ACQUITY UPLC H-Class Column Compartments Operator s Overview and Maintenance Information

Transcription

1 ACQUITY UPLC H-Class Column Compartments Operator s Overview and Maintenance Information Revision B Copyright Waters Corporation 2010 All rights reserved

2 Copyright notice 2010 WATERS CORPORATION. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND IN IRELAND. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DOCUMENT OR PARTS THEREOF MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Waters Corporation. Waters Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document. This document is believed to be complete and accurate at the time of publication. In no event shall Waters Corporation be liable for incidental or consequential damages in connection with, or arising from, its use. Considerations specific to the column compartments Warning: Do not use the column heater with solvents that have auto ignition temperatures below 150 C. Warning: When dealing with hazardous solvents, run the system in a hooded environment that provides a sufficient air exchange rate. Warning: To prevent injury, always observe Good Laboratory Practices when you handle solvents, change tubing, or operate the column heater. Consult the Material Safety Data Sheets and the Solvent Considerations section of the ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System Guide regarding the solvents you use. ii

3 Table of Contents Copyright notice... ii Considerations specific to the column compartments... ii Overview... 1 Column compartment types... 1 Preparing the column compartments Installation recommendations for fittings Installing the standard column heater Installing the 30-cm column heater Installing the column manager Installing the ACQUITY 30-cm column heater/cooler Installing the optional column in-line filter Installing the column Using the column compartments Control panels Resolving column compartment leak sensor errors Maintaining the column compartments Contacting Waters technical service Maintenance schedule Maintenance considerations Configuring maintenance warnings Replacing the column heater s leak sensor Replacing the 30-cm column heater s leak sensor Replacing the column manager s leak sensor Replacing the column manager switching-valve cartridge Replacing the column Replacing the active pre-heater assembly Replacing the column stabilizer assembly (CH-A only) Replacing the frit in the in-line filter unit Replacing the column heater/cooler fuse (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC) Cleaning the instrument s exterior (all models) Table of Contents iii

4 iv Table of Contents

5 Overview Column temperature variations can shift peak retention times and alter peak shapes, increasing the difficulty of achieving precise results. The ACQUITY UPLC column compartments help to ensure precise, reproducible separations by controlling the column temperature. Column compartment types The following column compartments are available for use with ACQUITY H-Class systems: Column heater (CH-A) 30-cm column heater (CH-30A) Column manager (CM-A) Auxiliary column manager (CM-Aux) 30-cm column heater/cooler (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC) Each of these column compartments is also available in a bio-compatible version. Column heater (CH-A) A standard component of the basic ACQUITY UPLC system, the column heater heats the column compartment to any temperature from 20 ºC to 90 ºC, that is at least 5 ºC above ambient. A standard active pre-heater heats the incoming solvent before it enters the column. Additionally, you can install a supplementary column stabilizer. The column heater can accommodate UPLC columns with dimensions of up to 4.6 mm I.D. and up to 150 mm length. To reduce dispersion associated with dead volume and minimize the length of tubing between system instruments, the column compartment is directly above the sample manager - flow through needle (SM-FTN) and connected to the optical detector (on top of the column heater). For MS applications, you can mount the column compartment on a bracket to the right-hand side of the system stack, reducing the distance to the mass spectrometer s inlet probe. A receptacle on the column heater s right-hand side receives the column's ecord chip. The ecord column chip stores column manufacturing and usage data, which you can access from the ACQUITY UPLC Console. Overview 1

6 The column heater does not have its own power supply; it draws power from the SM-FTN. Thus the column heater is automatically powered-on when you power on the SM-FTN. Restriction: The ACQUITY column heater (CH-A) cannot be used in conjunction with the optional 30-cm column heater (CH-30A). Active pre-heater The standard, active pre-heater uses an electric heating element to directly heat the column inlet tubing. The rapid heating, low volume design reduces gradient delay and extra-column bandspreading. It ensures that high flow rate separations occur at the column temperature, not at the temperature of the incoming solvent. By controlling the temperature of the mobile phase at the point of use the column inlet temperature differences introduced by variations in the system configuration are eliminated. Active pre-heater: If you use the active pre-heater when running an HPLC or UPLC method originally developed for use with a column stabilizer, adjusting the column temperature can be necessary. 2

7 The following diagram shows the location of the column heater in the ACQUITY UPLC system. Bottle tray Detector Column heater TP03240 Sample manager - FTN Quaternary solvent manager Overview 3

8 Column heater major components: The following diagram shows the column heater s major components. Column compartment tray Location of column Active pre-heater assembly Fitting Active pre-heater retainer Column heater components: Component Column compartment In-line filter Active pre-heater assembly Active pre-heater retainer ecord receptacle Column stabilizer (optional) Drip tray Description Contains the column, column heater, in-line filter, and active pre-heater or column stabilizer assembly. The column compartment insulates the column from changes in ambient temperature. For MS applications, the assembly can be mounted on an external bracket on the right-hand side of the chassis, reducing the distance to the inlet probe of a mass spectrometer. Protects the analytical column against contamination by trapping impurities before they reach the column. Heats the incoming solvent to the specified column temperature prior to entry to the column. Secures the active pre-heater in the column compartment. Receives the column ecord chip, which stores column manufacturing and usage data. Heats the incoming solvent to the specified column temperature prior to entry to the column. Captures any leakage from the column or column connections and routes it into the drip management system. 4

9 30-cm Column heater (CH-30A) The optional 30-cm column heater heats the column compartment to any temperature from 20 ºC to 90 ºC, that is at least 5 ºC above ambient. The 30-cm column heater mounts on the side of the system stack. An active pre-heater heats the incoming solvent before it enters the column. The active pre-heater can be located at the top or bottom of the column compartment, to accommodate UPLC or HPLC columns. The column heater can accommodate UPLC columns with dimensions of up to 4.6 mm I.D. and up to 150 mm length, and HPLC columns with dimensions of up to 4.6 mm I.D. and up to 300 mm length. A receptacle on the top of the column heater receives the column's ecord chip. The ecord column chip stores column manufacturing and usage data, which you can access from the ACQUITY UPLC Console. The column heater does not have its own power supply; it draws power from the SM-FTN. Thus the column heater is automatically powered-on when you power on the SM-FTN. Restriction: The 30-cm column heater (CH-30A) cannot be used in conjunction with the standard ACQUITY column heater (CH-A). Overview 5

10 30-cm column heater components Location of active pre-heater when using UPLC column Location of column Column compartment tray Location of active pre-heater when using HPLC column Drip tray with leak sensor Column manager (CM-A) and auxiliary column manager (CM-Aux) The column manager can regulate the temperature of up to four columns from 4 to 90 C. The temperature of each column trough can be independently set in 0.1 C increments. Note: The minimum achievable column compartment temperature set point cannot be greater than 25 C below ambient temperature. 6

11 A supplementary pre-heating device (active pre-heater) can also be installed, to heat the incoming solvent before it enters the column. The column manager also offers a bypass channel and automated, programmable switching between columns for methods development. ACQUITY UPLC columns are equipped with ecord Information Management Technology, which captures the history of each column to assist in tracking column usage. Reusable high-pressure fittings ease replacement of the columns, when needed. The column manager can accommodate columns with inside diameters of up to 4.6 mm. It can accommodate two 100- or 150-mm columns or four 50-mm columns. Receptacles on the column manager s front panel receive the column ecord chips. The ecord column chip stores column manufacturing and usage data, which you can access from the ACQUITY UPLC Console. Column manager major components The following diagram shows the column manager s major components. ecord receptacles Column switching-valves Column compartment tray Active pre-heater retainer Location of active pre-heater assembly Drip tray with leak sensor Overview 7

12 Column manager and auxiliary column manager components: Component Column compartment In-line filter Active pre-heater assembly Active pre-heater retainer Column switching-valves (CM-A only) Drip tray Description Contains the column, column heater, in-line filter, and active pre-heater assemblies. The column compartment insulates the column from changes in ambient temperature. Protects the analytical column against contamination by trapping impurities before they reach the column. Heats the incoming solvent to the specified column temperature prior to entry to the column. Secures the active pre-heater in the column compartment. The inlet and outlet column switching-valves allow for programmable switching access to any column installed in the column manager as well as to column bypass mode and to waste. Captures any leakage from the column or column connections and routes it into the drip management system. Auxiliary column manager In addition to the column manager, the system can include one or two auxiliary column manager modules. The column manager acts as a master to the optional auxiliary column manager modules. Although the auxiliary column manager modules have their own power supply, the column manager controls their power state. Auxiliary column manager modules do not contain switching-valves all plumbing connections are made to the switching-valves located in the column manager. Each auxiliary column manager module consists of two independently heated and cooled column troughs. Like the column manager, the temperature range of the auxiliary column manager module is 4 to 90 C. Each trough can accommodate one 50 to 150-mm length column and an active pre-heater. 8

