Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS 85L Pre & Post Vacuum Autoclave – New
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS 85L Pre & Post Vacuum Autoclave brings hospital-grade sterilization performance to laboratories, ambulatory surgery centers, medical and dental facilities, veterinary hospitals, research institutions, and other organizations that need more capability than a conventional tabletop sterilizer without the footprint of a full-size central sterile autoclave. With an 85-liter chamber, fractionated pre-vacuum air removal, post-vacuum drying, a powerful built-in steam generator, programmable sterilization cycles, comprehensive cycle documentation, and flexible installation options, the 3870HSG-WS is designed for demanding sterilization environments.
American Instrument Exchange is a distributor of brand-new Tuttnauer autoclaves and sterilizers, supplying laboratories and professional facilities throughout Massachusetts, New England, the Northeast, and across the United States. The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS is supplied new from the manufacturer and includes the applicable Tuttnauer manufacturer’s warranty.
Unlike basic gravity-displacement autoclaves, the 3870HSG-WS incorporates a built-in vacuum pump for fractionated pre-vacuum air removal. This helps remove trapped air from challenging loads and promotes effective steam penetration throughout the chamber. Post-vacuum performance assists with drying following sterilization, making the system particularly valuable for wrapped instruments, porous materials, hollow items, and other compatible loads that require more sophisticated processing than a standard gravity autoclave can provide.
The 3870HSG-WS also addresses one of the biggest challenges associated with installing a large autoclave: utilities. Its Plug & Play independent operating mode allows the sterilizer to function with an electrical connection without requiring permanent connections for distilled water, tap water, or drain. Where building utilities are available, the system can also be connected conventionally.
For facilities looking for an 85-liter hospital-grade pre-vacuum autoclave with large-autoclave capabilities in a compact freestanding footprint, the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS is one of the most capable systems in its class.
Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS Key Features
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Brand-new Tuttnauer hospital-grade steam autoclave
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85-liter / 22.5-gallon sterilization chamber
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Approximately 15.2-inch-diameter × 29.9-inch-deep chamber
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Fractionated pre-vacuum air removal
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Post-vacuum drying for appropriate loads
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Powerful built-in vacuum pump
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Built-in steam generator
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Four FDA-cleared sterilization cycles
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Bowie-Dick and vacuum/leak test cycles
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Up to 16 additional programmable custom cycles
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Processing capability for compatible wrapped, unwrapped, delicate, hollow, and porous loads
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Independent Plug & Play operating mode
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Can operate without permanent distilled-water, tap-water, or drain connections
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Optional connection to building utilities
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Water-saving system
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Multicolor LCD user interface
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USB, Ethernet, and integrated printer cycle documentation
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Multiple user-access levels
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Delayed-start Low Rate Cycle capability
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Energy-saving Sleep Mode
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Compact freestanding design fits through standard doorways
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Mobile configuration for easier installation and placement
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230 V, three-phase, 60 Hz U.S. configuration
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9 kW power rating
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Designed to applicable UL, FDA, CE, and ASME requirements
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Brand new from Tuttnauer
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Includes Tuttnauer manufacturer’s warranty
Overview
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS is a compact freestanding autoclave designed to provide many of the processing capabilities associated with larger hospital sterilizers in a considerably smaller footprint.
At the center of the system is an approximately 85-liter, or 22.5-gallon, chamber measuring 15.2 inches in diameter by 29.9 inches deep. This provides enough capacity for substantial instrument loads and longer items while keeping the overall machine narrow enough to move through standard facility doorways.
What truly differentiates the 3870HSG-WS from simpler 85-liter autoclaves is its pre- and post-vacuum processing capability.
A built-in vacuum pump performs fractionated pre-vacuum air removal before sterilization. Removing air from the chamber and load is critical for challenging applications because residual air can prevent saturated steam from reaching surfaces effectively. Multiple vacuum and steam pulses help eliminate air pockets and promote more consistent steam penetration.
Following sterilization, post-vacuum operation assists with moisture removal and drying. This is particularly valuable when processing wrapped instruments, porous materials, and other compatible loads where residual moisture can complicate handling and storage.
