Installing and Controlling Third-Party Devices
Shimadzu LC-10A/LC-20A Prominence HPLC Systems: LC-10A Emulation Mode

Chromeleon provides support for controlling the LC-20A Prominence HPLC system with a CBM-20A or CBM-20Alite system controller. However, you may also control the LC-20A indirectly via an SCL-10Avp system controller of the LC-10A HPLC system. When operating the LC-20A system with an SCL-10Avp controller, the system must be set to LC-10A emulation mode. It will then run as a pseudo LC-10A system.

Note:

Dionex does not have any reliable information as to whether all functions and commands for the Prominence system are supported in emulation mode. Limitations may occur. For information on the individual modules and supported functions, refer to the respective instruction manual or contact Shimadzu.

Hardware Installation

To control LC-20A modules with a SCL-10Avp controller under Chromeleon, proceed as follows:

  1. Connect the controller with the LC-20A system as described in section Device Connection below.

  2. Set each module to LC-10A Emulation Mode following the instructions provided in the user manual of the respective instrument.

  3. Configure communication settings and system configuration as described in section Device Settings below.

  4. Install the device driver of the LC-10A/LC-20A HPLC System. For details, refer to Shimadzu LC-10A/LC-20A Prominence HPLC Systems: Installation.

For further installation details, please also refer to the instruction manual of the SCL-10Avp system controller.

Hardware Installation

Device Connection:

Connect the HPLC System to the PC via the System Controller (SCL-10Avp), using a completely connected null modem cable (Dionex part no. 1310.2263; see  Null Modem Cable).

Use the fiber-optical cable that is supplied with the device to connect the device to the SCL-10Avp controller.

Make sure that the input signals of the signal cable are not connected for the following modules:

  • Column oven (CTO-20A, CTO-20AC)

  • UV-VIS detector (SPD-20A, SPD-20AV)

  • Pump module (LC-20AT)  

Device Settings:

Communication settings on the system controller

  1. Turn on the system controller or autosampler (if the controller is integrated in the autosampler).

  2. Select 4(SYSTEM) and F3(NEXT) on the Main menu to open the COMMUNICATION SETTING menu.

  3. Set the communication parameters as follows:
    CLASS-VP: 5.x (or 5or6)
    Interface: RS-232C
    Baud rate: 19200
    Level: Enhanced

  4. Wait for 10 seconds.

  5. Turn off and restart the system controller or autosampler.

System configuration:

  1. Turn on the system controller or autosampler and all other modules.

  2. Press F4(CONFIG) key while the Main menu is displayed to open the SYSTEM CONFIGURATION menu.

  3. Press the F2(FIX) key if FIXED is displayed on the top right.

    FIXED is no longer displayed; all connected modules are listed with their firmware version.

  4. Use the Ù and Ú keys to navigate from line to line. Press F1(SEL|DEL) in the corresponding lines to select all available modules (inverted text). Deselect all absent modules (normal text).

  5. Press the F2(FIX) key.

    FIXED should appear on the top right.

  6. Press the F5(MENU) key to return to the Main menu.

For further installation details, please refer to the instruction manual of the SCL-10Avp system controller.

Hardware Options
Supported:

The following LC-20 modules can be operated with a SCL-10Avp Controller:

 

Pumps:

LC-20AD, LC-20AT

 

Autosampler:

SIL-20AC

 

Column oven:

CTO-20A, CTO-20AC

 

UV-VIS detector:

SPD-20A, SPD-20AV

Restrictions:

The following known restrictions apply when the LC-20A Prominence system is run in SCL-10Avp emulation mode:

- Control of the LC-20A system via a LC-20 System Controller is not possible.

- Each Chromeleon server can control up to two LC-20A systems. However, each HPLC system may comprise only one detector. Operating a system without a detector is not possible.

LC-20AT:

  • The maximum limit of flow rate is 9.999 ml/min,

  • The Pressure.UpperLimit must not exceed 43.2 MPa (6260 psi). Chromeleon does not check this.

SIL-20AC:

  • The firmware of the SCL-10Avp must be at least version 6.03.

  • Important: When using a control vial rack, set the rack number as specified in the instruction manual of the sampler.

SPD-20A:

  • It is not possible to control the flow cell temperature setting via Chromeleon.

CTO-20AC:

  • Maximum possible settings for operating temperature and maximum temperature are 80 °C and 85 °C respectively.

  • Use of the Column Management not supported by the system controller.

 

Further Information

 Tip:

For more installation details, refer to the manual for the LC-10A/LC-20A instrument.

For an overview of the HPLC system, refer to  Shimadzu LC-10A/LC-20A Prominence HPLC System: Overview.

For information on installing the LC-20A system with a CBM-20A or CBM-20Alite system controller, refer to Shimadzu LC-10A/LC-20A Prominence HPLC Systems: Installation.