SHIMADZU GC17A/GC14C

Clarity Control Module ENG

Code/Rev.: M046/80B
Date: 10/27/2022

DataApex Ltd.
Phone: +420 251 013 400 Petrzilkova 2583/13
[email protected] 158 00 Prague 5
www.dataapex.com The Czech Republic
Clarity ® , DataApex ® and ® are trademarks of DataApex Ltd. Microsoft ® and Windows TM are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
DataApex reserves the right to make changes to manuals without prior notice. Updated manuals can be
downloaded from www.dataapex.com.

Author: JK
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C Table of Contents

Contents
1 Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 1
2 Requirements 2
3 Installation Procedure 3
3.1 Shimadzu GC 17A/14C setup - communication 3
3.2 Hardware - Wiring 4
3.3 Clarity Configuration 5
4 Using the control module 7
4.1 Method Setup - GC 7
4.1.1 Method Setup - GC - Oven/Zones 7
4.1.2 Method Setup - GC - Inlet 1 (2) 9
4.1.3 Method Setup - GC - Press/Flow 1 (2) 10
4.1.4 Method Setup - GC - Det 1 (2-X) 11
4.1.5 Method Setup - GC - Time events 12
4.1.6 Method Setup - GC - Shutdown 13
4.1.7 Method Setup - GC - Gradients 14
4.2 Device Monitor 15
4.3 Shimadzu GC-17A/14C Setup 16

-i-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C Table of Contents

To facilitate the orientation in the Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C manual and Clarity chromatography
station, different fonts are used throughout the manual. Meanings of these fonts are:
Instrument (blue text) marks the name of the window to which the text refers.
Open File (italics) describes the commands and names of fields in Clarity, parameters that can
be entered into them or a window or dialog name (when you already are in the topic describing
the window).
WORK1 (capitals) indicates the name of the file and/or directory.
ACTIVE (capital italics) marks the state of the station or its part.
The bold text is sometimes also used for important parts of the text and the name of the Clarity
station. Moreover, some sections are written in format other than normal text. These sections are
formatted as follows:

Note: Notifies the reader of relevant information.

Caution: Warns the user of possibly dangerous or very important information.

▌ Marks the problem statement or trouble question.

Description: Presents more detailed information on the problem, describes its causes,
etc.
Solution: Marks the response to the question, presents a procedure how to remove it.

- ii -
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 1 Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C

1 Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C
This manual describes the setting of the Shimadzu GC17A and GC14C
GC chromatographs. The control module enables direct control of the
instrument over serial line.

Fig 1: Shimadzu GC 17A series III

Caution: Do not confuse GC14C (model derived from GC17A) with GC14A (older
Shimadzu product).
Direct control means that the chromatograph can be completely controlled
from the Clarity environment. Instrument method controlling the analysis
conditions will be saved in the measured chromatograms.
The GC14C model is based on the GC17A, with limited functionality (only
manual gas flow control). The model type should be selected in the GC
setup dialog window in System configuration. In this manual, the options
to be selected will be described for the GC17A, with marked differences
for GC14C.
Note: Analysis conditions are all the options from the Method Setup - GC dialogs.

-1-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 2 Requirements

2 Requirements
Clarity Installation CD ROM with GC Control module (p/n A23).
Free serial port in the PC (fast - 16550 UART).

Note: Modern computers usually have only 1 (if any) serial (COM) port installed.
To use more devices requiring the port, the MultiCOM adapter (p/n
MC01) is available.

Serial cross DB9F-DB25M cable (p/n SK03).

Note: Cables are not part of Clarity Control Module. It is strongly

recommended to order required cables together with the Control Module.

A/D card (e.g. INT7, NetPAD, Colibrick etc.)

The chromatograph must have the RS-232 Interface board installed (this
may be ordered from Shimadzu (Shimadzu P/N 221-44370-91) + cable
(Shimadzu P/N 630-06420-06)). Alternatively the Opt-USB Adapter from
DataApex (p/n OPT01) can be used.