The result is a substantially more capable sterilization platform than a conventional gravity-displacement autoclave.
The 3870HSG-WS also includes a powerful built-in steam generator designed to remain ready for demanding workflows. This allows the sterilizer to support frequent operation without relying on an external building steam supply.
For facilities that need high-performance sterilization but do not have the space or infrastructure for a traditional central sterile autoclave, the combination of an 85-liter chamber, built-in steam generation, vacuum processing, and flexible utility configuration makes the 3870HSG-WS especially compelling.
Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS Common Applications
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Sterilization of compatible wrapped surgical and procedural instruments
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Processing of unwrapped solid instruments
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Sterilization of compatible hollow instruments
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Processing of porous materials and appropriate wrapped packs
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Veterinary surgical instrument sterilization
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Ambulatory surgery center instrument processing
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Medical and dental clinic sterilization
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Research and life-science laboratory applications
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University and institutional sterilization facilities
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Biotechnology and pharmaceutical support applications
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Shared laboratory and centralized sterilization areas
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Facilities requiring hospital-grade sterilization without a full-size central sterile autoclave
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High-volume instrument-processing workflows
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Facilities requiring advanced cycle documentation and traceability
Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS Ideal Laboratory and Facility Environments
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS is particularly well suited for organizations whose sterilization requirements have moved beyond what a conventional tabletop autoclave can comfortably handle.
Ambulatory surgery centers can benefit from the combination of an 85-liter chamber, hospital-grade sterilization performance, wrapped-load capability, active vacuum processing, drying, and cycle documentation.
Veterinary hospitals and specialty veterinary practices can use the larger chamber for appropriate surgical instruments and other compatible loads while benefiting from pre-vacuum processing and the ability to document sterilization cycles.
Large medical and dental clinics may find the 3870HSG-WS particularly attractive when a 20- or 30-liter tabletop autoclave no longer provides enough throughput, but a much larger institutional sterilizer would require excessive space or infrastructure.
Research institutions, universities, biotechnology facilities, and other laboratories may benefit when their applications require more advanced steam penetration than a gravity-displacement autoclave can provide.
The system is also useful in facilities where installation infrastructure is limited. Because the WS configuration can operate independently of permanent water and drain connections, organizations may be able to install advanced sterilization capability in locations that would otherwise require significant plumbing modifications.
This flexibility can be particularly valuable when renovating laboratories, expanding into leased space, creating temporary processing areas, or installing equipment in buildings where new utility connections are difficult or expensive.
Pre-Vacuum Air Removal and Steam Penetration
The built-in vacuum system is one of the most important reasons to choose the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS over a conventional gravity-displacement autoclave.
Effective steam sterilization requires direct contact between saturated steam and the surfaces being processed. Air trapped inside the chamber, packaging, porous materials, or hollow instruments can interfere with that contact.
The 3870HSG-WS addresses this challenge using fractionated pre-vacuum air removal.
Before the sterilization exposure phase, the vacuum pump actively removes air from the chamber. Alternating vacuum and steam conditions help remove trapped air and replace it with steam, improving penetration throughout compatible loads.
This makes the 3870HSG-WS better suited than a basic gravity autoclave for many challenging instrument configurations and wrapped or porous loads.
For facilities comparing autoclaves, this distinction is important. Chamber capacity alone does not determine sterilization capability. Two autoclaves may both provide an 85-liter chamber while being designed for substantially different load types.
The 3870HSG-WS combines large chamber capacity with active air removal, making it a more sophisticated sterilization platform than an 85-liter gravity-displacement system.
Post-Vacuum Drying and Wrapped Loads
The vacuum system also plays an important role after sterilization.
Post-vacuum operation assists in removing residual moisture from compatible loads, helping wrapped instruments and other appropriate materials emerge from the sterilizer in a condition better suited for handling and storage.
This is particularly important for wrapped loads. Sterilization is only one part of instrument reprocessing; drying can also influence how successfully processed packages can be handled following the cycle.
