Thermo Scientific FOCUS GC, Instruction Manual, Page: 133 / 356

Chapter 7
Installation Column
Instruction Manual 133
Preparing a Capillary Column
To prepare metal or fused silica capillary column operate as follows:
CAUTION Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling,
cutting, or installing columns. Be careful handling columns to avoid accidental hand
injuries.
Fused Silica Capillary Column
To obtain a correct cut of fused silica capillary column, use ceramic scoring wafer
or sapphire scribe.
Materials required:
• ceramic scoring wafer
1. Hold the capillary column between your thumb and index finger with the
column extending past the tip of your index finger.
2. Score the column very gently. Excessive force could crush the column end.
3. Snap off the end of the column.
4. Inspect the column end for an even, flat cut.
Metal Capillary Column
To obtain a correct cut of metal capillary column, use a triangular file.
Materials required:
• Triangular file
1. Hold the capillary column between your thumb and index finger with the
column extending past the tip of your index finger.
2. Score all round the column very gently.
3. Snap off the end of the column.
4. Inspect the column end for an even, flat cut.