Performance

Maintenance
Protocol
GCT

Serial Number

Date

Engineer

715000707_C
Performance Maintenance
This protocol is a guide to performing maintenance tasks on the mass specrometry
system. Packaged as part of the Performance Maintenance Kit, it is intended to ensure
optimum performance and an uninterrupted period of trouble-free operation of the Mass
Spectrometry System.

The performance maintenance tasks listed in this protocol do not expose electrical or
electronic components and can therefore be performed by either the customer or a fully
qualified Waters Field Service Engineer.

WARNING: To avoid electric shock, untrained personnel should never remove

the external covers of the instrument. If at any stage internal intervention is
required, customers must contact their local Waters office to arrange a service
visit.

NOTE: This protocol contains complex procedures that require a high level of skill to
be completed successfully. Be sure to read through the whole document to determine
your competence before proceeding.

Schedule
Waters recommends that performance maintenance be conducted annually unless the
instrument documentation specifies otherwise. Systems under heavy use or using
aggressive solvents may need more frequent maintenance.

Task Summary
The PM protocol organizes performance maintenance tasks into three sections:

1. Initial performance and tuning checks

2. Maintenance tasks
3. Verification tasks

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Performance Maintenance Tasks
After completing each task, place a check mark in the Done column or record a value if
a result is required (or write NA if the procedure does not apply to the instrument). Add
comments as necessary.

IQ/OQ or GLP Considerations

Before starting work, determine what (if any) IQ/OQ or GLP policies are in operation on the specific
instrument and ensure that the necessary paperwork is available to record the actions.

Waters Quality Parts®

This protocol should be used in conjunction with the following Waters PM kit(s):

GCT PM KIT 201000147

GCT FI/FD PM KIT 201000146

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Initial Performance Checks

If the instrument fails to perform adequately during initial checks, it may need service work beyond the
scope of this Performance Maintenance Protocol. Such service work may incur additional parts and
labor charges.

Record values for each item in the table below; include comments where possible.

Gauge Reading Comment

Backing Pirani (mBar)

Source Penning (mBar)

Analyser Penning (mBar)

Open and close the isolation valve checking for an adequate response time and speed of operation.

Check the source heater to confirm that it is working correctly.

To check the ion block cartridge heater: Set the source heater to 180°C and confirm that it stabilizes at
that temperature +/- 3 degrees.

Heater Result Comment

Source heater Pass/Fail

Perform an MCP gain test to confirm that the detector system is serviceable.

With heptacosa (PFTBA) as the reference gas check that the largest peak in the spectrum is not likely to
saturate the detector when the MCP is set to 2800 V.

Acquire continuum data over the mass range 400 to 800 Da. Starting from 2100 V on the MCP
increase in 100 V increments at 1 minute intervals up to 3000 V.

Generate a BPI chromatogram and observe the relative size of the step at each voltage change. These
should reduce at each stage. If the intensity continues to rise in large steps the MCP may need
attention. Note that erroneous TDC settings, faulty attenuators and other factors can affect the result.

Make hard copies of the data for later reference

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Initial Performance Checks

Check the resolution at Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) of the instrument in positive ion EI mode
measuring for the 614 and 502 peaks of Heptacosa (FC43).

Ensuring that the peaks are not saturated. Make hard copies of the data and tune page settings for
later reference.

Peak mass (Da) Value

614

502

EITHER:

Check the sensitivity in positive ion EI mode using a standard sample (e.g. signal to noise ratio for 1
pg hexachlorobenzene).

OR

When no GC is available check the mass accuracy off the solids probe using <50ng Methyl stearate.
Comparing the measured mass versus the accepted mass calculate the Root Mean Square (RMS) error
for all sample peaks above mass 70 and >10% of base peak intensity assuming no saturation.

Make hard copies of the data and tune page settings for later use.

Test Result
GC EI sensitivity Signal to Noise Ratio =

OR
Probe mass accuracy RMS error (mDa) =

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Maintenance Tasks
The following procedures are routinely performed as part of performance maintenance. Any additional
maintenance requirements identified in the previous section are beyond the scope of this document.
For more information on these procedures, refer to the instrument Owner’s Manual (in the preventive
maintenance section).

Vent, Power Down, Inspect Done Comment

Check that the cooling fans are running.
Drain the oil mist filter if necessary by ballasting the
rotary backing pump. Do not forget to close the gas
ballast valve afterwards. - This step is not necessary if a
scroll backing pump is being used.
Check that the compressed air pressure is adequate to
operate the isolation and backing line valves typically
80 – 100 psi).
Check that the soft-vent solenoid inlet gas pressure is
approximately 5 psi.
Vent the instrument (through MassLynx). Confirm that
the turbo pumps spin down. Turn the rotary pump off.
Shut down MassLynx, and turn off the instruments
electronics

Shut down the Host PC and switch off the GC.

Remove the GC column from the source and roll the

GC away from the instrument.
Remove all the GCT outer covers.

715000707_C Page 6 of 12
Maintenance Tasks

Source Done Comment

Strip down, clean and rebuild the EI inner source.
Thoroughly clean all of the metal parts. Change the
filament, filament contact blocks and ceramic parts.

Outer source assembly (replace ceramics and heaters)

Replace the fused silica and septum in the septum inlet

assembly.

Inspect the thermocouples on the GC interface and

reference re-entrant assemblies. The entire twisted
section should in contact with the metal parts that are
being monitored. The wires should not touch each other
away from the metal surfaces.