The combination of fractionated pre-vacuum air removal and post-vacuum drying therefore gives the 3870HSG-WS a significant advantage in facilities processing wrapped instruments routinely.
Organizations moving from a basic gravity autoclave may find that this capability represents one of the most meaningful improvements in day-to-day workflow.
Sterilization Programs and Load Flexibility
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS provides pre-programmed sterilization cycles designed around common professional instrument-processing requirements.
The U.S. configuration includes four FDA-cleared sterilization cycles for unwrapped instruments, wrapped instruments, unwrapped delicate instruments, and wrapped delicate instruments.
The sterilizer also provides dedicated Bowie-Dick and vacuum test cycles to help facilities evaluate air-removal performance and vacuum-system integrity as part of their quality-control procedures.
Beyond the factory programs, the 3870HSG-WS can support up to 16 additional programmable custom cycles.
This combination provides facilities with a useful balance between standardized routine operation and flexibility for approved specialized workflows.
The appropriate program should always be selected according to the instrument manufacturer's instructions, load configuration, facility procedures, and applicable sterilization requirements.
85-Liter Chamber Capacity and Workflow
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS provides approximately 85 liters, or 22.5 gallons, of chamber capacity.
The cylindrical chamber measures approximately 15.2 inches in diameter by 29.9 inches deep, providing substantial room for both larger batches and compatible longer instruments.
Two large trays help organize loads within the chamber. The current U.S. manufacturer specifications list a small tray measuring approximately 13.3 inches wide × 1 inch high × 26.6 inches deep and a large tray measuring approximately 13.8 inches wide × 1 inch high × 26.6 inches deep.
The 30-inch chamber depth is particularly valuable for instruments that cannot physically fit into smaller tabletop autoclaves.
For high-volume environments, the 85-liter capacity can also reduce the number of cycles required to process a given quantity of instruments compared with smaller 20- to 30-liter sterilizers.
That can improve workflow in facilities where instrument processing has become a bottleneck.
Capacity should nevertheless be matched to actual demand. The 3870HSG-WS is intended for organizations that can make productive use of its chamber size and advanced capabilities rather than facilities processing only occasional small loads.
Plug & Play Independent Operation
One of the most distinctive features of the 3870HSG-WS is its ability to operate independently of permanent building water and drain connections.
In its Plug & Play configuration, the sterilizer can operate without connections for distilled water, tap water, or drain. An appropriate electrical connection is still required.
This can significantly simplify installation compared with many large-capacity autoclaves.
For facilities with appropriate building utilities already available, the 3870HSG-WS can also be connected to those services.
This flexibility gives facility managers and laboratory planners more options when determining where the autoclave can be installed.
It may also reduce the scope of renovations required when adding sterilization capacity to an existing facility.
The capability is especially valuable in leased laboratory or clinical space, renovated buildings, temporary processing environments, and locations where plumbing changes would be disruptive or costly.
Water-Saving and Energy-Management Features
Large steam sterilizers can consume significant quantities of water and electricity, making utility efficiency an important consideration over the lifetime of the equipment.
Tuttnauer equips the 3870HSG-WS with a water-saving system designed to reduce tap-water consumption. Under appropriate operating conditions, Tuttnauer states that the system can use as little as approximately five liters of tap water per day.
The sterilizer also incorporates Sleep Mode, allowing the control system to reduce energy consumption when the autoclave is not actively being used while maintaining the steam generator in a ready state.
A Low Rate Cycle feature allows delayed cycle starts. Facilities may use this capability to schedule appropriate sterilization loads during periods when electrical demand or utility rates are lower.
For facilities operating an autoclave frequently, these features can become increasingly relevant when evaluating total operating cost rather than purchase price alone.
Cycle Documentation, USB, Ethernet, and Traceability
Modern sterilization programs increasingly require reliable documentation of cycle performance.
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS provides several methods for accessing and retaining cycle data.
An integrated alphanumeric printer provides immediate physical cycle records. USB connectivity allows data to be transferred electronically, while Ethernet connectivity supports integration into appropriate facility documentation workflows.
The system also provides multiple access levels, allowing facilities to establish different permissions for users according to their responsibilities.