-2-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 3 Installation Procedure

3 Installation Procedure
3.1 Shimadzu GC 17A/14C setup - communication
The RS232 "Interface board" from Shimadzu or Opt-USB Adapter from
DataApex must be installed.
The Communication setting is in Function 15
Most of the parameters must correspond with the setting from the
Shimadzu GC-17A/14C Setup dialog.
Current loop protocol must be set to EXTEND.
Baud rate must correspond with the setting in the Shimadzu GC-17A/14C
Setup dialog. Recommended value is 4800.
Communication protocol must be set to OPTICAL LINK, not to RS-232C
(mistake of Shimadzu).
File format must be set 14CH MODE.
Parity must correspond with the setting in the Shimadzu GC- 17A/14C
Setup dialog.
Note: There is a Shimadzu mistake causing that EVEN = NONE and NONE =
EVEN, but we have amended it by swapping the meanings too to provide
corresponding settings.

-3-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 3 Installation Procedure

3.2 Hardware - Wiring

Start and Ready signals are communicated with Clarity through the Serial
cross DB9F-DB25M cable , so it is not necessary to connect additional
starting cables.
The signal cable has to be connected according to the following scheme:

Fig 2: Signal cable wiring

In a set with the Autosampler synchronization cables will be required.

Note: Typical connections of a GC set with Autosampler can be found in the
Getting Started manual (chapter Device Setup and Wiring).
Typical serial cable wiring is described in the picture.

Fig 3: Serial cross cable DB9F - DB25M

-4-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 3 Installation Procedure

3.3 Clarity Configuration

Fig 4: System Configuration

Start the Clarity station by clicking on the icon on the desktop.

Invoke the System Configuration dialog accessible from the Clarity
window using the System - Configuration... command.

-5-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 3 Installation Procedure

Press the Add button ① (see 3.3 on pg 5.) to invoke the Available Control
Modules dialog.
You can specify the searching filter ② to simplify the finding of the driver.
Select the Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C device and press the Add ③ button.
The Shimadzu GC-17A/14C Setup dialog will appear.

Fig 5: Shimadzu GC-17A/14C Setup

Select the COM Port, Rate, Parity and Stop bits according to the settings in
the GC (see the chapter 3.1) and press the OK button.
Select the corresponding GC model.
Set up the configuration options to match the connected GC. Press the
OK button.

Note: Other fields from this dialog are described later in the manual ("Shimadzu
GC-17A/14C Setup" on page 16).
The Shimadzu GC- 17A/14C item ④ will appear in the Setup Control
Modules list of the System Configuration dialog.
Drag the GC icon from the Setup Control Modules list on the left side to
the desired Instrument tab ⑤ on the right side ⑥, or use the button ⑦
to do so.
Set the Start and Ready input and output numbers for Colibrick, U-PAD2
or your acquisition card ⑧ according to the wires used for
synchronization.

-6-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4 Using the control module

New GC tab appears in the Method Setup dialog, enabling the setting of
the GC control method.
Caution: If the module does not get the method file, for example after the
Instrument window opening or method file change, the Single Run
measurement will run with the old method loaded to the Shimadzu
GC17A/GC14C control module.

4.1 Method Setup - GC

4.1.1 Method Setup - GC - Oven/Zones

Fig 6: Method Setup - GC - Oven/Zones

Oven Parameters
Sets the Max Oven Temperature , Equilibry Time and the Oven
Temperature program.
Oven Max.
Possible values [0 - 470].
Equilibry Time
Time that the GC needs to reach the temperature equilibrium.
Gradient Table
Sets the Heat Rate, desired temperature (Final Temp.) and time to hold
this temperature (Hold Time). The Total Time column will be calculated
automatically.

-7-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

Note: Maximum of 5 rows is available. Delete the value in Heat Rate column to
clear the selected row.
Temperature Zones
Sets the temperature of the zones that have been set in the Shimadzu GC-
17A/14C Setup dialog.
Description
Description of the method (this description is not sent to or read from GC, it
serves only for the information in Clarity).

-8-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.1.2 Method Setup - GC - Inlet 1 (2)

Parameters of the Inlet may differ according to the inlet type. In some
cases (when the options selected are not supported by the connected
GC), the values will not be sent to the GC and null values will be get from
the GC.

