FAQs on MicroCal ITC Maintenance

* This article is an edited version of one published in December 2019.

Maintenance of experimental equipment is very important for obtaining reliable data. Make sure your device is in good condition before measuring precious samples!

In this blog, we will guide you through the Top 3 most frequently asked questions, their causes, and solutions.

Top 3 Causes of Common Inquiries About the MicroCal ITC System

#1 Dirty Cells/Syringes from Samples

Check whether the system is dirty by doing a system check with ultrapure water.

Common Symptoms Across All Models

• Data is different from usual
• Data reproducibility is not achieved

#2 Pipette/Syringe Troubles

Pipette and syringe troubles often involve physical damage or malfunction. Pay particular attention to the wear of plunger tips or fill port adapters (FPA) that need regular replacement.

Common Symptoms Across All Models

• Needle is bent
• DP value does not change from around -30 µcal/sec and doesn’t approach the Reference Power setting value
• Syringe is broken
• Feels like titration volume is not constant → Plunger tip wear

iTC200

• Water does not flow into syringes, or only small amounts flow in, making cleaning impossible
• Cannot remove bubbles between plunger tip and sample liquid surface when filling syringes with samples

PEAQ-ITC

• Washing module vacuum or flow error prevents system cleaning
• Cannot remove bubbles between plunger tip and sample liquid surface when filling syringes with samples

Auto-iTC200/PEAQ-ITC Automated

• Tried to replace syringe but it’s stuck and cannot be removed

#3 Liquid Delivery System Troubles

Liquid delivery system troubles often involve physical damage or malfunction, and tubing connections may be loose or disconnected.

iTC200

• A loud motor noise never heard before occurs, and water does not flow into syringes, or only small amounts do, making cleaning impossible

PEAQ-ITC

• During cleaning, bubbles flow in syringes or tubing causing “Flow not detected” error and cleaning impossible

Special Edition

☹ Is it okay if there are floating substances in the bottles containing detergent?

Auto-iTC200/PEAQ-ITC/PEAQ-ITC Automated

→ There is a problem. Please promptly replace with fresh detergent. The expiration date of the detergent may vary depending on the measurement environment. Please make it a habit to check for any sediment or trash in the bottle when in use.

☹ The PC suddenly stopped working, and the analysis software suddenly stopped working

VP-ITC/iTC200/Auto-iTC200

These devices have been discontinued, and the OSs of the PCs used such as Windows XP and Windows 7 are no longer supported by Windows. Also, the deterioration of the PCs themselves is a concern.

Make sure to regularly save important data to external media. Also, be sure to turn off the PC’s power when not in use.

• If there are problems with the PC
  → It may be improved by removing and reinserting the memory board inside the PC. For details, please contact the help desk. If it is not improved by removing and reinserting the memory board, we recommend updating with a PC with pre-installed software prepared by our company (compatible with Windows 10).

• If there are problems with the software
  → After uninstalling the problematic analysis software, please reinstall it according to the English user manual. Before uninstalling, check that you have the installer for the analysis software. The installer may vary depending on the delivery period, but there is a “Analysis Software” described on the CD, and the serial number information is provided on the case. Please note that it is not the installer CD included in the Origin package. If you do not have the installer on hand, it can be reissued for a fee.

We recommend updating the PC or system to keep the system running stably. The end of support dates for the devices are as follows:

How to Deal with “Sample Dirt on Cells/Syringes”

Most inquiries are due to malfunctions caused by dirt on cells/syringes. When receiving these inquiries, we first request the customer perform a “system check (water-water measurement)” to determine if the issue is with the system or the sample and check the data.

[System Check Checkpoints]

• DP value is close to the Reference Power setting value
• Repeatedly shows similar small drop signals

If phenomena deviating from the above checkpoints are confirmed, conduct cell and syringe cleaning using the “cleaning method for severe dirt” found in the manual. After cleaning, perform the system check again and check if the data improves.

You can view “system check” and “cleaning method for severe dirt” here: (ITC cell cleaning tips).

If there are reproducible peaks or baseline position problems in the system check after cleaning, please contact us. Please also send us the system check data at that time.

We also recommend regularly performing a system check and monitoring the condition of the device even if it is not being operated.

How to Deal with “Pipette/Syringe Troubles”

☹ In Case the Needle is Bent (DP Value Does Not Change from Around -30 µcal/sec)

Common to All Models

The following causes are considered.

• Accidental contact with syringe
  → Especially with iTC200, even a slight touch can easily bend the needle, so please be careful. With PEAQ-ITC and later models, the needle shape has become thicker and less likely to bend, but please be careful here as well. If the needle bends, the DP value stays around -30 µcal/sec, indicating continuous heat generation due to physical contact between the syringe and the cell. If reinserting the syringe solves the problem, it is considered that the syringe was not correctly inserted into the cell. If reinserting does not solve the problem, replace the syringe and check if it improves.

• Started measurement with cell cap on
  → There are cases of automated systems starting with the cell cap on, causing the needle to bend.

• Forgot to remove the peeling surface of the new type plate sheet
  → With new plate sheets, the structure is tri-layered. Forgetting to remove the peeling surface resulted in cannula bending.

☹ In Case the Syringe is Broken

Common to All Models

The following causes are considered.