13 Auxiliary column manager: Column manager configurations The column manager can be configured for use with two 100- or 150-mm columns or with as many as four 50-mm columns. To accommodate additional columns, the ACQUITY system can include one or two auxiliary column manager modules. Available configurations include these: Column manager configured for two columns Column manager configured for two columns plus one auxiliary column manager (for a total of up to four columns) Column manager configured for two columns plus two auxiliary column managers (for a total of up to six columns) Column manager configured for four columns To reduce dead volume and ensure optimal performance, all column manager configurations are plumbed with preconfigured tubing lengths. Therefore, they must be placed in designated positions in the system stack. One auxiliary Overview 9

14 column manager can sit atop the column manager and one auxiliary column manager can sit below the column manager. 2-column configuration 4-column configurations 6-column configuration Detector Detector Detector CM-A CM-A CM-Aux Sample Manager Sample Manager Sample Manager CM-A QSM QSM QSM CM-Aux Detector CM-Aux CM-A Sample Manager QSM 10

15 For each column in a two- or four-column configuration, you can use an active pre-heater. In the two-column configuration, the column manager supports guard columns or filters. When the column manager is configured for four 50-mm columns, you cannot use guard columns or filters. See Configuring the column manager for more information. ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm column heater/cooler (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC) The ACQUITY 30-cm column heater/cooler is a combination forced-air-convection heater and cooler. The ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm column heater/cooler offers these features for ease of use: Adjustable column clips that slide for easy column mounting. Extended column compartment that allows for the use of two 300-mm columns, with column guards; four 150-mm columns, without column guards; or six 50-mm columns, without column guards. Grommet in the column mounting plate, for attaching a calibrated probe (thermistor) for validation. Overview 11

16 Single-piece column compartment door and hinge assembly that allows tubing to enter or exit the column compartment from all four sides. Columns with dimensions of up to 7.8 mm diameter. Convection grid Column clip Temperature port Column clip rails Compartment door clasp Door gasket Compartment door Tubing guide Drip tray When the temperature is set at the console or in the chromatography software, a command is sent to a column heater/cooler CPU board that controls the temperature by applying power to the thermoelectric devices to achieve the desired column temperature. The column heater/cooler has an internal, onboard power supply that provides the additional power required to operate the thermoelectric heater/cooler engine circuit. 12

17 Preparing the column compartments Installation recommendations for fittings Warning: Fittings can be contaminated with biohazardous and/or toxic materials. Always wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when reinstalling fittings. The system uses gold-plated compression screws and two-piece ferrules. See the diagram below for assembly orientation. Ferrule with locking ring Compression screw Tubing Recommendations: To prevent bandspreading, ensure the tubing bottoms in its fitting hole before tightening the compression screw. For easier accessibility, use long compression screws to attach tubes to the injector and vent valve. Perform the sample syringe leak test whenever you replace or loosen fittings during maintenance (see the ACQUITY UPLC online Help). Whenever you loosen fittings during maintenance, examine them for cracks, stripped threads, and deformations. Do not reuse stainless steel fittings more than six times. When installing or removing a column or optional in-line filter, always hold the active pre-heater s reusable compression fitting in place and rotate the column or in-line filter onto the fitting. Preparing the column compartments 13

18 When tightening system fittings, consult the following table. Installation recommendations for ACQUITY UPLC fittings: Fitting Recommended tightening 1/4-28 flangeless with ferrule Snug, plus 1/6-turn 1/6 turn 1/4-28 flangeless with 2-piece ferrule Snug, plus 1/6-turn LT135 PEEK with ferrule Snug, plus 1/6-turn; if leaking, tighten another 1/8-turn 1/8 turn one-piece PEEK Finger-tight Stainless steel (gold plated) with 2-piece stainless steel ferrule (first use) Finger-tight, plus 3/4-turn with wrench 3/4 turn 14

19 Installation recommendations for ACQUITY UPLC fittings: (Continued) Fitting Stainless steel (gold plated) with 2-piece stainless steel ferrule (re-installed) Recommended tightening Finger-tight, plus up to 1/6-turn with wrench Reusable finger-tight (first use) Snug, plus 1/6-turn TP02728 Reusable finger-tight (re-installed) Collet removal tool Snug, plus up to 1/6-turn; if leaking, tighten another 1/8-turn Active pre-heater Snug, plus 3/8-turn with wrench; if leaking, tighten another 1/8-turn Installing the standard column heater If your system includes the standard column heater, follow the procedures below to install it. Installing the optional MS extension bracket If your system includes a mass spectrometer, use the optional MS bracket to position the column heater to the right of the ACQUITY UPLC H-Class system stack. Doing so reduces the length of the tubing that extends to the mass spectrometer inlet. Consult the ACQUITY Configuration Guide to determine whether your system requires the MS bracket kit. Preparing the column compartments 15

20 Installing the MS bracket kit entails these actions: Removing the column heater from the device chassis Installing the MS bracket on the column heater chassis Attaching the column heater housing onto the MS bracket Adjusting the height of the column heater bracket, if necessary Attaching the column heater and connecting accessories, such as the MS drip tray, leak sensor, and drain tubing Connecting inlet and outlet tubing Follow the instructions below to install the MS bracket kit. Required materials Column heater MS bracket kit MS bracket Column heater housing MS drip tray Height adjustment bracket Hinge assembly Cable clamp TORX screws Phillips screws Cable clamp nut Drain tubing 1/4-inch open-end wrench 4-mm open-end wrench 3-mm hex wrench T20 TORX driver Phillips screwdriver Small flat screwdriver Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant 16

21 MS bracket kit major components: Column heater housing TP03252 Height adjustment bracket MS bracket Hinge MS drip tray Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when preparing the column heater for use with a mass spectrometer. To install the MS bracket: 1. Stop any currently running mobile phase. 2. Power-off the SM-FTN. Preparing the column compartments 17

22 3. Using the 1/4-inch open-end wrench, disconnect the column inlet, active pre-heater, or column stabilizer tubing from injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Column, active pre-heater, or column stabilizer inlet tubing 4. Disconnect the column outlet PEEK tubing from the detector inlet. 5. Open the column heater door, and remove the column. 6. If present, remove the column stabilizer assembly. a. Using the Phillips screwdriver, loosen the two screws that fasten the column stabilizer assembly to the column compartment tray. Thermal gasket Location of Phillips screws b. Remove the column stabilizer assembly from the thermal gasket. c. Remove the thermal gasket from the column tray. 18

23 7. If present, remove the active pre-heater assembly. a. Remove the active pre-heater assembly from the retainer in the column compartment. Active pre-heater assembly b. Using a small screwdriver, gently pry out the active pre-heater retainer, and remove it from the column compartment. Gently compress retainer here 8. Remove any solvent lines routed behind the column heater door. 9. If present, detach the leak sensor connector from the front of the SM-FTN. Preparing the column compartments 19

24 10. Remove the TORX screw from the right-hand side of the column heater, just behind the ecord receptacle. TORX screw ecord receptacle 11. Gently pull the right-hand side of the column heater toward you, and then slide it to the right, to unseat the tab on the left-hand side of the column heater from the device s chassis Remove the 25-pin cable from the receptacle on the back of the column heater. 13. Set the column heater aside. 14. Ensure that the front left-hand foot of the column heater s rear enclosure locks into the retainer bracket on the SM-FTN below it. Alternative: If the retainer bracket is not installed on the SM-FTN chassis, perform these tasks: 20

25 a. Remove the solvent tray and any system modules stacked atop the column heater s rear enclosure. Caution: Take care when removing system modules from the stack. Remove the solvent bottles first then the solvent tray, and finally the modules, one at a time. Ask an assistant to help lift the components off the system stack. b. Remove the Phillips screw that secures the column heater s rear enclosure to the sample manger chassis. c. Remove the column heater s rear enclosure from the SM-FTN chassis. d. Secure the retainer bracket, supplied in the column heater startup kit, onto the SM-FTN chassis using the TORX screw provided in the kit. Retainer bracket e. Install the column heater s rear enclosure sliding its front, left-hand foot into the retainer bracket on the SM-FTN s chassis. Preparing the column compartments 21

