Specifications

6850 Series GC Site Preparation
88 GC, GC/MS, and ALS Site Preparation Guide
Supply tubing for most carrier and detector gases
Use only preconditioned copper tubing (part number 5180- 4196) to supply
gases to the instrument. Do not use ordinary copper tubing—it contains
oils and contaminants.
The tubing diameter depends on the distance between the supply gas and
the GC and the total flow rate for the particular gas. Tubing of 1/8- in
diameter is adequate when the supply line is less than 15 feet (4.6 m)
long.
Use larger diameter tubing (1/4- in) for distances greater then 15 feet
(4.6 m) or when multiple instruments are connected to the same source.
Use larger diameter tubing if high demand is anticipated (for example, air
for an FID).
Be generous when cutting tubing for local supply lines—a coil of flexible
tubing between the supply and the instrument lets you move the GC
without moving the gas supply. Take this extra length into account when
choosing the tubing diameter.
Supply tubing for hydrogen gas
Agilent recommends using new chromatographic quality stainless steel
tubing and fittings when using hydrogen.
CAUTION
Do not use methylene chloride or other halogenated solvent to clean tubing that will be
used with an electron capture detector. They will cause elevated baselines and
detector noise until they are completely flushed out of the system.
CAUTION
Do not use plastic tubing for suppling detector and inlet gases to the GC. It is
permeable to oxygen and other contaminants that can damage columns and detectors.
Plastic tubing can melt if near hot exhaust or components.