3-4 Maintaining the Detector
Maintaining the flow cell
The flow cell requires maintenance when
• the reference spectrum changes.
• the cell fluid leaks out of the drain tube.
• the detector cannot initialize but the lamp is in good condition.
• the detector causes high backpressure.
Tip: Conditions other than a dirty flow cell can cause decreased lamp
intensity. For more information, refer to Chapter 4.
Flow cell maintenance consists of
• flushing the flow cell.
• removing the flow cell.
• disassembling and cleaning the flow cell.
• installing the flow cell assembly.
Flushing the flow cell
Required Materials
•HPLC-grade water
• HPLC-grade methanol
If the flow cell requires cleaning, first try flushing it with solvent.
To flush the flow cell:
1. Select a solvent compatible with the samples and mobile phases that you
have been using. If you have been using buffers, flush with 10 mL of
HPLC-grade water, then flush with 10 mL of a low-surface-tension
solvent such as methanol.
Tip: Ensure that the solvent is miscible with the previous mobile phase.
2. Test the lamp energy by performing the Read energy diagnostic test (see
page 4-3).
If the lamp diagnostic test fails and the lamp has not been used more
than 2000 hours or 1 year from date of purchase (whichever comes first),
call Waters Technical Service (see page 3-2).
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