A bright multicolor display provides operating information and makes it easier for users to identify the status of an active cycle.
Together, these capabilities provide considerably greater traceability than older manual autoclaves and can help facilities develop more organized sterilization documentation procedures.
Specific recordkeeping requirements vary by facility, application, accreditation, and governing standards, so organizations should establish appropriate procedures for reviewing and retaining sterilization records.
Choosing the Right New Tuttnauer Autoclave
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS should be considered when a facility needs a combination of large chamber capacity, pre- and post-vacuum performance, advanced load capability, documentation, and flexible installation.
For customers evaluating the 3870HSG-WS against the Tuttnauer 3870M, the most important distinction is sterilization capability. The 3870M provides an approximately 85-liter chamber but uses simpler manual gravity-displacement operation.
The 3870HSG-WS adds active fractionated pre-vacuum air removal, post-vacuum drying, programmable cycles, a built-in steam generator, advanced documentation, and greater load flexibility.
The Tuttnauer 3870EAP provides another comparison point. The 3870EAP offers automatic operation and active drying in the same general 85-liter capacity range, but facilities specifically requiring a hospital-grade pre- and post-vacuum platform should look closely at the 3870HSG-WS.
Smaller systems such as the Tuttnauer T-Edge and T-Top series may be more appropriate when daily load volume is modest and a compact benchtop unit provides sufficient capacity.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, facilities requiring substantially greater throughput may need to evaluate Tuttnauer's larger floor-standing sterilizer platforms.
The 3870HSG-WS therefore occupies an important middle ground: significantly more capable than a typical tabletop autoclave while remaining considerably more compact than a large central sterile system.
American Instrument Exchange can help customers evaluate chamber size, load type, vacuum requirements, daily throughput, documentation requirements, utilities, available space, and budget when selecting a new Tuttnauer autoclave.
Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Tuttnauer |
| Model |
3870HSG-WS |
| Condition |
Brand new from manufacturer |
| Sterilizer Type |
Freestanding pre- and post-vacuum steam autoclave |
| Chamber Capacity |
85 L / 22.5 gal |
| Chamber Dimensions |
15.2 in diameter × 29.9 in deep |
| Exterior Dimensions |
28.4 in W × 53.8 in H × 46.5 in D |
| Air Removal |
Fractionated pre-vacuum |
| Drying |
Post-vacuum drying |
| Vacuum System |
Built-in vacuum pump |
| Steam Supply |
Built-in steam generator |
| Number of Trays |
2 |
| Small Tray Dimensions |
Approximately 13.3 in W × 1 in H × 26.6 in D |
| Large Tray Dimensions |
Approximately 13.8 in W × 1 in H × 26.6 in D |
| FDA-Cleared Sterilization Cycles |
4 |
| Standard Load Programs |
Unwrapped, wrapped, unwrapped delicate, wrapped delicate instruments |
| Test Programs |
Bowie-Dick and vacuum/leak testing |
| Additional Programmable Cycles |
Up to 16 |
| User Interface |
Multicolor LCD display |
| Cycle Documentation |
Integrated printer, USB and Ethernet |
| User Security |
Multiple access levels |
| Independent Operation |
Plug & Play mode without permanent water or drain connections |
| Utility Connection |
Can also be connected to building utilities |
| Water-Saving System |
Yes |
| Energy Management |
Sleep Mode and delayed Low Rate Cycle |
| Electrical Requirements |
230 V, 3-phase, 25 A, 60 Hz |
| Power |
9 kW |
| Autoclave Weight |
Approximately 397 lb |
| Installation Type |
Freestanding / mobile |
| Compliance |
Designed to applicable UL, FDA, CE and ASME requirements |
| Warranty |
Tuttnauer manufacturer’s warranty |
Current specifications are based on Tuttnauer's published U.S. technical information for the 3870HSG-WS. Customers should confirm current production configuration, electrical requirements, included accessories, utility requirements, cycle configuration, shipping dimensions, and warranty terms with American Instrument Exchange when ordering.
Installation and Utility Requirements
One of the most significant advantages of the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS is the flexibility it provides during installation.
