Eutech instruments PC 300 User Manual

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Instruction Manual

PC 300

Waterproof Hand-held pH/Conductivity/TDS/Temperature Meter

Technolo

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35631-00

68X248908

Rev3 01/04

Preface

This manual serves to explain the use of the Waterproof PC 300 hand-held meter. It functions in two ways, firstly as a step by step guide to help you to operate the meter. Secondly, it serves as a handy reference guide. It is written to cover as many anticipated applications of the Waterproof PC 300 hand-held meter as possible. If there are doubts in the use of the PC 300, please do not hesitate to contact the nearest Eutech Instruments/ Oakton Instruments Authorized Distributor.

Eutech Instruments/ Oakton Instruments cannot accept any responsibility for damage or malfunction to the meter caused by improper use of the instrument.

The information presented in this manual is subject to change without notice as improvements are made, and does not represent a commitment on the part of Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd/ Oakton Instruments.

Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd/ Oakton Instruments

Rev3 01/04

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 DISPLAY AND KEYPAD FUNCTIONS 2

2.1 Display 2

2.2 Keypad 3

3 PREPARATION 4

3.1 Inserting the Batteries 4

3.2 Probe Information 5

4 CALIBRATION 7

4.1 Important Information on Meter Calibration 7

4.2 Preparing the Meter for Calibration 8

4.3 pH Calibration 8

4.4 Conductivity Calibration 11

4.5 TDS Calibration 14

4.6 Calibration with Conductivity Standard and TDS factor 15

4.7 Temperature Calibration 16

5 MEASUREMENT 18

5.1 Taking pH Measurements 18

5.2 Taking Conductivity or TDS Measurement 22

6 HOLD FUNCTION 28 7 ADVANCED SETUP FUNCTIONS 29

7.1 Advanced SETUP Mode Overview 31

7.2 P1.0: Viewing previous pH calibration data 34

7.3 P2.0: Viewing pH electrode data 35

7.4 P3.0: pH Measurement configuration 36

7.5 P4.0: Resetting to factory default settin g s (pH ) 40

7.6 P5.0: Viewing Previous Conductivity Calibration data 41

7.7 P6.0: Viewing Conductivity Probe Data 42

7.8 P7.0: Conductivity or TDS Measurement Configuration 43

7.9 P8.0 Temperature 47

8 PROBE CARE AND MAINTENANCE 50

8.1 pH Electrode care 50

8.2 Conductivity Electrode 52

9 TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE 53 10 ERROR MESSAGES 54 11 SPECIFICATIONS 55 12 ACCESSORIES 56 13 ADDENDUM 1: CONDUCTIVITY TO TDS CONVERSION FACTORS 58 14 ADDENDUM 2: CALCULATING TDS CONVERSION FACTORS 59 15 ADDENDUM 3: CALCULATING TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENTS 60 16 ADDENDUM 4: METER FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS 62 17 ADDENDUM 5: SELECTING USA OR NIST BUFFER SET IN P3.3 63 18 WARRANTY 64 19 RETURN OF ITEMS 65

Instruction Manual PC 300

1 INTRODUCTION

Thank you for selecting the PC300 waterproof portable meter. This meter is a microprocessorbased instrument that is designed to be handy capable of allowing one-hand operation. It is capable of measuring pH, Conductivity, TDS and Temperature. It is completely WATERPROOF --- and it FLOATS!

This meter has many user-friendly features ---- all of which are completely access ible through the water-resistant membrane keypad. Your meter includes a conductivity electrode (cell constant K = 1.0) with built-in temperature sensor (Order Code: EC-CONSEN91W/ 35608-50), pH electrode (EC-FE72522-01B/ 35641-51) and batteries. Please read this manual thoroughl y before operating your meter.

Figure 1: PC 300 meter

Instruction Manual PC 300

2 DISPLAY AND KEYPAD FUNCTIONS

2.1 Display

The LCD has a primary and secondary display.

