Ensuring System Wellness (IC Devices)
Calibrating the ICS-3000/ICS-5000 Conductivity Detector Cell

When to Calibrate:

Every 6 months

 

 

Items Needed

1.00 mM KCl solution: Prepare by dissolving 0.07456 g of reagent-grade KCl in 1.000 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. In the panel tabset, click the Cond. Detector tab.

  2. Under Conductivity Detector Settings, click Calibration.

The Conductivity Detector Wellness panel opens.

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

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

  3. 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.

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

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

  6. Under External Conductivity Cell Calibration, click Cell 35 C to select the cell heater temperature. Allow the cell to reach this temperature and then wait an additional 5 minutes to let it stabilize.

  7. Click 1.00 ml/min to set the pump flow rate and begin pumping 1.00 mM KCl through the cell.

  8. Wait until the Total Conductivity reading stabilizes (in approximately 15 minutes), and then click Calibrate. After calibration, the conductivity reading should be 147.00 ± 2 mS/cm. If this is not the case, contact Dionex for help.

  9. Click Log to record the new calibration value in the Audit Trail.

  10. 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.

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

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