The system measures approximately 28.4 inches wide × 53.8 inches high × 46.5 inches deep. Despite its 85-liter chamber, its narrow cabinet is designed to fit through standard doorways, helping simplify movement through existing facilities.
The sterilizer is freestanding and mobile, providing considerably more placement flexibility than many permanently installed large-capacity autoclaves.
The standard U.S. configuration requires approximately 230 V, three-phase, 25 A, 60 Hz electrical service and is rated at approximately 9 kW.
Electrical service should therefore be evaluated early in the purchasing process.
The WS configuration can operate in an independent mode without permanent connections to distilled water, tap water, or building drain systems. This can significantly reduce plumbing requirements and installation complexity.
Facilities that already have suitable utilities may instead connect the system to building services.
This ability to choose between independent and utility-connected operation can be especially valuable when planning renovations or expanding sterilization capacity within an existing facility.
The system weighs approximately 397 pounds according to Tuttnauer's current U.S. product specifications, so customers should also evaluate delivery access, floor loading, elevators, doorways, and final placement.
American Instrument Exchange can help customers review equipment dimensions, electrical requirements, utility options, delivery logistics, and placement considerations before ordering.
Why Buy a New Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS from American Instrument Exchange?
American Instrument Exchange supplies brand-new Tuttnauer autoclaves to laboratories, research institutions, healthcare organizations, veterinary facilities, universities, biotechnology companies, and other professional customers throughout New England, the Northeast, and across the United States.
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS is a sophisticated piece of sterilization equipment, and selecting the correct system requires more than simply comparing chamber size.
Load type, instrument geometry, vacuum requirements, sterilization programs, drying performance, cycle documentation, electrical service, water availability, drain access, physical space, daily throughput, and future expansion should all be considered.
American Instrument Exchange can help customers work through these factors before purchasing.
For customers in Massachusetts and throughout New England, our Haverhill, Massachusetts location provides a regional source for new Tuttnauer sterilization equipment and support.
The 3870HSG-WS can be especially attractive for growing biotechnology companies, research laboratories, clinics, veterinary hospitals, and other facilities that need to increase sterilization capability without installing a massive central sterile system.
Its combination of an 85-liter chamber, hospital-grade pre- and post-vacuum performance, built-in steam generation, flexible utility requirements, cycle documentation, and compact freestanding construction gives it a distinctive position between conventional tabletop autoclaves and much larger institutional sterilizers.
Because American Instrument Exchange supplies both brand-new Tuttnauer autoclaves and professionally refurbished sterilizers, customers can also compare new and refurbished equipment based on application, required performance, warranty preferences, budget, and project timeline.
Customers can contact American Instrument Exchange for current pricing, availability, lead times, electrical requirements, installation planning, shipping information, and assistance selecting the appropriate Tuttnauer autoclave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS?
The Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS is an 85-liter freestanding hospital-grade steam autoclave featuring fractionated pre-vacuum air removal, post-vacuum drying, a built-in steam generator, programmable cycles, and advanced cycle documentation.
Is the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS a pre-vacuum autoclave?
Yes. The 3870HSG-WS uses a built-in vacuum pump for fractionated pre-vacuum air removal before sterilization.
Does the 3870HSG-WS also use post-vacuum drying?
Yes. Post-vacuum operation helps remove moisture from compatible loads following sterilization.
What is the chamber capacity of the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS?
The chamber provides approximately 85 liters, or 22.5 gallons, of capacity.
What are the chamber dimensions?
The chamber measures approximately 15.2 inches in diameter by 29.9 inches deep.
What are the exterior dimensions of the 3870HSG-WS?
The autoclave measures approximately 28.4 inches wide × 53.8 inches high × 46.5 inches deep.
Can the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS sterilize wrapped instruments?
Yes. The U.S. configuration includes an FDA-cleared cycle specifically intended for compatible wrapped instruments.
Can the 3870HSG-WS process hollow instruments?
