Ensuring System Wellness (IC Devices)
Calibrating the ICS-1000/1500/2000 or ICS-1100/1600/2100 Conductivity Cell

 Note:

Do not open a System Wellness Control Panel if the name includes "Service.pan." These Wellness panels are reserved for use by Dionex Service Representatives.

Method A: For Calibrating New or Replacement Cells (Optional)

1. Open the System Wellness Control Panel for the ICS-1000/1500/2000 or ICS-1100/1600/2100 (see  Opening a Wellness Control Panel).

2. Locate the System Status controls.

3. Click Details to open the Calibration Details dialog box.

4. Locate the Conductivity Cell Cal Details controls.

5. Enter the cell calibration constant (written on the front of the cell) in the Conductivity Cell Constant field and press <Enter>. Chromeleon will download the new value to the ICS-1000/1500/2000 or ICS-1100/1600/2100  and will store it as the current cell calibration constant.

6. Click Close to exit the dialog box.

Method B: For Calibrating After Every 6 Months of Use

1. Open the System Wellness Control Panel for the ICS-1000/1500/2000 or ICS-1100/1600/2100.

2. Locate the Electric Conductivity Cell Calibration controls. If desired, click Instructions for an overview of the calibration procedure.

3. Click Offset Cal to begin the offset calibration.

4. When the offset calibration is complete, click Slope Cal to begin the slope calibration. When the slope calibration is complete, Chromeleon will retrieve the new calibration value from the ICS-1000/1500/2000 or ICS-1100/1600/2100 and will store it as the current calibration value. Chromeleon will automatically update the Current Calibration Date and Last Calibration Date fields.

5. Disconnect the pump output line from the injection valve.

6. Disconnect the line from the suppressor ELUENT OUT port to the conductivity cell inlet and connect the pump output line directly to the cell inlet.

7. Disconnect the line from the suppressor REGEN IN port to the cell outlet. Direct the cell outlet line to a waste container.

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

9. Locate the Conductivity Cell Calibration controls. If desired, click Instructions for an overview of the calibration procedure.

10. Click Cell 35 C to select the cell heater temperature. Monitor the cell during the warm-up period:

    • If you have an ICS-1000 or ICS-1100, monitor the cell temperature on a standard ICS-1000 or ICS-1100 control panel. When the temperature reaches 35 °C, wait an additional 5 minutes and then go on to Step 11.

    • If you have an ICS-1500/2000 or an ICS-1600/2100, monitor the cell temperature on the HOME page on the instrument front panel. When the "=" symbol is displayed next to the Cell Heater control, go on to Step 11.

11. Click 1.00 ml/min to set the pump flow rate. Begin pumping 1.0 mM KCl through the cell.

12. Wait until the Total Conductivity reading stabilizes (in approximately 15 minutes), and then click Calibrate. When the calibration procedure is complete, Chromeleon will retrieve the new calibration value from the ICS-1000/1500/2000 or ICS-1100/1600/2100 and store it as the current calibration value. After calibration, the conductivity reading should be 147.00 ± 2 mS/cm and the cell calibration constant should be between 130 and 190. If this is not the case, refer to the troubleshooting section of your ICS-1000/1500/2000 or ICS-1100/1600/2100 operator's manual.

13. Click Log to record the new calibration value in the Audit Trail. Chromeleon will automatically update the Current Calibration Date and Last Calibration Date fields.

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

15. Reconnect the pump to the injection valve and reconnect the line from the suppressor ELUENT OUT port to the cell inlet.

16. Reconnect the cell outlet to the suppressor REGEN IN port.