VP-ITC MicroCalorimeter User’s Manual
How to Get Help From MicroCal
The service department at MicroCal, LLC is available to help you during normal business hours, Monday
through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST). Service personnel may be contacted by e-mail, phone or
fax, with the preference being by phone or e-mail. When e-mailing MicroCal for technical assistance, if
possible, please attach a recent data file(s) (*.itc, raw ITC data files) that demonstrate the problem. Also,
please include with the correspondence, all details that may be relevant to the problem. In instances where
the problem or question relates to post run data analysis, it is best to attach the raw data file (*.ITC) and the
Origin document (*.opj) generated during data analysis.
There are 2 general categories of problems associated with the VP-ITC and its operation. The most
extreme category is when a system is simply not working, at all.
Problems that prevent users from
operating the VP-ITC require immediate consultation with a MicroCal technician. Customers
should not attempt to repair the VP-ITC hardware or software unless instructed to do so by a
MicroCal service representative
.
The second, and less extreme general category of problems is when a VP-ITC 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 all examples of performance
problems, typically correctable by the operator. For performance issues such as these it is recommended
that customers carry out the following minimum diagnostic steps prior to contacting MicroCal for service:
1.)
Thoroughly clean the cells. Do not assume they are clean. As a minimum, use the provided
Cell Cleaning Apparatus to pass 500 ml of a 10-25% ammoniated detergent in water solution,
followed by 500 ml of cold water rinse, through the sample cell. Discretion may call for a
more rigorous cleaning procedure as described herein.
2.)
Refill both the reference and sample cells with filtered, degassed water. Fill a thoroughly
cleaned syringe with water and/or use a different syringe.
3.)
Go to the
Setup/Maintenance
window within VPViewer 2000 (as described, starting on page
27) and activate the extended data mode. (While in extended data mode, ITC data files will
contain all available information produced by the VP-ITC and often times is helpful in
diagnosis of problems).
4.)
Carry out a minimum of 25, 10
µ
L injections of water into water
5.)
Consult the troubleshooting section of this manual.
If, after completion of the 5 steps listed above, the ITC performance is not corrected, contact the MicroCal
service department for help. The water run, in extended data mode, should be provided to the MicroCal
service technician for evaluation. The service department with comments and recommendations will then
contact customers.
MicroCal, LLC Contact Information:
Primary Contact Phone
413-586-7720
Toll Free Phone Number
800-633-3115
Facsimile 413-586-0149
Web Site:
www.MicroCalorimetry.com
Please forward corrections or suggestions concerning this manual to
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