Chapter 3 Excitation (Hi-RepII Source and MBS201 Stand)

The oscillation must be small in order to avoid the risk of provoking an arc at the moment when the IGBT
starts to charge the analysis capacitor. The diode 30 kV/50 mA in series on the secondary of the coil (in the
stand) is used to minimise this oscillation.

The spark-over voltage in the air is of approximately 1 kV/mm. Because of this, breakdowns occur easily be-
tween the components under high voltage and the metallic parts connected to the ground at the interior of the
stand's housing. When adjusting the auxiliary gap or cleaning the argon tubes, or during any other operation
in this area, care must be taken to not move anything.

3.1.4.7 Auxiliary Gap and Sparking Chamber

In order to obtain the spark-over of the igniter at 8 kV the distance between the electrodes of the auxiliary
gap is set at around 3.5 mm. Nevertheless, this distance is influenced by the performances of the ignition
coil, the state of cleanliness of the sparking chamber, the purity of the argon and by the type of sample. The
chamber which houses the auxiliary gap is ventilated by an air pulser in order to evacuate the ozone.

When sparks are missing, the state of the gap must be controlled (air flow, cleanliness, distance of the elec-
trodes).

The sparking chamber must be cleaned regularly (every 300 analyses and before every standardisation). The
electrode must be cleaned frequently (every 10 analyses) with the metallic brush which is specially provided.
The analytical gap (distance between the electrode and the sample) must be of 3 mm (use the gauge which is
supplied for this purpose).

During installation, or if the instrument has not been used for a while, or if the argon tubes have been
cleaned, the circuit should be rinsed with argon for several hours until all the oxygen molecules trapped in
the circuit are evacuated.

In order to increase the flow, the profile command can be used, but which the source switched off (switch
situated on the front panel) and then pressing the start button. The argon flow is of 4.5 l/min with an inlet
pressure of approximately 1.6 bar.

Refer also to the Reference Manual, chapter Routine Maintenance.

3.1.4.8 Argon Circuit

An polluted argon circuit or having an inadequate argon flow, is the most frequent cause of bad sparks prob-
lem.

The right flow rate is given in the section 3.1.2.2 of this manual. The maintenance of the stand and the argon
circuit is explained in the Reference Manual, chapter Routine Maintenance.

3-24 Technical Description - ARL 3460 AA83346