Instrument Troubleshooting
Q1. Fault Screen "Filling Problem" "<START>"
The level sensor has failed to detect the liquid that is in the vessel. If the vessel is full and this fault screen appears: Press <STOP> to drain the fluid. You may want to capture the solution and re-use it. See Service Procedure #6 for SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or See Service Procedure #21 for Analog Level Sensor (Black Model).
Water or Solution supply is inadequate. Replace the cubetainers if they are empty. Check to see if the water supply is turned on.
Water Supply Valve may not be functioning. With the bag suspender removed from the vessel, press <ENTER> to try again. Once liquid is observed flowing into the vessel, (replace bag suspender if performing a rinse and) close the lid. If no liquid is flowing into the vessel, the fill valve or the water valve may not be functioning. See Service Procedure #4.
Possible Causes:
Wires on the drain valve have dislodged. Connections may have become loose. Unplug the instrument, check the drain valve and reattach any loose wires. Check blue wire (I1), yellow wire (I2), black wire (4),and red wire (4). See Service Procedure #162.
The drain valve or the drain open/close switch is not operating. When the instrument is turned on, the red light on relay #6 should turn on (see Service Procedure #162). At that time you should hear the drain valve opening. After 10 seconds, The drain valve will close. If the drain valve is not operating, it will need to be replaced. If the drain valve is operating but does not stop, then the open/close switch is not being detected by the computer. Unplug the iQ32. Fault Screen "Drain Problem" "Ck Sensor" "<START>"
The level sensor is reading a full vessel when it should be empty. Slowly open the vessel and check the level.
If the vessel is actually full...
Possible Causes:
- The drain hose may be kinked. Remove any kinks.
- The vent valve may not be working. See Service Procedure #4.
If the vessel is actually empty...
Possible Causes:
The level sensor needs to be cleaned and possibly retrained. See Service Procedure #6 for SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or See Service Procedure #21 for Analog Level Sensor
(Black Model).
Possible Causes:
If the vessel is full, the sensor has failed to detect the liquid.
The level sensor needs to be cleaned and possibly retrained. Press <STOP> to drain the fluid. See Service Procedure #6 for SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or see Service Procedure #21 for Analog Level Sensor (Black Model).
If the vessel is empty.
Check to make sure the cubetainers have solution. Refill cubetainers as needed.
Make sure the water supply is turned on.
If the water supply is on, the water valve may not be functioning. Press <ENTER> to try again. Because rinse water enters the vessel from the bottom, you will need to remove the bag suspender to determine if water is flowing into the vessel. If no water is entering, the Water Valve is not functioning. See Service Procedure #4
Possible Causes:
The lid was not tight. You do not have to over tighten the lid but it needs to be snug. Usually finger tight + 1/4 turn is adequate.
Check the Lid O-Ring and replace if damaged.
The vessel did not heat, or you have a leak, therefore no pressure was generated.
To Test:
- Disconnect the solution supply tubes on the left and right side and start a run.
- When the screen says "Filling" pour in enough water (about 2 L) over the bag suspender to cover the level sensor. agitation will begin. Close the lid.
- Record the temperature and pressure.
- Wait 5-8 minutes and record the temperature and pressure again.
- Place the drain tube and the vent line in separate small buckets of water. Do you notice any "bubbling" as the Instrument heats?
- In the back of the instrument do you notice any bubbles in the A and B Clear Valve Tubing as the instrument heats? For picture, see Service Procedure #158. If bubbles appear in the tubing See Service Procedure #20.
- In Service Procedure #160, the diamond markers indicate the assemblies that have attached fittings that need to be checked. Place a soap and water mixture around the fittings. Do you notice any "bubbling" around the fittings?
- If the vessel has pressure but the display is still reading zero, the pressure sensor and cable may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM at 315-986-8090 and ask for a Technical Service Representative.
Q6. Fault Screen "High Press error"
Possible Causes:
The bag suspender is worn or not properly functioning. See Service Procedure #50.
The vessel is overfilled with solution.
The level sensor is not detecting solution. See Service Procedure #6 for SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or See Service Procedure #21 for Analog Level Sensor (Black Model).
The motor stopped turning. Check the packing nut to make sure it is not over tightened. See Service Procedure #16.
The motor needs to be replaced. See Service Procedure #10.
Fill Valve A or B may be "stuck" open. Turn off the instrument and slowly open the lid. If liquid is still flowing into the vessel, Valve A or B may be stuck open. See Service Procedure #3.
The vessel temperature has exceeded the maximum limit.
The vessel temperature has exceeded the maximum limit.
Possible Causes:
The solution level is low in the vessel, but the level sensor is indicating full. The level sensor has two main components that work together. These components are a Level Sensor Module and the Glass Sensor Tip. Refer to and follow the section on testing and training the Level Sensor in Service Procedure #6 for SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or See Service Procedure #21 for Analog Level Sensor (Black Model).
If the level sensor is not working, it may need replacing. See Service Procedure #7 for the SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or See Service Procedure #22 for the Analog Level Sensor
(Black Model).
The vessel is overfilled with solution. The Level Sensor is not detecting solution. See Service Procedure #6 for SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or See Service Procedure #21 for Analog Level Sensor (Black Model).
The motor stopped turning. Check the Packing Nut to make sure it is not over tightened. See Service Procedure #16.
The motor needs to be replaced. See Service Procedure #10.
Fill Valve A or B may be "stuck" open. Turn off the instrument and open the lid. If liquid is still flowing into the vessel, Fill Valve A or B may be stuck open. See Service Procedure #3.
The solution temperature has exceeded the maximum limit. Perform a "boil test." See Service Procedure #2.
Possible Causes:
Wires on the drain valve have become disconnected. Unplug the instrument, check the drain valve and reattach any loose wires. Check blue wire (I1), yellow wire (I2), black wire (4),and red wire (4). See Service Procedure #162.
The drain valve or the drain open/close switch is not operating. When the instrument is turned on, the red light on relay #6 should be lit (See Service Procedure #162). At that time you should hear the drain valve opening. After 10 seconds, The drain valve will close. If the drain valve is not operating, it will need to be replaced. If the drain valve is operating but does not stop, then the open/close switch is not being detected by the computer. Unplug the instrument and check the drain valve for any loose wires.
When the start button is pushed, the computer tells Valve A to open and allow flow from the cubetainer into the vessel. If liquid is manually poured into the Vessel before the computer communicates with Valve A, this fault screen will appear. Open the vessel, If the vessel is full Press "Y<ENTER>" to continue the run. If the vessel is not full, the level sensor may not be functioning properly. See Service Procedure #6 for SICK Level Sensor (Blue Model) or see Service Procedure #21 for Analog Level Sensor (Black Model).
Rinse water supply temperature did not meet method standards. This may affect results with certain samples. Make sure the water supply has a temperature no less than 50°C for Crude Fiber, or no less than 70°C for AD and ND determinations. When this screen appears, the Instrument will continue to run the analysis but your results may be impacted. A small water heater dedicated to the A2000 instrument will help. Contact ANKOM for assistance as needed.
Possible Causes:
The packing nut may be too tight. For proper tightening see Service Procedure #16.
The packing assembly may have corrosive buildup. If periodic maintenance was ignored and acid solution was allowed to leak into the packing assembly, the shaft may become "frozen." Inspect the packing set and the agitator for corrosive build up. Contact ANKOM to determine if the packing set and agitator need replacement. Service Procedure #16 describes replacing the packing set.
The motor stopped turning. Check the packing nut to make sure it is not overtightened. Service Procedure #16.
The motor needs to be replaced. See Service Procedure #10.
Possible Causes:
The controller needs to be reset. See Service Procedure #5 to determine if menu settings are incorrect and to make the appropriate changes.
The RTD may need to be replaced.See Service Procedure (pending)
The power cord is not plugged into the unit or power source.
The main power switch is not turned on.
One of the system circuit breakers (fuses) needs to be replaced. See Service Procedure #28
Possible Causes:
The dial on the heat sealer may not be turned up high enough. In order to seal the F57 Filter Bag, the dial must be set at approximately "4" while the XT4 Filter Bag is sealed at a setting of "6." Different lab conditions may affect the proper setting. Experiment with a bag to "dial in" the correct setting.
The heating element is broken. On the sides of the Teflon cover are two shiny metal strips that keep the cover in place. Loosen the screws that keep the strips tight to the base of the heat sealer and remove the Teflon cover. Check to see if there is a break in the heating element. If there is, take the extra heating element from the box that the heat sealer came in and replace the defective element. Additional elelments can be ordered from ANKOM Technology.
The insulator is not properly installed. The insulator should be installed to ensure that the heating element does not touch any of the metal on the base of the Heat Sealer.
"LOAD NO" indicates there has been an electrical malfunction. Reset the Controller. See Service Procedure #5. If the "LOAD NO" still shows, you will need to purchase a new controller (part #A09).
Possible Causes:
There was a power surge. In order to eliminate a "LOAD NO" situation, plug the instrument into a surge protector.
There is microwave interference. Do not place the Instrument near a microwave oven.
Possible Causes:
Leakage has occurred at the agitator shaft. The packing nut requires attention. See Service Procedure #16.
If tightening the packing nut does not stop the leak, you will need to replace the packing around the agitator and possibly the agitator itself. See Service Procedure #11.
Possible Causes:
Faulty Athena Controller (Part # A11) See Service Procedure 37
Faulty Splat Controller (Part #A09)
Poor Connection between the Athena Controller and the Splat Controller
Analytical/ ResultsTroubleshooting
Our grinding recommendation for samples to be extracted in our Fiber Analyzer is:
1 mm with a Wiley Mill
2 mm with a Cyclone Mill (such as UDY or Retsch)
Q2. High or Low Assay Results
Check to ensure the procedures sent with your instrument were followed. Some possible variables that may affect your
results are:
Check to ensure the procedures sent with your instrument were followed. Some possible variables that may affect your results are:
General Problems:
- ND chemicals can come out of solution. Heat (102 - 105C +/- 2C ) and stir to bring back into solution.
- Someone modified the settings on temperature controller. This can produce improper heating.
- Improper weighing technique-See weighing technique in the Appendix of the manual.
- Improper or non-use of the desiccant pouch. A standard desiccator will introduce moisture in the samples as it is being opened and closed. This will cause poor precision.
Low values:
- Grind is too fine
- Bag is not completely sealed
- Broken seam in bag allowing sample to escape from bag
- Digestion run too long (ADF & Crude Fiber)
High Values:
- The movement of the Bag Suspender is less than 1/2" (1.2 cm) up and down.
- Solution is not heated sufficiently-Perform ANKOM Boil Test (see Service Procedure #2)
- ND- Failure to use Alpha Amylase and/or Sodium Sulfite
- AD/ND-Sample too high (>5%) in fat and not pre-treated with solvent
- Crude Fiber-always pre-soak with acetone
- Oven temp low, wet samples introduced next to dry samples-samples are not sufficiently dried.
- Lack of or incorrect use of desiccant pouch-check for holes in pouch, packets not dried regularly-refresh desiccant
- Rinse water not hot enough (70°C+ ND,AD) (50°C +CF) or not long enough (5 minutes)
- Digestion not run long enough
- Acetone re-used for removing water from bags
post extraction
- Improper calculation of blank bag correction or using the wrong values in the formula
- Bag sealed too low
- Too much sample in the bag
- vessel lid was not closed tightly enough (The tightness of the lid only applies to the A200,A200I,A220)
Q3. Why should I use MoistureStop Desiccant Pouches?
Many instruments in the marketplace have the capacity to run 6 samples at a time. After being dried, the beakers, flasks or crucibles are placed into a counter top or cabinet desiccator. Once cooled, they are then removed one at a time and weighed. Each time the desiccator is opened to remove a sample, moist ambient air is introduced inside the desiccator. However, because the lid or door of the desiccator is opened just 6 times, the samples that remain in the desiccator after each item is removed are affected very little by ambient moisture that may
be introduced.
With Filter Bag Technology, generally larger numbers of Filter Bags are extracted at a time. As with the beakers, flasks, and crucibles mentioned above, if the bags are placed in a desiccator after drying, each time the lid or door is opened to remove a bag, moist ambient air is introduced. Because the desiccator is opened up to 24 time, the moisture can more readily affect the remaining bags. If a collapsible, ANKOM desiccant pouch is utilized, the air can be pushed out of the pouch each time a Filter Bag is removed. This technique provides an accurate and precise result. Every month it is possible to place the small desiccant packets into the oven at 100°-105° C for a few hours to insure that the desiccant is renewed. In addition, to insure the integrity of the desiccant pouch, regular replacement of the zip lock bag should
be considered.
Q4. Can I do sequential analysis using FBT?
It is possible, and may be desirable, to follow an NDF with an ADF using the same sample and Filter Bag. The only drawback is that some samples will produce a lower than expected ADF value when an NDF is run first. The reason for this is that certain components like pectin, tannins, glucans and fructans are removed by NDF solution but not by ADF solution. Therefore, these components are not present in the sample when the ADF follows the NDF. As mentioned above, when you test these types of samples, you will have artificially lower ADF values than you would if you had only run an ADF without the NDF. This issue, of course, has nothing to do with the Filter Bags. They will hold up to both assays with no problem. In fact, you can even follow the ADF with a lignin procedure using the same bags if you wish.
