Agilent Technologies 490 User manual

Agilent 490 
Micro Gas
Chromatograph
User Manual

Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2014
No part of this manual may be reproduced
in any form or by any means (including
electronic storage and retrieval or transla-
tion into a foreign language) without prior
agreement and written consent from 
Agilent Technologies, Inc. as governed by
United States and international copyright
laws.
Manual Part Number
G3581-90001
Edition
Third edition, February 2014
Printed in The Netherlands
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
P.O. Box 8033
4330 EA Middelburg 
The Netherlands
Warranty
The material contained in this docu-
ment is provided “as is,” and is sub-
ject to being changed, without notice,
in future editions. Further, to the max-
imum extent permitted by applicable
law, Agilent disclaims all warranties,
either express or implied, with regard
to this manual and any information
contained herein, including but not
limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a par-
ticular purpose. Agilent shall not be
liable for errors or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection
with the furnishing, use, or perfor-
mance of this document or of any
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written agreement with warranty
terms covering the material in this
document that conflict with these
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arate agreement shall control.
Technology Licenses
The hardware and/or software described in
this document are furnished under a
license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of such license.
Restricted Rights Legend
If software is for use in the performance of
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ment users will receive no greater than
Limited Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-14
(June 1987) or DFAR 252.227-7015 (b)(2)
(November 1995), as applicable in any
technical data.
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a 
hazard. It calls attention to an oper-
ating procedure, practice, or the
like that, if not correctly performed
or adhered to, could result in 
damage to the product or loss of
important data. Do not proceed
beyond a CAUTION notice until the
indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly per-
formed or adhered to, could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and met.

490 Micro GC User Manual 3
Contents
1 Introduction
Safety Information 8
Important safety warnings 8
Hydrogen safety 8
Safety symbols 9
Safety and regulatory information 9
General safety precautions 10
Shipping Instructions 13
Cleaning 13
Instrument Disposal 13
2 Instrument Overview
Front View 16
Back View 17
Inside View 18
Carrier Gas Connection 21
Sample Gas 23
Handling a sample 23
Using the external filter unit 23
Heated sample lines 24
Connecting to a heated sample line 25
Power 26
Power source 26
Power Requirements 26
Disposal 26
Specifications 27
Ambient Pressure 27
Ambient Temperature 27
Maximum Operation Altitude 27
28

4490 Micro GC User Manual
3 Installation and Use
Pre-Installation Requirements 30
Inspect the Shipping Packages 30
Unpack the Micro GC 31
Review the Packing List 32
Install the 490 Micro GC 33
Step 1: Install gas regulators and set pressures 33
Step 2: Connect carrier gas 33
Step 3: Connect to the checkout sample 33
Step 4: Connect to power 33
Step 5: Connect to the data system computer (or LAN) 34
Step 6a: Assign an IP address - for a Micro GC with main board
CP740010 34
Step 6b: Assign an IP address - for a Micro GC with main board
G3581-65000 37
Step 7: Note the Micro GC startup cycle 40
Step 8: Complete Micro GC configuration in the data system 40
Create the Test Method 41
Perform a Series of Runs 42
Shut Down Procedure 43
Long Storage Recovery Procedure 43
4 GC Channels
Carrier Gas 46
Micro Electronic Gas Control (EGC) 47
Injector 47
Column 48
Molsieve 5Å columns 49
CP-Sil 5 CB columns 50
CP-Sil CB columns 51
PoraPlot 10m column 52
Hayesep A 40 cm heated column 53
COX and AL203/KCI columns 54
MES (NGA) and CP-WAX 52 CB columns 55
Column conditioning 56
Backflush Option 57
Tuning 59
To disable backflush 59
TCD Detector 60

490 Micro GC User Manual 5
5 Communications
Access the Connection Ports 62
490 Chromatography Data Systems 63
Ethernet Networks 64
IP Addresses 65
Example network configurations 66
To restore the factory default IP address 69
To change the Micro GC network settings 70
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 71
Glossary of network terms 71
External Digital I/O 73
External Analog I/O 74
Micro GC Cycle with Constant Pressure 75
Micro GC Cycle with Ramped Pressure 76
6 Errors
Error Handling 78
Error List 79

6490 Micro GC User Manual

7
Agilent 490 Micro Gas Chromatograph
User Manual
1
Introduction
Safety Information 8
Shipping Instructions 13
Cleaning 13
Instrument Disposal 13
This chapter provides important information about using the
Agilent 490 Micro Gas Chromatograph (Micro GC) safely. To
prevent any injury to you or any damage to the instrument it is
essential that you read the information in this chapter.

