Drain flow error
Issue
Plasma won't stay lit and drain flow error is reported:
- E1142 - Invalid drain flow sensor interlock detected, and
- E9014 - Plasma went out unexpectedly; the drain flow interlock is bad.
Can't ignite plasma - drain flow status indicator is red
Environment
- iCAP 7000 Series
- iCAP 6000 Series
Resolution
Clear the drain flow sensor error by setting the pump speed in the Dashboard to any speed besides 0, clicking Apply, lettng the pump rotate for a few seconds and then set the pump speed back to 0
Verify proper drain flow by checking the following:
1. A wet sample introduction is being used and NOT Hydride Gas Generator, Ultrasonic Nebulizer (USN), SSEA solid sampling or Laser Ablation.
a. If you are not using a wet sample introduction, diable the drain flow sensor: Disabling / Enabling the Drain Sensor in Qtegra
2. The drain flow tubing from the spray chamber is passing through the lower holder in the cover and towards the pump,
3. The drain tubing is connected corectly to the peristaltic pump to account for the counterclockwise flow
4. The condition of the drain peristaltic pump tubing and replace if necessary. If it has been a while since the tubing has been replaced, it would be a good idea to replace it.
5. The condition of the capillary tubing coming from the spray chamber drain:
a. The sensor is looking for consistent bubble stream in the tubing. If the capillary tubing has become discolored, this will adversely affect the ability of the sensor to see bubbles. Therefore replace the tubing: Sample Intro Tubing and Connector Kit
b. The drain sensor may have trouble seeing bubbles if the sample is dark in color. If this is the case, try pulling the milky colored drain teflon capillary back to the left out of the drain sensor port hole so that instead the clear PVC/Tygon pump tubing is in the sensor area.
6. The tension being applied to the clamp for the drain peristaltic tubing is optimal.
a. Ensure the clamp is down and the tensioner is in place in reference to the drain peristaltic pump tubing
b. Reduce the tension by turning the tensioner screw a few times counterclockwise being careful that the screw is not backed out all of the way
c. From the Dashboard with plasma extinguished, set the Neb gas flow to 0.5 L/min and the Pump speed it normally operates at for your applications and then click Apply
d. Please the sample probe and internal standard probe (if applicable) in a rinse solution
e. Once aerosol production is visible in the spray chamber, start turning the tensioner screw clockwise until liquid starts draining from teh spray chamber and give the screw 1-2 turns clockwise after that
f. Set the nebulizer flow and pump speed back to 0 and click Apply
Analysis
The lower holder contains a drain sensor detecting bubbles produced when the spray chamber is draining normally. The plasma and the pump are switched off after 2 minutes if no bubbles are detected in order to minimize solution backing up into the torch thus extinguishing the plasma.