Installing and Controlling Thermo Scientific Devices
Thermo Scientific TRACE 1110 GC: Installation

Device Type

Gas chromatograph

Device Driver:

Thermo Scientific: TRACE 1110 GC Driver
(tested for firmware version M1.03/L1.03_0614)

Supported Hardware Options:

  • Up to 4 Inlets
    Options:
    - Capillary, with or without  Electronic Pressure Control (EPC). The solvent split option is supported.
    - Packed, with or without EPC.

  • Column Oven
    - Maximum temperature of 500°C
    - Cryogenics option

  • Up to 4 Detectors (A maximum of 3  channels can be used to acquire data)
    Options:
    - Flame Ionization Detector (FID), with or without EPC.
    - Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD), with or without EPC.

Other Supported Options:

  • Digital data acquisition

Note:

After a GC run ends for a sample, Chromeleon will continue to acquire data for the sample until the expected number of data points have been obtained (based on the data collection rate and the length of the run). The next sample in the sequence will not start until all data for the current sample has been acquired.

Restrictions:

  • The data collection rate is dependent on the Powerline Frequency. You can set this on the General page in the Chromeleon Server Configuration program.

    • If the Powerline Frequency is set to 50 Hz, the following data collection rates are available: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Hz.

    • If the Powerline Frequency is set to 60 Hz, the following data collection rates are available: 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60 Hz.

  • For manual data acquisition, all detectors use the last value set for the data collection rate (default: 10Hz).

  • A maximum of 3  channels can be used to acquire data for the device.

  • When acquiring digital data on several channels, ensure that data acquisition starts at the same time on all channels. Otherwise, an error message occurs during Ready Check.

  • Limited support is provided for Demo Mode. If Demo Mode is set to Read on the General page in the Chromeleon Server Configuration program, data cannot be acquired. If Demo Mode is set to Write, data can be acquired, but the specified Demo File will not be created.

The following features and options are not supported:

  • Analog data acquisition

  • Assignment of devices to timebases

  • Timebase sharing

  • Diagnostics

  • SmartStartup/SmartShutdown

  • Autosampler commands to the driver

 

What is required?

License:

  • Server License

  • Timebase Class 1

Connection:

  • A free USB port on the Chromeleon Server PC

  • USB cable supplied with the GC

  • Cable for connecting an autosampler to the GC, depending on the autosampler type. (For information, refer to the operating instructions for the autosampler.)

Hardware
Prerequisites:

Hardware synchronization between the GC and the connected autosamplers. Depending on the sampler, a different cable has to be used.

 

Hardware Installation

The TRACE 1110 GC connects to the Chromeleon Server PC using a USB connection that simulates an RS-232 serial port (COM) interface. In order to use the TRACE 1110 GC driver, and before making any cable connections, it is necessary to install a special driver to make the PC's USB port simulate a COM port. Proceed with the hardware installation as follows:

  1. Ensure Chromeleon is installed on the Chromeleon Server PC.

  2. Log into the Chromeleon Server PC with an Administrator's account.

  3. Install the USB driver provided on the distribution DVD in the following location: \Drivers\Thermo Scientific USB Serial Ports

     Note:

    See readme.txt in the driver folder, which contains installation information.

  4. Connect the GC to the USB port on the Chromeleon Server PC using the USB cable supplied with the GC.

  5. To connect an autosampler to the GC, use the appropriate cable for the respective autosampler. (For information about which cable is required, refer to the autosampler manual.)

  6. After making the necessary connections, the GC is ready to be configured in the Chromeleon Server Configuration program (see Software Installation below).

 Caution: 

Do not unplug the USB cable during data acquisition. If you unplug the USB cable, you remove the device from the computer and data acquisition will be stopped.

Software Installation

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

  2. On the General tab page, select the serial port number (COM port) on the Chromeleon Server PC that is used to connect to the GC.

  3. Click the Get button to automatically read the instrument configuration.

  4. If required, specify settings on each configuration tab page. For information about the settings on a page, click the Help button on a page or press F1.

Configuration for Manual Injection or a Remote Inject Device

When performing injections using an unsupported sampler or when doing manual injections, a Remote Inject device has to be installed on the timebase (Note: The TRACE 1110 GC driver must be installed on the timebase prior to the Remote Inject driver):

  1. In the Server Configuration program, add a Remote Inject driver to the timebase. (Select Add Device on the Edit or context menu, and then select Generic from the Manufacturers list box and Remote Inject from the Devices list box.)

  2. A dialog box for the Remote Inject device appears. On the General tab page, the default device name is InjectValve. You can accept the default name or enter a different one.
    From the Inject Port drop-down list, select an inject port of the TRACE 1110 GC driver (TRACE_1110.Run1 or TRACE_1110.Run2).

Further Information

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

For helpful hints and tips related to the commands, properties, and general control of the TRACE 1110 GC, refer to Commands and Tips for Thermo Scientific Devices  Thermo Scientific TRACE 1110 GC.

For an overview of the different Thermo Scientific/Thermo Finnigan/ThermoQuest/TSP instruments for which device drivers are available in Chromeleon, refer to  Thermo Scientific.