Agilent Technologies 990 Micro GC User guide

Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC
Chromatograph
Safety Manual

Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2019
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Manual Part Number
G3588-90000
Edition
First edition, October 2019
Printed in USA
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
2850 Centerville Road 
Wilmington, DE 19808-1610 USA
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Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a 
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating 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
performed or adhered to, could
result in personal injury or
death. Do not proceed beyond a
WARNING notice until the
indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.

Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual 3
Contents
Important Safety Warnings 5
Hydrogen Safety 9
Power 11
Safety and Regulatory Certifications 13
Safety Symbols 16
Electromagnetic compatibility 17
Intended Use 18
Cleaning 18
Recycling the Product 18

4 Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual

Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual 5
Important Safety Warnings
There are several important safety notices that you should always keep in mind
when using the Micro GC.
WARNING
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
(PPE), 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.
Lifting
WARNING
The GC is heavy. To avoid injury, use a two–person lift.
CAUTION
Prior to moving, disconnect all electrical and gas connections and completely
close all covers and enclosures.
CAUTION
Make sure your GC has adequate distance from the wall and other instruments.
CAUTION
For the Mobile Micro GC, make sure lid is closed.
CAUTION
Prior to moving, toggle the battery switch off. See the Mobile Micro GC User
Manual (G3588-90015) for detailed information.

Important Safety Warnings
6 Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual
Electrostatic discharge is a threat to GC
electronics
The printed circuit (PC) boards in the GC can be damaged by electrostatic
discharge. Do not touch any of the boards unless it is absolutely necessary. If
you must handle them, wear a grounded wrist strap and take other antistatic
precautions. Wear a grounded wrist strap any time you must remove the GC
right side cover.
Many parts are dangerously hot
Many parts of the GC operate at temperatures high enough to cause serious
burns. These parts include but are not limited to:
•The inlet area
•The injector area
•The column area
•The sample line area
•The detector area
•The column nuts attaching the column to an inlet or detector
•The valve box
You should always cool these areas of the GC to room temperature before
working on them. If you must perform maintenance on hot parts, use a wrench
and wear thermally protective gloves.
Whenever possible, cool the instrument part that you will be maintaining before
you begin working on it.
WARNING
The insulation around the injector, sample line, and column heater is made of
refractory ceramic fibers. To avoid inhaling fiber particles, we recommend the
following safety procedures: ventilate your work area; wear long sleeves,
gloves, safety glasses, and a disposable dust/mist respirator; dispose of
insulation in a sealed plastic bag; wash your hands with mild soap and cold
water after handling the insulation.

Important Safety Warnings
Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual 7
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 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.
WARNING
It is the responsibility of the customer to inform Agilent customer support
representatives if the instrument has been used for the analysis of hazardous
samples, prior to any instrument service being performed or when an
instrument is being returned for repair.
•Avoid exposure to potentially dangerous voltages. Disconnect the instrument
from all power sources before removing protective panels.
•When it is necessary to use a non-original power cord and plug, make sure
the replacement cord adheres to the color coding and polarity described in
the manual and all local building safety codes.
•Replace faulty or frayed power cords immediately with the same type and
rating.
•Place this instrument in a location with sufficient ventilation to remove gases
and vapors. Make sure there is enough space around the instrument for it to
cool off sufficiently.
•Do not turn on the instrument if there is a possibility of any kind of electrical
damage. Instead, disconnect the power cord and contact your local Agilent
sales office.
•Before plugging in your instrument, verify that the voltage of your local power
source is set appropriately.

Important Safety Warnings
8 Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual
•The supplied power cord must be inserted into a power outlet with a
protective ground connection. When using an extension cord, make sure that
the cord is also properly grounded.
•Do not change any external or internal grounding connections, as this could
endanger you or damage the instrument.
•The instrument is properly grounded when shipped. You do not need to make
any changes to the electrical connections or to the instrument chassis to
ensure safe operation.
•When working with this instrument, follow the regulations for Good
Laboratory Practices (GLP). Take care to wear safety glasses and
appropriate clothing.
•Do not place containers with flammable liquids on this instrument. Spilling
liquid over hot parts may cause fire.
•
This instrument may use flammable or explosive gases, such as hydrogen gas
under pressure. Before operating the instrument be sure to be familiar with and
to follow accurately the operation procedures prescribed for those gases.
•Never try to repair or replace any component that is not described in this
manual without the assistance of an Agilent service engineer. Unauthorized
repairs or modifications will result in rejection of warranty claims.
•Always disconnect the AC power cord before attempting any type of
maintenance.
•Use proper tools when working on the instrument to prevent danger to you or
damage to the instrument.
•Do not attempt to replace any battery or fuse in this instrument other than as
specified in the manual.
•
Damage can result if the instrument is stored under unfavorable conditions for
prolonged periods. (For example, damage will occur if stored while subject to
heat, water, or other conditions exceeding the allowable operating conditions).
•This unit has been designed and tested in accordance with recognized safety
standards and designed for use indoors.
•If the instrument is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the instrument may be impaired.
•Substituting parts or performing any unauthorized modification to the
instrument may result in a safety hazard.
•Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the responsible party
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Hydrogen Safety
Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual 9
Hydrogen Safety
Hydrogen is a commonly used GC carrier gas. When mixed with air, hydrogen
can form explosive mixtures and has other dangerous characteristics.
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.
•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.
•If hazardous gases are used, ensure there is proper exhaust ventilation.

Hydrogen Safety
10 Agilent 990 Micro GC and 990 Mobile Micro GC Chromatograph Safety Manual
Hydrogen shutdown
Hydrogen gas may be used as a carrier or as fuel for some applications. When
mixed with air, hydrogen can form explosive mixtures.
The GC monitors inlet, detector, and auxiliary gas streams. If a stream shuts
down because it is unable to reach its flow or pressure setpoint and if that
stream is configured to use hydrogen, the GC assumes that a leak has occurred
and declares a hydrogen safety shutdown. The effects are:
•The offending channel and any associated channels (such as septum purge)
are set off.
•The split valves in the inlets open.
•The small heated zones are turned off.
•An alarm tone sounds.
To recover from this state, fix the cause of the shutdown (tank valve closed,
serious leak, others). Turn the instrument off, then back on.
WARNING
The GC cannot always detect small leaks in inlet and/or detector gas streams.
For this reason, it is vital that column fittings should always be either connected
to a column, or have a cap or plug installed. The H2streams must be configured
for hydrogen so that the GC is aware of hydrogen use.
Measuring hydrogen gas flows
WARNING
Do not measure hydrogen together with air or oxygen. This can create explosive
mixtures that can be ignited by the hot surface or high temperature areas.