ICP Expert Help
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Instrument Window - Tests

The Tests tab is accessed by clicking 'Tests' in the navigation panel on the left of the Instrument window. It enables you to perform instrument tests checking the basic functionality of the instrument.

It is important that the following suite of tests is run to validate the instrument and determine the instrument failure mode. Poor instrument setup including setup of water, gas, exhaust systems and sample introduction is often the cause of poor instrument performance or instrument failure.

Make sure all utilities (gas, water, exhaust, etc.) are connected and adjusted before running these tests. Make sure the sample introduction is set up correctly before running tests. The plasma needs to be off for many of the tests to run. The instrument will ignite the plasma during the Optics, Advanced Valve System, and Instrument Performance tests.

Select the check box next to the test(s) you would like to run. If you are unsure of which tests to run, select all of the tests. The complete set of tests will take approximately 5 minutes to run. The camera test can take up to 30 minutes if the test attempts to correct a fault. Some will require the ICP-OES wavelength calibration solution and a rinse solution.

As the tests run, information about the progress will be displayed in the report window.

Tests

Click here for information on the Advanced Dilution System 2 test.

Displays the available tests:

  • Subsystem Communications Test — This test checks for communication between the instrument sub modules and the control module and reports back if communication fails or is corrupted. If there is a repeatable failure this usually indicates the need for a service call.
  • Air Flow — This test checks for air flow through instrument from the air inlet to the exhaust outlet. Things that can affect the air flow include:
  • Water Flow — This test checks for correct water flow through both the camera and RF cooling channels as well as correct inlet water temperature. If this test fails possible causes include:
  • Gas Flows — This test checks gas flows for plasma gases and optics purge gases to ensure the correct flow can be set and achieved for the complete flow range including zero flow. If this test fails possible causes include:
  • RF Generator — This test checks the RF generator to ensure the necessary voltages, frequency and current can be produced that are required to develop and sustain a plasma. If this test fails possible causes include:
    • Faulty RF power supply
    • Faulty SSRF oscillator

    On instruments that require multiple plasma ignition attempts before plasma lights, this test may fail. As long as the plasma can be lit, there is no need for a service call.

  • Camera Test — This test checks the camera system to ensure it functions across the entire CCD. The test uses an inbuilt light source (LED) that illuminates all pixels on the CCD. The test measures pixel performance with no light (dark levels) and full brightness and reports standard deviations and linearity for the entire array. The test is also able to establish if condensation has formed on the camera lens in which case a cleansing process (Super Boost Purge with Camera Cooling turned off) will be invoked to clear the condensation. If the camera test fails possible causes include:
    • Fails Dark Current or Electronic Zero offsets
      • Camera Calibration required
      • Faulty Camera or Camera Board
    • Fails Pixel/DLA SD’s or Linearity Test
      • Condensation on Camera Lens
      • Faulty Camera or Camera Board

    If the Instrument Performance test passes, but the camera test fails, there may not be a fault with the camera.

  • Optics Test — This test checks the instrument optics with a dry Plasma (no sample introduction). The instrument looks for specific argon peaks and intensities from the plasma and compares both axial and radial values (depending on instrument model) to validate both the pre-optics and polychromator optics. The possible failure modes are as follows:
    • Axial/Radial intensities too low
      • Contaminated window or windows
      • Pre-optics misaligned
    • Shutter closed values too high
      • Sticking shutter or failed shutter control circuit
  • Instrument Performance — includes Resolution, Sensitivity (SRBR - Signal to Root Background Ratio and SBR - Signal to Background Ratio), and Precision. Instructions on how to run the 'Instrument Performance' test and the typical results are provided. The test validates the instrument as a system across the entire wavelength range. The possible failure modes are as follows (assumes previous tests have been run and passed):

    SBR = Net Standard Intensity/Blank Intensity

    SRBR = Net Standard Intensity/SQRT(Blank Intensity)

    If you are using switching valve and autodilutor accessories, you must either bypass or deselect that accessory to run this test.
  • Advanced Valve System Test — Tests the AVS 4, 6 or 7 switching valve when installed. This test will check for concentration limits and %RSD. The test is run with the ICP-OES wavelength calibration solution and a blank solution. This does not test the internal standard line. If there is a blockage in that tubing or port, the test will not detect it.

