EMS Physio LNC884 Varitherm Wax Bath User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- EMS Physio
Table of Contents
EMS Physio LNC884 Varitherm Wax Bath User Manual
General Information
This manual provides the necessary information for the installation and
operation of the Varitherm Wax Bath.
These instructions must be studied before putting the unit into operation.
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice.
No part of this manual may be photocopied, reproduced or translated into
another language without the prior written consent of EMS Physio Ltd.
It is intended that the Varitherm Wax Bath is only used by qualified health
professionals such as trained physiotherapists.
Record of Amendments
Warranty
This EMS Physio Ltd., (hereinafter called the company) product is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two years from the date of shipment. The Company will at its option, repair or replace components which prove to be defective during the warranty period, provided that the repairs or replacements are carried out by the Company or its approved agents.
The Company will consider itself responsible for the effects on safety, reliability and performance of the product:-
only if assembly operations, re-adjustments, modifications or repairs are
carried out by persons authorised by it,
only if the product is used in accordance with the instructions for use,
only if the electrical installation of the relevant room complies with
the appropriate national requirements.
Should the product be returned to the Company for repair it must be sent carriage paid.
Consumable items, for example, electrodes, electrode covers and batteries, are excluded from the above warranty.
Introduction
Hot Wax therapy is one of several methods available to the therapist of
applying heat directly to the surface of the body. Paraffin Wax supplied by
EMS Physio Ltd melts at approximately 50° C. The wax is held at a temperature
just above its melting point and the part of
the body being treated is either immersed in the molten wax or the wax is
poured onto it. Heat is transferred from the wax to the treatment area by
thermal conduction.
Although temperatures above 50° may lead to skin damage under normal circumstances, immersing a hand or foot in paraffin wax at 50 to 55° C is quite comfortable. Water or oil at the same temperature would be uncomfortable and possibly damaging. However, when the skin comes into contact with the molten wax, the wax immediately next to the skin solidifies forming a thin insulating layer. This insulating layer, which is of low thermal conductivity, lowers the rate at which heat energy is applied to the skin to a level which is safe.
The latent heat of fusion of the wax is released as the wax solidifies, therefore, applying heat to the treatment area at constant temperature. In normal treatment several layers of wax are applied and further heat is released from the wax into the skin.
Another consequence of the solid layer of wax is that moisture is prevented from being lost from the surface being treated. At the end of treatment, when the wax is peeled off, the skin is left moist and soft.
The Varitherm Wax Bath comprises a resin tank which holds the paraffin wax,
surrounded by an electrically heated, thermostatically controlled water
jacket. The temperature of the wax is determined by the temperature of the
water jacket and this is pre-set at 60°C at
manufacture but can be adjusted by the user using the digital controller.
It is essential to check the actual wax temperature with a suitable
thermometer prior to treatment.
Wax temperature may exceed 55°C.
Treatment should not be applied if the wax exceeds 60° C.
Indications for use
Paraffin wax may be used to provide heat therapy for relief from arthritic conditions, soft tissue injuries and general pain relief.
Contraindications
Areas with open wounds or broken skin must not be treated.
Patients with skin infections as heat may increase inflammation.
Patients with reduced thermal sensation.
Precautions
Paraffin wax is inflammable. Its flash point is in excess of 200° C. As the Varitherm Wax Bath heats the wax via a water jacket, heating of the wax to dangerous temperatures is prevented. Should a fire occur involving paraffin wax, CO2, dry powder or foam extinguishers should be used. DO NOT USE WATER.
Wax spilt on floors can be extremely slippery. Spillages must be dealt with promptly and completely.
Paraffin wax is a petroleum hydrocarbon and its molten state will produce some fumes. Always use the Varitherm Wax Bath in a well ventilated area. When not in use always cover the tank with the lid provided.
Capacity and safe working load
Fill water tank with 17 litres water and top up as required.
Fill wax tank with no more than 18kg wax maximum.
Cross contamination
In addition to the above contraindications and precautions the risk of cross
contamination may be reduced by the following measures:
Ensure all skin is thoroughly cleansed with a suitable antibacterial product
prior to contact with the wax.
Dispose of used wax and do not return it to the bath.
