Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module

(PCM)
For the Agilent 7890A Gas Chromatograph
Installation Instructions

Parts Supplied

Table 1 Parts supplied

Description Quantity
PCM 1
7890A PCM EPC restrictor kit 1
• O-rings 6
• Zero restriction frit 1
• Red color-coded medium resistance (medium flow) frit 1
• Blue color-coded high resistance (low flow) frit 1
• Pneumatic tubing with block connector and captive screw 2
Machine screw M4 × 10 mm long 1
1/8-inch brass swage nut and ferrule set 2
1/8-inch to 1/16-inch reducing union 1
ESD wrist strap, disposable 4-LG 1-W 1

Parts Identification

Pneumatic tubing with

block connectors and
captive screws
PCM

Figure 1 PCM parts identification

Agilent Technologies
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

Tools Required
• T-10 and T-20 Torx drivers

Installation Procedure
This procedure explains how to install PCM accessory on the Agilent 7890A
Gas Chromatograph (GC). This accessory can be used to add two separate
electronically-controlled gas streams to the GC, one as mass flow controlled,
and the other as forward- or backward-pressure controlled.

WA RN ING Refer to the Safety Manual that came with your Agilent 7890A Gas
Chromatograph for hazards that may exist when maintaining your instrument.

Prepare the GC
\

1 Turn off the GC and disconnect the power cord.

2 Unsnap the pneumatics cover by pressing the black clips on the sides of the
cover. Lift the cover up and off.
3 Remove the detector cover by raising the cover vertically and then firmly
lifting up on the right side of the cover to free the lid from the hinge pin.
Slide the pin out of the hole on the left side hinge and put the cover aside.
4 Put on the ESD wrist strap and attach the ground to the GC sheet metal
frame for electrostatic protection.
5 Remove the EPC module bracket at the empty slot location by loosening the
captive screw and lifting the bracket off.
\

Brackets

Figure 2 Bracket locations

2 Installation Instructions
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

Assemble the PCM

The PCM consists of two independent control Channels, “1” and “2”:
• Channel 1 is a forward pressure regulator or mass flow controller.
• Channel 2 is either a forward-pressure regulator, or a backward-pressure
regulator, as determined by its gas input and output connections.
Note that more detail is available in your Advanced User Guide.

NO TE In the next steps, take care that O-rings remain in their respective proper locations
during assembly.

1 Remove the tubing connector blank from the Channel 2 portion of the PCM
and discard. This exposes locations for the O-rings and restrictor for the
channel.
\

O-rings and restrictor frit

Channel 2

Figure 3 PCM without connector block: O-rings and restrictor exposed

2 If necessary, change to the restrictor frit appropriate for your application.

The PCM is shipped with a brown color-coded low resistance (high flow)
frit. Refer to the Advanced User Guide for information on the flow capacity
of other supplied frits.
• Its easiest to insert the frit into the O-ring (as shown in Figure 3) and to
then insert the assembly into its proper location.

Installation Instructions 3
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

3 Attach the tubing block and tighten its screw.

4 Next, remove the tubing connector blank from the Channel 1 portion of the
PCM and discard. This exposes the location for an O-ring for the channel.
\

O-ring

Channel 1

Figure 4 PCM without connector block: O-ring exposed

5 Attach the tubing block and tighten its screw.

This completes preparation of the PCM.

4 Installation Instructions
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

Install the PCM

Up to three PCMs may be installed, provided there are available slots. PCM(s)
are uniquely identified as “A,” “B,” or “C” based upon the slot chosen.
1 Determine the slot position for your PCM in the pneumatics area: facing the
back of the GC, slots are numbered 1–6 as in Figure 5. A PCM can be
installed only in slots 1, 2, 5, or 6.

Slot 5 Slot 3 Slot 1

Split vent traps
and valves
Slot 6 Slot 4 Slot 2

Back of GC

Figure 5 Slot identification (facing the back of the GC)

Depending upon location(s) of other modules present in the GC, the chosen
slot location relates to the PCM channel identification as follows (see your
Advanced User Guide for additional information):

Table 2 Association of slot chosen and PCM configuration identification

Slot Chosen PCM Channel Identification

Slot 1 PCM “A” (always)
Slot 2 PCM “B” (always)
Slot 5 • PCM “A” if Slots 1 and 2 both do not contain a PCM
• PCM “A” if Slot 2 already contains a PCM, or “B” if Slot 1 already contains a
PCM
• PCM “C” if Slots 1 and 2 both do contain a PCM
Slot 6 PCM “C” (always)

2 Record the PCM identification letter associated with your chosen slot
location for later use.

Installation Instructions 5
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

3 Lower the PCM partially into the chosen slot and connect the
communication cable for that slot to the communication connector on the
PCM.

