Agilent Technologies ETC 60 User manual

Agilent Electrothermal
Temperature
Controller ETC 60
User’s Guide

2 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 1995–
1997, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2012
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Manual Part Number
8510137200
Edition
Seventh edition, August 2012
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Warranty
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Safety Notices
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.
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.
WARNING
CAUTION

Contents
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 3
Contents
1. Safety Practices and Hazards 7
Manufacture 7
General 7
Hazard Warnings 8
Electrical Hazards 8
Chemical Hazards 9
Notes and Tips 9
Warning and Caution Messages 10
Warning Symbols 10
Information Symbols 11
Color Coding 11
CE Compliance 12
Electromagnetic compatibility 12
EN55011/CISPR11 12
ICES/NMB-001 13
2. Getting Started 15
Introduction 15
Unpacking 15
Temperature Control Module 17
Workhead 18
Installation 20

Contents
4 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
Voltage Selector 20
Installing an Absorption Cell 21
Installing the Workhead 22
3. Operation 25
Power Up 27
Error on Startup 27
Making Selections 28
Common Menu Options 29
Methods 29
Predefined Isothermal Methods 29
Manual Isothermal Method 30
Manual Step Method 31
Changing Settings 31
Unattended Operation 32
Shutdown Procedure 33
4. Analytical Notes 35
Arsenic 36
Mercury 36
Optimal Temperature Determination 37
5. Maintenance 39
Daily Maintenance 39
Replacing the Fuse 39
Quartz Absorption Cell 40
Replacing the Absorption Cell 41

Contents
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 5
Removing the Workhead 42
6. Appendices 43
Appendix A — Specifications 43
Appendix B —Errors 44
Warning Messages 44
Fatal Errors 45
Appendix C — Sensitivity Test Record Sheet 46
Appendix C — Sensitivity Test Record Sheet (cont.) 47
In This Book 50

Contents
6 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
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Safety Practices and Hazards
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 7
1. Safety Practices and Hazards
Manufacture 7
General 7
Hazard Warnings 8
Electrical Hazards 8
Chemical Hazards 9
Notes and Tips 9
Warning and Caution Messages 10
Warning Symbols 10
Information Symbols 11
Color Coding 11
CE Compliance 12
Electromagnetic compatibility 12
Manufacture
The Electrothermal Temperature Controller (ETC) is manufactured
by:
Anatech BV
Nieuwstadterweg 3
6136 KN Sittard (the Netherlands)
General
Operation of the Agilent ETC 60 electrothermal temperature
controller and an atomic absorption (AA) spectrometer involves the
use of an electrically heated quartz cell, high temperatures,
compressed gases, and hazardous materials, including corrosive
fluids. Unskilled, improper, or careless use of the equipment can

Safety Practices and Hazards
8 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
create fire hazards or other hazards which can cause death, serious
injury to personnel, or severe damage to equipment and property.
Appropriate safety practices have been included in this operation
manual and your spectrometer operation manual, to help you
operate the equipment safely. Read all safety practices thoroughly
before attempting to operate your system.
If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the
manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.
Hazard Warnings
In addition to the hazard warnings specified in your spectrometer
operation manual, specific hazard warnings have been included in
this operation manual. These warnings state the hazard, describe
how to avoid it and specify the possible consequences of not
following the instructions. Read all warnings carefully and observe
them at all times.
Electrical Hazards
The ETC 60 contains electrical circuits, devices and components
operating at dangerous voltages. Contact with these circuits, devices
and components can cause death, serious injury or painful electric
shock. Covers which are retained by screws on the ETC 60 may be
opened only by an Agilent field service engineer.
The ETC 60 MUST be switched off at the power switch, and the mains
cable disconnected from the mains supply BEFORE any attempt is
made to remove or replace the cell in the workhead, or the cables
connecting the workhead to the Temperature Control Module.
Use of the wrong supply voltage, connection of the accessory to an
incorrectly wired supply outlet, or lack of proper electrical grounding
can create a fire hazard or a shock hazard which can cause death,
serious injury, or serious damage to equipment.
Always use a three-wire outlet with ground connection which is
adequately rated for the load.