Essential Performance
BSEN 60601-1 defines Essential Performance as: “Performance necessary to achieve freedom from unacceptable risk”
Functions of the EMS884 Wax Bath, the absence or degradation of which could result in a hazardous situation are:
Temperature Control 53 – 68°C
Safety Cut-out (maximum temperature) 75±5°C
Technical Specification
All information on model, serial number, and month/year of manufacture is located on the rear panel.
All information on model, serial number, and month/year of manufacture is located on the rear panel.
The Varitherm Wax Bath has been designed to meet the requirements of BS EN60601-1:2001 “Medical Electrical Equipment, Part 1: General Requirements for Safety”.
Optional Accessories
Installation
Upon receipt, check for any visible damage which may have occurred in transit. If any signs of damage are found then retain all packaging material and inform the carrier and the Company or its agent from whom the unit was purchased.
If not already fitted, connect a suitable plug to the mains cable. The plug
must have provision for an EARTH (GROUND) connection.
The mains cable has the following colour code, BROWN is LIVE (LINE), BLUE is
NEUTRAL and GREEN/YELLOW is EARTH. The Wax Bath lid is supplied, for ease of
packaging, with the handle on the reverse side. Remove the two screws holding
the handle and attach it to the correct side of the lid using the same screws.
The Varitherm Wax Bath must be positioned on a flat horizontal surface or on the optional stand.
Lift the water filler cover and fill with tap water until the water level is seen to be just above the inlet hole. The water capacity is approximately 17 litres.
Fill the wax container with 5 to 10kg of paraffin wax. The wax should be broken into small lumps to aid melting. Wax supplied by EMS Physio Ltd. is strongly recommended as melting point and correct operating temperature are highly dependent on the composition of the paraffin wax.
Connect the Varitherm Wax Bath to a suitable mains outlet capable of supplying at least 13A.
The Varitherm Wax Bath is now ready for use.
Controls and Markings
Varitherm Wax Bath Front View
The mains on/off switch is located on the front of the Varitherm Wax Bath (figure 1) and is a two-position rocker switch: up for on, down for off. It has a built-in green indicator lamp to show when the mains switch is on. It is marked with the recognised IEC Symbols for on and off. Also on the front of the unit is a red warning lamp. This lamp will illuminate if the safety thermostat has opened, indicating that the unit is too hot. This is usually because there is insufficient water in the unit. The safety thermostat can only be reset by using the pull-cord at the front of the unit (figure 1) after the temperature has returned to a safe level.
Between the warning lamp and mains switch is located the “Water Temperature Indicator” console.
Figure 1 – Varitherm Wax Bath – Front View
Figure 2 – Varitherm Wax Bath – Top View
The water filler cover is located at the rear of the unit (figure 2). A label reminds the user to check the water level daily.
On the rear of the unit is a label giving details of model, serial number, mains supply voltage and frequency (figure 3).
On the left side of the unit is a label showing symbols from Class B and Attention – consult accompanying documents (figure 4).
Figure 3 – Label (Rear of Unit)
Operating Instructions
-
Add water and paraffin wax and connect to a suitable supply as described in the installation section of this manual. Switch on the unit using the ‘mains switch’ which will then be illuminated.
-
The “HEAT” LED on the digital display should illuminate, indicating that the water is now heating.
-
The water will continue to heat until a temperature of between 55 and 60°C is displayed at which point the “HEAT” LED will turn off and on as required to maintain the water temperature.
The wax may take several hours to melt fully – this is normal. -
Wait for the temperature of the wax to stabilise just above its melting point (approximately 50°C). The temperature (of the wax) should be checked using the thermometer. Typical wax temp will be 55°C – do not apply treatment if the wax temp exceeds 60°C.
-
Inspect the area to be treated for contraindications. Wash and dry the area to be treated.
-
Immerse the part of the body to be treated in the wax for 2 or 3 seconds, and then withdraw it. A thin layer of solid wax will be
formed. Repeat this procedure 5 to 10 times to produce a layer of wax about 3mm in thickness over the part of the body being treated. -
Leave the coating of wax in place for 15 to 20 minutes. The wax may then be peeled off.
-
For areas of the body which cannot be immersed in the wax tank, molten wax may be carefully and slowly poured or ladled on to the area to be treated, making sure that wax that runs off the area can be collected in a suitable container.
-
After several treatments, dirt and other undesirable impurities may collect at the bottom of the wax tank. When this reaches an unacceptable level, the wax should be removed and exchanged or purified using a wax purifier.
-
Daily check the water level in the wax bath.
