The error message; "Trap current is insufficient" keeps appearing on the Shimadzu GC-MS QP 2010 instrument in my department over the last couple of weeks. When it shows up the MS stops running but the GC continues to run. The Shimadzu service agent has cleaned the iron source, cleaned the lens, etc and even changed some I.C boards, instrument was fine for a week and the error message reappeared. Is anyone conversant with this error message (kindly find photo attached) and how was the problem resolved permanently, please?
We own a number of QP 2010 instruments. Normally this error message means that the source is not clean, but as i understand the Shimadzu service agent has already cleaned the ion source. Most likely one of the two filaments is slightly misaligned. Have You changed the filaments during cleanup?
@ Nagapooja: Thank you for the suggestions. 1 & 3 have been done. Not sure about 2, I'll check with instrument technician.
Thank you Ludwig for the pointer to the possibility of misaligned filaments.
I agree with the suggestion given by Ludwig Gruber. The service engineer has to check the alignment of the filaments.
I believe this problem is easy. The issue is that electrons are not arriving in the trap filament that identifies when the electrons are arriving by the increase in current. It may be because the filaments have lost their resistance property or even because they are worn out by use, but it cannot be because they are misaligned, as they are fixed on pins and do not change position. The ideal is to clean the source, but check that the holes for electron passages between the filaments are aligned and not obstructed. In this way, part of the source needs to be rotated to align the holes and allow electrons to pass through. If that doesn't work, the ideal is to change the cables, filaments and test the plates, but turning the ion source and cleaning it is enough. Brazil
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