Bio-Rad ChromLab™ Software - Manual (Page 82)

2 | The NGC Instrument
80 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
Sensors
Air Sensors
The NGC chromatography systems can be fitted with an external air sensor module
that can hold up to four air sensors. This module can be daisy chained to an
extension module that can hold an additional four air sensors, providing a total of
eight air sensors. The air sensors detect air, indicating the end of sample or buffer,
and trigger appropriate events through ChromLab software. The air sensors are
available in two sizes that differ in internal diameter to accommodate the two
different tubing sizes:
 The large air sensors are used with the larger diameter 1/8" FEP tubing for
the inlet ports of the pumps and inlet valves.
 The smaller air sensors are used with the smaller diameter 1/16" PEEK
tubing.
The systems detect the number of air sensors that are attached to the instrument.
Air sensors can be set to detect air in lines filled with buffer. If air is detected in these
lines, the system pumps stop and the run pauses. You can continue the run after
replenishing the buffer and purging the lines.
Air sensors can also be set to detect air in lines filled with sample. If air is detected
in these lines, the sample pump stops so that it cannot pump air onto the column. If
an air-bubble sensing event occurs during a method run, the run continues to the
next step.