26 f. Install the Phillips screw that secures the column heater s rear enclosure to the sample manger chassis. g. Replace any other instruments and the solvent tray above the column heater s rear enclosure. 15. Install the MS bracket on the SM-FTN s chassis: a. Insert the tab on the left-hand side of the MS bracket into the slot on the left-hand side of the SM-FTN chassis. Tab Slot 22

27 b. Route the 25-pin cable behind the MS bracket and through the slot on the right-hand side of the bracket. Route the 25-pin cable through this slot c. Install the TORX screw in the tab, and tighten it slightly. d. Hold the left-hand side of the bracket into the slot, and guide the MS bracket tab on the right-hand side into the cutout in the SM-FTN s chassis. Requirement: Ensure that the 25-pin cable remains in the slot as you guide the tab into the cutout. If the cable slips out of the slot, it can prevent the bracket from seating fully into the chassis. Cutout Tab e. Tighten the TORX screw in the tab. f. Tighten the 3-mm Allen screw on the left-hand side of the MS bracket. Preparing the column compartments 23

28 16. Attach the column heater housing onto the MS bracket using the hinge: a. Attach the short side of the hinge to the MS bracket using two TORX screws. b. Attach the long side of the hinge to the column heater housing using two TORX screws. MS bracket Column heater housing 17. Swing the column heater housing, to align it with the front of the mass spectrometer, and ensure that the column heater is at the correct height for the mass spectrometer inlet. 18. If the column heater housing height is not correct for the mass spectrometer inlet, perform these tasks: a. Remove the two TORX screws that secure the hinge to the MS bracket. Remove these TORX screws 24

29 b. Using two TORX screws, attach the height adjustment bracket to the MS bracket. TORX screws Height adjustment bracket MS bracket c. Using two TORX screws, attach the hinge assembly on the column heater housing to the height adjustment bracket. d. Swing the column heater housing, to align it with the front of the mass spectrometer, and ensure that the column heater is at the correct height for the mass spectrometer inlet. e. If the column heater housing is not at the correct height, adjust the height by removing the hinge from the height adjustment bracket and then reattaching it using different holes. 19. Attach the MS drip tray to the column heater housing using the Phillips screws. Leak sensor cable slot Drip tray Locations of Phillips screws Preparing the column compartments 25

30 Tip: Installing the leak sensor is optional. 20. Install the leak sensor: a. Align the leak sensor s T-bar with the slot in the left-hand side of the MS bracket drip tray, and slide the leak sensor into place. Leak sensor T-bar TP02892 Slot b. Route the leak sensor cable through the slot in the column heater housing. 21. Secure the 25-pin cable: a. Insert the 25-pin cable into the cable clamp. b. Install the cable clamp on the threaded stud inside the column heater housing, and then thread the 4-mm nut onto the stud. 26

31 c. Tighten the cable clamp nut with the 4-mm wrench. 25-pin cable routed through slot 4-mm cable clamp nut on stud Cable clamp 22. Install the column heater in its housing: a. Insert the tab on the left-hand side of the column heater into the slot on the left-hand side of the housing. b. Hold the left-hand side of the column heater into the slot, and guide the ecord tab, on the right-hand side, into the cutout in the column heater housing. Tab Cutout c. Install the TORX screw in the tab and tighten it. Preparing the column compartments 27

32 23. Push the 25-pin cable into the socket on the back of the column heater, and then tighten the thumbscrews to secure the cable to the socket. Thumbscrews 24. If you installed the optional leak sensor, plug the connector into the receptacle located behind the column heater. Location of leak sensor receptacle 25. Swing the column heater into the operating position. 26. Push the drain tubing onto the barbed drain fitting on the left-hand side of the MS bracket drip tray, and route it to a suitable waste container. 27. Open the column heater door. 28

33 28. Slide the column compartment tray to the right. Column compartment tray 29. If desired, install the active pre-heater assembly: a. Gently compress the active pre-heater assembly retainer between your thumb and forefinger, and push it into the left-hand side of the column compartment until it snaps into place. b. Install the active pre-heater assembly in the retainer. 30. Install the column in the column tray: a. Snap the column support clips onto the body of the column (one between the reusable fitting and column). Rotate the clips so that the openings face forward. Column support clip b. Attach the mass spectrometer inlet tubing included with the system to the column outlet. Preparing the column compartments 29

34 c. Set the column into the column compartment. Requirement: Ensure that the stainless steel tubing from the SM-FTN is routed through the front notch on the lower, left-hand side of the column compartment and that the PEEK tubing to the mass spectrometer inlet is routed through the groove on the right-hand side of the column compartment. d. If you installed the active pre-heater, connect the column inlet to the active pre-heater by holding the active pre-heater s reusable compression fitting in place, rotating the column onto the fitting until it is snug, and then tightening an additional 1/6 turn. e. Connect the column inlet or active pre-heater tubing to injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Tip: To ensure that the SM-FTN door closes properly, and does not damage the tubing, route the tubing as shown in the drawing below. Column inlet or active pre-heater inlet tubing f. Attach the column outlet tubing to the mass spectrometer s inlet. Tip: Consult the SM-FTN s documentation for more information about connecting to the inlet. g. Attach the ecord fob to the receptacle on the side of the column heater. 30

35 Receptacle ecord fob h. Close the column heater door. Installing the optional column stabilizer assembly The column heater s optional column stabilizer reduces sensitivity to ambient temperature swings by transferring heat (via conduction) from the column heater s film element through the thermal gasket to the column inlet tubing. The looped tubing path reduces dispersion while ensuring maximum surface area contact between the tubing and the column tray, maximizing heat transfer to the mobile phase. The passive column stabilizer provides thermal equilibration by heating the incoming mobile phase and injected sample to the specified column temperature before they enter the column. Note: You cannot use the active pre-heater and the passive column stabilizer simultaneously; choose the pre-heater type that best suits your application. Preparing the column compartments 31

36 Typical column stabilizer: The column stabilizer s passive design lends itself to lower flow rate and higher volume applications. If you are running an HPLC or UPLC method that was originally developed for use with a column stabilizer, you must continue to use the column stabilizer when you run that method on the ACQUITY UPLC H-class system. Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when installing the optional column stabilizer assembly. Requirement: You must remove the active pre-heater assembly before installing the column stabilizer assembly. For instructions on how to replace the column stabilizer assembly, see page

37 Required materials 50/100-mm or 150-mm column stabilizer kit: Collet and compression screw multi-tool (collet separator) Column stabilizer assembly PEEK tubing for connecting the column to the detector s flow cell 3 Phillips screws (1 is a spare) 3 thermal gaskets (2 are spares) Needle-nose pliers Phillips screwdriver Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant To install the optional column stabilizer assembly: 1. Stop any currently running mobile phase before replacing the column stabilizer assembly. 2. Disconnect the inlet tubing from injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Location of column stabilizer inlet tubing 3. Open the column heater door. Preparing the column compartments 33

38 4. Remove the active pre-heater assembly from the retainer in the column compartment. Active pre-heater assembly 5. Using a needle-nose pliers, gently compress the top and bottom of the active pre-heater retainer, and pull it out of the column compartment. Gently compress retainer here 34

39 6. Remove the clear, protective backing from the thermal gasket, and with the thermal gasket oriented vertically, center it between the two threaded holes. Threaded holes Location of thermal gasket 7. Press the thermal gasket into the column compartment tray, ensuring the gasket is centered and formed into the bottom of the tray, with equal lengths on both sides. 8. Firmly press the column stabilizer assembly into the thermal gasket, ensuring the thermal gasket uniformly envelops the sides of the column stabilizer and does not bunch beneath it. Thermal gasket visible along both sides of stabilizer Column stabilizer inlet tubing Threaded holes for Phillips screws Preparing the column compartments 35

40 Column stabilizer assembly (two styles): For 150-mm column For 50-mm or 100-mm column Reusable fittings Inlet tubing to injector TP Carefully route the column stabilizer inlet tubing through the groove on the side of the tray. Caution: To avoid stripping the threads, do not overtighten screws. 10. Insert the Phillips screws into the threaded holes, and tighten them gently using the Phillips screwdriver. 11. Route the column stabilizer inlet tubing through the cutout in the top of the SM-FTN door to the injector. Requirement: Do not route the tubing behind the SM-FTN door hinge. 36

