No Emission Current During Tuning on GC/MSD Systems

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent GC/MSD systems 

Issue:

When performing MS tuning, there is error message "No Emission Current" and tune is aborted.

Steps to Follow

This error normally means that the selected filament is not working. Perform the following checks:

1. In the Manual Tune screen, make sure that the PTFBA status is Open. If not, double click to switch it to Open. (See Figure 1 for MSD productivity ChemStation and Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 for MassHunter)
2. Click the Scan or Profile button and check whether the error message appears again. 

Tips: See article: How to Access Manual Tune in MassHunter and MSD productivity ChemStation

 
Figure 1.Manual Tune in MSD productivity ChemStation. 
1. Profile button 2. Scan button 3. Filament Box

 
Figure 2.Manual Tune in MassHunter 
1. Profile tab 2. Scan tab 3. Filament Box

 
Figure 3. Profile under MassHunter Manual Tune
1.Profile tab 2. Profile button

 
Figure 4. Scan under MassHunter Manual Tune
1.Scan tab 2. Scan button

        3. Switch to another filament from the screen by double-clicking the Filament box.

4. Click the Scan or Profile button again and check whether a peak appears now you have switched filaments.

• 1. If a peak appears, exit from the screen. Exiting will put you back at the top level of Manual tune. Click File > Save Tune Parameters...
     You can now perform Autotune. Change the filament the next time you perform ion source cleaning.
     

      

     Warning: The analyzers, GC/MS interface, and other components in the analyzer chamber operate at high temperatures. Do not touch any part until you are sure it has cooled close to ambient temperature.

  2. If no peak appears and an error message still persists, vent the system and check whether the two filaments are broken and that the ion source cable is connected correctly. See the articles: How To Vent (Shut Down) the GC/MSD - EI – MassHunter and How to Remove and Reinstall 5977 GC/MSD Ion Sources (EI/CI/HES). Also see Error Occurs in Autotune After Filament Switch on Agilent GC/MSD  
     • If the filament is broken, replace it.
     • Pump down the system and perform tuning again.  

Tips: To see a list of consumables and supplies for your Agilent GC/MSD include Filaments: Instrument Supplies for GC/MS on Agilent.com

         5. If there is no improvement, contact your local Agilent support representative.

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent MassHunter Workstation: Agilent 5977 GC/MSD with MassHunter Workstation Learning path available from Agilenteducation.