Routine Maintenance with FastPack Inlet Kits (1 pack includes 5 maintenance kits.)
What are the benefits of using a FastPack Inlet Kit?
Injection port maintenance should be performed prior to installing any capillary column and on a routine basis, based on the number of injections made and the cleanliness of the samples. Maintenance includes replacing the injection port (inlet) liner, the critical inlet seals, and the septum. The FastPack inlet kit includes all the parts needed to maintain your system.
Why replace an injection port liner?
For optimum column performance, the injection port (inlet) liner must be free of septum particles, sample residue, or ferrule fragments. Peak shape degradation, poor reproducibility, sample decomposition, and ghost peaks all are associated with using a dirty (contaminated) liner.
Why replace the critical seal?
The critical seal must fit tightly around the inlet liner to prevent carrier gas from leaking around the outside of the liner. Replace the critical seal prior to installing an inlet liner.
Why replace the septum?
The septum maintains a leak-tight seal that excludes air from the inlet. Frequent replacement prevents fragmentation and leaks. Multiple injections and continuous exposure to hot injection port surfaces can decompose the septum and can create particles, which can fall into the inlet liner. Septum particles are a potential source of ghost peaks, loss of inertness, and carrier gas flow occlusion. Allow a new septum sufficient time to condition in the injector to reduce the incidence of ghost peaks; however, Thermolite Plus septa are preconditioned for quicker instrument uptime. To avoid contamination, always use gloves and forceps when handling septa.
Why replace the inlet seal?
In Agilent split/splitless injection ports, the inlet seal sits at the base of the injector. Dirt, nonvolatile residue, septum fragments, and other undesirable materials contaminate the inlet seal and decrease analytical linearity. The only way to maintain optimum performance is by frequently changing the inlet seal and ensuring the seal is leak tight.
