LTE Touchclave Ecotech Series User manual

www.lte-scientific.co.uk
Touchclave Ecotech
User Manual
Issue C

Touchclave Ecotech
2
Product information
Product Description: Touchclave Ecotech 40/60 Litre
Contact: LTE Scientific
Greenbridge Lane
Greenfield
Lancashire
OL3 7EN
T: [phone]
F: [phone]
W: www.lte-scientific.co.uk

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Contents
Product information................................................................................................................................2
Warning................................................................................................................................................... 7
Section 1- General Information ..............................................................................................................8
1.1 Installation ..............................................................................................................................8
1.2 Scope of User Manual.................................................................................................................15
1.3 Classification of User Levels........................................................................................................15
1.4 Overview and Intended Use of Touchclave Ecotech...................................................................15
1.5 Safety precautions ......................................................................................................................16
1.6 Maintenance ...............................................................................................................................17
Weekly maintenance ....................................................................................................................17
Printer Maintenance..................................................................................................................... 18
Servicing and Calibration ..............................................................................................................19
1.7 Parts ............................................................................................................................................19
Section 2- Main Features ......................................................................................................................20
2.1 Autoclave features...................................................................................................................... 20
Embedded Touchscreen Control System......................................................................................20
Condensate Unit ...........................................................................................................................20
Automatic Water Fill .....................................................................................................................20
High Pressure Steam Generator ...................................................................................................20
Vacuum System (optional)............................................................................................................20
Printer (optional)...........................................................................................................................21
Water Tanks (optional) .................................................................................................................21
USB Data Archiving .......................................................................................................................21
2.3 The cycle sequence .....................................................................................................................22
Water fill ....................................................................................................................................... 22
Air removal....................................................................................................................................22
Heat up..........................................................................................................................................22
Sterilisation ...................................................................................................................................22
Cooling ..........................................................................................................................................22
Drying (requires Vacuum system option) .....................................................................................23
2.4 Typical cycles............................................................................................................................... 24

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Standard Cycles.............................................................................................................................24
2.5 Technical Specification................................................................................................................ 24
Electrical........................................................................................................................................24
Environmental...............................................................................................................................24
Over Pressure Protection..............................................................................................................25
Water Supply.................................................................................................................................25
Ingress Protection ......................................................................................................................... 25
Section 3- Control System Basic Screens ..............................................................................................26
3.1 Power up/ Idle Screen................................................................................................................. 26
3.2 Process Screen ............................................................................................................................26
3.3 Process Screen- In Cycle.............................................................................................................. 27
3.4 Password Entry Screen................................................................................................................28
3.5 Menu Screen ...............................................................................................................................29
3.6 Alarm Screen............................................................................................................................... 29
Section 4- Running a Cycle....................................................................................................................30
4.1 Starting a cycle ............................................................................................................................30
Close Chamber door......................................................................................................................30
Select Cycle ...................................................................................................................................30
Enter Password .............................................................................................................................31
Start Cycle .....................................................................................................................................31
4.2 Cycle in progress .........................................................................................................................32
4.3 End of cycle- Cycle Passed .......................................................................................................... 32
4.4 End of cycle- Cycle Failed ............................................................................................................33
4.6 Sample printout (requires printer option)..................................................................................34
Section 5- Supervisor Menu.................................................................................................................. 35
5.1 Data Archiving.............................................................................................................................35
Copy To USB..................................................................................................................................36
Internal..........................................................................................................................................36
5.2 Time/ Date ..................................................................................................................................36
5.3 Alarms .........................................................................................................................................37
5.4 Status ..........................................................................................................................................37
M/C Info ........................................................................................................................................37
View Analogs.................................................................................................................................38