Safety Practices and Hazards
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 9
The installation must comply with local, state, and national safety
regulations.
Ensure that the voltage selector is correctly set for the specific mains
power supply outlet that the ETC 60 will be connected to. You must
do this before connecting the accessory.
A blown fuse should be replaced with one of the size and rating
stipulated in the text adjacent to the fuse holder. Always ensure the
accessory is turned off and disconnected from the mains supply
before attempting any replacement.
Chemical Hazards
Operation of an Agilent AA spectrometer may involve the use of
materials that are corrosive or otherwise hazardous. Careless,
improper or unskilled use of these materials can cause serious
personal injury or an environmental hazard.
Always ensure that laboratory safety practices governing the use,
handling and disposal of hazardous materials are strictly observed.
These safety practices should include wearing the appropriate safety
clothing.
Always ensure that the sample introduction system is thoroughly
flushed with distilled water and that the contents of the drain or
waste container are known and disposed of if necessary before
touching any part.
Notes and Tips
A Note or Tip message is used to give advice or additional
information
NOTE This is a note.

Safety Practices and Hazards
10 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
Warning and Caution Messages
A Warning message is used in the text when failure to observe
instructions or precautions could result in death or injury.
WARNING
Name of Warning
Detail of hazard. Information on how to avoid the hazard.
A Caution message is used when failure to observe instructions could
result in damage to equipment (Agilent supplied and/or other
associated equipment).
CAUTION This is a caution statement.
Warning Symbols
The following is a list of symbols that appear in conjunction with
warnings in this manual and on the ETC. The hazard they describe is
also shown.
A triangular symbol indicates a warning. The meanings of the
symbols that may appear alongside warnings in the documentation
or on the instrument itself are as follows:
Corrosive liquid
Electrical shock Eye hazard
Hot surface Noxious gas
Sharp objects

Safety Practices and Hazards
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 11
The following symbol may be used on warning labels attached to the
instrument. When you see this symbol, refer to the relevant operation
or service manual for the correct procedure referred to by that
warning label.
Information Symbols
The following symbols appear on the instrument for your
information.
I Mains power on
0Mains power off
Fuse
Single phase alternating current
When attached to the rear of the instrument, indicates that the product
complies with the requirements of one or more EU directives.
When attached to the rear of the product, indicates that the product has been
certified (evaluated) to CSA 61010.1 and UL 61010-1
Color Coding
The various indicator lights appearing on the instrument and any
associated accessories have been color coded to represent the status
of the instrument or accessory:
 A green light indicates the instrument is in normal standby
condition.
 A blue light indicates that operator intervention is required.
 An orange light indicates a potential hazard.
 A red light indicates danger or an emergency.

Safety Practices and Hazards
12 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
CE Compliance
Your ETC has been designed to comply with the requirements of the
Electro-magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive and the Low Voltage
(electrical safety) Directive (commonly referred to as the LVD) of the
European Union. Agilent has confirmed that each product complies
with the relevant Directives by testing a prototype against the
prescribed EN (European Norm) standards.
Proof that a product complies with the Directives is indicated by:
The CE Marking appearing on the rear of the product.
The documentation package that accompanies the product,
containing a copy of the Declaration of Conformity. This
Declaration is the legal declaration by Agilent that the product
complies with the Directives, and also shows the EN standards to
which the product was tested, to demonstrate compliance.
Electromagnetic compatibility
EN55011/CISPR11
Group 1 ISM equipment: group 1 contains all ISM equipment in
which there is intentionally generated and/or used conductively
coupled radio- frequency energy which is necessary for the internal
functioning of the equipment itself.
Class A equipment is equipment suitable for use in all
establishments other than domestic and those directly connected to a
low voltage power supply network which supplies buildings used for
domestic purposes.
This device complies with the requirements of CISPR11, Group 1,
Class A as radiation professional equipment. Therefore, there may be
potential difficulties in ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in
other environments, due to conducted as well as radiated
disturbances.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1This device may not cause harmful interference.