• The primary display shows the measured pH, conductivity or TDS.

• The secondary display shows the measured temperature.

The display also shows error messages, keypad functions and program functions.

See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Full LCD Screen

1. SETup mode indicator 8. micro-siemens indicator 15. Low battery indicator

2. MEASurement mode

indicator

3. CALibration indicator 10. parts per million indicator 17. Calibration solution

4. mV indicator 11. Temperature indicator 18. Cell constant indicator

5. % indicator 12. pH indicator 19. ON / OFF indicator

6. pH measurement indicator 13. Automa tic Temperature

7. milli-Siemens indicator 14. ERRor indicator 21. READY indicator

9. parts per thousand indicator 16. Probe indicator

indicator

20. HOLD indicator

Compensation indicator

Instruction Manual PC 300

2.2 Keypad

The large membrane keypad makes the instrument easy to use. Each button, when pressed, has a corresponding graphic indicator on the LCD. See Figure 1. Some buttons have several functions depending on its mode of operation.

Key Function

ON/OFF Powers on and shuts off the meter. When you switch on the meter, the meter starts up

HOLD Freezes the measured reading. To activate, press HOLD while in measurement mode.

MODE Selects the measurement parameter. Press MODE to toggle between pH or TDS or

CAL/MEAS Toggles between Calibration and Measurement mode.

ENTER / RANGE

 /  In Calibration mode:

SETUP Takes you into the SETUP mode. This mode lets you customize meter preference and

in the mode that you last switched off from. For example, if you shut the meter off in conductivity measurement mode, the meter will be in conductivity measurement mode when you switch the meter on.

To release, press HOLD again.

conductivity measurement mode.

1. If you are in pH measurement mode, press CAL/MEAS to enter pH calibration mode.

2. If you are in conductivity measurement mode, press CAL/MEAS to enter conductivity calibration mode.

3. If you are in TDS measurement mode, press CAL/MEAS to enter TDS measurement calibration mode.

While in SETUP sub-menu, pressing CAL/MEAS once takes you out to the SETUP main menu and pressing CAL/MEAS second time takes you directly into the measurement mode.

ENTER function: Press to confirm values in Calibration mode and to confirm selections in SETUP mode.

RANGE function (for conductivity &TDS measurements only): Press to enter manual ranging function. The MEAS indicator blinks while in manual ranging function.

During conductivity and TDS calibration, press to scroll through calibration values.

In SETUP mode:

Press to scroll through the setup subgroup programs.

defaults, view calibration, electrode offset data, adjust for temperature coefficient and normalization temperature.

Instruction Manual PC 300

3 PREPARATION

3.1 Inse rting the Batteries

Four AAA batteries are included with your meter.

1. Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the battery cover. See Figure 3 below.

2. Remove battery cover to expose batteries.

3. Insert batteries. Follow the diagram inside the cover for correct polarity.

4. Replace the battery cover into its original position using the two screws removed earlier.

Figure 3 - Back panel of meter showing meter compartment

Instruction Manual PC 300

3.2 Probe Information

Your meter includes two probes:

• pH electrode with BNC connector.

• conductivity/temperature probe with a notched 6-pin connector

The temperature sensing element built into the conductivity probe will als o c omp ensa te for pH readings as long as both probes are in your solution at the same time.

If you want to use a “3-in1” pH probe with a built-in temperature element, or if you want to use a separate temperature probe, you will need to disconnect the conductivity probe to allow for connection of the separate temperature sensor.

You can use any standard pH electrode with a BNC connector with this meter. Conductivity probes, “3-in-1” pH electrodes with a built-in temperature element, and temperature probes require a notched 6-pin connector (see Figure 4). For replacement probes, see the “Accessories” section.

NOTE: Keep connector dry and clean. Do not touch connector with soiled hands.

