ACQUITY UPLC PDA Detector fails SQT noise and drift - WKB63875

SYMPTOMS

• Noise and drift out of SQT specifications
• Lamp energy is optimal

ENVIRONMENT

• ACQUITY UPLC PDA Detector
• 2998 Photodiode Array Detector

CAUSE

• Environmental; system is positioned near air conditioning vent
• ACQUITY room temperature trace shows oscillation of approximately ± 3.0 °C over 20-minute periods

FIX or WORKAROUND

1. Shield the detector with a cardboard box and/or foam insulation.
2. Rerun the noise/drift test.
3. Make a notation in the comments section concerning test failure, the solution implemented, and the environmental root cause of the issue.
4. Follow up with reference to installation guideline concerning position of system relative to exhaust and air conditioning.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Always double check on the console readouts for environmental factors with respect to qualification test issues.

In many cases, if the root cause can be narrowed (and proven) to an environmental issue, future service visits can be reduced.

See Noisy Baseline and Bad Chromatography on 2998.