Agilent Technologies 1200 series User manual

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Agilent 1200 Series
Vacuum Degasser
Reference Manual

2 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006
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Manual Part Number
G1322-90010
Edition
Edition 02/06
Printed in Germany
Agilent Technologies
Hewlett-Packard-Strasse 8
76337 Waldbronn, Germany
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CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a haz-
ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
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conditions are fully understood and
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A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
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notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and
met.

1200 Series VD Reference Manual 3
In This Guide…
1 Installing the Vacuum Degasser
How to install the vacuum degasser
2 Optimizing Performance
How to optimize the vacuum degasser to achieve best
chromatographic results
3Troubleshooting
Errors, their probable cause, and the action required to correct
them
4 Repairing the Vacuum Degasser
Instructions on how to repair the vacuum degasser
5 Parts and Materials
Detailed illustrations and listings for parts and materials
identification
6 Theory of Operation
The vacuum degasser’s operation and electronics
7 Specifications
Performance specifications of the vacuum degasser
A Appendix
Safety Information

4 1200 Series VD Reference Manual

1200 Series VD Reference Manual 5
Contents
1 Installing the Vacuum Degasser
Site Requirements 10
Unpacking the Vacuum Degasser 13
Optimizing the Stack Configuration 15
Installing the Vacuum Degasser 17
Flow Connections to the Vacuum Degasser 19
Transporting the Vacuum Degasser 22
2 Optimizing Performance
Introduction to the Vacuum Degasser 24
When to Use a Vacuum Degasser? 25
Operation Modes of the Vacuum Degasser 26
Normal Operation Mode 1 27
Normal Operation Mode 2 (Timing Mode) 27
Continuous Mode 28
Error Mode 28
Operational Hints for the Vacuum Degasser 29
Solvent Information 31
Prevent Blocking of Solvent Filters 32
3 Troubleshooting
Status Indicators 34
Hardware Symptoms 36
All Lamps are Off and the Vacuum Degasser Appears Dead 37

6 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
If the Status Indicator is Red 39
If the Status Indicator is Yellow and the Vacuum Pump is not
Running 40
If the Status Lamp is Yellow and the Vacuum Pump Runs
Continuously 41
4 Repairing the Vacuum Degasser
Overview of the Repair Procedures 46
Using the ESD Strap 48
Removing and Refitting the Top Cover 49
Assembling the Main Cover 51
Exchanging the Status Light Pipe 52
Overview of Internal Parts 53
Exchanging Internal Parts 54
Exchanging the Vacuum Chamber 55
Exchanging the Vacuum Pump 57
Exchanging the Solenoid Valve 59
Exchanging the Degasser Control Assembly and the Sensor
Assembly 60
5 Parts and Materials
Vacuum Degasser Parts 64
Cover Parts 66
Sheet Metal Kit 67
Power and Status Light Pipes 68
Accessory Kit 69
Cable Overview 70
Remote Cables 71
Auxiliary Cable 72

1200 Series VD Reference Manual 7
6 Theory of Operation
How the Electronics Work 74
7 Specifications
Performance Specifications 80
A Safety Information
General Safety Information 82
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
(2002/96/EC) 85
Radio Interference 86
Sound Emission 87
Solvent Information 88
Agilent Technologies on Internet 89
Index

8 1200 Series VD Reference Manual

9
Agilent 1200 Series Vacuum Degasser
Reference Manual
Agilent Technologies
1
Installing the Vacuum Degasser
Site Requirements 10
Unpacking the Vacuum Degasser 13
Optimizing the Stack Configuration 15
Installing the Vacuum Degasser 17
Flow Connections to the Vacuum Degasser 19
Transporting the Vacuum Degasser 22

10 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
1Installing the Vacuum Degasser
Site Requirements
A suitable environment is important to ensure optimum performance of the
vacuum degasser.
Power Considerations
The vacuum degasser power supply has wide-ranging capability (see Table 1
on page 11). It accepts any line voltage in the range mentioned below.
Consequently there is no voltage selector in the rear of the vacuum degasser.
There are two externally accessible fuses, that protect the power supply.
Power Cords
Different power cords are offered as options with the vacuum degasser. The
female end of each of the power cords is identical. It plugs into the
power-input socket at the rear of the vacuum degasser. The male end of each of
the power cords is different and designed to match the wall socket of a
particular country or region.
WARNING To disconnect the instrument from line, unplug the pwer cord. The power supply still
uses some power, even if the instrument is switched off.
WARNING Shock hazard or damage of your instrumentation can result, if the devices are
connected to a line voltage higher than specified.
CAUTION Make sure to have easy access to the power cable of the instrument, in order to
disconnect the instrument from line.
WARNING Never use cables other than the ones supplied by Agilent Technologies to ensure
proper functionality and compliance with safety or EMC regulations.

