INFICON Probe Maintenance - Manual

INSTRUCTION SHEET
Probe Maintenance
IPN 074-481-P1A
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©2007 I
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Due to our continuing program of product improvements, specifications are subject to change without notice.
Ordinarily the probe should need very little maintenance.
It is always a good idea to inspect the O-ring and test the travel of the Pogo contacts
whenever the crystal is being replaced. Your probe came with spare pogo contacts.
Check the general appearance of the O-ring. It should be free of any deposits or defects
when viewed with the naked eye. Inspect it from the side for low spots or insufficient
height above the center ring.
Gently depress the pogo pins. Make sure that they move freely and that travel is not
restricted. They should depress to a level well below the surface of the O-ring, at least
by an amount equal to the thickness of the crystal. When extended they should extend
well above the surface of the O-ring. Again, at least by an amount equal to the crystal
thickness.
Removing bath residue following replacement of a broken crystal:
If there is any possibility that chemicals entered the cavity behind the crystal, it is very
important to thoroughly rinse the cavity, the pogo contacts and the pogo contact sockets
to remove any traces of the bath which might lead to corrosion.
Putting your thumbnail under the pogo head and pulling gently but firmly with your fingers
should allow you to pull the pogo contact from its' socket. Thoroughly rinse the sockets
and the pogo contacts themselves with de-ionized or distilled water to remove all traces
of chemical. Even though the pogo sockets and contacts are gold plated, chemicals can
lead to corrosion which may compromise the spring action of the contacts and in the
extreme case make it impossible to replace the contacts without damage to the probe.
The cavity behind the crystal must be clean and dry. Any liquid trapped in the cavity may
lead to condensation on the backside of the crystal causing excessive rate noise and
even crystal failure. Use compressed dry air to remove any liquid around the O-ring and
pogo pin contacts. Leave the crystal holder disassembled while not in use so that any
liquid can evaporate.