Test the drain pump tubing for blockage and leakage.

When

At regular intervals

Parts required

Syringe (12 mL)

Preparations

  1. Turn off the drain pump.

  2. Draw air into the syringe.

  3. Disconnect the waste tubing and the elbow tubing connector from the peristaltic tubing.

  4. Figure: Disconnecting the waste tubing and elbow tubing connector
  5. Insert the syringe into the open end of the peristaltic tubing.

  6. To allow the air to travel easily through the drain pump tubes, push the pump lever on the drain pump upward, and hold it in that position with one hand.

Figure: Pushing the drain pump lever upward

Testing for Blockage

  1. Push the syringe plunger to push the air into the tubing.

  2. Observe if a resistance of the plunger is present when pushing the syringe plunger:

Observation

Steps

Resistance is present

The peristaltic tubing may be blocked. Remove the syringe and replace the peristaltic tubing (see Replacing the Drain Pump Tubing).

No resistance is present

Test for leakage.

Testing for Leakage

  1. Draw air into the syringe.

  2. Disconnect the condensation tubing and the elbow tubing connector from the peristaltic tubing.

  3. Figure: Disconnecting the condensation tubing and elbow tubing connector
  4. Close one end of the peristaltic tubing with a finger.

  5. Push the syringe plunger to push the air into the tubing.

  6. Observe if a pressure builds up when pushing the syringe plunger:

Observation

Steps

No pressure is present

The peristaltic tubing may be leaking or damaged. Remove the syringe and replace the peristaltic tubing (see Replacing the Drain Pump Tubing).

Pressure is present

Remove the syringe and reconnect the elbow tubing connectors, the condensation tubing and waste tubing. Release the pump lever.