41 12. Remove the O-ring retainer from the inlet end of the column stabilizer inlet tubing, and then connect the inlet tubing to injector port 6 of the SM-FTN injector. Note: Do not route the tubing between the SM-FTN door and hinge, here. Column stabilizer inlet tubing Installing the 30-cm column heater If your system includes a 30-cm column heater, follow the procedure below to install it. Caution: If your system includes a column heater with a rear DSUB cable, to avoid damaging the device s electronics, unplug the cable from the SM-FTN before performing this procedure. Required materials 1/4-inch bit driver 2.5-mm hex driver 7-mm adjustable wrench T25 TORX screwdriver Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant Preparing the column compartments 37

42 To install the 30-cm column heater: Caution: To avoid damaging electrical components, do not disconnect an electrical assembly from an instrument or device that remains connected to a building s electrical supply. To completely interrupt power, set the unit s power switch to Off. Then disconnect the power cord from the unit s rear panel or from the wall outlet. After discontinuing power, wait 10 seconds before attempting to disconnect an assembly. 1. Power-off the SM-FTN. 2. Using the T25 TORX screwdriver, remove the top screw from the right-hand side of the SM-FTN, and the bottom screw from the right-hand side of the quaternary solvent manager. Right-hand side of system stack: Detector Remove screws Sample manager Quaternary solvent manager 38

43 3. Insert the two 2.5-mm hex screws through the two side-panel spacers. Spacer 2.5-mm hex screw TP Screw the spacers into the threaded holes in top, right-hand side of the SM-FTN and the bottom, right-hand side of the quaternary solvent manager. Spacers Preparing the column compartments 39

44 5. Mount the column heater onto the spacers, fitting the column heater mounting holes over the spacers. Mounting holes 6. Connect one end of the pin cable to the socket on the 30-cm column heater s rear panel. 40

45 7. Connect the other end of the pin cable to the socket on the SM-FTN s rear panel. Connect the pin cable between these sockets Sample manager - FTN 30-cm column heater 8. Connect the drain tubing to the barbed fitting on the bottom front of the column heater. Drain fitting 9. Route the other end of the drain tubing to a suitable waste container. Preparing the column compartments 41

46 Installing the column manager If your system includes a column manager, follow the procedure below to install it. Warning: To avoid back injuries, two or more people must lift the column manager. Warning: When installing the column manager in the system stack, take care to avoid crushing your fingers beneath or between the system modules. Warning: Risk of fire. To avoid overheating, do not block the air vent on the side of the column manager. Plumbing the column manager Ensure you have the correct tubing kit for your column compartment configuration (column manager and optional auxiliary column manager modules). Connect the column manager tubing, as shown in the diagram below. When making plumbing connections, follow the guidelines in Installation recommendations for fittings on page

47 Column manager plumbing connections for 2 columns: Detector Pin plug ecord receptacles B O Pin W Plug 6 5 Outlet switching valve 3 Inlet switching valve 4 B I W Tubing router Column manager Active pre-heaters Sample manager Column clips 6 Injector valve Preparing the column compartments 43

48 Column manager plumbing connections for 4 columns: Column clips Active pre-heaters Tubing Router Tubing router Upper Column Manager AUX ecord receptacles Pin plug ecord receptacles B O W Outlet switching valve 3 Inlet switching valve 4 B I W Column manager Active pre-heaters Sample manager Column clips 6 Injector valve 44

49 Column manager plumbing connections for 6 columns: Upper Column Manager AUX Tubing Router Tubing router ecord receptacles Active pre-heaters Column clips Pin plug ecord receptacles B I W Outlet switching valve 3 Inlet switching valve 4 B O W Tubing router Column manager Active pre-heaters Column clips Tubing Router Tubing router ecord receptacles Lower Column Manager AUX Bench top Note: Systems that include a column manager (CM-A) and two auxiliary column managers (CM-Aux) are configured with the inlet switching valve on the left side of the column manager. Preparing the column compartments 45

50 Configuring the column manager After you install the column manager hardware, you must configure the ACQUITY system software to properly recognize the column manager configuration. Tip: For information about configuring the column manager and auxiliary column manager units for use with chromatographic methods, see the ACQUITY Console online Help. Specifying the hardware configuration To configure the column manager: 1. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select the Column Manager in the tree pane, and then select Configure > Instrument. 2. In the drop-down box, choose the column configuration (2 Columns or 4 Columns) for your column manager. 46

51 Installing the ACQUITY 30-cm column heater/cooler If your system includes an ACQUITY 30-cm column heater/cooler, follow the procedure below to install it. Caution: If your system includes a column heater with a rear DSUB cable, to avoid damaging the device s electronics, unplug the cable from the SM-FTN before performing this procedure. Required materials 1/4-inch bit driver 7-mm adjustable wrench T20 TORX screwdriver Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant To install the ACQUITY 30-cm column heater/cooler: Caution: To avoid damaging electrical components, do not disconnect an electrical assembly from an instrument or device that remains connected to a building s electrical supply. To completely interrupt power, set the unit s power switch to Off. Then disconnect the power cord from the unit s rear panel or from the wall outlet. After discontinuing power, wait 10 seconds before attempting to disconnect an assembly. 1. Power-off the SM-FTN. 2. Using the T20 TORX screwdriver, remove the top screw from the right-hand side of the SM-FTN, and the bottom screw from the right-hand side of the quaternary solvent manager. Preparing the column compartments 47

52 Right-hand side of system stack: Detector Remove screws Sample manager - FTN Quaternary solvent manager 48

53 3. Mount the rear tab of the adaptor bracket onto the ground stud at the rear of the SM-FTN. Bracket Ground stud Preparing the column compartments 49

54 4. Insert two M4 16 screws into the slots on the bracket s left-hand panel, leaving the first screw loose until both screws are inserted. Then tighten both screws. M4 side panel spacers with cover screws M4 16 screws Ground stud 5. Add an M4 Keps nut to the ground stud at the rear of the SM-FTN, and tighten with a 7-mm adjustable wrench. M4 Keps nut: 50

55 6. Insert the three, M4, blue, cover screws through the three side-panel spacers, and then screw them into the three threaded holes in the bracket s center panel. TP02939 Spacer Cover screw 7. Mount the column heater/cooler onto the bracket, fitting the column heater/cooler mounting holes over the M4 cover screws. Mounting holes 8. Using a 1/4-inch bit driver, attach the black, tubing clips to the front of the bracket. Preparing the column compartments 51

56 9. Load the clip into the bit driver in the orientation desired, and then snap into the bracket. Tubing clip 1/4-inch bit driver TP02945 Installing the optional column in-line filter Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when installing the optional column in-line filter. You can install a 0.2-μm in-line filter to protect the analytical column and other system components from a build-up of particulate matter, improving column lifetime and minimizing system downtime. 52

57 Required materials Column in-line filter Reusable fitting 5/16-inch open-end wrench Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant For instruction on how to replace the filter in the column heater s in-line filter unit, see page 100. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear powder-free, non-latex gloves when connecting tubing and tightening fittings. To install the column in-line filter: 1. Remove the O-ring retainer from the outlet end of the active pre-heater or column stabilizer tubing. Tip: Before connecting, make sure that the ferrule is approximately 3 mm from the end of the outlet tubing and that the collet is touching the back of the ferrule. TP02846 Reusable fitting Ferrule Outlet tubing 3 mm Collet Older, reusable fittings do not have holes in their sides. 2. Remove the column in-line filter unit from its packaging, and then push the outlet end of the active pre-heater or column stabilizer tubing assembly into the in-line filter inlet until it stops. Preparing the column compartments 53

58 Installing the in-line filter: Flow Column In-line filter unit From column stabilizer tubing assembly Inlet TP02873 Reusable fitting 3. Holding the reusable fitting in place, rotate the in-line filter unit onto the fitting until it is snug. Caution: To avoid damaging the tubing, use only your fingers to tighten the tubing fittings. 4. Finger tighten the fitting until it is snug, and then tighten it up to an additional 1/6-turn. Installing the column Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when installing the column. The procedure for installing the column varies depending on the column heater model. 54

59 Installing the column (CH-A, CM-A, CM-Aux, and CH-30A) Required materials 5/16-inch open-end wrench High-temperature outlet fitting High-temperature outlet fitting wrench Reusable fitting Column support clips Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant For instruction on how to replace the column in the column heater, see page 90. Caution: When installing or removing a column, be sure that you turn the column itself and not the fitting (compression screw and ferrule). If the fitting turns, the collet could become stuck and cause the active pre-heater tubing to turn with the fitting, potentially damaging the active pre-heater assembly. To connect the column in-line filter unit and the column inlet: 1. Remove the O-ring from the outlet end of the column in-line filter unit. 2. Remove the plug from the column inlet. 3. Push the outlet end of the column in-line filter unit into the column inlet until it stops. Caution: To avoid damaging the tubing, use only your fingers to tighten the fittings. 4. Holding the finger-tight reusable fitting in place, rotate the column onto the fitting until it is snug, and then tighten it up to an additional 1/6-turn. Preparing the column compartments 55

