Solvent smell

Leak

Check all fittings. It is important to know what all the common HPLC solvents smell like! Methanol in particular has a very light smell, yet is a nerve poison so breathing it can have nasty consequences. When a leak occurs it will evaporate into the lab, so it is important to be sensitive to the smell, and respond quickly.

Spill

Check solvent waste container. It is useful to have the MSDS for each solvent used to hand, and to know how to clean up a spill. If in doubt, ventillate the area, warn others of the danger, and don't operate any light switches etc.

Locate and clean up spillage

‘Hot’ smell

Overheating module

Check for proper ventilation

Check module cooling fan.

 A 'hot smell' can become a fire and do a lot of damage. It may be that a fan has stopped working. A vent may have become blocked or been covered. But a component may have failed and is allowing mains voltage onto a circuit board. In which case prompt action may prevent a loud pop if a resistor fries, or a lot of acrid smoke if insulation melts, and of course, it may prevent a fire. If smoke does start to come from an instrument, turn it off and remove its mains lead immediately. If necessary, turn off the plug socket in the wall and run! Be careful not to breath the smoke.

Warning lamps ‘ON’

Pressure limit setting exceeded

Check for blockage

Reset upper limit setting

Other warning lamps

Refer to manual

Warning buzzers

Solvent leak

Locate and correct. If you have a leak detector, it will probably be very sensitive, and hard to clear once the leak has been stopped. An aerosol air duster will usually be sufficient to dry the sensor (or a compressed air line) but be careful not to apply too much pressure or the sensor may be damaged. If an aerosol can is used, keep it the right way up, or the propellant will be expelled, which will act as a refridgerant and may crack the sensor.

Other buzzers

Refer to manual

Squeaks and squeals

Bearing lubrication

Lubricate as recommended. Don't spray into a fan while it is running, or the whole inside of an instrument will become coated with WD40! But if a bearing is rumbling, sooner or later it will seize, and things may get damaged. If it is a fan bearing, it is important to replace the fan, in case much more expensive components overheat.

Mechanical wear

Refer to manual or call a service engineer.