Introduction to the Agilent 7100 Capillary Electrophoresis System

8 Maintenance
Cleaning the Electrodes, Pre-punchers and Insulation Plate
Cleaning the Electrodes, Pre-punchers and Insulation Plate
Buffer precipitates, dust, moisture or other solid material in the electrodes
and pre-punchers or under the insulation plate may cause arcing. They can
lead to current leakage, buffer contamination or carry-over. Cleaning these
parts regularly will prevent this.
The electrodes, pre-punchers and the insulation plate should be cleaned
regularly. Depending on the application, cleaning frequency can be for
example once a week, or if peaks show unusual tailing or unusual peak
shoulders. Please be aware that the EMF counter analysis start lets you set
customized limits for warnings. Cleaning is necessary if arcing or excessive
current leakage is observed. Usage of creeping buffers, such as urea, may lead
to higher cleaning frequency.
Steps for the cleaning procedure for electrodes, pre-punchers and the
insulation plate:
• Prepare the Agilent CE instrument for this task
• Remove the covers
• Access the electrodes
• Access the liquid handling module
• Access the pre-punchers
• Clean the electrodes
• Clean the pre-punchers
• Clean the insulation plate
• Reinstall the pre-punchers
• Reinstall the insulation plate
• Reinstall the electrodes
NOTE
Follow the common safety regulations for laboratories when doing this task. Wear safety
glasses and rubber gloves.
196 Agilent 7100 Capillary Electrophoresis System User Manual