60 To install the PEEK tubing in the column outlet: Caution: To avoid bandspreading, ensure that the tubing is fully bottomed in the fitting hole before tightening it. 1. Insert the PEEK tubing into the high-temperature outlet fitting until it stops. Caution: To avoid damaging the outlet fitting, do not overtighten it with the outlet fitting wrench. 2. Holding the PEEK tubing, thread the high-temperature outlet fitting into the column outlet until it is finger-tight. 3. Using a 5/16-inch wrench to hold the column steady, use the high-temperature outlet fitting wrench to give the outlet fitting 1/4-turn. 4. Carefully route the PEEK tubing through the column compartment. To connect the PEEK tubing to the detector: 1. Remove the protective cover from the PEEK tubing from the flow cell inlet in the detector. 2. Ensure the label on the flow cell inlet tubing matches the type of detector and flow cell in your system. 56

61 3. Attach the inch or.0025-inch ID inlet tubing (included with the flow cell or the stabilizer kit) to the column outlet. Outlet Detector inlet tubing (PEEK) from column Inlet TP Snap the column support clips onto the body of the column (one between the reusable fitting and column, and rotate the clips so that their openings face forward. Column support clip 5. Place the column in the column compartment. Preparing the column compartments 57

62 6. Attach the ecord fob to the receptacle: Column heater the receptacle is located on the right-hand side. Heater compartment receptacle ecord fob 30-cm column heater the receptacle is located on the top of the device s chassis. Receptacle 58

63 Column manager the receptacle is located inside the front panel. Consult the figure below to determine the correct placement. 4 column configuration: Top left column 2 column configuration: Top column 4 column configuration: Top right column ecord fob 4 column configuration: Bottom left column 2 column configuration: Bottom column 4 column configuration: Bottom right column Auxiliary column manager the receptacle is located on the right-hand side of the device s chassis. Consult the figure below to determine the correct placement. Top column trough Bottom column trough 7. Close the column compartment: Column heater and 30-cm column heater close the door, and then inspect the seal around the front panel, to ensure it aligns correctly. Note: Proper alignment of the seal is critical for a stable thermal environment. Column manager and auxiliary column manager align the tabs in the column compartment cover with the slots, push the cover closed, and then push the latches outward until they snap onto the latch pins. When the column compartment cover is in place, close the door. Preparing the column compartments 59

64 Tip: To avoid inconsistent results due to temperature fluctuations, ensure the column heater's or column manager's door latch is completely closed. Column compartment door in closed position: Warning: To avoid electric shock or possible damage to the components, power-off the SM-FTN before you connect or disconnect the external communication cable (between the SM-FTN and the column heater). Caution: To avoid damaging electrical components, do not disconnect an electrical assembly from an instrument or device that remains connected to a building s electrical supply. To completely interrupt power, set the unit s power switch to Off. Then disconnect the power cord from the unit s rear panel or from the wall outlet. After discontinuing power, wait 10 seconds before attempting to disconnect an assembly. Installing the columns (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC) You can install multiple chromatographic columns within the compartment of the column heater or column heater/cooler. The table below shows the possible column configurations. Columns are not provided with the column heater/cooler. 60

65 ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC column configurations: Quantity Description mm length column, up to 7.8-mm ID maximum, with a column guard up to 20-mm maximum mm length column, up to 7.8-mm ID maximum, with column guards up to 20-mm maximum mm length column, up to 7.8-mm ID maximum, without column guards 6 50-mm length column, up to 7.8-mm ID maximum, without column guards Columns are fixed within the heater/cooler compartment using adjustable column clamps attached to the column rail. You can add multiple clamps to the rail that are held in place when the column is inserted. The column clamps are designed to hold onto the compression screw threads, to accommodate the columns of various manufacturers. They do not damage the screw threads. Column guard Column clamp Column Column rail Column clamp Preparing the column compartments 61

66 Tubing retainers provided along the left-hand side, bottom, and top of the column compartment hold tubing in place. Use these retainers to organize tubing and keep it and orderly. Tubing retainers: The heater or heater/cooler column compartment functions only when you can properly close the door. The door s gasket and hinge assembly allow tubing to pass through undamaged. Caution: Do not route tubing out the bottom of the compartment door. Doing so can cause the door s gasket to fail or the door to spontaneously spring open. To activate auxiliary column manger units: 1. Click the Enabled check box corresponding to the auxiliary column manager units you want to activate. Tip: When the icon of an auxiliary column manager is unavailable for selection, the software does not detect the device. 2. Click OK. 62

67 Using the column compartments Warning: Do not use the column heater with solvents whose autoignition temperatures are below 150 C. Warning: When dealing with hazardous solvents, run the system in a hooded environment that provides a sufficient air exchange rate. Warning: To prevent burn injuries, allow sufficient time for the column manager to cool before opening the device s door. The heater compartment, columns, column trough, pre-heater assembly, tubing, fittings, and door liner can be extremely hot. Warning: To prevent injury, always observe Good Laboratory Practices when you handle solvents, change tubing, or operate the column heater. Consult the Material Safety Data Sheets and the Solvent Considerations section of the ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System Guide regarding the solvents you use. Control panels Column manager control panel Where Empower software controls the system, the column manager s control panel appears at the bottom of the Run Samples window. Where MassLynx software controls the system, the column manager's control panel appears on the Additional Status tab of the Inlet Editor window. Column manager control panel: The column manager control panel displays the current column temperature and set point. You can edit the set point when the system is idle by clicking on Using the column compartments 63

68 the underlined value. You cannot edit any underlined values (temperature set point and column selection) while the system is running samples. Resolving column compartment leak sensor errors After approximately 1.5 ml of liquid accumulates in the leak sensor reservoir, an alarm sounds, indicating that the leak sensor detected a leak. Warning: The leak sensor can be contaminated with biohazardous and/or toxic materials. Always wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when performing this procedure. Caution: To avoid scratching or damaging the leak sensor do not allow buffered solvents to accumulate and dry on it. do not submerge it in a cleaning bath. Tip: Small column leaks can be undetectable because they can evaporate before reaching the leak sensor reservoir. Required materials Cotton swabs Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant Nonabrasive, lint-free wipes To resolve a column heater leak sensor error (door in closed position): 1. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console s Leak Sensors dialog box, determine which of the SM-FTN s two leak sensors detected a leak. 2. If the message reads Leak Detected (Column), open the column heater s door. Otherwise, see the Resolving leak sensor errors section in the Sample Manager Operator s Overview and Maintenance Information document. 3. Locate the source of the leak, and make the repairs necessary to stop it. Tip: Liquid from a detector leak can accumulate in the reservoir of the column heater s leak sensor, causing an alarm to sound. Always inspect the detector when attempting to locate the source of a leak. 64

69 4. Disconnect the column inlet, active pre-heater, or column stabilizer tubing from injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Location of column, active pre-heater, or column stabilizer inlet tubing 5. Disconnect the column outlet PEEK tubing from the detector inlet. 6. Remove any solvent tubing routed behind the column heater door. 7. Power-off the SM-FTN, and detach the leak sensor connector from the front of the column heater. 8. Remove the TORX screw from the right-hand side of the column heater, just behind the ecord receptacle. TORX screw ecord receptacle Using the column compartments 65

70 9. Gently pull the right-hand side of the column heater toward you, and then slide it rightward, to unseat the tab on the left-hand side of the column heater from the instrument chassis. 1 2 Caution: To avoid damaging the leak sensor, do not grasp it by the ribbon cable. 10. Remove the leak sensor from its reservoir, grasping it by its serrations, and pull upward on it, tilting it to the left-hand side. Serrations Tip: If you cannot easily manipulate the leak sensor after removing it from its reservoir, power-off the SM-FTN, and then detach the connector from the front of the column heater (see page 80). 66

71 11. Use a nonabrasive, lint-free wipe to dry the leak sensor prism. Prism Lint-free wipe TP Roll up a nonabrasive, lint-free wipe, and use it to absorb the liquid from the leak sensor reservoir and its surrounding area. Leak sensor reservoir Rolled up lint-free wipe Using the column compartments 67