-
Always check the wax temperature before use.
Wax Bath Water Temperature Control Operation
First ensure that the mains plug is connected, the ‘mains switch’ is turned ‘on’ and illuminated. The ‘Temperature Controller should light up but in the event that the display of the controller does not turn on, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds until the display lights up. The digital temperature control was set at the factory for nominal operation but depending on environmental parameters (such as room temperature and how long the wax bath has been left switched on or off) the user may need to adjust the working temperature control slightly for ideal performance in their installation. If this is the case, you can adjust the working temperature of the water to a different value. This value is stored in the memory F1. Do not change another F memory or the Wax Bath may stop working as expected.
To change the temperature, follow these steps: –
-
Press and hold the “S” key for three seconds until the bank memory F1 appears.
(If for any reason, you are in a different F number, exit pressing the power key once and start the process again) -
Press the “S” key once until the set temperature screen appears (60°C is the factory setting)
-
Press AND HOLD only the “S” KEY and with the “S” key still pressed, use the up or down arrow key to select the new temperature value you want. NB : The optimal working temperature is between 53°C and 68°C – the unit has a thermal cut-out if the temperature is too high – see p16.
-
Press the power key once to save the new value. It will return to the operating screen showing the temperature of the water
Factory settings
*F1 is the only value that can be modified between 53°C and 68°C by the customer
Maintenance
Each day check the water level is correct. The water level should be just above the inlet hole when viewed through the water-filler cover. If the water level becomes too low the safety thermostat will operate and cut off the mains supply to the heating element. The red warning lamp will light. Refill with water to the correct level and pull the reset cord at the bottom of the unit (figure 1, p10). This will reset the safety thermostat and the red warning light will go out.
The mains circuit breakers are located adjacent to the mains cable entry at the front right of the unit. Should the mains switch not be illuminated when in the on position, check to see if either of the circuit breakers has tripped. To reset the circuit breakers push them in firmly. If resetting the circuit breakers does not correct the fault, examine the fuse in the mains plug (if fitted). If neither replacing the fuse in the mains plug nor resetting the mains circuit breakers rectifies the fault then qualified service personnel should be contacted.
Cleaning and Emptying
The outer surfaces of the Varitherm wax bath may be cleaned with a simple detergent cleaner or hot water and a soft cloth.
From time to time the wax may become unacceptably contaminated with foreign matter and may be removed (whilst in liquid state) using a suitable container (glass jug). When most of the wax has been removed the residue may be removed using a soft cloth.
If it is necessary to re-locate the wax bath or prepare for servicing the water should be removed from the copper water tank.
Ensure the device is switched off and unplugged from the mains supply.
Remove the wax tank (see page 16) and remove water using suitable glass jug. The final drops can be removed by gently tipping the bath on to one end and pouring into a suitable container.
Circuit Description –
The mains supply is applied to the unit through 15A circuit breakers in both live and neutral connections. The mains on/off switch has an integral green lamp to show when the power is on.
The heating element is rated at 3kW and carries a safety cut-out thermostat in
a tube close to the element. The safety thermostat is set to open at 75°C. The
red warning lamp is wired across the safety thermostat so that it will be
illuminated should it open. The safety
thermostat has a manual reset which can only be activated when the temperature
has fallen below 60°C and is accessed by the pull-cord at the front of the
unit.
The temperature is controlled by an electronic temperature sensor and digital controller which switches the heating element on and off and so controls the temperature of the water (and therefore also the wax) in normal use. The user can set the target temperature in the controller’s memory F1 – see instructions on Page 14 above.
Disassembly and Assembly
Replacing the Wax Tank (24-50A)
- Remove the two grub screws securing the wooden surround.
- Remove the wooden surround (24-50B).
- Remove the wax tank (24-50A).
- Inspect the rubber seal (15-45) around the edge of the copper tank and replace if damaged or perished.
- Insert the new tank, replace the wooden surround and secure with the two screws.
Appendix A – EMC test levels.
Manufactured by:
EMS Physio Ltd.
Grove Technology Park
Downsview Road
Wantage
Oxfordshire OX12 9FE
UK
T: 01235 772272
F: 01235 7635 18
E: sales@emsphysio.co.uk
Website: http://www.emsphysio.co.uk
Advena Ltd. Tower Business Centre, 2nd Flr.,
Tower Street, Swatar, BKR 4013 Malta
References
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