MA-3000 Troubleshooting Chart

MA-3000 Troubleshooting Chart


Problem  Cause  Solution
There is leak Joints are loose Re-tighten all joints; fitting on T-joint and trap may need 1/4 turn with small wrench
 Most Common Sources of Leaks Sample heating tube is broken Remove and Install new sample heating tube
  Pressure regulator is broken Replace pressure regulator
  Solenoid valve(V1-V3) is broken or dirty  Clean V3 Valve; Replace solenoid valve
  Foreign matter on inlet o-ring Remove foreign matter or install new inlet O-ring
  High or low flowcell has an internal leak Disassemble, clean, and reinstall flowcells

Loose or broken connection between flowcells
Replace High flowcell

Broken Z-Axis Nut prevents inlet from sealing
Remove and replace Z-axis nut
Sensitivity drop
Mercury standard solution is bad or wrong
Remake mercury standard solution
  There is leak Run a leak check and Fix the leak
  Sample heating tube is faulty Remove and Replace sample heating tube
  Wrong method selected in software Change method
  Incomplete sample decomposition Change method or reduce sample amount
  Sample interference (halogens) Change method; reduce sample amount; use additives
  Residue on sample boat Wash or replace sample boat
  Joints/cell are contaminated Wash and/or replace all teflon joints

Broken H2 Heater
Check heater; replace heater and/or SSR if coil is good
Flow error Oxygen cylinder is empty or valve closed
Replace cylinder/open valve
 Combustion tube is plugged or solidifyed Remove and Replace sample heating tube
  Activated Carbon Filter is clogged Replace activated carbon filter
  Mass flow controller is broken Check and adjust or Replace mass flow controller
  Plugged Sample Fork
(flow rate drop during dry step)
Replace or clean boat handling poker
  Clogged up V3 Valve
(flow rate drop during dry step)
Clean and/or Replace the V3 and teflon tubing
Strange peak shape / no peak Affected by interference Change method or reduce sample amount or use additive
  Maximum H3 temperature is low
(Thermocouple position is not good or SSR/switching power supply is broken)
Adjust thermocouple position
Replace SSR/switching power supply 
  H3 does not heat up
(H3 coil or thermocouple is broken)
Replace H3 heater coil or thermocouple
  Mercury collector tube is faulty Clean and/or Replace the mercury collector tube
High blank Sample heating tube is contaminated Replace to new sample heating tube
  Joints are contaminated Replace or wash Joints and cell
  Boat sample fork is contaminated
Replace or Clean boat sample fork
  Sample boat is contaminated Replace or wash sample boat
  Sample inlet is contaminated Replace or clean sample inlet
  Dehumidifier bottle is contaminated Replace or wash dehumidifier bottle