Installing the Vacuum Degasser 1
1200 Series VD Reference Manual 11
Bench Space
The vacuum degasser dimensions and weight (see Table 1) allow to place the
vacuum degasser on almost any desk or laboratory bench. It needs an
additional 2.5 cm (1.0 inches) of space at either side and approximately 8 cm
(3.1 inches) at the rear for the circulation of air and electric connections.
If the bench should carry a complete Agilent 1200 Series system, make sure
that the bench is designed to carry the weight of all the modules.
Environment
Your vacuum degasser will work within specifications at ambient
temperatures and relative humidity as described in Table 1.
WARNING Never operate your instrumentation from a power outlet that has no ground
connection. Never use a power cord other than the power cord designed for your
region.
CAUTION Do not store, ship or use your vacuum degasser under conditions where temperature
fluctuations could cause condensation within the vacuum degasser. Condensation will
damage the system electronics. If your vacuum degasser was shipped in cold weather,
leave it in its box and allow it to warm slowly to room temperature to avoid
condensation.
Table 1 Physical Specifications
Type Specification Comments
Weight 7kg(15.4lbs)
Dimensions (width × depth × height) 345 × 435 × 80 mm (13.5 × 17 × 3.1 inches)
Line Voltage 100 – 120 or 220 – 240 VAC, ±10 % Wide-ranging capability
Line Frequency 50 or 60 Hz, ± 5 %
Power consumption 30 W Maximum
Ambient Operating Temperature 0 – 55 °C (32 – 131 °F)*see page 11
Ambient Non-operating Temperature -40 – 70 °C (-4 – 158 °F)

12 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
1Installing the Vacuum Degasser
Humidity < 95 %, at 25 – 40 °C (77 – 104 °F) Non-condensing
Operating Altitude Up to 2000 m (6500 ft)
Non-operating Altitude Up to 4600 m (14950 ft) For storing the instrument
Safety Standards: IEC, CSA, UL Installation Category II, Pollution Degree 2
* This temperature range represents the technical specifications for this instrument. The mentioned temperatures may not be
suitable for all applications and all types of solvents.
WARNING Never operate your instrumentation under conditions other than specified by the
vendor. Operating the instrumentation under conditions other than their intended
use might result in a potential safety hazard or might damage the instrumentation.
Table 1 Physical Specifications, (continued)
NOTE The Agilent 1200 Series vacuum degasser has been tested for evaporation of solvents into
the atmosphere by an independent institute with approved methods. The tests were
performed with Methanol (BIA Nr. 7810) and Acetonitrile (NIOSH, Nr. 1606). Evaporation of
these solvents into the atmosphere when operating the degasser was below the limits of
detection.

Installing the Vacuum Degasser 1
1200 Series VD Reference Manual 13
Unpacking the Vacuum Degasser
Damaged Packaging
Upon receipt of your vacuum degasser, inspect the shipping containers for any
signs of damage. If the containers or cushioning material are damaged, save
them until the contents have been checked for completeness and the vacuum
degasser has been mechanically and electrically checked. If the shipping
container or cushioning material is damaged, notify the carrier and save the
shipping material for the carriers inspection.
Delivery Checklist
Ensure all parts and materials have been delivered with the vacuum degasser.
The delivery checklist is shown below. To aid in parts identification, please see
"Parts and Materials" on page 63. Please report missing or damaged parts to
your local Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office.
CAUTION If there are signs of damage, please do not attempt to install the vacuum degasser.
Table 2 Vacuum Degasser Delivery Checklist
Description Quantity
Vacuum Degasser 1
Power Cable 1
Remote Cable 1
Auxiliary Cable As ordered
Reference Manual 1
Accessory Kit (Tabl e 3 on
page 14)
1

14 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
1Installing the Vacuum Degasser
Accessory Kit Contents
Table 3 Accessory Kit Contents G1322-68705
Description Part Number Quantity
Syringe*
* Reorder Number (pack of 10)
5062-8534 1
Syringe Adapter 9301-1337 1
Mounting Tool 0100-1710 1
Waste Tube**
** Reorder Number (5m)
5062-2463 1
Connecting Tubes labeled A to D G1322-67300 4