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View Inputs ...................................................................................................................................38
View Outputs ................................................................................................................................40
Cycle Info....................................................................................................................................... 40
Section 6- Alarms ..................................................................................................................................41
Purge Timeout...................................................................................................................................41
Heatup Timeout ................................................................................................................................41
Stabilisation Timeout ........................................................................................................................41
Cooling Timeout................................................................................................................................ 41
Under Temp ......................................................................................................................................41
Over Temp.........................................................................................................................................41
Power Failure ....................................................................................................................................41
Chamber Transducer Fail ..................................................................................................................41
Steam Gen Transducer Fail ...............................................................................................................41
Vent Probe Fail..................................................................................................................................41
Load Probe Fail.................................................................................................................................. 42
Heater Over Temp.............................................................................................................................42
Cycle Aborted....................................................................................................................................42
Steam Purge Over Pressure ..............................................................................................................42
Pre Vac Timeout................................................................................................................................ 42
Draining Timeout ..............................................................................................................................42
Drying Timeout .................................................................................................................................42
Air Equalisation Timeout...................................................................................................................42
Water Fill Timeout ............................................................................................................................42
Archive Failure ..................................................................................................................................42
Engineering Override Used ...............................................................................................................42
Chamber Over pressure.................................................................................................................... 42
Sterilisation Over Temp ....................................................................................................................43
Sterilisation Under Temp ..................................................................................................................43
Pump Overload .................................................................................................................................43
Section 7- Remote Data Archiving ........................................................................................................44
7.1 Extracting Cycle Data .................................................................................................................. 44
Insert USB Stick into USB Port.......................................................................................................44
Access the Data Archiving Menu .................................................................................................. 44

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Copy to USB...................................................................................................................................45
7.2 Transfer Cycle Data To PC ...........................................................................................................46
Ecotech Archives........................................................................................................................... 46
Machine Setup ..............................................................................................................................46
Directory Setup .............................................................................................................................49
Transfer Cycle Data .......................................................................................................................51
View Cycle Data.............................................................................................................................53

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Warning
Before using/ maintaining the autoclave, the user must note the following:
•Machine MUST be earthed, protective earth connection for the machine is provided using
the 13A plug fitted to the machine.
•Ensure the Water feed, drain and electrical connections to the machine have been fitted to
before attempting to operate the autoclave.
•Water feed should meet the pressure and conductivity specification required for correct
operation of the autoclave.
•Autoclave should be positioned in such a way that allows easy disconnecting of the device
from the electrical supply.
•Autoclave should only be operated and maintained by personnel that have been trained in
its operation and safe use. This manual is NOT intended as a substitute for such training.
•It is the duty of the Responsible Body (individual or group responsible for the safe use and
maintenance of equipment) to ensure that all operators and service/ maintenance
engineers required to use/ maintain this equipment are regularly trained in the safe use and
maintenance of the autoclave. Records of the training are to be kept accordingly. “LTE
Scientific Ltd.” are not responsible for such training.
•On completion of a sterilisation cycle the load inside the chamber will potentially be at a
temperature as high as 80⁰C. Operators must therefore ensure that appropriate precautions
are made to prevent to prevent risk of injury when removing the load from the chamber
(use of heat resistant gloves etc.).
•Do not attempt to autoclave materials that boil below 85⁰C.
•Ensure correct lifting and moving methods of the load are followed as identified by the
Responsible Body/ Lab Manager.
•Do not attempt repair or maintenance of the autoclave with the machine connected to the
electrical power supply, machine should be fully disconnected from the electrical power
supply before ANY attempt to repair or maintain the autoclave is made. Failure to
disconnect the autoclave from the electrical power supply could result in electric shock.
•Ensure that the electrical plug is easily identifiable and can easily be reached in order to
disconnect the machine from the electrical supply.
•Do not attempt repair or maintenance of the autoclave immediately after a sterilisation
cycle has completed. The autoclave should be left to cool down to room temperature
before any repair or maintenance task is attempted. Failure to do so could result in injury to
the operator/ maintenance engineer.
•This equipment is NOT to be used in potentially explosive environments.
•Touchclave Ecotech should only be used with accessories that are approved by LTE
Scientific.
•Touchclave Ecotech should not be used in any other way other than as described in the user
manual.
•Electrical Plug and socket should be readily identifiable and easily reached by the operator.

