Kurt J. Lesker Vacuum Mart KJLC 354 Series Operating instructions

Troubleshooting - Operation Contamination
KJLC 354 Ion Gauge
Part Number: KJLC354401xx
Issue
Possible Cause
Possible Solution
Clear ERROR message
1. Must be done before the
ion gauge can be turned
on after receiving an
ERROR message
1. SETUP UNIT --> CLR IG ERROR (if using the FRONT
PANEL CONTROL)
Display is off / blank
1. No power
2. The connector may not
be wired correctly
1. Check cable connections
2. Check cable connections
1. Page 12 of manual for the analog pin-out
2. Page 13 of manual for the RS485 pin-out
Readings are very different
from expected pressure
1. Sensor not installed in the
proper location
2. The process gas is
different from the gas
used to calibrate the
gauge (nitrogen)
3. Sensor has been dropped
4. Gauge sensor is
contaminated
5. Leak in the vacuum
system
1. Ensure sensor is located in the right place (page 10 of
manual)
2. Apply gas sensitivity correction factor if applicable or
select the appropriate gas from the 354 display menu
(page 29 of manual)
1. Front Panel Control - SETUP UNIT --> GAS TYPE
3. Ion gauge sensor is possibly contaminated.
1. Go into R&D Mode
1. MENU --> SETUP DISP --> MODE and select
RESEARCH. After going to top of menu, it
should display several things including FVI.
The first digits are filament voltage, the
second digits are current.
i. If voltage > 1.7 V and current is > 2.5 A
at 100 uA setting, there is possible
contamination
ii. If voltage > 2.3 V and current is > 2.7 A
at 4 mA setting, there is possible
contamination.
2. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 3
1. Degassing basic information, page 16 of
manual
2. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
3. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
3. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed,
sensor is contaminated.
4. Contact [e-mail] with R&D values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
4. Re-check for a leak in the system; metal seals should be
used when operating below 1x10-7 Torr

Ion gauge cannot be turned
on
1. Pressure exceeds 1.00 x
10-3 Torr at 4 mA
emission
2. Pressure exceeds 5.0 x
10-2 Torr at 0.10 mA
(100 µA) emission
3. Emission Control not
functioning
1. Decrease pressure below required value
2. Decrease pressure below required value
3. Switch to the other filament
1. Front Panel Control - page 25 (SETUP IG -->
FILAMENT NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32
4. Ion gauge sensor is possibly contaminated.
1. Go into R&D Mode
1. MENU --> SETUP DISP --> MODE and select
RESEARCH. After going to top of menu, it
should display several things including FVI.
The first digits are filament voltage, the
second digits are current.
i. If voltage > 1.7 V and current is > 2.5 A
at 100 uA setting, there is possible
contamination
ii. If voltage > 2.3 V and current is > 2.7 A
at 4 mA setting, there is possible
contamination.
2. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 4
1. Degassing basic information, page 16 of
manual
2. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
3. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
3. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed,
sensor is contaminated.
4. Contact [e-mail] with R&D values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
Research Screen shows
filament Voltage is present
but filament current stays
at 0
1. Filament is open
1. Switch to second filament
1. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32 of manual
2. Check the resistance between filaments 1 and 2 (page 37)
1. Remove the ion gauge transducer from the control
module (page 78, steps 1-5)
2. Measure the resistance using an ohmmeter; a good
intact filament will have a resistance of 0.2 ohms
(page 73 of manual

3.
3. Contact [e-mail] with resistance values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
Unable to initiate degas
1. System pressure above
5.0 x 10-5 Torr
1. Decrease pressure below the required value
Voltage to filament too high
1. Filament contaminated or
near end of its life
1. Check filament current
a. Go into R&D Mode
1. MENU --> SETUP DISP --> MODE and select
RESEARCH. After going to top of menu, it
should display several things including FVI.
The first digits are filament voltage, the
second digits are current.
i. If voltage > 1.7 V and current is > 2.5 A
at 100 uA setting, there is possible
contamination
ii. If voltage > 2.3 V and current is > 2.7 A
at 4 mA setting, there is possible
contamination.
2. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 1
a. Degassing basic information, page 16 of manual
b. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
c. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
3. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed, sensor
is contaminated.
4. Switch to second filament
a. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
b. RS485 - page 32
5. Contact [e-mail] with R&D values
a. Possibly need to replace the sensor
Setpoint does not actuate
1. Incorrect setup
1. Check setpoint setup (pages 25-26 of manual)
Error Message -
"OVERPRESSURE"
1. The calculated pressure
is greater than the
maximum setting for
1. Change to 100 μA emission current which will operate at
higher pressures OR reduce pressure
1. Front panel - page 24 (EMISSION SEL --> 100 μA)

emission current. System
pressure is too high
2. RS485 - page 32
Error Message - "EMIS
FAIL"
1. The desired emission
current (IE) could not be
established.
2. Gauge contamination,
possible coating on
filament or grid surfaces.
3. End of filament life
4. System pressure too high
1. Reduce pressure (if applicable)
2. Check filament current
1. Go into R&D Mode
a. MENU --> SETUP DISP --> MODE and select
RESEARCH. After going to top of menu, it
should display several things including FVI.
The first digits are filament voltage, the
second digits are current.
i. If voltage > 1.7 V and current is > 2.5 A
at 100 uA setting, there is possible
contamination
ii. If voltage > 2.3 V and current is > 2.7 A
at 4 mA setting, there is possible
contamination.
3. Switch to 4 mA emission current and attempt repeated
filament starts to clean filament
1. Front panel - page 24 (EMISSION SEL --> 4mA)
2. RS485 - page 32
4. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 2
1. Degassing basic information, page 16 of manual
2. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
3. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
5. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed, sensor
is contaminated.
6. Switch to second filament
1. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32
7. Check the resistance between filaments 1 and 2 (page 37)
1. Remove the ion gauge transducer from the control
module (page 78, steps 1-5)
2. Measure the resistance using an ohmmeter; a good
intact filament will have a resistance of 0.2 ohms
(page 73 of manual
8. Contact [e-mail] with R&D and Resistance
Values

