There's numerous important factors with regards to the installation and maintenance of any AER that your practice should consider before and after your purchase. Typically these tips will apply to almost any automated endoscopic reprocessor, but please check your manufacturer's user manual for specific instructions for your AER.

Today's tip is about proper "Grounding".

While it's easy to take grounding for granted, you absolutely need to make sure that your electrical system throughout your practice is "properly" grounded. A properly grounded circuit helps protect your equipment, the rest of your office and everyone that comes in contact with the equipment from surges in electricity along with a few other added benefits we'll discuss below.

The most important reason for having a properly grounded circuit is for safety of course. There's many reasons that a surge in electricity can happen. It's not just lightning strikes. But that's a good example as it produces an extremely high amount of electrical voltage that without a grounded system has nowhere to go except into your machine potentially frying its circuits or worse, electrocuting anyone that is touching it. When a circuit is grounded it enables the excess voltage to go directly into the earth.

Most people already know that a grounded circuit helps keep you safe but did you know it can extend the life of your AER?

The earth Is an amazing conductor. It provides a common reference point for your entire electrical system and all of its outlets. It provides a path for current and stabilizes your voltage levels which can arguably extend the life of your equipment, or at the very least help with its life not ending prematurely. It definitely ensures that circuits are not overloaded which steers you clear of blown circuits in your electrical system and damaged circuits within the equipment itself.

While electricians may use a multi-tester to check for grounds on more elaborate electrical systems, testing conventional 110 volt receptacles can to see if they are grounded is a relatively simple procedure using small inexpensive tools acquired at a local hardware store that plug directly into the receptacle telling you with color codes if the receptacle is grounded and operating safely. But we recommend that you have a licensed electrician review your entire electrical system making sure everything is set up correctly and can be safely used.