Clean source housing (with IPA)

Cooling Systems Done Comment

Check that the flow of water is sufficient to keep the

turbo-pump heat-sink blocks cold when the supply is on.
If a closed-loop water circulator is not in use, back flush
the cooling water pipes to remove any potential
blockages.
Where a water chiller / recirculator is in use, check that
the water level and temperature are correct (approx 15
o
C)

Clean all of the fan intakes / exhausts around the

instrument.

Check that the flow of water is sufficient to keep the

turbo-pump heat-sink blocks cold when the supply is on.

Electrical checks Done Comment

Ensure that the 20-dB attenuator gives a resistance of
approximately 53 between the case and each of the
central pins.

715000707_C Page 7 of 12
Maintenance Tasks

Vacuum System Done Comment

Inspect the rotary pump exhaust lines. Drain any oil.

Inspect the backing vacuum hoses for signs of damage

or collapsing.
Check security of joints and clamps.

Replace Penning gauge bodies

Drain the rotary pump, flush with fresh oil and finally fill
up to the mark with clean oil.
Change the Oil mist filter cartridge
Change the alumina beads in foreline traps
Ensure that there is a 5 PSI check valve fitted to the soft
vent supply to the analyser turbo pump (as per change
note 020657).

Power Up and Pump Down Done Comment

Turn on the power supply to the mass spectrometer.

Turn on the rotary pump.

Ensure that all cooling fans are working (main
electronics chassis, pusher unit chassis and rear of the
instrument).
Refit the instrument covers and refit the GC column (if
appropriate).
Switch on the host PC and peripherals.
Login to the account normally used to control the
instrument.
When the EPC has completed its boot-up sequence,
start the MassLynx software.
Open the Tune page. From the Vacuum menu, select
Pump Instrument.
Check that the backing and turbo pumps start
automatically and that the Vacuum LED on the front of
the instrument starts to flash.
Monitor the turbo pump speed via the diagnostics tune
page and ensure that the vacuum LED changes to a
steady green state once the turbo pumps are up to
speed (>80%). Any leaks will be apparent from
monitoring the collision cell Pirani gauge that should
smoothly progress from 'red' to 'green' within a few
minutes.

715000707_C Page 8 of 12
Maintenance Tasks

MCP Conditioning Done Comment

Condition the micro-channel plates (follow procedure

below):
Since the plates have probably been at atmospheric pressure for at least a few hours, use a
long conditioning process. Try to time the work so that the process can be run overnight.
Use the parameters in the following table:

MCP Conditioning – Long Process

Start 0V

Stop 2700 V

Duration 600 minutes

Step 1 minute

715000707_C Page 9 of 12
Final Performance Checks

If the instrument fails to perform adequately during initial checks, it may need service work beyond the
scope of this Performance Maintenance Protocol. Such service work may incur additional parts and
labor charges.

Record values for each item in the table below; include comments where possible.

Gauge Reading Comment

Backing Pirani (mBar)

Source Penning (mBar)

Analyser Penning (mBar)

Open and close the isolation valve checking for an adequate response time and speed of operation.

Check the source heater to confirm that it is working correctly.

To check the ion block cartridge heater: Set the source heater to 180°C and confirm that it stabilizes at
that temperature +/- 3 degrees.

Heater Result Comment

Source heater Pass/Fail

Perform an MCP gain test to confirm that the detector system is serviceable.

With heptacosa (PFTBA) as the reference gas check that the largest peak in the spectrum is not likely to
saturate the detector when the MCP is set to 2800 V.

Acquire continuum data over the mass range 400 to 800 Da. Starting from 2100 V on the MCP
increase in 100 V increments at 1 minute intervals up to 3000 V.

Generate a BPI chromatogram and observe the relative size of the step at each voltage change. These
should reduce at each stage. If the intensity continues to rise in large steps the MCP may need
attention. Note that erroneous TDC settings, faulty attenuators and other factors can affect the result.

Make hard copies of the data for later reference

715000707_C Page 10 of 12
Final Performance Checks

Check the resolution at Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) of the instrument in positive ion EI mode
measuring for the 614 and 502 peaks of Heptacosa (FC43).

Ensuring that the peaks are not saturated. Make hard copies of the data and tune page settings for
later reference.

Peak mass (Da) Value

614

502

EITHER:

Check the sensitivity in positive ion EI mode using a standard sample (e.g. signal to noise ratio for 1
pg hexachlorobenzene).

OR

When no GC is available check the mass accuracy off the solids probe using <50ng Methyl stearate.
Comparing the measured mass versus the accepted mass calculate the Root Mean Square (RMS) error
for all sample peaks above mass 70 and >10% of base peak intensity assuming no saturation.

Make hard copies of the data and tune page settings for later use.

Test Result
GC EI sensitivity Signal to Noise Ratio =

OR
Probe mass accuracy RMS error (mDa) =

Optional Instrument Operations Done Comment

Use optional PM kits to clean / refurbish and test:

FI source

CI inner source

Solids Insertion lock and probe

715000707_C Page 11 of 12
PM Confirmation

I confirm on behalf of _____________________________ that the above Performance

Maintenance Protocol has been satisfactorily completed.

Signed _________________________________ Date _________________________

I certify that the PM service above has been successfully completed.

Engineer ________________________________ Date __________________________

Waters Corporation
34 Maple Street
Milford, MA 01757- U.S.A.
www.waters.com

Waters, Micromass, Connections and Waters Quality Parts are registered trademarks of Waters Corporation. All other
trademarks are property of their respective onwers.
©2005 Waters Corporation. Printed in the U.S.A. May 2005 – 715000707, Rev. C

715000707_C Page 12 of 12