1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
Error Message - "ION CUR
FAIL"
1. The ion current (IC) is
below the minimum
parameter. Sensor
contamination, possible
coating on collector
inhibiting ion collection
2. Electrometer failure
1. Check filament current in R&D Mode
1. MENU --> SETUP DISP --> MODE and select
RESEARCH. After going to top of menu, it should
display several things including FVI. The first digits
are filament voltage, the second digits are current.
i. If voltage > 1.7 V and current is > 2.5 A at 100
uA setting, there is possible contamination
ii. If voltage > 2.3 V and current is > 2.7 A at 4
mA setting, there is possible contamination.
2. Switch to 4 mA emission current and attempt repeated
filament starts to clean filament
1. Front panel - page 24 (EMISSION SEL --> 4mA)
2. RS485 - page 32
3. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 1
1. Degassing basic information, page 16 of manual
2. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
3. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
4. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed, sensor
is contaminated.
5. Switch to second filament
1. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32
6. Contact [e-mail] with R&D values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
Error Message - "LV
Failure"
1. The filament voltage
could not be established;
electronics failure.
1. Contact [e-mail] with R&D and Resistance
Values (see Error Message - EMIS FAIL for instructions
on how to obtain these values)
1. Possibly need to replace electronics
Error Message - "F1 or F2
OPEN"
1. Filament 1 or 2 is open
2. Faulty electronics
1. Check the resistance between filaments 1 and 2 (page 37)
1. Remove the ion gauge transducer from the control
module (page 42, steps 1-5)
2. Measure the resistance using an ohmmeter; a good
intact filament will have a resistance of 0.2 ohms

3.
2. Switch to the other filament
1. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32
3. Contact [e-mail] with resistance values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor or electronics
R&D MODE Troubleshooting
1. SETUP DISP --> MODE --> RESEARCH
Filament voltage values are
present for several
seconds immediately after
turning IG ON, but then the
values are zero
1. Filament is contaminated
or filament has reached
end-of-useful operating
life for required emission
current setting
1. Check filament current in R&D Mode
1. MENU --> SETUP DISP --> MODE and select
RESEARCH. After going to top of menu, it should
display several things including FVI. The first digits
are filament voltage, the second digits are current.
i. If voltage > 1.7 V and current is > 2.5 A at 100
uA setting, there is possible contamination
ii. If voltage > 2.3 V and current is > 2.7 A at 4
mA setting, there is possible contamination.
2. Switch emission current setting from initial setting and re-
start the IG; make several attempts to establish emission
current at both 100 μA and 4 mA.
1. Front panel - page 24 (EMISSION SEL --> 4mA /
100 uA)
2. RS485 - page 32
3. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 1
1. Degassing basic information, page 16 of manual
2. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
3. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
4. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed, sensor
is contaminated.
5. Switch to second filament
1. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32

6. Check the resistance between filaments 1 and 2 (page 37)
1. Remove the ion gauge transducer from the control
module (page 42, steps 1-5)
2. Measure the resistance using an ohmmeter; a good
intact filament will have a resistance of 0.2 ohms
3.
7. Contact [e-mail] with R&D and resistance
values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
All parameters in the R&D
screen are zero after IG
turn ON is attempted
1. Failed Electronics
1. Contact [e-mail] with R&D and Resistance
Values (see Error Message - EMIS FAIL for instructions
on how to obtain these values)
1. Possibly need to replace the electronics
354 filament voltage is
greater than 1.7 V and
filament current is greater
than 2.5 A with emission
current = 100 μA
1. Filament nearing end-of-
useful operating-life
1. Switch emission current setting from initial setting and re-
start the IG; make several attempts to establish emission
current at both 100 μA and 4 mA.
1. Front panel - page 24 (EMISSION SEL --> 4mA /
100 uA)
2. RS485 - page 32
2. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 1
1. Degassing basic information, page 16 of manual
2. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
3. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
3. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed, sensor
is contaminated.
4. Switch to second filament
1. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32
5. Contact [e-mail] with R&D values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
354 filament voltage is
greater than 2.3 V and
filament current is greater
than 2.7 A with emission
current = 4 mA
1. Filament nearing end-of-
useful operating-life
1. Switch emission current setting from initial setting and re-
start the IG; make several attempts to establish emission
current at both 100 μA and 4 mA.
1. Front panel - page 24 (EMISSION SEL --> 4mA /
100 uA)

2. RS485 - page 32
2. Degas sensor if values exceed limits from point 1
1. Degassing basic information, page 16 of manual
2. Front Panel Control --> DEGAS ON
3. RS-485 - page 32 of manual
3. Re-check R&D Mode Values. If nothing changed, sensor
is contaminated.
4. Switch to second filament
1. Front panel - page 25 (SETUP IG --> FILAMENT
NUM --> FILAMENT 1/2)
2. RS485 - page 32
5. Check the resistance between filaments 1 and 2 (page 37)
1. Remove the ion gauge transducer from the control
module (page 42, steps 1-5)
2. Measure the resistance using an ohmmeter; a good
intact filament will have a resistance of 0.2 ohms
6. Contact [e-mail] with R&D and Resistance
values
1. Possibly need to replace the sensor
If none of these steps help alleviate the issues, please contact [e-mail] with the Troubleshooting form as well as
provide the R&D and Resistance Values (see Error Message - EMIS FAIL for instructions on how to obtain these values)