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Sterilizer Manufacturer:
Pelton & Crane
Model of Sterilizer:
Delta 10
Problem Title:
FAIL shows on DELTA XL AF sterilizer
Problem Description:
The said Autoclave display (the lower display window) shows the message ˇ°FAILˇ± when autoclave chamber reaches about 5 Kpa (the pressure display window shows 5 KPa).


Could you please advise us how the said problem can be solved.

Reasons
1. FAIL error message on the Delta sterilizer display can have many different cases. In the following 4 cases, will show the FAIL error code:
2. Unit takes too long time to get sterilizing temperature (over 45 minutes)
3. Door opened after FILL, before the cycle complete
4. Unit takes more than 7 minutes between 101C to 110C (this period for the Air bleed out of the chamber, to make sure a pure steam inside the chamber)
5. More than 3 minutes pressure lower than 4 KPA in the sterilization period.
6. The Trouble Shooting Way to find out which case: The good think is that you can easy to find out which case, your FAIL is, by running 1 or 2 trouble-shooting cycles.

1) If the FAIL shows up, because the door is not loose after FILL, then it is reason
2) If the FAIL happens between the temperature 90C (starting at 90C, but most air bleeds out at 100C) and 110C, then the problem is the Air Bleed control issue.
3) If the FAIL happens between the temperature 110C to Sterilizing temperature (normally it takes a long time more than 45 minutes), then the problem is the Heating Up issue.
4) If the FAIL happens on the sterilizing phase, then the problem mostly is the Leaking issue.


Solutions

1. Door loose is the easy one, just close the door again properly and tightly, the machine should be OK. But this seems not you case. (you can get a little pressure at 5KPA as you said in your email)
2. FAIL between 90C and 110C. Most likely this is your problem. (But the 5KPA in your email is a little small. Normally it should be 4 PSI about, like 20-30KPA about). There are many reason for this problem. Please check

2-1) The Control signal: The LED D17 (air bellows) on the Power PCB board, which should be flashing at 90C-110C.
If No, check the LED D4 (bellows printed on the board) on the MPU PCB board, to make sure it cycling at 90C-110C. If Yes, the check the cable connection between these 2 boards; If No, then replace the MPU PCB board.
If Yes on the LED D4 board, then check the P5.2 and P5.5 on the Power PCB board, to make sure it has good DC power supply to the solenoid. It should be 12V DC. If yes, then check the cable connection between Solenoid and the Power PCB board; If not replace them Power PCB board.

2-2) If both the Power PCB board and MTU PCB board OK, and the connection between the Power PCB board and solenoid is OK, Then you need to check the solenoid mechanism to make sure no any direty deposits remaining inside the solenoid.

2-3) If the solenoid itself is OK too. Then you need to check to make sure no and leaking from the Chamber, normally if there is a leaking, sometimes, the machine can get H2O error message too, means run out of water.

2-4) If Both 2 PCB boards are OK, the solenoid is OK, and no leaking from anywhere, then mostly the machine is out of calibration. The Reading temperature is NOT matching its Real temperature. Even the Real temperature inside the chamber is higher than 110C, but the reading (display) temperature is low, however the program is controlled by the reading temperature, then you need to replace the MTU board. Pelton & Crane does not suggest the end users to do calibration by yourself.
3. FAIL between 110C to sterilizing temperature, normally this happens after 45 minutes. It may be caused by the Over Heat Protection worked, or somewhere leaking, you should get H2O error code sometimes, or the heating elements, or the Power PCB board, which fails to start again. You need to check one by one.
4. FAIL during the sterilization phase, mostly is the leaking, please check: door gasket, silicon tube, the check valve (1 way valve) between chamber and air pump, safety valve, ... you need to check one by one.

The technical information is just to help sterilizer users as reference to do their trouble shooting.
no guarranty implied. For each specific technical help to do with sterilizers
or autoclaves, go to www.sterilizers.com ... or call 1-800-801-9934 Contact Us