As is the case with all detectors for gas chromatography, thermal control of a FID is an important requirement. The block enclosing the detector should be heated above the temperature of the column to avoid the condensation of sample components in the transfer lines and jet. In addition, the temperature must be above 100 oC to prevent water condensation. Since the temperature of the body of the detector has a slight effect on the detection mechanism it must be stable. However, it is more important to keep the detector from getting too hot since solid surfaces heated by the flame can emit electrons (i.e., thermionic ionization). For example, a large sample or component that can increase the temperature can cause a positive detector response, including samples or components that otherwise would have given a negligible response (e.g., CO). Under such conditions, water may give a negative peak, as it decreases the temperature of the flame.Overheating the detector can also lead to electrical leakage across insulators, causing instability in the detector output current. 《Modern Practice of Gas Chromatography》