The Inlet: Setting a Maintenance Schedule

Gas Chromatography (GC) performance can decline over time due to contamination or aging of system components. Pinpointing the exact source of a fault can be challenging—especially when the signs are unclear or seem to affect multiple parts of the system. This often leads to extended troubleshooting and unnecessary downtime.

To avoid these disruptions, it's best to take a proactive approach to GC maintenance. Most performance issues stem from the inlet system, so regularly replacing critical inlet components—such as liners and septa—can significantly reduce the likelihood of failures. This helps ensure consistent results and keeps your instrument running smoothly.

Below is a recommended schedule for replacing inlet parts. Depending on how clean or dirty your samples are, you may need to adjust the frequency to suit your specific workflow.

	Item	Replacement Frequency
	Septa	100 injections (depends on needle style)
	O-ring	6 months (or with each liner change)
	Inlet liner	Sample and matrix dependent. Common replacement frequencies: Dirty/soil samples: < 2 weeks. Water extracts: ∼ 4 weeks Headspace extracts: ∼ 6 months
	Inlet seal	Sample dependent (no more than 6 months)

Learn more about the full range of GC accessories available from Phenomenex.