• Screwed the fill port adapter (FPA) too tightly
  → Especially with iTC200, there are many cases of cracking the syringe by screwing the FPA too tightly. It is recommended to work under the guidance of an experienced person until you get used to it. With PEAQ-ITC and later models, the type has changed to a push-in type, so syringe breakage is unlikely to occur, but please be careful here as well. If you have an automated system, it may be a system problem, so please contact your technical representative.

☹ In Case Water Does Not Flow Into the Syringe or Only a Small Amount Flows, Making Cleaning Impossible

iTC200

Various causes can be considered. You can check them yourself by following the instructions in “MicroCal iTC200 How to Deal with Solution Not Flowing into Pipette“. Some causes may require repairs.

☹ In Case the Washing Module Vacuum or Flow Error Prevents System Cleaning

PEAQ-ITC

The following causes are considered.

• Insufficient or defective FPA tightness
  → FPA is a consumable item. Check if there are any scratches on the black part at the tip and gently load it vertically. Be careful not to apply too much force as it will quickly wear out the FPA tip. If no improvement is seen, replace the FPA (Product number: PQA4007).

• Syringe nut is loose
  → No need to loosen the nut with PEAQ-ITC. It seems there are cases where people who used iTC200 before loosen the nut. Please take caution.

☹ In Case Air Bubbles in the Titration Syringe Cannot Be Removed with FPA

iTC200/PEAQ-ITC

The following causes are considered.

• Syringe nut is loose
  → Check if the nut is loose (No need to loosen the nut with PEAQ-ITC).

• Damage to titration syringe
  → Check for cracks in the syringe visually, and replace it if damaged.

• Clogging or damage to FPA
  → Pass a wire through the FPA tip. If wear is observed on the tip, replace the FPA.

☹ In Case It Feels Like the Titration Quantity is Not Constant

Common to All Models

The plunger tip’s wear is suspected. Please replace the plunger tip. Replacement is recommended every 300 measurements depending on the measurement conditions. Neglecting replacement could lead to pipette failure.

iTC200/Auto-iTC200 users can check here for “Plunger Tip Replacement Method“.

☹ Tried to Replace the Syringe but It’s Stuck and Cannot Be Removed

Common to All Models

This occurs when the system is left for a long time without sufficient cleaning or when the plunger tips are not regularly replaced. In severe cases of sticking, the syringe cannot be removed, leading to pipette failure at worst. If it can be removed using the Syringe Removal Tool included during delivery, there is no problem, but forcing removal might lead to syringe or pipette damage. In such cases, please contact your technical representative.

Syringe Removal Tool (Product No.: 29031076)

When Using iTC200/Auto-iTC200

iTC200 will end official support on March 31, 2024.

After the end, parts such as syringes and pipettes will be sold while stock lasts.

We offered to remove stuck syringes before, but after support ends, we will only do so if you have spare parts on hand.

For customers using iTC200/Auto-iTC200, we strongly recommend checking if syringe sticking is occurring with your device before support ends.

You can mainly check for syringe sticking by following the syringe brush cleaning process. Our official YouTube videos are convenient for confirming the process.

Please refer to below and operate according to your device.

For iTC200 click here
For Auto-iTC200 click here

If the syringe does not move when pressing the Remove Old Tip button and the plunger descends, sticking is suspected. Please try to remove it using the Syringe Removal Tool, ensuring not to bend the needle.

Syringe sticking can be prevented with regular plunger tip replacement and syringe maintenance. Initial sticking can be easily removed. Severe sticking leads to syringe and pipette damage.

Regularly performing a system check at the end of measurements and confirming the following points can help prevent this. Additionally, even when the system is not in operation, regular system checks are recommended.

[System Check Checkpoints]

• DP value is close to the Reference Power setting value
• Repeatedly shows similar small drop signals

If phenomena deviating from the above checkpoints are confirmed, conduct cell and syringe cleaning using the “cleaning method for severe dirt” found in the manual. After cleaning, perform the system check again and check if the data improves.

“System Check” and “Cleaning method for severe dirt” can be downloaded from here.

If there are reproducible peaks or baseline position problems in the system check after cleaning, please contact us. Please also send us the system check data at that time.

How to Deal With “Liquid Delivery System Troubles”

☹ In Case of an Uncommon Loud Motor Noise

iTC200

The following causes are considered.

• Washing module filter clogging
  → Replacing the filter might solve the issue, so try changing to a filter included at system delivery. However, depending on the delivery period, the filter may be set inside the washing module, making it invisible as shown in the photograph. In such cases, replacing it might be difficult for customers; please contact your technical representative.

☹ In Case of “Flow not detected” Error Preventing Cleaning

PEAQ-ITC

The following causes are considered.

• Bottles are empty
  → Check if there is enough ultrapure water, cleaning solution, and methanol.

• Insufficient or defective FPA tightness
  → FPA is a consumable item. Check if there are any scratches on the black part at the tip and load it gently in a vertical method. Be careful not to apply too much force as it will quickly deplete the FPA tip. If no improvement is seen, replace the FPA (Product number: PQA4007).

• Syringe nut is loose
  → With PEAQ-ITC, there is no need to loosen the nut. There seem to be cases where former iTC200 users loosen the nut. Please note this.