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Section 1- General Information
1.1 Installation
Manual Handing
Lifting Straps are provided to aid lifting of the autoclave. Always be sure to follow manual handling
guidelines when lifting equipment, ensuring the correct number of people are lifting the autoclave
and the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn. The Touchclave Ecotech is a steam
steriliser and so contains a pressure vessel making this product is very heavy.
Note: It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that safe manual handling practices are followed
when lifting and transporting this product (Touchclave Ecotech).
Lifting Points
Lifting points illustrated using (Hand icon).

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Water Feed and Drain Connections
The water feed and drain connections vary depending on the options selected at the time of
ordering.
Note: All utility connections to be within 0.5m of the location of the Touchclave Ecotech.
Automatic Water fill and Drain
If the automatic water fill and drain option, this will be connected directly to the mains water supply
and drain and will be supplied with a water fill hose assembly and a drain hose assembly.
Water fill hose connections:
1. Plug Push fit connector into the water fill connector at the rear of the machine, pushing the
connector until it “clicks” into position.
2. Screw the ¾” BSP threaded connector onto the water isolator valve supplying the water to
the autoclave.

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Drain hose connections:
1. Plug push fit connector into the Drain connector at the rear of the machine.
2. Place end of drain hose into an open drain, ensuring the hose is not submerged into any
fluid in the drain and that the drain is fitted with a trap.
Open Drain
Drain Trap
Drain
hose

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Internal Fill and drain tanks (Optional)
If the Touchclave Ecotech is fitted with internal fill and drain tanks, there is no need for external
water or drain connections during operation.
Note: the internal water fill and drain tanks are monitored by the Ecotech control system software
and so the machine will feedback to the user if the water tank is empty or the drain tank is full.
Filling the machine:
1. With the Ecotech powered, an audible sound will be transmitted from the machine when
the water fill tank is empty and the screen will display “Fill Water Tank”. A cycle cannot be
run until the water fill tank has been filled fully with water.
2. Squeeze together latches on the water fill tank cover and remove the cover from the lid.
3. Fill the tank using clean water from a clean container.
4. When tank is full, the audible sound will stop and the machine will display “READY” on the
control screen.
Draining the machine:
1. With the Ecotech powered, an audible sound will be transmitted from the machine when
the drain tank is full and the screen will display “Empty Drain Tank”. A cycle cannot be run
until the drain tank has been emptied fully.
2. Insert the end of the drain hose without a connector into an empty container (Container
must have 4L minimum volume and be placed on the floor at a lower level than the machine
as drain tank empties using gravity alone).
3. Plug the drain hose push fit connector into the drain connector at the rear of the machine
and tank will begin to drain.
4. When the drain tank is empty, the audible sound will stop and the machine will display
“READY” on the control screen.
Water fill tank
cover

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5. Pour contents of the container into a drain and remove drain hose from machine.
External Fill and drain Containers (Optional)
External fill and drain tanks are used where this is no water supply or drain available to connect the
machine to. An external container filled with water is used to supply the machine with water and an
external container is used by the machine as a drain.
Note: There external tanks are not monitored by the Ecotech control system software and so there is
no feedback from the Ecotech to the user on the fluid levels of the external containers. It is the
responsibility of the user to ensure that there is sufficient water in the external water fill container
and that the drain tank is emptied regularly to prevent this overflowing.
Connecting water fill container:
1. Insert the end of the water fill hose without a connector into the bottom of the water fill
container, ensuring that the end of the hose is at the bottom of the container.
2. Plug the end of the water fill hose push fit connector into the water fill connector at the rear
of the machine
Drain
hose
Container

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3. Fill water fill external container fully with clean water, ensure this is topped up regularly
during operation.
Water
Fill
hose
External Water
Fill Container

