How Often Should I Replace My Guard Column?

It is important to replace guard columns before contaminants have the chance to affect analytical columns. For best results, it is recommended to choose a regular interval at which columns are replaced. This may be weekly, after running 50-100 samples, or after completion of a set of analyses. If the quality of separations deteriorates or the initial back-pressure increases more than 20%, this is an indication that the guard column needs to be replaced. If contaminants are apparent in a chromatogram, replace the guard column immediately and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning the column. When replacing, be sure to equilibrate the analytical column and guard column and to check for leaks.