Gauges are combined into several groups:
The Instrument Temperature gauge measures the temperature of the instrument (thermocouple mounted inside instrument control electronics).
If the temperature is outside specification it could be caused by the following:
For optimum analytical performance, it is recommended that the ambient temperature of the laboratory be between 20 and 25 °C (68 and 77 F), and be held constant to within ±2 °C (±3.6 °F) throughout the entire working day.
The Agilent ICP-OES instrument requires clean, dry, non-corrosive air for cooling purposes. This is supplied to the instrument through an air supply vent located at the top, front of the instrument. The vent is fitted with a dust filter, to filter out particulate matter from the surrounding environment.
For applications with high usage of corrosive materials — the external cooling air system with flue, fan, and ducting must provide a minimum positive flow of 4 m3/minute (141 ft3/min) to the instrument when using the External Inlet Duct Adaptor Kit (G8010-68002). The ducting should be corrosion resistant and fire-proof.
The air supply vent filter may be blocked or requires cleaning. Always ensure there is nothing blocking the air supply vent.
The Mains Frequency gauge measures the frequency of the incoming mains power supply. Usually it will hover around 60 Hz or 50 Hz depending on the country. This gauge is for information only. If it is wrong it is the instrument sensor that is faulty, not the mains power grid*.
*If you are operating with a generator or in a remote area it may still be the mains power grid.
The Mains Voltage gauge measures the voltage of the incoming mains power supply. The voltage is dependent on the country of destination. If it is out of specification this usually indicates a problem with the consumer power grid and/or power supply lines to the instrument, and not the instrument.
The Atmospheric Pressure gauge measures the atmosphere’s pressure and is primarily dependent on the instrument’s height above sea level. If the pressure is out of specification it could indicate the instrument is above the maximum operating height above sea level. The impact could be a lack of air cooling capability due to the air being too thin. The altitude requirements are 0-3000 m (0-9840 ft).
The Camera Water Flow Gauge measures water Cooling flow through the Camera channel. If the water flow is outside specification it could indicate a problem with incoming water chiller set pressure or a blockage in the water pipes or a dirty instrument water filter (right hand side of instrument). Consult the chiller documentation for information on how to set the right pressure and remove blockages from the lines.
Other gas supply troubleshooting tips.
Argon and nitrogen gas flow rates
|
Argon (with argon purge gas) |
Nitrogen (as purge gas) |
Standby mode |
0.70 L/min |
Nitrogen flow 0.8 L/min |
Operational range min-max (plasma on) |
9.1-31.8 L/min |
Argon flow 8.4-28.1 L/min |
Typical flows |
||
Measuring wavelengths |
14.65-20.65 L/min |
Argon flow 13.95-19.95 L/min |
Measuring wavelengths |
19.25-25.25 L/min |
Argon flow 15.55-21.55 L/min |
The Plasma Gas Flow gauge measures argon gas flow to the outer sheath of the plasma torch. The plasma gas maintains the plasma within the torch.
If the gas flow is out of specification this could indicate:
The Auxiliary Gas Flow gauge measures the argon gas flow to the torch. Auxiliary gas is required to create and sustain the plasma.
If the gas flow is out of specification this could indicate:
The O2 Injection Gas Flow gauge measures the option gas flow (80%Ar/20%O2) to the torch (when enabled). The gas flow will read zero if the option is not installed. The gas flow is adjusted on the status page as a % of Auxiliary flow.
The Option Inlet Pressure gauge measures the incoming (optional) option gas (80%Ar/20%O2) pressure. This is used in organic analysis to reduce carbon build up. If this is out of specification it could mean the input regulator needs adjusting at the gas supply end.
Purge Inlet Pressure gauge measures the (optional) purge gas input pressure (if this option installed). If this is out of specification it could mean the input regulator needs adjusting at the gas supply.
Other water supply troubleshooting tips.
RF Water Flow gauge measures flow of cooling water through RF cooling channels. RF water flow will only occur if the plasma is on or the RF Water Flow button is clicked. This helps prevent condensation build up on RF electronics with plasma off.
Low flow can be symptomatic of:
Other RF troubleshooting tips.
The Camera Water Flow gauge measures flow of cooling water through the camera cooling channels. This is required to extract heat from the camera to allow the camera to operate at -40 °C.
Low flow can be symptomatic of:
Other camera troubleshooting tips.
The Water Inlet Temperature gauge measures temperature of incoming cooling water from chiller.
Out of specification water temperature can be caused by:
Other water supply troubleshooting tips.
The Instrument Temperature gauge measures the temperature of the instrument (thermocouple mounted inside instrument control electronics).
If the temperature is outside specification the following could be caused by:
For optimum analytical performance, it is recommended that the ambient temperature of the laboratory be between 20 and 25 °C (68 and 77 F), and be held constant to within ±2 °C (±3.6 °F) throughout the entire working day.