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Connecting Drain Container
1. Insert the end of the drain hose without a connector into external drain container.
2. Plug the drain hose push fit connector into the drain connector at the rear of the machine.
3. Machine will drain into drain container during cycles. Ensure external drain container is
emptied regularly between cycles as container could overflow.
Drain
hose
External Drain
Container

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Electrical Connection
Touchclave Ecotech is supplied with a 2m removable electrical power cable. The cable plugs into the
Ecotech using an IEC C19 to C20 connection and into a standard 13A electrical socket (BS1363).
Once the cable is plugged into both the Ecotech and the electrical plug, the machine can be powered
on using the power switch at the rear of the machine.
1.2 Scope of User Manual
This User Manual provides instructions for the Touchclave Ecotech autoclave manufactured by LTE
Scientific Ltd (“LTE”):
Autoclave users should be given training in the actual application environment. This manual is not
intended as a substitute for such training.
1.3 Classification of User Levels
For safety and security, users of Ecotech autoclaves are classified in four User Levels:
•Operator
•Supervisor (requires password)
•Maintenance Engineer (requires password)
•Commissioning Engineer (requires password)
The User Manual does not cover Maintenance or commissioning functions. These are explained in the
service manual. The term “user” used in this manual refers to either Operator or Supervisor level user.
1.4 Overview and Intended Use of Touchclave Ecotech
The Ecotech is a steam steriliser that operates by generating saturated steam in a steam generator
and subjecting the load to this saturated steam under pressure in order kill micro-organisms present
in the chamber and so sterilise the load.

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The Touchclave Ecotech operates cycles pre-programmed into the software and these differ depending
on the nature of the load, varying in sterilisation temperature (most commonly 121⁰C and 134⁰C) and
length of time the load is at sterilisation temperature/pressure. As the autoclave chamber is a sealed
vessel during sterilisation, the pressure of the steam inside the chamber relates to a temperature, the
internal conditions are controlled by the autoclave controller.
The autoclave controller has a Resistive Touchscreen display, using this; the operator can run
sterilisation cycles and monitor cycle progress. The control system software has an intelligent menu
system allowing the user access depending on the level of password they have entered; without an
authorised password the autoclave will not allow the user to operate the machine. Functionality is
limited depending on what level of password is entered when operating the machine. Since all access
levels are password protected and the machine will not operate without an authorised password, a user
cannot accidentally gain access to the machine.
The Touchclave Ecotech is a laboratory autoclave tested to BS 2646 and is intended to run sterilisation
cycles with loads as detailed in this standard. The Touchclave Ecotech is pre-programmed with cycles
that have been validated using independent UKAS calibrated test equipment to verify that the
sterilisation temperature and pressure are as shown on the machine. The autoclave is intended to be
used as detailed in the user manual and is to be regularly calibrated in order to ensure that the autoclave
instrumentation is reading correctly and to ensure that the autoclaved loads are sterile at the end of a
cycle.
If the Touchclave Ecotech is not correctly maintained and calibrated then this could lead to loads still
being contaminated at the end of the sterilisation cycle- it is the customer’s responsibility that the
Touchclave Ecotech is routinely maintained and calibrated by trained engineers approved by LTE
Scientific Ltd.
The Touchclave Ecotech is NOT suitable for use with loads that could be infected with organisms in
Hazard Category 3 or 4.
1.5 Safety precautions
Whilst the autoclave has built-in safety devices, their operation may be impaired if the autoclave is
not used correctly and in accordance with the instructions. In addition, it is important to observe the
following safety rules at all times:
•Wait until the cycle is complete and the machine is cool before attempting to unload
•Beware of residual steam in the chamber and hot surfaces when the door is opened at the
end of a cycle
•Wear suitable PPE eyes when loading or unloading the chamber, since the load temperature
may be as high as 100oC
•Ensure that the autoclave is handled in accordance with Heath and Safety guidelines. Consult
your site safety officer if applicable.
•Ensure that the earth or ground of the power supply cable is connected to a suitable
protective earth supply, and that the supply lines are correctly fused and isolated
•If the plastic bottle for discharge collection has been connected to the autoclave’s drain
system, then in order to avoid being scalded by hot water or steam:
odo not try to empty the bottle while a cycle is in operation
odo not run the autoclave with the drain disconnected from the bottle.

