2. Do not over-tighten the finger-tight. Over-tightening affects the flow pattern through the
tubing (turbulence) and may strongly decrease flow cell performance.
3. Connect 0.5 mm ID PEEK tubing to the outlet of the flow cell. Use only the factory-supplied
finger-tights in the flow cell. Others may cause serious damage. Again (see above), do not
over-tighten the finger-tight.
4. Turn on the HPLC pump. Keep some tissues at hand because you will probably spill some
mobile phase during this mounting procedure.
5. Fill the flow cell, keeping it at an angle of about 45° with the outlet (LC out) on top to force
the air through the outlet.
6. Position the flow cell in its clamp in the controller with the REF at the lower side and the
outlet at the upper side. This prevents bubble entrapment.
7. Connect the cell cable as illustrated in
Figure 16–8: Installation of flow cell (Page 164)
.
Warning:
Never switch ON the flow cell when:
• The cell cable is not correctly connected.
• The cell is only partly (or not at all) filled with buffer/electrolyte.
• The outside of the flow cell is wet, particularly the part between the auxiliary
and working electrode connection, because substantial damage to the
working electrode or electronics may occur.
Maximum detection stability is attained when not only the flow cell but also the HPLC
column is incorporated in the controller. The controller has an integrated Faraday cage and
an accurately thermostatted oven compartment that ensures stable working conditions.
Installing the flow cell and column within such a controlled environment is the minimum
requirement for high-quality LC-EC trace analyses.
16.3.2 VT-03 flow cell with salt bridge REF
The flow cell is assembled when it arrives. The force on the bolts is preset to 13 Ncm (a little bit
beyond finger-tight). Familiarize yourself with this force, because over-tightening of the bolts
strongly deteriorates the S/N ratio and eventually the cell itself. Also, be aware that the black
marks on both blocks should be in line. For instructions on assembling the cell, see
the micro flow cell (Page 168)
.
December 16, 2021, 715007395 Ver. 00
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