Annually
Check bacteriological filter and replace it
Check safety Pressure Switch operation
Measure electrical supply in each phase
Measure earth current
Check, clean and lubricate or replace if necessary:
- Electromagnetic valves
- Safety valve
- Drainage valve
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
Replace seals on both condensation and drying valve
Replace lid gasket
Check the water outage safety device
Replace the purger
ADVICES
1- If a problem occurs, the first step is to check the necessary elements for the correct
functioning of the equipment: whether they are in working order or faulty.
E.g.: Power supply, water...
2- Faults detected in the functioning of a component should be corrected.
E.g.: valves, filters, pressure switch and thermostat.
3- Tubing should be checked for possible leaks.
E.g.: drainage tube, steam...
4- The operating instructions should be followed.
5- In case of Maintenance Procedure, some tests, which may facilitate the diagnosis of faults,
are described.
E.g.: Vacuum test, test of pressure / thermostat
10.2 CHECKING THE PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE RATIO
This ratio check should be carried out in accordance with the table below (the table refers to
absolute pressures. 1 bar should be added to the pressure as read on the chamber’s gauge).
E.g.: When the pressure shown on the gauge is 1,1 bar, the absolute pressure is
approximately 2,1 bar and the temperature should be 121ºC.
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
Switch the sterilizer off with the chamber at a vacuum of ≈ -0,9 bar and wait for one hour. If,
past that time, the pressure in the chamber is not between -0,9 and -0,85bar, this will indicate
that there is a leak in the chamber or in one of its components.
- Drainage valve
- Electromagnetic purging valve
- Electromagnetic airing valve
- Safety valve
- Gasket sealing
- Connections pieces
10.4 TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER TEST - AT SEA LEVEL
Fill the sterilizer with water 2 cm above the level of the temperature controller probe element.
- Set the controller to 110ºC
- Switch on the sterilizer (With the lid open) and wait for the water to start
boiling.
CONCLUSION: The temperature inside the chamber at this point is 100ºC and the
temperature controller should indicate between 98 and 102ºC. This is only valid at sea level.
10.5 FUNCTIONING OF THE SAFETY PRESSURE SWITCH
Raise the pressure inside the chamber and check that the pressure switch works at a
pressure of 2,5 bar ≈ 138ºC.
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .
2 kW when heating up to 134°C
0,25 kW during the 10 minutes
Sterilization at 134 °C
3 kW when heating up to 134°C
0,25 kW during the 10 minutes
Sterilization at 134 °C
Distilled Water
11 litres per cycle
20 litres per cycle
The difference between the required temperature and the reached temperature is 2 degrees
Celsius. The sterilization and drying times are programmed by the operator:
A. J. COSTA (Irmãos) Lda. - Medical and Hospitalary Service
Estrada da Ligeiras . Alto da Bela Vista .
2735-337 Cacém . Portugal .