Communications cable
connection

Communications cable

Figure 6 Connecting the communications bus cable to the PCM

4 Slide the PCM fully into the vertical slot tracks. Check the communications
bus cable and arrange as necessary to prevent it from being pinched by the
PCM.

The next step involves routing the PCM tubing. As each tube is functionally different,
NO TE
Channel 1 versus Channel 2, pay attention to which tube provides which function. Also,
based upon its intended use, each tube may be routed differently. It is recommended that
each tube be labeled appropriately.

6 Installation Instructions
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

Whether the Channel 2 portion of the PCM is used for forward or backward regulation
NO TE
depends upon where gas enters the regulator:
With

• If gas enters at the PCM Channel 2 swage fitting, it is a forward pressure regulator with
gas exiting the tube being pressure regulated through the fixed restrictor.
• If gas enters at the Channel 2 tube, it is a back pressure regulator with gas exiting the
swage fitting being pressure regulated. The zero restriction frit is typically used in this
operating mode.
The mode chosen may affect your decisions in tube routing.

5 Route the tubing through the channel adjacent the PCM slot to the top of
the oven area, and/or through exit holes provided in the rear cover panel.
Keep tubing away from the bracket area and/or any other place where it
might become pinched or tightly bent.

Channel 2
tube (unrouted)
Channel 1
tube (unrouted)
Channel for
tube routing

Exit holes at
rear of GC

Figure 7 Tube routing

6 Reattach the EPC module bracket by tightening the captive screw.

7 Complete installation to your auxiliary device(s):
• For Channel 2 in forward pressure control, connect your source gas to
the 1/8-inch swage fitting and the Channel 2 tube to your auxiliary
device input.
• For Channel 2 in backward pressure control, use a suitable tube and
swage fittings to connect from the Channel 2 swage fitting (the vent
output in this operating mode) to your auxiliary device input, and
connect the Channel 2 tube to your gas source.

Installation Instructions 7
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

This completes installation of the PCM.

Restore the GC to operating condition

1 Replace all instrument covers in the reverse order in which they were
removed.
2 Plug in the GC and turn on the power.
3 Unlock the GC keypad.
a Press [Options].
b Select Keyboard & Display.
c Select Hard Configuration lock, then press [No/Off].
4 Press [Configure].
5 Scroll to select the entry for the new PCM module (PCM A, PCM B, or PCM C ;
see Table 2) and press [Enter].
6 On the GC keypad, press [Mode/Type].
7 The GC presents available configuration options.
• If using the PCM for something other than an inlet (for example to
provide carrier gas to a splitter) scroll to Install EPC# Htr = None (where
# indicates the slot chosen in Table 2).
• If using the PCM for inlet carrier gas supply, refer to the inlet
manufacturer’s documentation for the correct configuration choice.
8 Press [Enter]. A caution message appears instructing you to reboot.
9 Reboot the GC.
a Press [Options].
b Scroll to Communications and press [Enter].
c Scroll to Reboot the GC? and press [Yes/On] twice to reboot the GC and
have the changes take effect.
10 Zero the pressure sensors. Refer to the Advanced User Guide for details.
11 Configure the gas types and control mode.
a Press [Config], then scroll to the correct PCM entry (PCM A, PCM B, or
PCM C).
b Scroll to Gas type and use the [Mode/Type] key to set the gas type
connected to the PCM’s Channel 1.
c Scroll to Aux Gas type and use the [Mode/Type] key to set the gas type
connected to the PCM’s Channel 2.
d Scroll to Aux Mode and use the [Mode/Type] key to set the pressure
control mode (forward or backward) for the PCM’s Channel 2.
12 Connect the source gas line to the PCM Channel 1 swage fitting using
provided swage nuts and ferrules.

8 Installation Instructions
Agilent G3471A Pneumatic Control Module (PCM)

13 Connect the source gas line to the PCM Channel 2. Remember:

• For forward pressure control, connect the source gas line to the
Channel 2 1/8-inch swage fitting.
• For backward pressure control, connect the source gas line to the
Channel 2 tube using suitable 1/8-inch swage fitting(s).
14 Turn on gas source(s) to pressurize the system and to leak check all fittings.

Installation Instructions 9
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© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2007

Printed in USA and China
First edition, June 2007
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