Thermo Scientific DSQ II, Hardware Manual

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1
Basic Operations
Installing a Column into the GC/MS System
8 DSQ II Hardware Manual Thermo Scientific
k. Expect a K-factor of about 0.7 – 0.9 for a 15 m, 0.25 mm i.d. column (1.3 – 2.0 for
a 30 m, 0.25 mm i.d. column). If the column does not report a K-factor within this
range or within 0.1 units of the previous stored value, check for a leak or broken
column using the leak detector. The K-factor is a measured resistance for the column.
A K-factor that is too low may indicate a leak in the system, while a K-factor that is
too high may indicate a blockage.
4. Perform a column leak check.
a. Carefully push the capillary column end into the column section of the column-flow
meter connector, as shown in
Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Leak Check
b. Press Leak Check to access the Leak Check Columns menu.
c. Scroll to a channel to open the left or right column’s leak check menu.
CAUTION - INSTRUMENT DAMAGE: Do not allow the clear plastic component to
exceed 80 °C. Otherwise, it will melt and damage the instrument.
Note The available options (Right column or Left column) will differ depending
on the configuration of your GC.
LEAK CHECK COLUMN
Right column
Left column <
1. This item appears if the relevant channel is
present and configured.
L. COL. LEAK CHECK
Start Leak Check
Leak Check Settings
A B C