Fig 7: Method Setup - GC Control - Inlet

Column parameters: Length, Diameter

Purge parameters: Press, Flow
SPL mode: is the same for both inlets
Pressure, Velocity, Col Flow:
Caution: Only one value will be sent to GC, select which one, the other values will be
calculated by the CG. When reading a method from the GC, all values will
be read.
Total Flow, Split Ratio:
Caution: Only one value will be sent to GC, select which one, the other values will be
calculated by CG. When reading a method from GC, all values will by read.

-9-
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.1.3 Method Setup - GC - Press/Flow 1 (2)

Caution: This tab is not available for the GC14C.

Fig 8: Method Setup - GC Control - Press/Flow

P/F mode
Select whether the gradient will be set in the pressure or flow mode.
Gradient table
Pressure or flow program depends on the P/F mode

- 10 -
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.1.4 Method Setup - GC - Det 1 (2-X)

These tabs define the settings of detectors defined in the Shimadzu GC-
17A/14C Setup dialog.

Fig 9: Method Setup - GC Control - Detector

The items of this dialog will be different for various types of detectors set in
the Shimadzu GC-17A/14C Setup dialog and in the device.
Note: In some cases (options not supported by the connected GC) the values
will not be sent to GC and null values will be get from GC.

- 11 -
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.1.5 Method Setup - GC - Time events

Fig 10: Method Setup - GC Control - Time Events

A table of time events:

Set time, type and value for every event.
Values must correspond to the setting in the GC.
Incorrect values will be ignored.
Caution: Table is only sent to GC. It cannot be read from the GC to Clarity.

Caution: The parameters are not checked for validity. Invalid values will be ignored.

- 12 -
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.1.6 Method Setup - GC - Shutdown

Fig 11: Method Setup - GC Control - Shutdown

The Shutdown tab of the GC control enables to switch off the oven heater
after the analysis is finished.
Keep state - the heater remains on
Set off after Analysis - the heater will be switched off after the end of
gradient program.

Note: When any method is sent to GC, the heater will be always switched On.
Typically, the method with shutdown On will be used as the last one in a
sequence. The automatic sending of the method to the instrument should
then be disabled.

- 13 -
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.1.7 Method Setup - GC - Gradients

Fig 12: Method Setup - GC Control - Gradients

Displays the gradients selected by the Gradients of radiobuttons (Oven

temperature, Pressure or Flow).

- 14 -
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.2 Device Monitor

Device Monitor - Shimadzu GC-17A/14C dialog displays current values
from the GC and expected values (= values sent to the GC). It also allow
a direct control of the GC oven heater.
Note: For the GC-14C model, some of the fields in the Device Monitor window
might be missing.

Fig 13:

Fig 14: Device Monitor - Shimadzu GC-17A/14C

The GC Heater can be set On or Off using the corresponding buttons

System ON and System Off in the Device Monitor window.
Note: When the System Off is pressed during run, the heater will be switched Off
only after the analysis has been finished.

Temperature fields
Left field contains the values set in the method. Right field contains real
values read from the chromatograph. If there is a difference between
required value and the real value the actual value is marked in by color.
Green value means that the actual temperature is lower than the required.
Red value means that the actual temperature is higher than the required.

Note: The set Oven temperature is not updated during a gradient run, the initial
set temperature will be displayed.
Any additional informative fields displayed will depend on the current GC
configuration.

- 15 -
Shimadzu GC17A/GC14C 4 Using the control module

4.3 Shimadzu GC-17A/14C Setup

Fig 15: Shimadzu GC-17A/14C Setup

COM
Selection of the communication port.
Rate
The speed of the communication port.
Possible values [1200; 2400; 4800]
Parity
The Parity of the communication port.
Possible values [None, Even]
Stop bits
The Stop bits of the communication port.
Possible values [1; 2]
Model
Select model GC17A or GC14C.
Injector and Detector Types
Sets the types of Injectors and Detectors that have been installed on the
GC and attach corresponding Heat zones to them.

- 16 -