What is the Importance of a Dedicated Circuit?

Proper autoclave operation has many steps to ensure your autoclave works efficiently…some of these steps begin before you even power up the unit. Despite what some may assume, each single step and recommendation is just as important as the last. We find many customers trying to cut corners and use shortcuts for some things in an area where it’s not applicable. 

For example, the use of a dedicated circuit. A dedicated circuit is recommended by all autoclave manufacturers when using an autoclave for many reasons. So in this article, we’d like to answer the question of why a dedicated circuit is important. 

What is a Dedicated Circuit?

A dedicated circuit is a circuit where you can plug something into it, like your autoclave, and it is meant purely for that one appliance. The dedicated circuit does not share its power with anything else, it even uses its own circuit breaker.

Autoclaves draw a significant amount of power when they’re operated, and that draw only gets heavier the bigger the autoclave is. They need that kind of power to be able to generate the heat and pressure necessary to sterilize to the proper standard. Plugging a unit with this kind of draw can have negative side effects.

Why are Dedicated Circuits Important?

Dedicated circuits are meant to be used when operating an autoclave to prevent many issues that can arise if your unit is plugged into a standard or shared circuit. Where are some of the problems you face when not using a dedicated circuit:

• Overloading: An autoclave draws a large amount of current, especially during its heating phase. If it shares a circuit with other appliances, the combined electrical load can exceed the circuit’s capacity, causing the breaker to trip. This interrupts the sterilization cycle, which can compromise the sterilization process and require you to restart the cycle, wasting time and resources

• Electrical Hazards: When a high-power device like an autoclave cycles on and off on a shared circuit, it can cause voltage drops or surges. These fluctuations can damage the sensitive electronic components of the autoclave itself or other devices plugged into the same circuit. It can also cause the autoclave to malfunction, leading to incomplete sterilization.

• Poor Performance: An overloaded circuit can cause the wiring to overheat, especially if it’s not rated for the combined load of all the devices plugged into it. Over time, this can melt the wire’s insulation, creating a severe fire hazard. And your autoclave’s power dropping will lead to incomplete sterilization.

Final Thoughts

The recommendation to use a dedicated circuit for your autoclave is far more than just a suggestion—it’s a critical safety and efficiency measure. Ignoring this recommendation can lead to a range of issues, from things like tripped breakers and interrupted cycles to serious electrical hazards and permanent damage to your equipment. Ultimately, ensuring your autoclave has its own dedicated power source is a fundamental step in protecting your investment, maintaining the integrity of your sterilization processes, and ensuring a safe working environment.

If you have any questions about a dedicated circuit, or anything else, please give us a call at 704-966-1650 Option 3 for our Free Tech Support Line. You can also find our resource links for our various programs available to use for FREE, customer or not.

As always if you have any questions about this process or anything else please feel free to contact us and take advantage of our “FREE TECH SUPPORT.”

We also offer FREE VIRTUAL TECH SUPPORT to “See and Talk” with a “Real Time Live Technician” for any problems you may be in need of help with.

You can also use our “FREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM”. Take the guesswork and worrying about what unit is due for maintenance and which maintenance cycle it is time for. We will keep track of all your autoclaves and let you know when it’s time for anything.