PerkinElmer 200 UV/VIS Series, User Manual

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Maintenance General Performance
7 - 2
General Performance
This chapter contains the information needed to keep the Series 200 UV/VIS LC Detector in
optimal operating condition. With proper care and adherence to good chromatographic prin-
ciples, the Series 200 UV/VIS LC Detector will give you the high sensitivity and operating
versatility it was designed to provide. This maintenance chapter covers the following areas:
• Routine maintenance and upkeep.
• Troubleshooting an inoperative or malfunctioning detector.
There are several routine maintenance checks that should be made from time to time in
order to determine if noise, drift, and general performance are acceptable. The procedure
outlined here takes the user through a step-by-step maintenance check.
It must be remembered that the Series 200 UV/VIS LC Detector is just a single component
in a complete HPLC system. Though they may manifest themselves in the detector's output,
problems such as baseline instability can also be caused by leaky pumps and contaminated
columns and injection valves. Each component must be isolated and checked individually to
determine its contribution, if any, to the observed problem. The tests below assume that the
user is reasonably certain that other system components are operating properly.
Before calling for assistance, review the infor-
mation and troubleshooting methods described
in this chapter. Service calls and downtime can
often be minimized by a systematic approach
that will identify what may be a simple problem.