Warning Light and Fault Codes Explained 

The Priorclave control panel has a series of ‘hidden until active’ Warning Lights that appear in the black bar beneath the Temperature and Time displays on the control panel. Some of these indicators will appear in conjunction with a fault code. Fault Codes are displayed in the red Temperature Display Window on the control panel.

If one of these errors occurs, please contact Priorclave with the error code and message, as well as your autoclave’s serial number.

As options are developed, new Fault Codes are added. Therefore, not all of these codes are applicable, depending on the version of the Tactrol System and the options installed on your autoclave. Fault Codes F000 to F012 are common to all versions.

If two or more faults occur at the same time, the one with the highest priority is displayed. (F000 is the highest priority and F019 is the lowest.) If a higher priority fault is cleared, it will be replaced by the next active fault. It is often the case that a single remedy clears several faults at once. Depending on the stage of the cycle when a fault occurs, the chamber contents might not have been sterilized. Please check printer or log records, if available, to confirm that the sterilizing stage of the cycle has been completed. If no record is available, or if the sterilization stage has not been completed, or if you have any other reason to be uncertain about the cycle, then the autoclave contents must be considered non-sterile and the cycle must be re-run.

Note: If the Fault Code will not clear, or continues to re-appear, the fault cannot be corrected and you should contact Priorclave Service or your local Priorclave approved service agent for expert assistance.

Warning Lights

Some of these will appear in conjunction with a Fault Code:

• SERVICE: Appears after 500 cycles or six months have passed since the autoclave was last serviced. The technician will cancel the message when the autoclave is serviced. This indicator does not signify a machine fault, nor does it affect the autoclave function.
• WATER (+ FAULT CODE F004): Indicates the water level has fallen below the minimum level and must be topped off. For units with Automatic Waterfill, the chamber will automatically fill when the door is opened.
• O/HEAT (+ FAULT CODE F003): Indicates a vessel overheat or possible temperature probe failure..
• LOCK: This indicator will light when the thermal lock key-switch is in the override position.
• LOAD (+ FAULT CODE F001): Indicates a Load Sense Probe Failure. The autoclave can still be run with Load Sensed Process Timing switched off with possible additional time added to the process to compensate for any lag in the load, but the temperature sensor should be replaced as soon as possible.
• FAU​​LT (+ FAULT CODE FXXX): Indicates that the error might have invalidated the sterilization process. See full list of Fault Codes below.

Fault Codes

• F000: There has been an error in the temperature measurement system. This might indicate a critical problem with the Internal Validation System, but please note that this detection system is extremely sensitive and it is possible for temporary fluctuations in the electrical power supply to trigger error code F000, which can be easily cleared with no further remedial action or repair. Attempt to reset the error (as described in “Cancelling Error and Warning Messages” at the end of this section). If the message clears and does not reoccur, continue operation as normal. If the error will not clear or continues to re-appear, please contact Priorclave or your local trained service technician.
• FX02: Thermocouple Input Failure: The temperature control, display, or load simulator temperature sensor are not functioning. This error code is displayed as a series of numbers where the first number indicates the probe that has failed as follows:
  • F102: Control Sensor
  • F202: Display Sensor
  • F302: In-Chamber Load Sensor
  • F402: Load Simulator Sensor
  • F502: Jacket (the autoclave can continue to be used by switching off this function, but care should be taken while operating in this manner, and the malfunctioning probe should be replaced as soon as possible)
  • F602: Self-Validation Circuit (no physical sensor)
  • F702: Steam Generator
  • F802: Low Water Sensor 1
  • F902: Low Water Sensor 2

Please make a note of which of these numbers comes up, as this will assist in faster diagnosis.

• F005: Low Temperature: The chamber temperature fell below the process temperature by more than 3oC during the dwell time. The items in the chamber have not been reliably sterilized.
• F006: Power Failure: Power to the autoclave was interrupted during the cycle’s heating or dwell time. (Please note: If the cycle was in the cooling stage at the time of power loss, the autoclave will resume cooling once power is restored. A fault code will not be reported, and the sterilization cycle can be considered succesful.)
• F007: Pre-Cycle Vacuum Timeout (“Loop Break”): Indicates a problem with the vacuum   system or a pipe leak.
• F008: Heating Stage Timeout: Indicates a problem with the heating system or an open vent valve.
• F009: Post-Cycle Vacuum Timeout: Indicates a problem with the vacuum system or a pipe leak.
• F010: Excess Air Detected: Excess air remaining in the load.
• F011: Printer Timeout/Malfunction: The control system does not receive confirmation from the printer within the pre-set time. There is a missing or malfunctioning printer or no paper in the thermal printer..
• F012: Door Error: Door micro-switch opened during a cycle. There is a problem with the door possibly not fully closed, or the door micro switch has malfunctioned.
• F013: Jacket Timeout: The steam jacket failed to reach the required temperature within the pre-set time. There is a problem with the steam supply, or an inlet or drain valve is malfunctioning.
• F014: Jacket Overheat: The steam jacket has exceeded the pre-set jacket operation temperature range.
• F015: Jacket Low Temperature: The steam jacket has fallen below the pre-set jacket operation temperature range.
• F016: Water Fill Timeout: Indicates either a failed water detection probe or a problem with the water supply.
• F017: Freesteam Failure: The autoclave did not reach the low setpoint temperature after opening the vent during a freesteaming stage. It is likely that the vent or vent valve may be obstructed or is malfunctioning. 
• F018: Vessel Overheat: Heating elements were becoming too hot during the sterilization cycle, usually due to a low water condition not detected by the low-water sensor. The water level should be restored and the conditions of this sensor and of the heating element checked before resetting the error and using the autoclave further (see the “Routine Maintenance” section of your manual for details).

View the full Fault Codes here.

Cancelling Error and Warning Messages

To cancel an error or warning message:

1. Correct the source of the error.
2. Turn the setting lock key switch to Position 3 (if your model has no Setting Lock key switch, press the reset button at the rear of the control panel).
3. Turn the Setting Lock key switch back to Position 2 or Position 1 (internal circuit breaker tripped).