Installing Dionex Devices
Dionex ESA Model 542 Autosampler: Installation

 

Device Type:

Autosampler for HPLC applications

Device Driver:

Dionex HPLC - ESA Modules:  ESA 542 Autosampler

The driver was tested with ESA autosampler model 542, firmware version 100.

Supported Options:

  • Skip missing vials

Restrictions:

  • No support of auxiliary outputs (however, inject closure is supported)

  • Programmable series not supported

  • Programmable priority vial not supported

  • Number of injections limited to 1 per sample.

  • Timed events not supported

  • The following commands are not supported: Hold, Continue

  • Remote control not supported

  • Keyboard lock not supported

  • Enabling/disabling of Run Screen not supported

  • Missing destination vial not supported

    Important:

    It is critical that the destination vials be positioned properly, since the autosampler cannot recover from a missing destination vial. If a missing destination vial is detected, the autosampler will sound an audible alarm and Chromeleon will abort a running sequence.

    It will then be necessary to press the <PANIC STOP> button on the autosampler's LCD panel, followed by the <SERIAL> button, to recover from this condition.

 

What is required?

License:

Timebase Class 1

Connection:

A free RS-232 port must be available on the Chromeleon Server PC.

If the PC does not have a serial port, a USB-to-Serial converter is recommended (ESA part no. 70-9190).

To connect the autosampler to the PC, an appropriate serial cable is required.

Control Panel:

To control the instrument, use

  • panel tabsets (refer to How to:  Controlling Devices from the Panel Tabset)

    OR

  • ESA_542_Autosampler.pan from the
    Dionex Templates\Panels\Dionex_LC folder in the Browser

 

Hardware Installation

Device Connection:

 

Device Settings:

General Control

To control the autosampler from the PC, do the following:

  • Turn on the autosampler. This will start an initialization routine. After completion of the initialization procedure, the Ready screen appears on the LCD panel of the autosampler.

  • On the Ready screen, press the <SERIAL> button.

 

Communication Settings

The communication parameters are set at the factory as follows:

Baud rate: 9600

Databits: 8

Stopbits: 1

Parity: EVEN

Handshake: None

 

Software Installation

  1. In the Chromeleon Server Configuration, add the driver to a timebase. For details, see Adding, Configuring or Deleting Devices. After you add the driver, the configuration dialog opens automatically.

  2. On the Configuration page, select the serial interface port to which the autosampler is connected (i.e., the COM port on the Chromeleon computer to which the RS-232 serial cable is connected) and specify device settings as required. For information about the configuration settings, click Help or press F1.

Further Information

For detailed installation instructions, refer to the operating instructions for the instrument.

For an overview of the different ESA devices, refer to  ESA Overview.