715007923 VERSION 00

Performance
Maintenance Protocol
Quaternary Solvent Manager-R for Arc HPLC

System name:

PM date:

Serial number:

©2022 WATERS CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS

RESERVED.
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Guidelines

This performance maintenance (PM) protocol outlines the maintenance tasks you should regularly
perform on Waters systems. Regular maintenance ensures optimum performance and uninterrupted,
trouble-free operation.
Schedule
Waters recommends making performance maintenance visits once a year. Systems that are
under heavy use or that use aggressive solvents need more frequent maintenance. For detailed
maintenance schedules, refer to the appropriate user guide located on Waters.com. Failure to
follow proper maintenance schedules can result in unreliable operation and inaccurate
laboratory results.

Safety considerations
Some protocols involve removal of instrument covers, exposing the performer to high voltages, high
currents, and moving parts. This presents risks of electric shock and/or damage to the instrument. To
reduce these risks, Waters recommends that a certified Waters field service engineers, with access to
the latest information on Waters products, conduct the performance maintenance. Waters is not
responsible for actions initiated by an unqualified performer. If you are unsure, have a Waters certified
field service engineer conduct the performance maintenance activity.

Waters Quality Parts

Waters designs and manufactures Waters Quality Parts™ to the same strict regulatory standards that
apply to high-performance Waters systems. Waters recommends using Waters Quality Parts for all
maintenance activities. Failure to use Waters Quality Parts may compromise laboratory results and
reliability.

Customer education
Waters offers courses on operating and maintaining its high-performance systems, as well as courses
designed to help you maintain professional competency and further your knowledge in
chromatography, mass spectrometry, and Waters data systems. For more information on available
training courses, visit Customer Education on Waters.com.

Qualification/compliance services
Waters Compliance Services help you achieve and maintain the regulatory compliance of your LC and
MS instruments and software with a combination of expertise, compliant-ready systems and software,
and a portfolio of services to ensure that you consistently obtain quality data. To learn more, visit
Qualification/Compliance Services on Waters.com.

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PM
Use the following guidelines when conducting performance maintenance visits. This information is
intended to be a guide only. For example:
Note: For instructions on performing these procedures, refer to the online Help or the
appropriate user manual on Waters.com.
Note: References to the QSM also pertain to the QSM PLUS, bioQSM, bioQSM PLUS, QSM-
XR PLUS, and bioQSM-XR PLUS.
Table 1 is an overview of the PM tasks performed.

Table 1. Tasks

Inspect Maintenance tasks Verify

Firmware version Door air filter Initialization diagnostic
Fans Solvent filters Pump leak test
System leak test to verify
Waste management Plungers
no leak at mixer
High-pressure flanged
Tubings and fittings seals, floating wash seals, --
and O-rings
Double ball and seat check
Error logs --
valve (accumulator head)
Mixer Primary check valve --
-- Transducer to check valve
--
tube
-- In-line stainless steel filter
frit assembly (primary --
check valve)

1
Firmware upgrades, if required, should be performed by a Waters field service engineer. Firmware upgrades may require re-qualification of
the upgraded instrument if it is in a regulated environment.

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PM task descriptions
Performance maintenance comprises three task categories:
• Inspect
• Replace or rebuild parts
• Verify

Note: If the instrument fails pre- or post-performance maintenance inspections or verifications, it

might need additional service beyond the scope of this protocol. Such service might incur
additional parts and labor charges.
Inspect

Firmware version

Confirm what firmware versions are installed. Update if required.

NOTE: Refer to Downloads on Waters.com for the latest firmware and driver pack
release notes. These release notes detail software and data systems.
1. From the ACQUITY Console, click Quaternary Solvent Manager-R in the system tree.
2. From the menu bar, click Configure > View module information.
3. Determine the firmware version and note it on the cover page.

Fan

1. Observe the three fans on the rear of the Quaternary Solvent Manager-R (QSM-R).
2. Ensure that the fan grates are clear of debris and dust. The fans should be blowing outward.
3. Clean, if necessary.
Waste management

1. Inspect the waste management system for leaks and proper routing of waste tubing to a
waste container positioned below the QSM-R.

2. Ensure that there are no loops or kinks in the tubing that could cause solvent backup.

Error logs

1. From the ACQUITY Console, click ACQUITY UPLC System in the system tree.
2. Click on Logs to review error logs.

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Replace or rebuild parts

Using the supplies in the PM kit, replace or rebuild parts as necessary.

Note: For instructions on replacing parts, see the appropriate user manual on Waters.com.

Requirement: A Waters service engineer must perform battery replacement.

Leak test
Power-on the instrument and allow it to complete and pass on-board software checks.
After completing the maintenance tasks, verify instrument maintenance.
1. Power-on the instrument and allow it to complete software checks.
2. Prime the system for at least three minutes.
3. Exercise the seals for at least 30 minutes before performing the test.
4. In the Console, select Quaternary Solvent Manager-R from the system tree.
5. From the menu bar, select Maintain > Leak test.
6. On the Parameters tab, specify your typical operating pressure in the Accumulator field text
box.
7. In the solvent field, select one of the lines to which a new solvent filter was attached. Place a
check mark in the prime box to prime that solvent line.
8. In the End Point field, select Column, the path 1 position, and Include Sample Manager
Needle and Seal.
9. Install a pin plug at the outlet of the column, and then press OK.
10. Click Start to perform the test. When complete, record the results.
NOTE: The main test criterion is the leak rate. When using an End Point of Column, the
leak rate should be less than (<) 1000 nL/min.

NOTE: Refer to the Results tab for pass/fail status and leak rate.
11. Repeat the leak test for the path 2 position.

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Create log entries

After completing performance maintenance, create a log entry.

1. In the ACQUITY UPLC Console, click Quaternary Solvent Manager-R in the system tree.
2. From the menu bar, click Maintain > Create log entry. The Create Log Entry dialog box
appears.
3. Enter the operator’s name, the date the performance maintenance was performed, and any
other comments.

Create log entries complete.

Comments:

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Test
A Waters field service engineer completes the test results, checklist, and confirmation sections. Table 2
lists the instrument firmware version and serial number.
Note: Select N/A if the task does not apply.
Table 2 – Firmware version Yes No N/A

Comments

Table 3 – Fans Yes No N/A

Comments:

Table 3 – Tubing and fittings Yes No N/A

Comments:

Table 4 – Error logs Yes No N/A

Comments:

Table 5 – Maintenance Tasks Yes No N/A

Comments:

Table 6 – Complete initialization Yes No N/A

diagnostic check results

Comments:

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Checklist
Note: Select N/A if the task does not apply.

Inspect

All inspect tasks completed Yes No N/A

Comments:
Clean fan if needed Yes No N/A
Comments:

Replace/rebuild

Waste management Yes No N/A

Tubing and fittings Yes No N/A
Error logs Yes No N/A
Maintenancde tasks Yes No N/A
Complete initialization Yes No N/A
diagnostic test results
Comments:

Verify

All verify tasks completed Yes No N/A

Comments:

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Performance maintenance confirmation

I confirm on
behalf of
Company Name

that this performance maintenance

procedure has been satisfactorily completed on:
Serial No.

Signed: Date:
Customer

Type Name

I certify that the maintenance procedure has been successfully

completed.

Signed: Date:
Waters Engineer

Type Name

Comments:

Waters Corporation
34 Maple Street
Milford, Massachusetts
01757 USA

MassLynx, Waters, The Science of What’s Possible, and Waters Quality Parts are registered trademarks of Waters
Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
©2022 Waters Corporation. Printed in the U.S.A.

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