Error on FTN: Seal residual force limit exceeded (z-wash) (x.x) - WKB230730

SYMPTOMS

• "Seal residual force limit exceeded (z-wash)" error on FTN
• Needle seal characterization gives "Z-axis calibration out of range" error
• The load cell at the bottom of wash station responds to pressure and shows increased seal force value on ACQUITY console when pushing down on wash station
• Needle wash and purge lines have solvent in them
• Needle is not bent
• Intermittent "drawing sample rate excessive" warnings in the console log

ENVIRONMENT

• ACQUITY APC Sample Manager - FTN
• ACQUITY UPLC Sample Manager - Flow Through Needle PLUS (SM-FTN PLUS)
• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class
• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class PLUS
• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class PLUS Bio
• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class
• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS
• ACQUITY UPLC
• ACQUITY Premier

CAUSE

The needle placement (from bottom) setting in the inlet method is too low (needle bottoming out). This results in loss of z steps, intermittent needle blockage, and other errors.

FIX or WORKAROUND

Adjust needle placement higher, until it no longer bottoms out on vial or plate. The default needle placement (automatic) is 4 mm.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION