Q: When I started my run on the Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzer, an error occurred: "Leak detected" but I don't see any leaks. What else might cause this?

Leak detected error messages can also occur when the piston on the pump moves further than expected during the movement of the pump. The usual cause for this is a leak on the system, usually due to either an improperly tightened or improperly threaded fitting or a broken capillary. However, if this is not observed, some of the other reasons are: 1.Valve stuck in open position 2.Large air bubble under the piston 3. Polymer: -Wrong polymer type (e.g., instrument thinks it has POP-7 on it but it really has POP-4). -Old/degraded polymer 4. Improper/no maintenance on the system Inspect the system for leaks. If you do not see any leaks on the system, perform a water wash using the water wash wizard and place fresh, non-expired polymer and freshly made 1X Running Buffer on the system. If the problem persists, a service call may be required. Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center .

Question 1

With my Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzer, I seem to be getting bubbles from the polymer bottle but the polymer level is normal. What is causing it?

Accepted Answer

It is possible that the polymer tube fitting may not be screwed into the pump properly, allowing air to get pulled in as the piston retracts. It is also possible that some debris may be stuck in the check valve, locking it in the open position. It may be necessary to detach and carefully attach the polymer tube again and then perform a water wash wizard to remove the bubbles and clear any debris from the check valve.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.

Question 2

When I started my run on the Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzer, an error occurred: "Leak detected" but I don't see any leaks. What else might cause this?

Accepted Answer

“Leak detected” error messages can also occur when the piston on the pump moves further than expected during the movement of the pump. The usual cause for this is a leak on the system, usually due to either an improperly tightened or improperly threaded fitting or a broken capillary. However, if this is not observed, some of the other reasons are:

1.Valve stuck in open position
2.Large air bubble under the piston
3. Polymer:
-Wrong polymer type (e.g., instrument thinks it has POP-7 on it but it really has POP-4).
-Old/degraded polymer
4. Improper/no maintenance on the system

Inspect the system for leaks. If you do not see any leaks on the system, perform a water wash using the water wash wizard and place fresh, non-expired polymer and freshly made 1X Running Buffer on the system. If the problem persists, a service call may be required.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.

Question 3

When I started my run on the Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzer, an error occurred: "Unstable Electrophoresis current detected, check for air bubbles" but I don't see any bubbles. What else can cause this?

Accepted Answer

Some of the other causes of an Unstable Electrophoresis current detected error message are:

1.Leak on the system
2.Polymer that:
-Has expired
-Has been left on the instrument for more than the recommended time
-Is a mixture of expired polymer and non-expired polymer
3.Using Running Buffer that was:
-Diluted to 1X incorrectly
-Swapped with the water position on the
Autosampler deck
-On the instrument longer than 48 hours
-Not filled to the fill line or evaporated below the fill line
4. An arcing event that was not cleaned afterwards using the water wash wizard
5. Not performing regular maintenance on the instrument
6. Hardware issues

Inspect the system for leaks. If you do not see any leaks on the system, perform a water wash using the water wash wizard and place fresh, non-expired polymer and freshly made 1X Running Buffer on the system. If the problem persists, a service call may be required.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.

Question 4

I have an Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzer. When do my consumables expire?

Accepted Answer

If we do not specify the expiry date or number of uses, the warranty will last for 12 months from the date of shipment.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.

Question 5

How often should I change the array on the Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzer?

Accepted Answer

The arrays are warrantied for a certain number of runs or one year from date of shipment, whichever comes first. If you notice that you are starting to get reduced data quality (e.g., shorter reads, trailing peaks in all 4 colors) even with the Sequencing Standard, these may be signs that the array requires changing.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.

Question 6

My consumables for the Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzer have expired, but how long past expiration can I really use them?

Accepted Answer

Thermo Fisher Scientific can only provide warranty on performance on non-expired reagents. Using reagents past their expiration date is a risk and may compromise your data integrity.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.

3730xl DNA Analyzer 96-Capillary Array, 36 cm - FAQs