72 13. With a cotton swab, absorb any remaining liquid from the corners of the leak sensor reservoir and its surrounding area. Leak sensor reservoir Cotton swab 68

73 14. Align the leak sensor s T-bar with the slot in the side of the leak sensor reservoir, and slide the leak sensor into place. Slot in leak sensor reservoir T-bar TP02892 Leak sensor installed in reservoir 15. If you detached the connector from the front of the instrument, reattach it, and power-on the SM-FTN. 16. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select Sample Manager FTN from the system tree. 17. In the SM-FTN information window, click Control > Reset SM, to reset the SM-FTN. To resolve a 30-cm column heater leak sensor error: 1. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console s Leak Sensors dialog box, determine which of the SM-FTN s two leak sensors detected a leak. 2. If the message reads Leak Detected (Column), open the 30-cm column heater s door. 3. Locate the source of the leak, and make the repairs necessary to stop it. Using the column compartments 69

74 Caution: To avoid damaging the leak sensor, do not grasp it by the ribbon cable. 4. Remove the leak sensor from its reservoir, grasping it by its serrations, and pull upward on it. Serrations 5. Use a nonabrasive, lint-free wipe to dry the leak sensor prism. Prism Lint-free wipe TP

75 6. Roll up a nonabrasive, lint-free wipe, and use it to absorb the liquid from the leak sensor reservoir and its surrounding area. Leak sensor reservoir Rolled up lint-free wipe 7. With a cotton swab, absorb any remaining liquid from the corners of the leak sensor reservoir and its surrounding area. Leak sensor reservoir Cotton swab Using the column compartments 71

76 8. Align the leak sensor s T-bar with the slot in the side of the leak sensor reservoir, and slide the leak sensor into place. Slot in leak sensor reservoir T-bar TP02892 Leak sensor installed in reservoir 9. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select Sample Manager FTN from the system tree. 10. In the SM-FTN information window, click Control > Reset SM, to reset the SM-FTN. To resolve a column manager leak sensor error: 1. Power-off the column manager. 2. Open the column manager door. 3. Locate the source of the leak, and make the repairs necessary to stop it. Tip: Liquid from a detector leak can accumulate in the column manager leak sensor reservoir and cause the column manager leak sensor alarm to sound. Always inspect the detector when attempting to locate the source of a leak. 72

77 4. Detach the leak sensor connector from the front of the column manager by pressing down on the tab and pulling it out of the receptacle. Press down on tab to release connector Leak sensor connector Caution: To avoid damaging the leak sensor, do not grasp it by the ribbon cable. 5. Remove the leak sensor from its reservoir, grasping it by its serrations, and pulling upward. 6. Use a nonabrasive, lint-free wipe to dry the leak sensor prism. Prism Lint-free wipe TP Roll up a nonabrasive, lint-free wipe, and use it to absorb the liquid from the leak sensor reservoir and its surrounding area. 8. With a cotton swab, absorb any remaining liquid from the corners of the leak sensor reservoir and its surrounding area. Using the column compartments 73

78 9. Align the leak sensor s T-bar with the slot in the side of the leak sensor reservoir, and slide the leak sensor into place. T-bar TP02892 Slot in leak sensor reservoir Leak sensor installed in reservoir 10. Reattach the connector to the receptacle on the front of the instrument, and power-on the column manager. Leak sensor connector receptacle 74

79 11. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select Column Manager from the system tree. 12. In the SM-FTN information window, click Control > Reset CM, to reset the SM-FTN. Maintaining the column compartments Under normal operating conditions, the column compartments do not require any routine maintenance. If residue from solvent leaks accumulates in the column compartment, remove the column and wipe the compartment clean with a soft cloth. Contacting Waters technical service If you are located in the USA or Canada, report malfunctions or other problems to Waters Technical Service ( ). Otherwise, phone the Waters corporate headquarters in Milford, Massachusetts (USA), or contact your local Waters subsidiary. Waters Web site includes phone numbers and addresses for Waters locations worldwide. Visit When you contact Waters, be prepared to provide this information: Error message (if any) Nature of the symptom Instrument serial numbers (see page 76) Flow rate Operating pressure Solvent(s) Detector settings (sensitivity and wavelength) Type and serial number of column(s) Sample type Data application version and serial number ACQUITY UPLC system workstation model and operating system version For complete information on reporting shipping damages and submitting claims, see the document Waters Licenses, Warranties, and Support Services. Maintaining the column compartments 75

80 Locating system serial numbers Each system instrument s unique serial number facilitates service and support. Serial numbers also provide a way to create single log entries for each instrument so that you can review the usage history of only that instrument. Be prepared to provide the serial numbers of the instruments in your system when you contact Waters customer support. To view instrument information: 1. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select an instrument from the system tree. 2. Click Configure > View module information. The Module Information dialog box displays this information: Serial Number Firmware Version Firmware Checksum Component Software Version Note: ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC information cannot be displayed via the ACQUITY UPLC Console. Alternatives: From the main window, place the pointer over the visual representation of the system instrument you want information for. Obtain the serial number from the printed labels on the rear panels of instruments or inside their front doors. To view column information: 1. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select Column from the system tree. 2. View the column part and serial numbers on the Column screen. Alternative: View column part and serial numbers on the column. 76

81 Maintenance schedule Waters recommends that you perform the following routine maintenance on the column heater to ensure reliable operation and accurate results. When using the system throughout the day (and on nights and weekends), or when using aggressive solvents such as buffers, perform these maintenance tasks more frequently. Recommended routine maintenance schedule: Maintenance procedure Frequency For information... Replace the leak sensors on the system instruments Replace the column manager switching valve cartridge Replace the column Replace the active pre-heater assembly Replace the column stabilizer assembly (CH-A only) Replace the column in-line filter frit Replace the column in-line filter unit Replace the fuse (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC only) Clean the instrument with a soft, lint-free cloth, or paper dampened with water As needed See page 79 and page 84 As needed See page 87 During scheduled preventive maintenance or as needed See page 90, As needed See page 91 During scheduled preventive maintenance or as needed See page 96 As needed See page 100 After you have used the six filters that accompanied the unit See page 100 As needed See page 102 As needed See page 103 Maintaining the column compartments 77

82 Maintenance considerations Safety and handling Observe these warning and caution advisories when you perform maintenance operations on your system. Warning: To prevent injury, always observe Good Laboratory Practices when you handle solvents, change tubing, or operate the system. Consult the Material Safety Data Sheets regarding the solvents you use. Warning: To prevent burn injuries, allow sufficient time for the column manager to cool before opening the instrument. The heater compartment, columns, column trough, pre-heater assembly, tubing, fittings, and door liner can be extremely hot. Warning: To avoid electric shock, do not remove the instrument s protective panels. The components within are not user-serviceable. Caution: To avoid damaging electrical components, do not disconnect an electrical assembly from an instrument or device that remains connected to a building s electrical supply. To completely interrupt power, set the unit s power switch to Off. Then disconnect the power cord from the unit s rear panel or from the wall outlet. After discontinuing power, wait 10 seconds before attempting to disconnect an assembly. Proper operating procedures To ensure your system runs efficiently, follow the follow the procedures on page 13. Configuring maintenance warnings Maintenance counters provide real-time usage status information that can help you determine when to schedule routine maintenance for specific components. You can set usage thresholds and maintenance warnings that alert you when a component reaches the designated threshold limit. By setting threshold limits and monitoring these usage counters regularly, you can minimize unexpected failures and unscheduled downtime during important work. For information on setting maintenance warnings, consult the ACQUITY UPLC Console online Help. 78

83 Replacing the column heater s leak sensor Perform this procedure if you must replace the leak sensor. Warning: The leak sensor can be contaminated with biohazardous and/or toxic materials. Always wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when performing this procedure. Required materials T20 TORX driver Phillips screwdriver Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant New leak sensor To replace the column heater s leak sensor: 1. Power-off the SM-FTN. 2. Disconnect the column inlet, active pre-heater, or column stabilizer tubing from injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Location of column, active pre-heater, or column stabilizer inlet tubing 3. Open the SM-FTN door, gently pulling its right-hand edge toward you. Maintaining the column compartments 79

84 4. Press down on the tab to detach the leak sensor connector from the front of the instrument. Press down on tab to release connector Leak sensor connector 5. Disconnect the column outlet PEEK tubing from the detector inlet. 6. Remove any solvent lines routed behind the column heater door. 7. Remove the TORX screw from the right-hand side of the column heater, just behind the ecord receptacle. TORX screw ecord receptacle 8. Gently pull the right-hand side of the column heater toward you, and then slide it to the right, to unseat the tab on the left-hand side of the column heater from the instrument chassis. 80

