Ensuring System Wellness (IC Devices)
Calibrating the ICS-90 Conductivity Cell

When to Calibrate:

After installing a new cell

Every 6 months

 

 

Items Needed:

1.0 mM KCl solution: Prepare by dissolving 0.07456 g of reagent-grade KCl in one liter of 18 megohm deionized water

Backpressure tubing to provide at least 7 MPa (1000 psi). Use 0.076 mm (0.003 in) ID yellow PEEK tubing (P/N 049715)

 

  1. Open the ICS-90 (or ICS-90A) System Wellness Control Panel (see  Opening a Wellness Control Panel).  

    If you are unsure whether your system is an ICS-90 or ICS-90A, check the model data label on the rear panel.

  2. Use an Allen wrench to remove the two screws securing the DS5 Detection Stabilizer (which holds the cell) to the ICS-90 component mounting panel.

  3. Pull the DS5 straight out from the component mounting panel to unplug the cell from its electronics. Let the DS5 hang by the tubing.

  4. Allow the conductivity to stabilize for 5 to 10 minutes.

  5. Click the Calibrate Offset script button under conductivity cell.

  6. Line up the 9-pin connectors on the DS5 and the component mounting panel and plug the DS5 back into the electronics. Replace the screws and tighten.

  7. Disconnect the pump outlet line from port P (2) on the injection valve; connect the line directly to the cell inlet using the yellow PEEK backpressure tubing.

  8. Fill an eluent bottle with the 1.0 mM KCl solution and connect it to the eluent out line. Prime the pump and then turn on the pump.

  9. Verify that there is a minimum of 7 MPa (1000 psi) of backpressure.

  10. Allow the conductivity to stabilize for 5 to 10 minutes.

  11. Click the Calibrate Slope script button under conductivity cell. The cell is calibrated and a new cell calibration constant is uploaded to Chromeleon. The new value is stored as the current cell calibration constant.

  12. After calibration, the conductivity reading should be 147.00 ± 2 mS/cm. If this is not the case, call Dionex for assistance.

  13. Flush the KCl solution from the system by pumping DI water through the cell. When the conductivity drops to less than 1 mS/cm, stop the pump flow.

  14. Reconnect the pump to the injection valve and reconnect the line from the suppressor to the cell inlet.