The Yamato SQ-500C is a large-capacity top-loading steam sterilizer/autoclave in Yamato's non-drying SN/SQ series, with a 47.5 L effective chamber (nominal 50 L class). The SQ-500C is the 100-120V configuration of the SQ500 model; its sister SQ-510C is the 200-240V build. Where the SN500 achieves ~47 L with a narrow, deep chamber, the SQ series uses a wide-bore geometry (370 mm dia. × 442 mm depth) — comparable volume in a shorter, wider cabinet (846 mm tall) that suits benches with limited overhead clearance and loads that are wide rather than tall.
This is a non-drying autoclave (marketed "without dryer") — saturated-steam sterilization and post-cycle cooling with no forced-air drying stage.
Note: The catalog name lists "50L"; the Yamato SN/SQ spec table rates the SQ500 effective chamber capacity at 47.5 L (50 L is the nominal/marketing class). Effective capacity is used here as authoritative.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Model | SQ500 (SQ-500C catalog SKU) |
| Effective chamber capacity | 47.5 L (50 L nominal class) |
| Effective chamber dimensions | 370 mm dia. × 442 mm depth |
| External dimensions (W×D×H) | 520 × 660 × 846 mm |
| Temperature range — sterilization | 105-135°C |
| Temperature range — melting (agar) | 65-100°C |
| Temperature range — heat retention | 45-60°C |
| Temperature range — preheating | 45-80°C |
| Max operating pressure | 0.255 MPa |
| Operating ambient | 5-35°C |
| Heater | 100V 1000W × 2 |
| Electrical | 100-120V AC, 50/60Hz, 20.5-24.5A |
| Timer | 0/1 min to 99 h 59 min, 1-minute resolution |
| Weight | Approx. 95 kg |
| Accessories | Rack × 2, OMS-90 pail (dia 332 × depth 195.5 mm), steam cup, drain bottle, drain tray, filter |
Cycle Types / Operation Courses
Six microcomputer-selectable operation courses (per the series spec table): instrument sterilization, liquid sterilization, sterilization with keep-warm hold, agar-melt with keep-warm hold, agar-melt with heat retention, and manual operation. Setpoints are entered digitally via UP/DOWN keys under microcomputer PID control.
Application Profile
- Large-batch instrument and glassware sterilization at 105-135°C — the wide 370 mm bore accommodates broad loads and the larger OMS-90 pail (dia 332 mm).
- Liquid and media sterilization — dedicated liquid course plus agar-melt (65-100°C) and heat-retention (45-60°C) courses for media-prep at scale.
- Benches with limited overhead clearance — at 846 mm tall the SQ500 fits under lower shelving than the 1068 mm SN500 while holding comparable volume.
Design Architecture
The SQ500 uses a manual up/down lid mechanism with attached safety interlock and a small-size pressure vessel design. Temperature is governed by microcomputer PID control with digital UP/DOWN setpoint entry and digital display. Its defining feature is the wide-bore chamber (370 mm dia.) and the highest heater rating in the series, 1000W × 2.
The standard safety-device suite covers sensor-failure detection, SSR short-circuit detection, disconnected-heater detection, water-level detection (liquid-expansion method), drain-bottle configuration-error warning, lid-lock error detection, memory-error detection, and a 0.255 MPa pressure safety valve. An exhaust valve provides full-open and slow-exhaust modes; an axial fan motor drives forced cooling. Option ports accept a sample sensor (1/4), recorder (1/4), and pressure-indicator connection. At 20.5-24.5A on 100-120V, this is the highest current draw in the series — a dedicated circuit is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the chamber capacity of the SQ-500C? 47.5 L effective (nominal 50 L class), with a wide-bore chamber of 370 mm diameter × 442 mm depth.
How does the SQ-500C differ from the SN-500C? The SQ uses a wide-bore geometry, giving comparable volume in a shorter, wider cabinet — 846 mm tall versus the SN500's 1068 mm — so it fits under lower shelving and better suits loads that are wide rather than tall.
Does it have a drying stage? No. It is a non-drying autoclave (marketed "without dryer") — saturated-steam sterilization with post-cycle cooling and no forced-air drying stage.
What temperatures can it run? 105-135°C for sterilization, plus agar-melting (65-100°C), heat retention (45-60°C), and preheating (45-80°C), across six microcomputer-selectable courses.
What power does it require? 100-120V AC, 50/60Hz, drawing 20.5-24.5A — the highest current draw in the series, so a dedicated circuit is required. The 200-240V sister model is the SQ-510C.
Ordering & Configuration
Each SQ-500C ships with 2 racks, an OMS-90 pail (dia 332 × depth 195.5 mm), a steam cup, drain bottle, drain tray, filter, and instruction manual. Optional sample-temperature sensing is available.
As a capital instrument, the SQ-500C is quote-based. Contact Legacy Lab Supply for a formal quote. Confirm at quote: voltage/plug configuration and dedicated-circuit capacity (this 100-120V build draws up to 24.5A — the 200-240V sister is SQ-510C), intended load profile, rack/basket needs, optional sample sensor, facility bench space for the 520 × 660 mm footprint, and lead time.
Request a quote to configure the SQ-500C for your lab.
