Maintenance Checklist

The following parts of the ICP-OES require routine maintenance. Any maintenance procedures not specifically mentioned should be carried out only by Agilent-trained, Agilent-qualified or Agilent-authorized field service engineers.

Shock Hazard This instrument contains electrical circuits, devices and components operating at dangerous voltages. Contact with these circuits, devices and components can result in death, cause serious injury, or painful electrical shock.

Hourly

• Check and, if necessary, empty the drain vessel.

Daily

• Check exhaust system and argon gas pressure.
• Check the water level in the Argon Humidifier before every use (if applicable).
• Clean the surface of your ICP-OES and accessories (spills should be cleaned up immediately).
• Inspect the torch for injector blockage or other damage. Clean as necessary.
• Check the nebulizer for blockage or pulsation during operation. Clean as necessary.
• Inspect the pump tubing and replace if it is flat or has lost its elasticity. Unclip the pump tubes when the pump is not in use.
• Complete a visual check of the spray chamber to confirm that all connections are not leaking and secure, and that the waste is draining correctly. Clean the spray chamber, if required.

Switching valve daily maintenance

• Inspect the switching valve tubing if present. Replace if necessary.
• Check that the sample loop is filling completely for the first few samples in the first run of the day.
• Check there are no blockages in the tubing, sample probe or connectors used.
• Check for blockages in the switching valve. Clean or replace the valve.
• Check for increases in carryover in blanks. If carryover is increasing, the valve may require the stator to be cleaned or replaced.
• Flush the sample flow path to remove acidic solutions. At the end of each period of operation, always flush through the flow paths of the switching valve accessory with deionized water or an appropriate solvent for organic applications, such as isopropyl alcohol (propan-2-ol).

Weekly

• Clean the torch.
• Inspect and clean the cone, if required.
• Inspect and clean the snout, if required.
• Check the other sample introduction tubing and O-rings.
• Replace the peristaltic pump tubing.
• Clean the nebulizer.

Monthly

• Clean the spray chamber.
• Clean the nebulizer.
• Check the other sample introduction and transfer tubing and O-rings (look for excessive wear, poor sealing or kinks and replace as necessary).
• Inspect the removable axial and radial pre-optics window for cleanliness. Clean or replace as necessary.
• Check the condition of the filter in the air inlet on top of your instrument. Remove the air inlet filter assembly and replace the filter element if there is a build-up of dust and dirt.
• Perform an ICP-OES instrument (wavelength) calibration.
• Inspect the state of the RF induction coil. Contact your Agilent representative if maintenance is required.
• Inspect the external gas supply system for leaks including the tubing connected to the instrument. Replace any damaged, leaking or worn components.
• Check the water level in the water chiller (refer to the manual supplied with the water chiller for details).
• Check/clean the heat exchanger (radiator) on the chiller to remove any build-up of dust and dirt.
• Inspect the external gas supply system for leaks including the tubing connected to the instrument, and stress cracks. Replace any damaged, leaking or worn components.

Annually

• Drain and replace the chiller coolant (refer to the manual supplied with the water chiller for details).
• Replace the argon purge gas filter.
• Remove and clean the water filter on the right side of the instrument.
• Periodically, drain the coolant from the cooling system and then refill/ treat with an appropriate algaecide (as recommended by the manufacturer).