On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Use this guide for abnormal heat, fluid leakage, overflowing, repeated overtemperature conditions, or water found beneath or around the cleaner.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Make the Area Safe Immediately
Stop the cleaning process using normal controls when safe to do so.
Keep personnel away from hot liquid, chemistry, wet floors, and electrical hazards. If water is near energized electrical equipment, follow facility electrical-safety procedures rather than reaching into the affected area.
Expected outcome: Immediate personnel and electrical hazards are controlled.
2. Remove the Cleaner From Processing Use
Do not continue operating the unit to "see if it leaks again" while instruments depend on it.
Move processing to another verified method or cleaner.
Expected outcome: A potentially unsafe unit is no longer part of the active instrument-processing workflow.
3. Identify the Source Without Disassembly
Inspect externally for the highest or first visible point of moisture.
Check the chamber rim, lid or door seal area, supply hoses, drain hose, chemistry tubing, external fittings, and surrounding facility plumbing.
Do not remove panels merely to follow a leak internally.
Expected outcome: The leak is identified as external, facility-related, or internal/unresolved.
4. Check for Chamber Overfill
Determine whether water escaped because the chamber filled above its normal operating level.
If the unit continues filling unexpectedly, stop operation and isolate the water supply when this can be done safely and according to facility procedure.
Expected outcome: Uncontrolled filling is stopped and the unit remains out of service.
5. Inspect External Supply and Drain Connections
Check accessible hoses and fittings for looseness, disconnection, cracks, kinks, or poor drain routing.
Also determine whether the facility drain is backing up and making the cleaner appear to leak.
Expected outcome: External plumbing defects are identified or ruled out.
6. Inspect the Lid or Door Seal Area
Look for debris, misplaced baskets, damaged sealing surfaces, or an obstruction that could allow water to escape during operation.
Expected outcome: The closure area is clean and unobstructed. A damaged seal or mechanical closure fault requires service.
7. Evaluate an Overtemperature Complaint
If the concern is heat rather than visible leakage, document whether the cleaner displayed an overtemperature message, produced unusual heat externally, emitted an odor, or shut itself down.
Do not restart a unit with signs of overheating, burnt odor, smoke, or melted components.
Expected outcome: Potential thermal damage is recognized and the equipment remains isolated when necessary.
8. Dry and Inspect the Surrounding Area
Once power and water hazards are controlled, ensure the floor and surrounding work area are made safe according to facility procedure.
Check whether the moisture may have originated from adjacent plumbing or another nearby device.
Expected outcome: The environmental source is distinguished from a confirmed cleaner leak.
9. Perform a Controlled Test Only After a Simple External Correction
If the cause was clearly external and safely corrected, such as a loose accessible drain connection, perform an unloaded test while continuously observing the unit.
Stop immediately if leakage, excessive temperature, abnormal smell, or uncontrolled filling recurs.
Expected outcome: No further leak or thermal abnormality occurs. If the test completes normally, troubleshooting can stop after final verification.
10. Remove From Service for Any Unresolved Leak or Thermal Fault
If the source cannot be confidently identified and corrected externally, or the condition repeats, do not continue testing.
Expected outcome: The unit is labeled and escalated before additional water or heat damage occurs.
If the Problem Persists
External hoses, drains, closure surfaces, facility plumbing, and obvious loading conditions have been checked. Remaining causes may involve internal plumbing, valves, pumps, level sensing, heater control, temperature sensing, internal fittings, or electrical components.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate manufacturer documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
After repair, verify normal filling, draining, thermal control, absence of leaks, and successful cycle completion before return to service. Electrical safety testing should be performed when the event or repair warrants it.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Water around powered reprocessing equipment should be treated as both a slip hazard and a potential electrical hazard until the source and equipment condition are known.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported water collecting on the floor beside the CaviWave Pro during operation."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the external drain hose partially disconnected from its facility drain connection."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Secured the drain connection, dried the area, completed an unloaded cycle with no further leakage, and returned the cleaner to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Location where water was first observed
- Cycle phase when leak occurred
- Chamber overfill observed or not observed
- Supply hose condition
- Drain hose and facility drain condition
- Lid or door seal condition
- Chemistry tubing condition
- Overtemperature message or shutdown
- Unusual heat, odor, or visible damage
- Results of controlled functional test
- Final device status
Final Thought
Leak and overtemperature conditions require immediate attention to personnel safety, processing continuity, and electrical risk. Identify external causes without unnecessary disassembly, verify the correction carefully, and escalate any recurring or unexplained condition.
That is successful troubleshooting.