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Troubleshooting the ACQUITY UPLC System

A General Strategy The first line of defense in keeping the ACQUITY UPLC system operating smoothly is to follow the proper setup, operating, and maintenance guidelines listed in chapters 2 through 6 of the Waters ACQUITY UPLC System Operators Guide. When a UPLC problem occurs, finding its cause can seem complex and even mysterious. Lets say you get an error message saying your pressure is too low when starting up the sample manager. Or youve programmed your sample manager to 4 but it only gets to 10 degrees. Or maybe your chromatogram has more peaks than expected. Is the problem rooted in hardware, software, operation, or chemistry? How do you go about isolating the cause? Taking a logical approach is the best course.

Troubleshooting Process
The process of finding and correcting a UPLC problem includes four basic steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. Identify the symptom. Understand the possible causes of the symptom. Identify the specific cause of the symptom. Take the proper action to correct the problem.

But how do you identify symptoms and causes? What is needed is a logical strategy that works with all types of problems.

Troubleshooting Strategy
A universal troubleshooting strategy is based on six rules: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Get the facts. Check simple things first. Compare system performance to established benchmarks. Identify possible causes. Use a systematic troubleshooting approach. Get help if you need it.

Lets examine each of these rules in more detail. Getting the Facts First, determine exactly how the system is malfunctioning. Consider the circumstances of the problem: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. What is the evidence (shifted peaks, error message, leak, etc.)? Does system performance deviate from established benchmarks? Could someone have changed something in the system (such as detector sensitivity)? Is the system being pressed to do something that is beyond its capabilities? Has the problem occurred before? Is the problem reproducible? Does this problem occur at any particular time of day or when another instrument is turned on or off?

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Checking Simple Things First Look for obvious clues by making a visual inspection of the system. In particular, look for the following common indicators: Alarms or error messages Fluid leaks Unexpected pump pressure readings Disconnected power cord (check both the outlet and instrument rear panel) Power switch off Blown fuses Insufficient solvent in the reservoir Disconnected or wrongly connected tubing or cables Changed or incorrect instrument settings Solvent flowing out of detector waste tubing Incorrect column

If one (or more) of these indicators are present, refer to the ACQUITY troubleshooting information in the on the Waters website. If the visual inspection does not uncover anything obvious, compare current system performance to established system operation. Comparing System Performance to Established Benchmarks A key to successful troubleshooting is having established benchmarks, or normal operating standards, to which you can compare current system performance. In the ACQUITY UPLC system, most of these benchmarks are automatically recorded and accessible through the Console: The binary solvent manager, sample manager, and TUV detector interactive displays map out the proper fluidic connections. The column usage function stores key historical data about a columns usage, such as date started, sample set run, user name, and number of injections. Plots collect up to 96 hours of real-time system usage and performance. Plots obtained under optimal conditions can be compared with plots taken when a problem occurs. Service profiles store detailed information about the system, such as ICOP and firmware version, IP configuration, methods and samples (for MassLynx), and Registry settings. Serial numbers create individual log entries for each module so that you can review the usage history of that particular module. Other benchmarks to check are the results of the system verification tests run just after installation of the system - specifically, the system precision and gradient performance tests. When you believe there is a problem, rerun these tests to narrow down the cause. Identifying Possible Causes The next step is to determine whether the problem is related to hardware, software, operation, or chemistry. First, survey the system to identify all of the symptoms. Then match the symptoms to possible causes, using the ACQUITY troubleshooting information on the Waters website. For

Troubleshooting the ACQUITY UPLC System

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example, if one of the pumps experiences a sudden drop in pressure, you might consider the following possible causes: The firmware needs to be updated. The pump head seals are defective. There is a loss of fluid due to leaks or an empty reservoir. From the list of possible causes, isolate the problem areas within the UPLC system. You can then follow a systematic troubleshooting approach to resolve the problem. Using a Systematic Troubleshooting Approach To resolve the problem, use a systematic approach: 1. Follow a logical sequence to correct the problem. For example, if the symptom is unusually high backpressure, loosen each fitting, starting at the detector waste outlet, and observe the pressure to see if it drops. Continue to work toward the pump until the pressure drops, identifying the possible cause of the problem. Make only one change at a time to the system, starting with the easiest changes. This allows you to understand the effects on system performance. Parts of the system to change include: a. Instrument settings b. Column c. Sample d. Operating conditions e. Mobile phase f. Parts that you suspect are defective g. Instruments that you suspect are defective 3. Document the results of each change. Record-keeping is essential to a systematic approach because it gives you a trail to trace back when resetting a system to its original configuration or when troubleshooting new problems.

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Getting Help If you decide the problem is beyond your expertise, consult Waters Technical Support for help.

Troubleshooting the ACQUITY UPLC System