Changing a Detector Lamp
Description
Replacing the UV lamp is part of the necessary maintenance for your LC-UV instrument. It can be done as part of scheduled maintenance or when issues like low energy, noisy baseline, or ignition problems show up. It is a straightforward process, but there are some best practices to follow to make sure that you get your instrument back up and running as quickly as possible.
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Transcript
Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us for this Restek Tip. Our topic today is changing detector lamps. So, modern deuterium lamps have a lifetime of about 2,000 hours. But, always check with your instrument vendor for the recommended replacement schedule. Some indications that the lamp is reaching the end of its usable lifetime are low energy, noisy baseline, or even failing to light when the detector is powered on. Now, when it comes time to change the lamp, you want to power off the detector, make sure it’s unplugged, and then give it five or ten minutes so the lamp will be cool to the touch. Depending on the model, the lamp cover can be accessed either from the front, side, or top panel. You want to remove the lamp cover, disconnect the wiring harness, undo the holding screws, and then remove the old lamp and dispose of it properly. When you’re putting the new lamp in place, always wear gloves, or hold on to it with a chem wipe or a paper towel, so that the oils from your fingers don’t get on the glass surface. When it’s in use, the lamp gets really hot, and any residue or oil on that surface could overheat and cause the lamp to explode.
Most of the time, there’s going to be a little alignment pin next to one of the mounting screws, and that's just to make sure that when you put the new lamp in place, it’s seated properly. So, connect the two installation screws, replace the wiring harness. Then, replace the access panel and the cover panel for the detector. Then, check the manual to see is there is any kind of wavelength calibration procedure that’s required before you start running samples. So, it’s a pretty simple procedure. It takes maybe five or ten minutes, and it’s really easy for you to do yourself. So, thanks for joining us, and stay tuned for more tips from your friends at Restek.