MicroCal iTC
200
Operating Instructions
28-9639-77
AA
57
Troubleshooting 6
How to get help 6.1
6 Troubleshooting
6.1
How to get help
Please contact us for any instrument or data analysis questions or issues you may have.
For contact/ordering/service inquiries, visit: www.gelifesciences.com/contact, or for
MicroCal-specific information, visit: www.gelifesciences.com/microcal
When e-mailing for technical assistance, if possible, please attach a recent data file(s)
(*.itc, raw ITC data file) that demonstrates the problem. Also, please include all details
that may be relevant to the problem. For instance, where the problem or question
relates to post run data analysis, it is best to attach both the raw data file (
*
.itc) and the
Origin project file (*.opj) and/or Excel (
*
.xls
)
spreadsheet generated during data analysis.
There are two general categories of troubleshooting for the MicroCal iTC
200
and its
operation. The most extreme category is when a system is not working at all. Problems
that prevent users from operating the instrument require immediate consultation with
a GE Healthcare technician. Customers should not attempt to repair the hardware or
software unless instructed to do so by a MicroCal service representative.
The second, and less extreme general category of a problem is when an MicroCal iTC
200
instrument is functioning, but is not operating within its normal performance
specifications. Large baseline drifting, non-repeatable control peaks (water/water) and/
or an increase in short term noise level are examples of performance problems.
These problems may be corrected by the operator in most cases. For these types of
performance issues it is recommended that customers carry out the following
minimum diagnostic steps prior to requesting service:
Diagnostic steps:
1
Thoroughly clean the cells. Do not assume they are clean; build-up or unexpected
sample residue will cause problems. As a minimum, use the Washing Module to
perform a
Cell Water Rinse (Long)
. Discretion may call for a more rigorous cleaning
procedure.
2
Using a clean Hamilton syringe, refill both the reference and sample cells with
filtered degassed water.
3
Thoroughly clean the titration syringe or use a different syringe.
4
Load the syringe with water.
5
Within the MicroCal iTC
200
software, activate the extended data mode by clicking
the
Extended Data Mode
box in the
Real Time Plot
tab. While the software is in the
extended data mode, the ITC data files will contain all available information
produced by MicroCal iTC
200
. This additional information will often help the
MicroCal technician diagnose problems.