85 1 2 Caution: To avoid damaging the leak sensor, do not grasp it by the ribbon cable. 9. Remove the leak sensor from its reservoir, grasping it by its serrations, and pull upward on it, tilting it to the left. Serrations 10. Unpack the new leak sensor. Maintaining the column compartments 81

86 11. Align the leak sensor s T-bar with the slot in the side of the leak sensor reservoir, and slide the leak sensor into place. T-bar TP02892 TP02909 Slot in leak sensor reservoir Leak sensor installed in reservoir 12. Plug the leak sensor connector into the front of the instrument. 82

87 13. Insert the tab on the left side of the column heater into the slot on the left side of the instrument chassis. Tab Slot 14. Hold the left-hand side of the column heater into the slot, and guide the ecord receptacle tab on the right-hand side into the cutout in the instrument chassis. Tab Cutout 15. Install and tighten the TORX screw located behind the ecord receptacle. Maintaining the column compartments 83

88 16. Connect the column inlet, active pre-heater, or column stabilizer tubing to injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Location of column stabilizer inlet tubing 17. Connect the column outlet PEEK tubing to the detector inlet. 18. Power-on the SM-FTN. 19. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select Sample Manager FTN from the system tree. 20. In the SM-FTN information window, click Control > Reset SM, to reset the SM-FTN. Replacing the 30-cm column heater s leak sensor The 30-cm column heater s leak sensor can only be replaced by a Waters Technical Service representative. Contact Waters Technical Service for more information. Replacing the column manager s leak sensor Perform this procedure if you must replace the leak sensor in the column manager or the auxiliary column manager. If your system contains only a column manager or both a column manager and one auxiliary column manager, the leak sensor is located on the column manager. If your system contains a column manager and two auxiliary column managers, the leak sensor is located on the lower auxiliary column manager. 84

89 The leak sensor is located in the column manager or auxiliary column manager module, which is itself located at the lowest position in the system stack. Warning: The leak sensor can be contaminated with biohazardous and/or toxic materials. Always wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when performing this procedure. Required materials Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant New leak sensor To replace the column manager s or auxiliary column manager s leak sensor: 1. Power-off the column manager. 2. Open the column manager door. 3. Press down on the tab, to detach the leak sensor connector from the front of the instrument. Press down on tab to release connector Leak sensor connector Caution: To avoid damaging the leak sensor, do not grasp it by the ribbon cable. 4. Remove the leak sensor from its reservoir, grasping it by its serrations, and pulling upward on it. Maintaining the column compartments 85

90 5. Unpack the new leak sensor. 6. Align the leak sensor s T-bar with the slot in the side of the leak sensor reservoir, and slide the leak sensor into place. T-bar TP02892 Slot in leak sensor reservoir Leak sensor installed in reservoir 7. Plug the leak sensor connector into the receptacle on the front of the instrument. Leak sensor connector receptacle 86

91 8. Power-on the column manager. 9. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select Column Manager from the system tree. 10. In the SM-FTN information window, click Control > Reset SM, to reset the SM-FTN. Replacing the column manager switching-valve cartridge Before replacing the switching-valve cartridge, ensure you have the correct part for your system type (ACQUITY H-Class or H-Class Bio). Warning: To prevent injury, always observe Good Laboratory Practices when you handle solvents, change tubing, or operate the column manager. Know the physical and chemical properties of the solvents you use. See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the solvents in use. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when replacing the column. Required materials 1/4-inch open-end wrench Allen wrench, 2-mm (startup kit) Clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves Switching-valve cartridge To replace the column manager switching-valve cartridge: 1. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, select Column Manager from the system tree. 2. In the column manager information window, click Interactive Display. 3. In the column manager interactive display dialog box, click Control. 4. Ensure the switching-valve is set to Waste. Tip: To change the setting to Waste, click System and select Waste. 5. Label the tubing connected to the switching-valve. Maintaining the column compartments 87

92 6. Pull the valve forward, 1/2 to 3/4 inches, and rotate the lock ring clockwise until it rests against the lock ring stop. 7. Use the 1/4-inch wrench to remove the fittings attached to the switching-valve cartridge. Switching-valve cartridge: Lock ring 2-mm hex screw Lock ring stop 8. Use the 2-mm Allen wrench to remove the hex screw at the 10 o clock position on the switching-valve cartridge. 9. Remove the switching-valve cartridge from the switching-valve assembly by pulling straight forward. 10. Unpack the replacement switching-valve cartridge. 11. Ensure that the groove in the cartridge housing aligns with the groove on the drive clamp. 88

93 Tip: If the grooves fail to align, turn the drive clamp until they do so. Be careful not to scratch the drive clamp or body. Switching-valve cartridge housing Aligned grooves Drive clamp 12. Insert the new switching-valve cartridge into the switching-valve cartridge chamber. Requirement: Ensure the new cartridge assumes the same orientation as the old. It must slide fully into the switching-valve assembly. If it does not, contact Waters Technical Service. 13. Insert the 2-mm hex screw at the 10 o clock position on the switching-valve cartridge, and tighten the screw using the 2-mm Allen wrench. 14. Pull the valve forward, 1/2 to 3/4 inches, and rotate the lock ring clockwise until it rests against the stopper. 15. Use the 1/4-inch wrench to reattach all fittings and tighten them 1/4-turn beyond finger-tight for existing fittings, or 3/4-turn beyond finger-tight for new fittings. 16. Rotate the lock ring counterclockwise to the 12 o clock position. 17. Push the switching-valve assembly in until it stops. Maintaining the column compartments 89

94 Replacing the column Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when replacing the column. To remove the column: 1. Stop any running mobile phase. 2. After allowing sufficient time for cooling, open the column heater, column manager, or auxiliary column manager door. 3. On the column manager or auxiliary column manager: a. Push the latches on top of the column compartment cover inward, to disengage them from the latch pins. b. Tilt the column compartment cover forward just enough to clear the valve drip tray. Latch pins Valve drip tray Latches Column compartment cover c. Pull the column compartment cover up and away from the column manager or auxiliary column manager. 90

95 4. Disconnect the outlet of the active pre-heater or column stabilizer tubing from the column or in-line filter. 5. Place the forked end of the collet separator over the collet on the column stabilizer tubing, and gently move it back and forth to pry the reusable fitting loose from the collet. Ferrule Reusable fitting Tubing from active pre-heater, column stabilizer, or injector Collet Collet separator Older, reusable fittings do not have holes in their sides. 6. Replace the ferrule. 7. Continue with the instructions on page 54. Replacing the active pre-heater assembly Before replacing the active pre-heater, ensure you have the correct replacement part for your: System type ACQUITY H-Class or H-Class Bio Column compartment type the length of the active pre-heater inlet tubing varies If you use the active pre-heater when running an HPLC or UPLC method originally developed for use with a column stabilizer, a column temperature adjustment can be necessary. Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when replacing the active pre-heater assembly. Maintaining the column compartments 91

96 Required materials 1/4-inch open-end wrench 5/16-inch open-end wrench Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant Replacement active pre-heater assembly To replace the active pre-heater assembly: 1. Stop any running mobile phase before replacing the active pre-heater assembly. 2. After allowing sufficient time for the instrument to cool, open the column heater, column manager, or auxiliary column manager door. 3. Disconnect the inlet tubing: Column heater disconnect the tubing from injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. 30-cm column heater disconnect the tubing from injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Column manager disconnect the tubing from the appropriate injector port of the switching-valve. The port varies depending on which active pre-heater you are replacing. See the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 2 columns: on page 43, the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 4 columns: on page 44, and the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 6 columns: on page 45. Auxiliary column manager disconnect the tubing from the appropriate injector port of the switching-valve, located in the column manager. See the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 2 columns: on page 43, the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 4 columns: on page 44, and the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 6 columns: on page Follow these steps for a column manager or auxiliary column manager: a. Push the latches on top of the column compartment cover inward, to disengage them from the latch pins. b. Tilt the column compartment cover forward just enough to clear the valve drip tray. 92

97 Latch pins Valve drip tray Latches Column compartment cover c. Pull the column compartment cover up and away from the column manager or auxiliary column manager. 5. Remove the active pre-heater assembly from the retainer. Retainer Active pre-heater assembly 6. Using the 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch open-end wrenches, disconnect the compression fitting that attaches the active pre-heater assembly to the optional in-line filter or to the column. Maintaining the column compartments 93