    Running the Advanced Valve System Test

    Chemical and Eye Hazard
    It is essential that appropriate protective clothing be worn at all times when handling tubing or components that have been exposed to or are potentially contaminated with chemicals. Always thoroughly rinse all tubing and the valve before disconnecting the tubing from the switching valve to avoid contact with potentially dangerous chemicals. If acid contacts the skin, wash off with copious amounts of water and seek medical attention immediately.

    Nitric and hydrochloric acids are very corrosive and can cause severe burns when they contact the skin and/or eyes. It is essential that appropriate protective clothing be worn at all times when handling these acids and/or parts that have been in contact with these acids. Strong PVC or Neoprene rubber gloves and a face shield should ALWAYS be worn when handling hydrofluoric acid and/or parts that have been in contact with this acid.
    1. Before running the test, ensure that the ICP-OES external exhaust and the ICP-OES and plasma are on, ICP Expert is open, the sample introduction area has been set up, and that the polychromator has reached 35 °C.
    2. You will need your autosampler connected to the line from Port 2 on the switching valve, a blank and the Wavelength Calibration solution placed in the appropriate locations on the autosampler.

    If you are using an autosampler other than the Agilent SPS 4, or a rack layout other than the default SPS 4 layout, the autosampler preferences may need to be changed before running the test. To do this:

    1. In ICP Expert, click File > Options.
    2. Confirm the correct autosampler model is selected on the General page.
    3. Click the Preferences tab and then scroll down to the ‘Autosampler’ section.
    4. Ensure that the ‘Standards Rack’ and ‘Rack’ selections match those being used on the autosampler.
    5. Click OK.
    1. Click the Instrument on the Toolbar.
    2. Click Tests.
    3. Deselect all tests and then select the Advanced Valve System Test.
    4. Place the blank and wavelength calibration solution in the correct location in the autosampler. Check the Autosampler page for the locations.
      • Blank – place in Standard rack 1, position 1
      • Wavelength calibration solution – place in Standard rack 1, position 2
      • Wavelength calibration solution – place in Sample rack 1, position 1
    5. Click Run Tests.
    6. Follow the prompts that appear during the test.

      A worksheet will open and the test will run. The %RSD is displayed on the report generated on the Instrument > Tests page and on the Analysis page.

      The pass/fail results are shown on the Instrument > Tests window.
    7. After the test passes, click here to optimize the Stabilization and Read times.

    Failure modes

    Possible reasons why the test would fail:

If 'Advanced Valve System test' and 'Use autosampler' are selected on the Tests tab, the Instrument Performance test is not available.

To run both tests, deselect 'Use autosampler' and introduce the required solutions manually for the Instrument Performance test.

Result

This column displays a green check if the test passes and a red 'x' if it fails.

If a test fails, a message will appear suggesting possible reasons for the result. The possible reasons can also be viewed by highlighting the test that failed, and then hovering the cursor over the red 'x'.

Use Autosampler

Select to introduce the test solution from the autosampler. The instrument tests will default to the Agilent SPS 4, but will auto-migrate to the autosampler type setup in the Preferences. It is critical that you have selected the right autosampler and rack types in the Preferences when using this option.

If an AVS switching valve is fitted to the system, and 'Use Autosampler' is selected, the Instrument Performance test will be skipped.

If an AVS 6 or 7 switching valve is fitted to the system, and 'Use Autosampler' is not selected, an autosampler will still be used just for the Advanced Valve System test.

Run Tests

Click to run the tests selected in the table. Run Tests will not be available if the plasma is turned off, if the plasma is warming up, or if the instrument is busy.

Stop

Click this button to stop the test.

Export Report to PDF

Click to save the report displayed of the completed tests as a PDF file.

Auto Ignition Plasma Wait Time

The length of time to wait for the plasma to warm-up after ignition.

Print Preview Page

The print preview page appears once the test is completed and shows the user detailed results. Click the Print button to print the report.

See also: