Millipore System Documentation Set
210 Operating and Maintenance Manual Publication XITXSP121 P Rev.A
Filter
This error message may be displayed due to a filter that is improperly wet or a failed filter.
There are two ways of verifying that a filter is not causing this error message. If a pressure
gauge is part of the upstream equipment, a pressure hold test may be conducted. The second
way is to conduct a manual diffusion test on the downstream side of the filter. Outlined below
is the procedure for conducting a pressure hold test on the upstream side.
1. Prior to conducting either a manual test or a pressure hold test, re-wet the filter following
Millipore’s recommended wetting procedure. (See the Wetting Instructions insert enclosed
with the filter.)
2. If after re-wetting the filter a Gross Leak error message is still obtained, conduct either a
Pressure hold test or a manual integrity test.
3. Determine the upstream volume of the system, the maximum allowable diffusion value for
the filter and the test time.
4. Calculate the maximum allowable pressure drop using the equation below. (Note: The
14.7 in the equation below is the atmospheric pressure.)
• Pr. Decay = [(Test Time)*(Maximum Cartridge Diffusion Rate)*(14.7 )]/(Upstream
Volume)
5. Prior to monitoring the pressure drop in the housing, allow the housing to stabilize for
about 5 minutes at the diffusion test pressure.
6. After the 5-minute stabilization time, record the starting test pressure, the final test pressure
and the duration of the test.
7. Calculate the pressure drop of the test time and compare it to the calculated maximum
allowable pressure drop to determine if it is below that value.
Note: If the pressure drop is less than the maximum pressure drop calculated then the
housing and filter may be ruled out as possible causes of the failure.
8. If the pressure drop exceeds the maximum allowable pressure drop and the housing
hardware, connections, elastomeric seals and instrument have been ruled out as possible
causes, then the failure may be attributable to one of the following:
• An improper seal between the filter and the housing
• A filter with a suppressed bubble point below the test pressure
• A failed filter
9. To further isolate the cause, conduct a manual integrity test. Please refer to the documents
enclosed for conducting a manual integrity test.
10. If the filter fails a manual test, then the “Gross Leak” error message can be attributed to
the filter itself. At which time the standard operating procedure should be followed for
investigating the cause of the failed filter.
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