5
– Troubleshooting Guide
Thermo Scientific
Product Manual for the ERS 500 Suppressor
Page 66 of 84
031956-11
For Research Use Only. Not for Use in Diagnostic Procedures.
5.6
Decreased Sensitivity
A.
Check for leaks throughout the system. If a fitting is leaking, tighten it carefully until
the leak stops. Do not over tighten. If the Dionex ERS 500, Dionex ERS 500e or
Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate is observed to be leaking from the center or bottom
seam, see
, “Liquid Leaks.” If you cannot cure the problem yourself, call the
nearest Thermo Fisher Scientific Regional Office (see, “Thermo Fisher Scientific
Regional Offices”) for assistance.
B.
Ensure that the injection valve is operating correctly. Refer to the valve manuals that
accompany the chromatography module for troubleshooting assistance. For slider
valves, be sure to check the slider port faces for damage.
C.
Pursue regeneration of the suppressor as outlined in
D.
If sensitivity remains low, clean the suppressor membrane (see
ERS 500, Dionex ERS 500e and Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate Suppressor Cleanup”
E.
Check the backpressure coils. Verify that they are not exceeding 40 psi in the current
plumbing configuration and flow rate.
F.
Replace the suppressor if cleaning the suppressor membrane does not restore
sensitivity.
G.
Contact the nearest Thermo Fisher Scientific Regional Office (see, “Thermo Fisher
Scientific Worldwide Offices”) if you cannot solve the problem on your own.
5.7
System Back Pressure Increases Over Time
If the increased back pressure does not affect system performance, no maintenance is necessary.
A.
Check the inlet frits on the guard and analytical column and replace them if necessary.
The most common cause of increasing system back pressure is a contaminated frit in
the analytical or guard column inlet end fitting. The complete instructions for replacing
column bed support assemblies are in Document No. 032285. Recheck the system back
pressure. If it remains high, go on to the next step.
B.
Check the backpressure coils. If removing the backpressure coils lowers the pressure
by more than 40 psi, replace the coils or remove the blockage causing the increased
pressure. Backpressure over 450 psi after the suppressor can cause irreversible damage.
C.
Find and eliminate any system blockage. Bypass the Dionex ERS 500, Dionex ERS
500e or Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate by coupling the lines attached to the ELUENT
IN and ELUENT OUT ports. If the back pressure decreases by less than 150 psi with
the suppressor out of line, a blockage in the system rather than in the suppressor is
causing the high pressure.
D.
Remove a blockage from the suppressor by reversing the eluent flow. If the back
pressure decreases by more than 150 psi with the suppressor out of line, the high
pressure may be caused by a blockage in the suppressor. Reverse the direction of flow
of both the eluent and the external water through the suppressor. After the pressure
drops, allow eluent, or eluent and regenerant, to flow to waste for several minutes after
the pressure drops. Perform step A of
, “Startup” and reinstall the
suppressor in the appropriate configuration.
