No EI source trap and filament current on a Quattro Micro GC, GCT, or AutoSpec - WKB11064

SYMPTOMS

• No beam
• No trap current
• No filament current
• No emission current
• Flashing LED on front panel of GCT/Quattro Micro GC
• Other operate voltages correct

ENVIRONMENT

• AutoSpec Premier (P)
• AutoSpec Ultima (M)
• Quattro Micro GC
• GCT Classic
• GCT Premier (P)

CAUSE

The source pressure is too high. The source is in "solvent trip" status.

FIX or WORKAROUND

1. Check the vacuum in the source to confirm that the pressure is too high. 
2. Locate and rectify the cause of the high source pressure.
3. Ensure that the instrument pumps down to normal operating pressures.
4. Test for a beam.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If the pressure is too high, the filament is turned off to protect the filament and extend its lifetime (see WKB62805).

On Quattro micro GC, the trip level is fixed. The solvent trip status is triggered if the source Penning pressure rises above  2.3 e-3 OR the inlet Pirani goes above 1.9e-1 but does not reset until the source vacuum is better than 1.1e-3 and the inlet Pirani is < 9.0e-2.

On GCT/GCT Premier, the source solvent trip level is settable on the tune page. It should typically be set to a pressure that is slightly higher than the normal source pressure (column in place).

On AutoSpec Ultima/AutoSpec Premier, the source solvent trip level is settable on the Vacuum Control page. It should typically be set to a pressure that is slightly higher than one-third of the normal source pressure (column in place).

See related articles WKB9749, WKB11064, WKB124360, and WKB124362.