Shimadzu QP5000 GCMS Vacuum Parameters

[jayefield]

I have acquired a Shimadzu QP5000 GC/MS from my former employer. I used this instrument 10 years ago and have forgotten most of what I knew. I am trying to get the instrument up and running, but cannot get the turbo pump to start. My question is what level vacuum at the fore-pump is necessary for the turbo pump to start? The Vacuum monitor in the Vacuum Control Window says the "Lower Vacuum" is 4.2e+000 Pa. Is 4.2 Pascal sufficient, or should I be getting lower values than this? BTW I checked power to the turbo pump and there is none there, so I am thinking something is keeping it offline

[thohry]

I have acquired a Shimadzu QP5000 GC/MS from my former employer. I used this instrument 10 years ago and have forgotten most of what I knew. I am trying to get the instrument up and running, but cannot get the turbo pump to start. My question is what level vacuum at the fore-pump is necessary for the turbo pump to start? The Vacuum monitor in the Vacuum Control Window says the "Lower Vacuum" is 4.2e+000 Pa. Is 4.2 Pascal sufficient, or should I be getting lower values than this? BTW I checked power to the turbo pump and there is none there, so I am thinking something is keeping it offline

In GC/MS, 4.2 Pascal is about normal pressure that the foreline pump can get.

[gapeev]

Turbo pump controller uses contact closure to start pump. Thus you can override/bypass.

[jayefield]

Thanks, Thohry. Good to know fore-pump vacuum is ok.

Alexei, where is the contact closure that can operated manually? only manual controls are for the GC. There are none on the MS unit.

[gapeev]

The masspec monitors for-pump vacuum and commands (via contact closure) the turbo controller to start spinning. The connections are at the back of the turbo controller. Don't recall the details, sorry.