The Agilent 7890A is a high-performance, configurable gas chromatograph (GC) that set the industry standard for reliability and precision. It features advanced 5th-generation Electronic Pneumatics Control (EPC) for precise flow and pressure management, allowing for a pressure setpoint resolution of 0.001 psi and retention time repeatability of less than 0.008%. The system supports multiple inlet and detector configurations (up to two inlets and three detectors simultaneously) and offers fast oven cool-down (450 °C to 50 °C in 4.0 minutes) alongside sophisticated heating profiles with up to 20 ramps. The 7890A is highly versatile, supporting detectors such as FID, TCD, micro-ECD, NPD, FPD, and various Agilent MS systems.

Specifications

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply120 V / 200 V / 220 V / 230 V / 240 V (configuration dependent), 48-63 Hz, up to 2950 W
Operating Temperature15 to 35
Dimensions (W×H×D)580 × 490 × 510
Weight49

System Performance

ParameterValue
Retention Time Repeatability< 0.008% or < 0.0008 min

Column Oven Specifications

ParameterValue
Internal Dimensions28 × 31 × 16 cm (W×H×D)
Operating Temperature RangeAmbient +4 °C to 450 °C (without cryo cooling)
Cryogenic Cooling OptionsLiquid N2 (-80 °C to 450 °C), Liquid CO2 (-40 °C to 450 °C)
Temperature Setpoint Resolution0.1 °C
Maximum Heating Rate120 °C/min
Cool-down Time450 °C to 50 °C in 4.0 min (at 22 °C ambient)
Maximum Temperature Ramps20 ramps
Maximum Plateaus21 plateaus
Ambient Rejection< 0.01 °C per 1 °C ambient change

Electronic Pneumatics Control (EPC)

ParameterValue
Pressure Setpoint Resolution0.001 psi
Atmospheric Pressure CompensationYes, standard for all EPC modules
Carrier Gas CompatibilityHelium, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Argon/Methane

Inlet Specifications

ParameterValue
Supported Inlet TypesSplit/Splitless (S/SL), Multimode (MMI), Purged Packed, Cool On-Column (COC), Programmable Temperature Vaporizing (PTV), Volatiles Interface (VI)

Detector Specifications

ParameterValue
Supported Detector TypesFID, TCD, micro-ECD, NPD, FPD, SCD, NCD, MS
FID Linear Dynamic Range> 10^7
TCD Linear Dynamic Range10^5
Maximum Data Acquisition Rate500 Hz
Mass Spectrometer (MS) CompatibilityAgilent 5975 Series MSD, 7000 Series Triple Quadrupole

Sample Introduction / Autosampler

ParameterValue
Compatible AutosamplersAgilent 7693A, 7683B, G1888, 7697A, CTC PAL

Software and Control

ParameterValue
Chromatography Data System (CDS) CompatibilityOpenLAB CDS, ChemStation, EZChrom Elite

Environmental and Regulatory

ParameterValue
Operating Humidity Range5% to 95% non-condensing

Oven

ParameterValue
Maximum Run Time999.99 minutes
Column CapacityUp to two 105 m x 0.530 mm id capillary columns or two 10-ft glass/stainless steel packed columns

Inlets

ParameterValue
Maximum Temperature (S/SL Inlet)400 °C
Pressure Control Range (S/SL Inlet)0 to 100 psi standard (0 to 150 psi optional)
Total Flow Range (He/H2, S/SL Inlet)0 to 1250 mL/min
Total Flow Range (N2/Ar, S/SL Inlet)0 to 200 mL/min
Maximum Split Ratio7500:1
Multimode Inlet (MMI) Maximum Heating Rate900 °C/min
Purged Packed (PP) Inlet Maximum Temperature400 °C

Detectors

ParameterValue
FID Maximum Operating Temperature450 °C
TCD Maximum Operating Temperature400 °C
NPD Maximum Operating Temperature400 °C
Micro-ECD Maximum Operating Temperature400 °C
FPD Maximum Operating Temperature250 °C
Micro-ECD Linear Dynamic Range> 5 × 10^4 (lindane)
NPD Linear Dynamic Range> 10^5
FPD Linear Dynamic Range (Sulfur)> 10^3
FPD Linear Dynamic Range (Phosphorus)10^4

Features & Technology

ParameterValue
Retention Time Locking (RTL)Supported (requires compatible software)
Capillary Flow Technology (CFT)Supported (Deans Switch, Splitters, Purged Ultimate Union)

Pneumatics (EPC)

ParameterValue
Standard Pressure Range0 to 100 psi
High-Pressure Range Option0 to 150 psi

Technology

Gas Chromatography (GC)

Applications

Analytical chemistry, volatile and semi-volatile compound separation, environmental analysis, hydrocarbon processing, forensics, and food safety