What is the significance of detector noise during GC calibration

Hi p.balaji,

I have updated the tags on your post for better visibility. The measurement of detector noise during a qualification of an instrument is to ensure the detector is working within specification. The impact of a failure is really left up to the user of the instrument. Some customers will place the instrument out of service until the noise issue is addressed other customers , depending on the noise problem will continue use, its really your call. If this is a QC instrument, most often it is placed out of service.

Signal to noise is a measurement of response of a peak compared to an section of baseline or background.

The noise, wander, and drift are calculated according to the method described in ASTM standard E685-93. 

Regards

James

Hi P.balaji,

1. Noise can be a significant factor during GC calibration, or even during sample runs, especially if you have small peaks.  The question then arises, are you looking at an actual peak, or is it just detector noise?

2.  This would depend on your SOP.  If noise is really bad, you may need to fix the issue first and then recalibrate.  

3.  Signal to noise ratio looks at the height of your analyte peak and compares it to the height of the system noise.  Your analyte peak would have to be a certain height above the noise, depending on your method of calculation.  Detector drift is essentially the slope of your baseline over a certain period of time, does your baseline stay flat, or does it have a positive/negative slope?

Hi p.balaji, 

I will mark this as assumed answered due to its age.Feel free to post again if you have more questions.

Regards

James

This question has been marked as assumed answered.