Faulty transducer produces various errors on ACQUITY UPLC - WKB6508

SYMPTOMS

• Error: Pump B: Transducer range error
• Pressure fluctuations up to 26 000 psi. These are random and not synched with the pump movements.
• ACQUITY console for BSM showing wrong backpressure
• With flow stopped the pump Accumulator report a pressure of 1600 psi.
• No blockage in the accumulator line.
• Power off the module, fix the issue, but after 10 minutes of normal flow the transducer shows a pressure of 1600 psi without flow.
• Hardware Error (12) message during Primary Pump compression step of dynamic leak test
• Accumulator leak rate drops significantly during primary compression and displays negative values
• When flow is applied, BSM pressure spikes during stroke
• System will prime with no apparent issues
• Total backpressure on BSM is not reflecting pressure for Accumulator pump

ENVIRONMENT

• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class Binary Solvent Manager
• Accumulator actuator recently replaced
• ACQUITY UPLC BSM
• ACQUITY UPLC
• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class
• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class

CAUSE

Faulty transducer

Or classic transducer fit incorrectly to I-class system

FIX or WORKAROUND

1. Replace transducer

Use the correct one depending on the model.

ACQUITY UPLC and ACQUITY UPLC H-Class: Transducer Assembly (# 700002594)

ACQUITY UPLC I-Class: Pressure Transducer (# 700006045)

2. Power off unit.
3. Remove the cable attached to the appropriate transducer

4. Disconnect the tubing from the top and bottom of the transducer
5. Remove the two small screws attaching the transducer to the front of the pumphead

6. Attach the new transducer to the pumphead and plug in the transducer cable until it clicks
7. Power on the unit

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Avoid the use of:

1. halogenated solvents

2. solutions of hydrofluoric acid or aqueous solutions of fluoride at pH < 7 even at very dilute concentrations

as these can lead to premature failure of transducers and result in this error being observed.