General Principles - Waters ACQUITY UPLC M-Class System Manual

4 Maintaining the system

General principles

Follow these general principles for troubleshooting the ACQUITY UPLC
M-Class system:
• Consider the likely causes of the problem. For example, unresponsive
modules can mean that power or signal cables are disconnected or
improperly connected. A fluid or vacuum leak can indicate defective
tubing or valve connections.
• Look for the less obvious causes of a problem:
– Confirm the system back pressure is appropriate.
– Determine the flow rate using a graduated cylinder.
– Determine gradient accuracy.
– Perform a column efficiency test, if indicated.
• Define problems in detail, for example:
– Complete failure of analysis
– Peaks incorrectly identified
– Quantitative problems (bad precision or accuracy)
• Run a standard exactly as it was run at installation
– Use a fresh, tested column
– Use bottled, tested eluents
• Adhere to these guidelines when evaluating results of the standard
runs:
– Retention times must be identical for replicate injections
– Retention times must match those specified for the method
– Peak areas must match the results acquired on installation
50 March 10, 2014, 715003588 Rev. A