Safety Practices and Hazards
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 13
2This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try one or more of
the following measures:
1Relocate the radio or antenna.
2Move the device away from the radio or television.
3Plug the device into a different electrical outlet, so that the device
and the radio or television are on separate electrical circuits.
4Make sure that all peripheral devices are also certified.
5Make sure that appropriate cables are used to connect the device
to peripheral equipment.
6Consult your equipment dealer, Agilent Technologies, or an
experienced technician for assistance.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Agilent
Technologies could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
ICES/NMB-001
This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES- 001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB-001 du Canada.

Safety Practices and Hazards
14 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
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Getting Started
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 15
2. Getting Started
Introduction 15
Unpacking 15
Installation 20
Voltage Selector 20
Installing an Absorption Cell 21
Installing the Workhead 22
Introduction
The Agilent ETC 60 replaces the air-acetylene flame as a heat source
to atomize the analyte hydrides in hydride generation methods of
analysis.
The running costs of the ETC 60 workhead are about 50% lower than
those incurred in flame heating of the tube, due to the elimination of
the costs of flame gases.
The ETC 60 consists of a Temperature Control Module and a
workhead containing a quartz absorption tube. It is designed to
operate with an Agilent AA Series spectrometer and the Agilent
VGA 77 vapor generation accessory.
Unpacking
Open the shipping case and remove the enclosed packages with care.
Carefully open the packages and inspect all parts for damage in
transit. Report damaged or incorrect items immediately.

Getting Started
16 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
In addition to this manual, you should have received one of each of
the following items:
Figure 1: Workhead Figure 2: Adapter for flame instruments
Figure 3 Pack of cells Figure 4 Temperature control module
Figure 5 Power cable Figure 6 Temperature sensor cable

Getting Started
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 17
Temperature Control Module
The Temperature Control Module monitors and regulates the
temperature of the quartz tube. A safety system is incorporated to
ensure that the tube temperature does not exceed 1025 °C. On start-
up the system checks that the temperature sensor is working
correctly.
The front panel consists of a two-line display and five keys. The
display keys correspond to menu items on the display.
Display
Keys
k5 k4 k3 k2 k1
Figure 7 Front panel of the ETC 60

Getting Started
18 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
Mounted in the back panel are the following connectors:
Mains power inlet with mains power switch and fuse holder,
which also acts as the mains voltage selector
Computer connection (serial interface, RS-232)
Thermocouple input (temperature sensor)
Power outlet to the workhead (cell heater)
Power
switch,
mains
connection,
and voltage
selector
Temperature
sensor
Serial
interface Cell heater
connection
Figure 8 Rear panel of the ETC 60
Workhead
The workhead consists of a stainless steel case containing:
A quartz absorption tube
The heating element
The temperature sensor
WARNING
Electrical Shock
The workhead is connected to mains power. Contact with components
operating at mains potentials can cause death, serious injury or
harmful electric shock. Only open the workhead when the unit is
disconnected from the mains power supply.

Getting Started
Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide 19
The heating element is a specially designed high-temperature
filament. The temperature sensor is in direct contact with the quartz
tube, to enable a rapid temperature response. The quartz cell, heating
element, and temperature sensor are insulated by inert alumina and
silica wool.
WARNING
Sharp Objects
Broken glass can cause severe cuts to hands. Handle the workhead
with care, as the sidearm of the quartz tube is fragile and easily broken.
If the quartz cell is broken, it must be replaced. Replacement cells are
available from Agilent (two per pack).

Getting Started
20 Agilent Electrothermal Temperature Controller ETC 60 User’s Guide
Installation
Before proceeding with the installation, you must be familiar with
the ‘Safety Practices and Hazards’ section and the correct power
requirements must be available (refer to Appendix A).
Voltage Selector
A combined voltage selector/fuse holder is located in the rear panel
of the Temperature Control Module, immediately below the mains
power supply socket, as shown in Figure 9. The ETC operates on
100–240 V (50/60 Hz). It is shipped with 220–240 V selected.
Figure 9 Power switch, mains connection, and fuse holder/voltage selector
Check that the correct voltage is selected for your laboratory’s
electricity supply, for example, in Figure 9 the current voltage range
is 110–120 V. The selected voltage is indicated by the triangles that
line up along the lower edge of the fuse holder. If necessary, change
the voltage selector by removing the fuse holder and replacing it in
its alternate orientation.