Installing the Vacuum Degasser 1
1200 Series VD Reference Manual 15
Optimizing the Stack Configuration
If your vacuum degasser is part of a system, you can ensure optimum
performance by limiting the configuration of the system stack to the following
configuration. This configuration optimizes the system flow path, ensuring
minimum delay volume (from point of solvent mixing to head of column) and
dead volume (from point of injection to detector outlet).
Figure 1 Recommended Stack Configuration (Front View)
Instant Pilot
Detector
Column Compartment
Autosampler
Quaternary Pump
Vacuum Degasser
Solvent Cabinet

16 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
1Installing the Vacuum Degasser
Figure 2 Recommended Stack Configuration (Rear View)
LAN to
LC ChemStation
AC power
Analog signal
to recorder
Remote cable
CAN Bus cable to
handheld controller
CAN Bus cable for inter
module communication
Pressure output to
recorder

Installing the Vacuum Degasser 1
1200 Series VD Reference Manual 17
Installing the Vacuum Degasser
1Place the vacuum degasser on the bench.
2Ensure the power switch on the front of the vacuum degasser is OFF
(switch stands out).
3Connect the power cable to the power connector at the rear of the vacuum
degasser.
4Connect the interface cable to the vacuum degasser. The interface cable
(remote cable) is a one way connection to send a not-ready signal from the
degasser to the other modules to shut down the whole system after an error
condition of the degasser.
Parts required Vacuum degasser
Power cable
Interface cable as ordered, see "Cable Overview" on page 70
Preparation Locate bench space
Provide power connections
Unpack the vacuum degasser module
NOTE In an Agilent 1200 Series system, the individual modules are connected through a CAN
cable. The Agilent 1200 Series vacuum degasser is an exception . The vacuum degasser
can be connected via the APG remote connector to the other modules of the stack. The
AUX output allows to monitor the vacuum pressure in the degasser chamber. An
Agilent 1200 Series control module can be connected to the CAN bus at any of the modules
in the system except for the degasser. The Agilent ChemStation can be connected to the
system through one GPIB or LAN cable at any of the modules (except for the degasser),
preferably at the detector. For more information about connecting the control module or
Agilent ChemStation refer to the respective user manual.

18 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
1Installing the Vacuum Degasser
5Press in the power switch to turn on the vacuum degasser.
Figure 3 Rear of the Vacuum Degasser
Figure 4 Front of the Vacuum Degasser
Power socket
Fuse holder
Power switch
Serial number
Waste outlet
Status indicator
NOTE The power switch stays pressed in and a green indicator lamp in the power switch is ON
when the vacuum degasser is turned ON. When the line power switch stands out and the
green light is OF, the vacuum degasser is turned OFF.

Installing the Vacuum Degasser 1
1200 Series VD Reference Manual 19
Flow Connections to the Vacuum Degasser
1Place solvent cabinet with the bottle(s) on top of the vacuum degasser.
2Remove the front cover by pressing the snap fasteners on both sides.
3If the vacuum degasser is not used with an Agilent 1200 Series pump,
connect the waste tube from the accessory kit to the waste outlet and place
into your waste system.
4Put the bottle head assemblies into solvent bottles containing your mobile
phase.
5Connect the solvent tubes from the bottle head assemblies to the inlet
connectors A to D (typically the left connection of the channel) of the
Parts required Solvent cabinet including solvent bottles (filled with solvent) and bottle head
assemblies
Vacuum degasser
Solvent outlet tubes
Syringe with adapter
Preparation Install the vacuum degasser
Figure 5 Removing the Front Cover
WARNING When working on capillary or tube fittings solvents may leak out. Please observe
appropriate safety procedures (for example, goggles, safety gloves and protective
clothing) as described in the material handling and safety data sheet supplied by the
solvent vendor, especially when toxic, flammable or hazardous solvents are used.

20 1200 Series VD Reference Manual
1Installing the Vacuum Degasser
vacuum degasser. Use the mounting tool shown in Figure 6 to fix the tube
screw. Fix the tubes in the clips of the vacuum degasser.
6Connect the outlet tubes to the output ports (typically right connection of
the channel) of the vacuum degasser.
7Prime the degasser before first use (see "Priming the Degasser" on page 29).
Figure 6 Mounting Tool
NOTE Atmospheric gases can diffuse through the tubing and dissolve in the mobile phase
solvents. For best chromatographic results, keep the length of tubing between the vacuum
degasser and your pump as short as possible.