The Agilent ICP-OES instrument requires clean, dry, non-corrosive air for cooling purposes. This is supplied to the instrument through an air supply vent located at the top, front of the instrument. The vent is fitted with a dust filter, to filter out particulate matter from the surrounding environment.
For applications with high usage of corrosive materials — the external cooling air system with flue, fan, and ducting must provide a minimum positive flow of 4 m3/minute (141 ft3/min) to the instrument when using the External Inlet Duct Adaptor Kit (G8010-68002). The ducting should be corrosion resistant and fire-proof.
The air supply vent filter may be blocked or requires cleaning. Always ensure there is nothing blocking the air supply vent.
The Air Flow gauge measures relative air flow cooling of the instrument from the inlet (on top of instrument) through to the outlet (chimney). Low air flow could be as a result of:
The Polychromator temperature gauge measures the temperature of the polychromator optics. The optics is heated to maintain a constant temperature of 35.0 °C but can take a number of hours to stabilize to this temperature if the instrument has only just been switched on. Otherwise, if the temperature is outside this specification, it could indicate there is an instrument fault with the heating system.
The Polychromator Purge gauge measures gas purge flow to the optics system. The gas purge (argon or nitrogen) is required to keep the optics clean and free of contaminants as well as allowing analysis of elements in the low UV region. The purge flow normal flow rate is 0.7 L/min but a Boost purge is available when selected to increase flow to 3.7 L/min.
If the flow is outside specification this could indicate:
The Peltier Camera temperature gauge measures the temperature of the camera (detector) mounted inside the polychromator optics. The camera’s normal operating temperature is -40 °C. It is run at this temperature to reduce electronic noise for better detection limits.
If the temperature is not within specification it could be:
Other water supply troubleshooting tips.
The Thermal Stabilizer Temperature gauge measures the temperature of the thermal stabilizer that is mounted between the polychromator optics and the preoptics. The purpose of the thermal stabilizer is twofold:
The Thermal Stabilizer temperature should maintain 35 °C.
If the Temperature is outside this range it could indicate:
For optimum analytical performance, it is recommended that the ambient temperature of the laboratory be between 20 and 25 °C (68 and 77 F), and be held constant to within ±2 °C (±3.6 °F) throughout the entire working day.
The Camera Water Flow gauge measures flow of cooling water through the camera cooling channels. This is required to extract heat from the camera to allow the camera to operate at -40 °C.
Low flow can be symptomatic of:
Other water supply troubleshooting tips.
The RF Water Flow gauge measures flow of cooling water through RF cooling channels. RF water flow will only occur if the plasma is on or the RF Water Flow button is clicked. This helps prevent condensation build up on RF electronics with plasma off.
Low flow can be symptomatic of:
Other water supply troubleshooting tips.
The RF Power gauge measures the power generated by the RF generator to excite a plasma when the plasma on. The power is variable and can be set on the Instrument Status page.
The Plasma Exhaust temperature gauge measures the temperature of the outgoing gases from the exhaust flue. The temperature will significantly increase with a plasma running. If the temperature goes outside specification (too high) this could indicate a problem with the exhaust flue fan not switched on or inadequate suction.
Always ensure there is nothing blocking the exhaust flue and that the exhaust extraction meets the requirements listed in the Agilent ICP-OES Site Preparation Manual. Consult the documentation that came with the exhaust extraction system for more information.
The Plasma Gas Flow gauge measures argon gas flow to the outer sheath of the plasma torch. The plasma gas maintains the plasma within the torch. If the gas flow is out of specification this could indicate a:
Other gas supply troubleshooting tips.
Argon and nitrogen gas flow rates.
The Auxiliary Gas Flow gauge measures the argon gas flow to the torch. Auxiliary gas is required to create and sustain the plasma. If the gas flow is out of specification this could indicate a:
Other gas supply troubleshooting tips.
Argon and nitrogen gas flow rates.
The Argon Pressure gauge measures the pressure of the incoming argon gas supply. If this pressure is out of specification it could indicate the incoming set pressure is too low or too high. It could also indicate the pressure drop of the gas line from the gas supply regulator to the instrument is too great when gas is flowing. Bring the regulator closer to the instrument or use larger gas lines. Adjust the supply regulator to maintain specification. Click the 'Purge Gases' button on the 'Dashboard' to adjust the set pressure dynamically.
Other gas supply troubleshooting tips.
Argon and nitrogen gas flow rates.
This test determines the back pressure of the nebulizer. This information is very useful in determining whether an analytical problem is due to the nebulizer or spray chamber needing maintenance or replacement.
How to perform the Nebulizer Test and troubleshoot nebulizer back pressure.