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4.4
Noisy or Drifting Baseline
•
Flow system leak ahead of cell; erratic baseline
Check all fittings and liquid lines for leaks. Tighten or, if necessary, replace
all liquid line connections. If the connections are made with ferrule fittings,
first refer to Installation of Dionex Ferrule Fittings for tightening
requirements.
•
Pump not properly primed
Prime the pump as instructed in the pump manual.
•
Rapid changes in ambient temperature
Direct heating and air conditioning vents away from the cell.
Install the cell in a chromatography oven.
•
Insufficient system equilibration following any changes to operating
parameters; especially apparent when operating at high sensitivities
Allow longer system equilibration before beginning operation.
•
(DC Amperometry and Integrated Amperometry modes)—Air bubbles
trapped inside cell
While wearing gloves and eye protection, generate a slight temporary
backpressure by putting your finger over the end of the cell outlet tubing for 5
to 10 seconds. Repeat two or three times. If the baseline does not improve,
check for other causes of baseline instability, which are described in this
section.
To prevent air from becoming trapped in the cell in the future, increase the
backpressure on the cell by installing backpressure tubing on the cell outlet.
•
(DC Amperometry and Integrated Amperometry modes)—Frequent,
random spikes in the baseline
The reference electrode diaphragm is plugged. First, try regenerating the
reference electrode frit by soaking the electrode in a solution of 1 M KCl plus
1 M HCl. If this does not eliminate the spiking, replace the electrode
(P/N 046333).
Doc. 065551-01 6/13
4 • Troubleshooting
4-3
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