What Does it Mean and … If the Color Is Missing … How Do You Know Which One to Get?

There is nothing more frustrating than to buy a part for your autoclave, and when you get it…it turns out to be the wrong thing

The Black Top and Red Top designation on Tuttnauer Air Jet Valves is a quick way for Tuttnauer Autoclave Repair Technicians (& now you) to know which
valve your autoclave uses

For quick identification purposes, they simply put a small blob of paint (red or black) on the hex head

It is important to note, even though your particular model may call for a specific color valve, it does not mean it is the one used in your autoclave, and here is why:

If during production, they were out of the correct valve for a particular unit, they would simply substitute the entire Saftey Valve Holder assembly with whatever they had on hand

What makes them different is the width of the end that has the threads on it that screw into
the safety valve holder. Buy the wrong one and it will not fit. So, if the color is missing, you must take the time to identify the correct valve for your Tuttnauer Autoclave.

How To Know You Are Getting the Right Air Jet Valve for Your Tuttnauer Autoclave

The air jet valve is located inside the water reservoir and is screwed into the side of the safety valve holder. Just look for the small hand grenade style ring

You will need a 10mm wrench to remove the valve. Simply unscrew the valve by turning it counterclockwise

Once removed, use a ruler, a tape measure, or calipers and measure across the bottom of the end with the threads

If it measures 0.375 (3/8) inch, it is a Black Top (Click Here & find the one for your model). If it measures 0.25 (1/4) inch, it is a Red Top (Click Here & find the one for your model)

Black Top 1/8-28 BSP

The description for the Black Top Air Jet Valve is kind of counterintuitive. It reads 1/8-28 BSP thread. At first glance, you just notice the 1/8 and
presume that means it is 1/8" in diameter. Wrong. I have to admit, I made this mistake myself.

The 1/8 is designating the thread size, not the diameter and the 28 indicates the "thread pitch" (or angle), and the BSP means "British Standard Pipe"

While others who do not fully understand, or do not want you to attempt the repair, will tell you that you need a thread gauge in order to know for sure which Tuttnauer Air Jet Valve you need, the truth is you don’t.

Following the directions above, you simply need a ruler

You see, when we say "Autoclave Repair Made Simple" ™, we really mean it!

Visit AllClaveParts.com for a full line of Tuttnauer Autoclave Repair Parts, and Free Technical Support!