The fractionated pre-vacuum system is designed to remove air pockets from challenging load configurations, giving the 3870HSG-WS greater capability for appropriate hollow and complex instruments than a basic gravity-displacement autoclave. Instrument manufacturer instructions and facility sterilization procedures should always be followed.
How many standard sterilization cycles does the 3870HSG-WS have?
The U.S. configuration includes four FDA-cleared sterilization cycles: unwrapped instruments, wrapped instruments, unwrapped delicate instruments, and wrapped delicate instruments.
Can custom cycles be programmed?
Yes. The system can accommodate up to 16 additional programmable cycles.
Does the 3870HSG-WS have a Bowie-Dick test cycle?
Yes. A Bowie-Dick test cycle is included for evaluating air-removal and steam-penetration performance.
Does it have a vacuum leak test?
Yes. A dedicated vacuum/leak test allows facilities to evaluate the integrity of the chamber and vacuum system.
Does the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS need a building steam supply?
No. The 3870HSG-WS has a powerful built-in steam generator and does not require a central building steam source.
Does the 3870HSG-WS require permanent water and drain connections?
Not necessarily. The WS version provides a Plug & Play independent mode that can operate without permanent distilled-water, tap-water, or drain connections. The autoclave can also be connected to appropriate building utilities where desired.
What does the WS designation mean?
The WS configuration incorporates Tuttnauer's water-saving and flexible utility approach, including independent operation capabilities designed to reduce installation requirements and water consumption.
How much water does the 3870HSG-WS use?
Tuttnauer states that its water-saving system can reduce tap-water consumption to as little as approximately five liters per day under appropriate operating conditions.
Does the 3870HSG-WS provide cycle documentation?
Yes. Cycle information can be accessed through the integrated printer, USB connection, and Ethernet connectivity.
Does the 3870HSG-WS have different user access levels?
Yes. Multiple access levels allow facilities to manage operator permissions and provide additional control over sterilizer settings.
What electrical service does the 3870HSG-WS require?
Tuttnauer's current U.S. specification lists 230 V, three-phase, 25 A, 60 Hz electrical service with approximately 9 kW of power.
Does the 3870HSG-WS fit through a standard doorway?
Yes. Its approximately 28.4-inch cabinet width is specifically designed to allow the sterilizer to move through standard doorways, although customers should verify actual doorway and pathway clearances before delivery.
What is the difference between the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS and 3870M?
Both models provide approximately 85 liters of chamber capacity, but they are designed for very different levels of processing. The 3870M is a simpler manual gravity-displacement autoclave. The 3870HSG-WS provides fractionated pre-vacuum air removal, post-vacuum drying, programmable cycles, advanced documentation, a built-in steam generator, and greater load-processing capability.
What is the difference between the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS and 3870EAP?
Both provide large 85-liter chambers and advanced automatic operation. The 3870HSG-WS is specifically designed as a hospital-grade pre- and post-vacuum sterilizer with a built-in steam generator, advanced vacuum processing, flexible utility configuration, and programmable cycle capabilities.
Is the 3870HSG-WS suitable for laboratories?
Yes. Research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, university, and other laboratory environments may benefit from the 3870HSG-WS when they require large chamber capacity, advanced air removal, wrapped-load processing, documentation, or greater sterilization flexibility than a conventional gravity autoclave provides.
Is the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS suitable for an ambulatory surgery center?
Yes. Tuttnauer specifically positions the 3870HSG-WS for ambulatory surgery centers and large clinics that require hospital-grade sterilization in a compact freestanding format.
Is the Tuttnauer 3870HSG-WS sold new by American Instrument Exchange?
Yes. American Instrument Exchange offers the 3870HSG-WS brand new from Tuttnauer with the applicable manufacturer’s warranty.
Can American Instrument Exchange supply the 3870HSG-WS throughout New England?
Yes. American Instrument Exchange supplies new Tuttnauer sterilization equipment throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, the broader Northeast, and nationwide.
Can American Instrument Exchange help plan installation of the 3870HSG-WS?
Yes. American Instrument Exchange can help customers evaluate electrical requirements, independent versus utility-connected operation, physical dimensions, delivery access, placement, and other installation considerations before ordering.