It is possible, and may be desirable, to follow an NDF with an ADF using the same sample and Filter Bag. The only drawback is that some samples will produce a lower than expected ADF value when an NDF is run first. The reason for this is that certain components like pectin, tannins, glucans and fructans are removed by NDF solution but not by ADF solution. Therefore, these components are not present in the sample when the ADF follows the NDF. As mentioned above, when you test these types of samples, you will have artificially lower ADF values than you would if you had only run an ADF without the NDF. This issue, of course, has nothing to do with the Filter Bags. They will hold up to both assays with no problem. In fact, you can even follow the ADF with a lignin procedure using the same bags if you wish.
Q5. Why is my blank bag heavier after the run than before the run?
Our grinding recommendations for samples to be extracted in our Fiber Analyzer is:
1mm with a Wiley Mill
2mm with a Cyclone Mill (UDY, for example)
Our grinding recommendations for samples to be extracted in our Fiber Analyzer is:1mm with a Wiley Mill2mm with a Cyclone Mill (UDY, for example)
If samples are ground any more finely, there will be sample loss from the F57 Filter Bag during the extraction and lower than expected fiber values will occur. Obviously, this sample loss happens to a greater extent with products that tend to grind more finely than others.
Generally, the best way to determine if sample has been lost is to examine the blank bag values. If the blank bag multiplier is greater than 1 (blank bag is heavier after the run than it was before), then fine particles have definitely escaped from the filter bags (with samples in them) during the extraction process. Some of these particles have been deposited upon all the filter bags in the vessel (including the blanks) and have created blank bags that are heavier after the process
than before.
Q6. Can the ANKOM Filter Bags be ashed?
The F57 filter bags is ash free and therefore can be used for ash determination. See Service Procedure #29 for the
Ashing Procedure.
for the Ashing Procedure.for the Ashing Procedure.for the Ashing Procedure.The F57 filter bags is ash free and therefore can be used for ash determination. See for the Ashing Procedure.
Q7. What are the required temperatures for the hot water rinses?
It is important that the rinse water going into the instrument be at least 50°C for Crude Fiber and 70°C for detergent fibers. For safety purposes, most hot water heaters are set lower than 70°C. In addition, if there is a substantial distance between the instrument and the hot water heater, the rinse water will, at least initially, be even cooler. For these reasons we suggest the purchase of a small hot water heater that can be placed next to the instrument. ANKOM Technology has a small (10 liter) water heater suitable for both the A2000/2000I and the A200/A200I available for purchase.
It is important that the rinse water going into the instrument be at least 50°C for Crude Fiber and 70°C for detergent fibers. For safety purposes, most hot water heaters are set lower than 70°C. In addition, if there is a substantial distance between the instrument and the hot water heater, the rinse water will, at least initially, be even cooler. For these reasons we suggest the purchase of a small hot water heater that can be placed next to the instrument. ANKOM Technology has a small (10 liter) water heater suitable for both the A2000/2000I and the A200/A200I available for purchase.
Q8. Should I use distilled water in my fiber rinses?
Rinse water can come directly from the tap. It does not have to be distilled.
Rinse water can come directly from the tap. It does not have to be distilled.
Q9. How do I determine Blank Bag Correction Factor?
The Blank Bag Correction allows for a weight adjustment based on actions that take place during solubilization. The resulting factor adjusts your sample bag weight in an up or downward direction. To determine Blank Bag correction, you simply include at least one empty, sealed and weighed filter bag (blank bag) with your run. After the samples and blank bag have been through the solubilization process and dried as required, you simply divide the end weight of the blank bag by the start weight. This will result in a factor usually in the 0.992-0.998 range. The Blank Bag Correction can also be used to calibrate your values to a known value.
The Blank Bag Correction allows for a weight adjustment based on actions that take place during solubilization. The resulting factor adjusts your sample bag weight in an up or downward direction. To determine Blank Bag correction, you simply include at least one empty, sealed and weighed filter bag (blank bag) with your run. After the samples and blank bag have been through the solubilization process and dried as required, you simply divide the end weight of the blank bag by the start weight. This will result in a factor usually in the 0.992-0.998 range. The Blank Bag Correction can also be used to calibrate your values to a known value.
Q10. What is the porosity of the ANKOM F57Filter Bags?
The porosity of the ANKOM F57 Filter Bag 25 microns +/- 15. The design of the filter bag provides a 3 dimensional filter matrix similar to the filtering effect of a glass crucible. The F57 Filter Bag provides equal filtration without the manual intervention required with a crucible method.
The porosity of the ANKOM F57 Filter Bag 25 microns +/- 15. The design of the filter bag provides a 3 dimensional filter matrix similar to the filtering effect of a glass crucible. The F57 Filter Bag provides equal filtration without the manual intervention required with a crucible method.