• Created : 
  • Modified : 
  • Category :  Agilent Knowledge Portal
  • Entry Type :  Article
  • Product Type :  ICP-MS Systems
  • Component :  ICP-MS Single Quadrupole ICP MS Triple Quadrupole
  • Product Name :  7700 ICP-MS 7800 ICP-MS 7850 ICP-MS 7900 ICP-MS 8800 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS 8900 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS
  • Task :  Operation
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Agilent ICP-MS Status Indicator

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent ICP-MS systems (7700/7800/7850/7900/8800/8900)

Issue

What information does the ICP-MS instrument status indicator provide?

Background

The ICP-MS Instrument Status Indicator on the instrument, and in the ICP-MS MassHunter Software is useful to assess the state of the instrument. It is important to monitor the status of the instrument during powering on/off, and for troubleshooting. 

Resolution

1. Identify the status indicator on the top-right corner of the front of the ICP-MS (Figure 1).


ICP-MS Status Indicator LED
Figure 1. ICP-MS Front View
1. Status Indicator LED on the instrument


    Alternatively, open ICP-MS MassHunter Instrument Control and locate the Instrument Status Indicator:

  • For MassHunter 4.6 and below:
    Select Instrument Status from the View top menu drop-down menu to show the Instrument Status Indicator in the software (Figure 2).
    Note: if the File / Edit / View menu bar is not visible, press F10 on your keyboard to show the menu bar.


    MH 4.x Instrument Status
    Figure 2. MassHunter 4.6 and Below - Instrument Status: Analysis
    1. View, 2. Instrument Status Selected, 3. Location of Instrument Status Indicator




  • For MassHunter 5.1 and above:
     Select the View Tab and click Instrument Status Indicator from the Show group to show the Instrument Status Indicator in the software (Figure 3).


    MH 5.x Instrument Status
    Figure 3. MassHunter 5.1 and Above - Instrument Status: Analysis
    1. View Tab 2. Instrument Status Indicator Selected 3. Location of Instrument Status Indicator

2. Observe the status indicator color, or pattern of color change to identify the instrument status (Table 1).

Instrument Status Status Indicator Behavior Color/Pattern of Instrument Status Indicator
Shutdown mode: Foreline pump off, ICP-MS front power on Status indicator is out (no light)                
Standby mode: Foreline pump on, ICP-MS plasma off Solid orange                
Analysis mode: Foreline pump on, ICP-MS plasma on Solid green                
Shutdown mode to Standby mode Long orange followed by short pause with no light (repeating sequence)                
Standby mode to Analysis mode Short orange followed by long green (repeating sequence)                
Analysis mode to Standby mode Short green followed by long orange(repeating sequence)                
Standby to Shutdown mode Short orange followed by a long pause with no light (repeating sequence)                
Instrument power initialization Solid red (for up to five minutes), then no light. When there is no light, the instrument has reached shutdown.                
Instrument fault If the indicator stays solid red for more than 10 minutes, there is an instrument fault.                

Table 1. ICP-MS Instrument Status Identification

 

 
Learn how to effectively operate and troubleshoot your Agilent ICP-MS System:
Agilent 7800/7850/7900 ICP-MS with MassHunter e-learning course available from Agilent education
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