The LC column - an unknown creature?

The importance of the LC column regarding the successful outcome of analyses is often being underestimated. It is regarded as a consumable but is in fact a high-tech product whose performance depends on the applicability for a specific method and a specific instrument but also crucially on its proper treatment.

Very often the column does not get the appropriate attention although it is mostly small details which need to be considered. As a consequence, unnecessary and easily avoidable errors are caused which compromise the whole system. Frequently their origin can´t be found immediately.