8490 Micro GC User Manual
1Introduction
Safety Information
Important safety warnings
There are several important safety notices that you should always
keep in mind when using the Micro GC.
Hydrogen safety
Hydrogen is a commonly used GC carrier gas. When mixed with air,
hydrogen can form explosive mixtures and has other dangerous
characteristics.
•Hydrogen is combustible over a wide range of concentrations. At
atmospheric pressure, hydrogen is combustible at concentrations
from 4% to 74.2% by volume.
•Hydrogen has the highest burning velocity of any gas.
•Hydrogen has a very low ignition energy.
•Hydrogen that is allowed to expand rapidly from high pressure into
the atmosphere can self-ignite.
•Hydrogen burns with a nonluminous flame which can be invisible
under bright light.
WARNING
When
When handling or using chemicals for preparation or use within
the Micro GC, all applicable local and national laboratory safety
practices must be followed. This includes, but is not limited to,
correct use of Personal Protective Equipment, correct use of
storage vials, and correct handling of chemicals, as defined in the
laboratory’s internal safety analysis and standard operating
procedures. Failure to adhere to laboratory safety practices could
lead to injury or death.
WARNING
When using hydrogen (H2) as the carrier gas, be aware that hydrogen gas
can create a fire or explosion hazard. Be sure that the supply is turned off
until all connections are made.
Hydrogen is flammable. Leaks, when confined in an enclosed space, may
create a fire or explosion hazard. In any application using hydrogen, leak
test all connections, lines, and valves before operating the instrument.
Always turn off the hydrogen supply at its source before working on the
instrument.

Introduction 1
490 Micro GC User Manual 9
Safety symbols
Warnings in the manual or on the instrument must be observed during
all phases of operation, service, and repair of this instrument. Failure
to comply with these precautions violates safety standards of design
and the intended use of the instrument. Agilent Technologies assumes
no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these
requirements.
Safety and regulatory information
This instrument and its accompanying documentation comply
with the CE specifications and the safety requirements for
electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory
use (CEI/IEC 1010-1)CCSAUS and FCC-b.
This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment

WARNING:
Shock hazard
Indicates dangerous voltage. (Terminals fed
from the interior by voltage exceeding
1000 V must be so marked.)

WARNING:
Burn hazard

Indicates parts that may cause burns when
touched.

Instruction
Manual

Indicates that the user should refer to the
manual before operating the equipment.



Protective
Conductor terminal
For protection against electrical shock in
case of a fault. Used with field wiring
terminals to indicate the terminal, which
must be connected to the ground before
operating equipment.


Skin puncture
Indicates sharp or suddenly moving parts
such as injection needles that may cause
injury.

Static discharge
Warning
Indicates instrument contains parts that can
be damaged by electrostatic discharge. Take
care for proper grounding before handling.


Do not touch

Touching this item may result in damage to
the instrument or personal injury.

10 490 Micro GC User Manual
1Introduction
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.
NOTICE This instrument has been tested per applicable
requirements of EMC Directive as required to carry the
European Union CE Mark. As such, this equipment may be
susceptible to radiation/interference levels or frequencies,
which are not within the tested limits.
General safety precautions
Follow the following safety practices to ensure safe equipment
operation:
•Perform periodic leak checks on all supply lines and
pneumatic plumbing.
•Do not allow gas lines to become kinked or punctured. Place
lines away from foot traffic and extreme heat or cold.
•Store organic solvents in fireproof, vented and clearly
labeled cabinets so they are easily identified as either toxic,
or flammable, or both types of materials.
•Do not accumulate waste solvents. Dispose of such materials
through a regulated disposal program and not through
municipal sewage lines.
WARNING
This instrument is designed for chromatographic analysis of
appropriately prepared samples. It must be operated using
appropriate gases or solvents and within specified maximum
ranges for pressure, flows, and temperatures as described in this
manual. If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the
manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.