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1.6 Maintenance
This Section covers General operator tasks in order to maintain the autoclave on a day to day basis
and ensure reliability of the system.
Note: Failure to properly maintain the autoclave will invalidate the warranty.
Weekly maintenance
Door and Door Seal
The door seal is vital to the operation of the autoclave and so this must be checked and cleaned on a
weekly basis to ensure that the door seals consistently and without any issues. Running a cycle with
a damaged door seal or with dirt on the door or door seal could cause steam to leak from the
autoclave chamber during the cycle and may cause injury to the operator or damage to equipment.
Door and door seal cleaning
Inner door panel and the door seal should be cleaned with warm water and a non-abrasive cloth,
ensuring that the surface of the door seal and inner door are free from any dirt/ residue.
Seal Visual Inspection
Door seal should be visually inspected to ensure surface is smooth and free of debris.
Chamber and chamber Drain
Warning: Do not attempt internal chamber cleaning until vessel has cooled to room temperature to
avoid potential injury.
Clean the internal chamber
Remove the shelf from the inside of the chamber. Use warm water and a non-abrasive cloth to
remove any debris that may have built up in the chamber. Make sure Drain strainer is free from
debris.

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Printer Maintenance
Replacing Paper Roll
Open Printer Door
Open bottom printer door by applying fingers on both sides of the printer door and pull forwards.
Insert New Paper Roll
Insert new paper roll as shown:
Close Printer Door

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Servicing and Calibration
To ensure that the Touchclave Ecotech operates reliably and accurately, it must be serviced at 6
month intervals and calibrated yearly.
For information on Service and Calibration, please contact LTE Scientific service centre:
1.7 Parts
Spare parts are listed in the Service Manual.
ONLY replacement parts supplied by LTE Scientific are to be used. Failure to so could result in
damage to the machine.

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Section 2- Main Features
2.1 Autoclave features
Embedded Touchscreen Control System
The Ecotech has an embedded control system with a 3.5” resistive touchscreen user interface. The
embedded hardware uses two microprocessors with USB type A connection through the front control
panel (for archiving data to memory stick), easy to use icon based colour display, intelligent firmware
and built in safety features.
Condensate Unit
This air-cooled unit ensures that water from the Condensate Discharge or the Chamber Water Discharge
is below 80oC. This is important if plastic drains are used to receive discharges. The Condensate Unit
used is a fan-cooled heat exchanger. Cold air is blown over a heat exchanger, reducing the heat from
the air/steam/water running through the coils. The resulting warm air is blown out from the side panel
of the autoclave.
Automatic Water Fill
This feature uses a direct connection to mains supply water in order to fill the system at the beginning
of the cycle. Once a volume of water has been pumped into the system, the autoclave will not require
any further water fills until the next cycle and so has minimal water consumption for an autoclave with
an integral steam generator.
High Pressure Steam Generator
The Touchclave Ecotech has an integral steam generator that operates at a higher pressure than the
autoclave chamber. This ensures that there is optimised space inside the autoclave chamber and
provides a cleaner environment (as there are no heating elements inside the chamber).This also
makes the vacuum pump (optional) more effective as the load will by significantly drier at the end of
a cycle (on drying cycles).
Vacuum System (optional)
This option adds functionality to the start and end of the cycle. It also increases the range of loads that
the machine can deal with. The vacuum system is used to ensure efficient air removal at the start of
the cycle (known as the “pre-vacuum” stage), when a vacuum is drawn in the chamber to a set
pressure.
At the end of a cycle, the vacuum pump is used create a negative pressure in the autoclave chamber
while the load is at a high temperature. The negative pressure reduces the boiling point of water and
the residual heat in the load causes moisture to evaporate from the load and therefore dries the load.