98 Warning: Never connect active pre-heaters in the upper and lower positions at the same time. Doing so can damage the 30-cm column heater. 7. Install the new active pre-heater assembly in the retainer. If you are replacing the active pre-heater in a 30-cm column heater: Install the active pre-heater in the correct position for your application. UPLC column install the active pre-heater in the upper retainer HPLC column install the active pre-heater in the lower retainer Install the retainer cover in the unused active pre-heater position. 8. Carefully route the active pre-heater assembly inlet tubing to the valve: Column heater route the tubing through the groove on the side of the column compartment, and then through the cutout in the top of the SM-FTN door to the injector. Do not route the tubing behind the SM-FTN door hinge. Note: Do not route the tubing between the sample manager door and hinge, here. Active pre-heater inlet tubing 94

99 30-cm column heater route the tubing through the column heater door. Column manager route the tubing between the column compartment and the side of the SM-FTN s chassis, upward, to the switching valve. Auxiliary column manager route the tubing between the column compartment and the side of the instrument chassis to the switching valve. 9. Remove the O-ring retainer from the inlet end of the active pre-heater assembly tubing, and then connect the inlet tubing to the valve: Column heater connect the tubing to injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. 30-cm column heater connect the tubing to injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Column manager connect the tubing to the appropriate injector port of the switching-valve. The port varies depending on which active pre-heater you are replacing. See the, figure Column manager plumbing connections for 2 columns: on page 43, the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 4 columns: on page 44, and the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 6 columns: on page 45. Auxiliary column manager connect the tubing to the appropriate injector port of the switching-valve, located in the column manager. The port varies depending on which active pre-heater you are replacing. See the, figure Column manager plumbing connections for 2 columns: on page 43, the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 4 columns: on page 44, and the figure Column manager plumbing connections for 6 columns: on page Holding the active pre-heater s reusable compression fitting in place, rotate the column or optional in-line filter onto the fitting until it is snug, and then tighten an additional 3/8-turn. Caution: Always hold the active pre-heater s reusable compression fitting in place when tightening the connection. Tightening the connection by turning the reusable compression fitting can damage the active pre-heater assembly. Maintaining the column compartments 95

100 Replacing the column stabilizer assembly (CH-A only) Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Warning: To prevent electric shock, ensure all waste line tubing is properly connected, and the drip tray is fitted and undamaged. Properly installing the tubing and drip tray keeps waste or solvent from contacting the power cord or cables. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when replacing the column stabilizer assembly. The column stabilizer is for use only with the column heater (CH-A). The column stabilizer is not for use with the column manager or auxiliary column manager. Required materials 1/4-inch open-end wrench 5/16-inch open-end wrench Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant Phillips screwdriver Replacement column stabilizer assembly 96

101 To replace the column stabilizer assembly: 1. Stop any currently running mobile phase before replacing the column stabilizer assembly. 2. Disconnect the inlet tubing from injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Location of column stabilizer inlet tubing 3. Open the column heater door. 4. Using the Phillips screwdriver, loosen the two screws that fasten the column stabilizer assembly to the column compartment tray. 5. Remove the column stabilizer assembly from the thermal gasket. 6. Using the 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch open-end wrenches, disconnect the compression fitting that attaches the column stabilizer assembly to the optional in-line filter or to the column, and then remove the column stabilizer assembly. Maintaining the column compartments 97

102 7. Firmly press the replacement column stabilizer assembly into the thermal gasket. Ensure that the thermal gasket uniformly envelops the sides of the column stabilizer and does not bunch beneath it. Thermal gasket visible along both sides of stabilizer Column stabilizer inlet tubing Threaded holes for Phillips screws Column stabilizer assembly (two styles): For 150-mm column For 50-mm or 100-mm column Reusable fittings Inlet tubing to injector TP

103 8. Carefully route the column stabilizer inlet tubing through the groove on the side of the column compartment. Caution: To avoid stripping the threads, do not overtighten screws. 9. Insert the Phillips screws into the threaded holes, and tighten them gently using the Phillips screwdriver. 10. Route the column stabilizer inlet tubing through the cutout in the top of the SM-FTN door to the injector. Requirement: Do not route the tubing behind the SM-FTN door hinge. 11. Remove the O-ring retainer from the inlet end of the column stabilizer tubing, and then connect the inlet tubing to injector port 6 of the SM-FTN. Note: Do not route the tubing between the sample manager door and hinge, here. Column stabilizer inlet tubing 12. Using the 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch open-end wrenches, connect the compression fitting that attaches the column stabilizer assembly to the optional in-line filter or to the column. Maintaining the column compartments 99

104 Replacing the frit in the in-line filter unit If your system is fitted with the optional in-line filter frit, follow the instructions below to replace the frit. Warning: To prevent burn injuries, set the column temperature to Off, and then allow the column compartment and its components to cool for 60 minutes before touching them. Monitor the column compartment internal temperature to ensure all components are cool. Caution: To prevent contamination, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when replacing the frit in the column in-line filter unit. Recommendation: Because of wear on the non-replaceable compression fittings, replace the in-line filter unit after you use the six frits that accompany the unit. Requirement: Stop any currently running mobile phase before replacing the frit in the in-line filter unit. Required materials 5/16-inch open-end wrench (2) Gloves: clean, powder-free, chemical-resistant Replacement frit To replace the frit in the in-line filter unit: 1. After allowing sufficient time for cooling, open the column heater, column manager, or auxiliary column manager door. 2. Remove the column components (column, in-line filter unit, and active pre-heater or stabilizer tubing assembly). 100

105 Column components: Flow Column In-line filter unit Active pre-heater or column stabilizer tubing assembly Inlet TP02873 Reusable fitting 3. Detach the active pre-heater or column stabilizer tubing assembly from the column in-line filter unit. Requirement: Do not detach the in-line filter unit from the column inlet. 4. Open the in-line filter unit by placing two 5/16-inch open-end wrenches onto the flats as shown. Flow Outlet assembly Frit Inlet nut TP02543 Place wrenches on flats and rotate to assemble and disassemble. 5. Remove the in-line filter unit inlet nut, which contains the used frit. Tips: Discard the frit; it cannot be reused. Over time, the frit can expand inside the in-line filter inlet nut. If you cannot remove the frit from the inlet nut, discard the inlet nut, and replace both the inlet nut and frit. 6. Insert a new frit, and then reassemble the in-line filter unit using the wrenches. Maintaining the column compartments 101

106 7. Reattach the active pre-heater or column stabilizer tubing assembly to the in-line filter unit. 8. Start the mobile phase, examine the assembled components for leaks, and tighten fittings as needed. 9. Return the assembled components to the column compartment. Replacing the column heater/cooler fuse (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC) Caution: Replace fuses with those of the same type and rating. Column heater/cooler fuse ratings require: Two fuses 3.15 A, 250 V Fast-Blo, 5 20 mm (IEC) To install or replace the power supply fuse in the column heater/cooler: 1. Ensure that the power switch is in the Off (0) position, and then remove the power cord from the device s rear panel. 2. Locate the power entry module on the device s rear panel. 3. Insert your fingers into the fuse holder slots on the device s rear panel, and exerting a minimum pressure, pull on the spring-loaded fuse holder, removing it from the rear panel. 102

107 4. Remove and discard the old fuse. 5. Make sure that the replacement fuse is properly rated for the column heater/cooler. 6. Insert the new fuse into the fuse holder. 7. Insert the fuse holder into the receptacle, and gently push until it locks into position. Tip: A clicking sound indicates the fuse holder is locked into position. 8. Connect the power cord to the rear panel power entry module. Cleaning the instrument s exterior (all models) Warning: To prevent burn injuries, adjust the temperature set-point of the column manager to a safe temperature (10 to 30 C) and allow the unit to attain this set-point temperature before handling components within the column compartment. When the column manager is set at a high temperature, all interior surfaces and components are hot. Caution: Always power-off column heater, column manager, or column heater/cooler before cleaning the device. Clean surfaces of the column heater, column manager, auxiliary column manager, or column heater/cooler using only a soft, lint-free paper or cloth dampened with water. Observe these requirements when cleaning device surfaces: Always ensure the electrical power to the device is interrupted. Always use eye and hand protection during the cleaning process. Apply the water to a clean cloth only, and then wipe the device. Never spray or apply the water directly onto any device surface. Maintaining the column compartments 103