No peaks in chromatograms with ACQUITY I-Class SM-FTN - WKB120873

SYMPTOMS

• No peaks in chromatograms
• Lowering needle displacement returns peaks
• All FTN diagnostics, calibrations, and characterizations pass 

ENVIRONMENT

• ACQUITY SM-FTN
• MassLynx v4.2 SCN 986

CAUSE

Rack plate type selection for different vials in use. 

The plate type in use is "OA-ANSI-48Vial2mLHolderwithInsert" with 300-µL glass inserts and spring.

When using standard 2-mL vials with no inserts and a volume of 850 µL or less in the vial, the FTN does not lift the volume as expected. 

The plate/rack type was not changed when changing from using 2-mL vials and 2-mL vials with inserts. 

When using the 2-mL vial without inserts, the standard "ANSI-48Vial2mLHolder" rack type should be used. 

The difference between these is 5 mm, as shown in the Depth fields of the following images. 

FIX or WORKAROUND

Change the plate/rack type in MassLynx to "ANSI-48Vial2mLHolder" when using 2-mL vials with no inserts and "OA-ANSI-48Vial2mLHolderwithInsert" when using 2-mL vials with inserts.

OR 

Keep the plate type as the insert on for any method that uses the standard 2-mL vial, but ensure that there is sufficient volume present (residual volume in this scenario is 800-900 µL. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

According to document 720006361 (Sample Vials and Accessories), the expected residual for a 2-mL vial (186000307C) at default needle displacement (4 mm) is 360 µL.