To connect the pH electrode:

1. Slide the BNC connector of the probe over the BNC connector socket on the meter. Make sure the slots of the connector are in line with the posts of the socket. Rotate and push the connector clockwise until it locks.

2. To remove electrode, push and rotate the connector anti-clockwise. While holding onto the metal part of the connector, pull it away from the meter.

CAUTION: Do not pull on the probe cord or the probe wires might disconnect.

Instruction Manual PC 300

To connect the conductivity/temperature probe:

1. Line up the notch and 6 pins on the probe connector with the holes in the connector located on the top of the meter. Push down and screw the metal sleeve to lock the probe connector into place. See Figure 4.

2. To remove probe, unscrew the metal sleeve and slide up the probe connector. While holding onto metal sleeve, pull probe away from the meter.

NOTE: Follow the same directions to connect an optional separate temperature element. CAUTION: Do not pull on the probe cord or the probe wires might disconnect.

Figure 4: Connecting pH and conductivity/temperature probes

Instruction Manual PC 300

4 CALIBRATION

4.1 Important Information on Meter Calibration

When you re-calibrate your meter, old calibration points are replaced on a “point-by-point” basis in pH, and on a “range-by-range” basis in conductivity.

For example:

• pH:

• Conductivity:

• TDS:

To view current calibration points:

• pH: Program P1.0 in the SETUP section

• Conductivity & TDS: Program P5.0 in the SETUP section

if you previously calibrated your meter at pH 4.01, 7.00, and 10.01, and

you re-calibrate at pH 7.00, the meter retains the old calibration data at pH

4.01 and pH 10.01. If you previously calibrated your conductivity meter at 1413 µS

in the 0 to 1999 µS range and you re-calibrate at 1500 µS (which is also in the 0 to 1999 µS), the meter will replace the old calibration data (1413 µS) in that range. The meter will retain all calibration data in other ranges.

If you previously calibrated your conductivity meter at 300 ppm in the 0 to 999 ppm range and you re-calibrate at 500 ppm (which is also in the 0 to 999 ppm), the meter will replace the old calibration data (300 ppm) in that range. The meter will retain all calibration data in other ranges.

To completely re-calibrate your meter, or when you use a replacement probe, it is best to delete the old calibration data by re-setting the meter.

To reset the meter to its factory defaults:

• pH: Program P4.0 in the SETUP section

• Conductivity & TDS: Program P9.0 in the SETUP section

NOTE: Re-setting the meter will set meter to factory defaults. Conductivity and pH must be reset separately.

For directions on how to calibrate your meter:

• See section 4.3 for pH calibration.

• See section 4.4 for conductivity calibration.

• See section 4.4 for TDS calibration.

• See section 4.5 for Temperature calibration.

Instruction Manual PC 300

4.2 Prep aring the Meter for Calib ration

Before starting calibration, make sure you are in the correct measurement mode. When you switch on the meter, the meter starts up in the measurement mode you shut it off in. For example, if you shut the meter off in pH measurement mode, the meter will come back into pH measurement mode when you switch the meter on.

4.3 pH Calibration

NOTE: We recommend that you perform at least 2-point calibration using standard

buffers that bracket (one above and one below) the expected sample range.

Preparing for pH calibration

This meter is capable of up to 5-point pH calibration to ensure accuracy across the entire pH range of the meter. Select from the following buffer options:

• pH 1.68, 4.01, 7.00, 10.01 and 12.45 (USA)

• pH 1.68, 4.01, 6.86, 9.18, 12.45 (NIST)

The meter automatically recognizes and calibrates to these standard buffer values, which makes pH calibration faster and easier.

Be sure to remove the protective electrode storage bottle or ru bber cap of t he electrode before calibration or measurement. If the electrode has been s tored dry, wet the electrode

in tap water for 10 minutes before calibrating or taking readings to saturate the pH electrode surface and minimize drift.

Wash your electrode in de-ionized water after use, and store in electrode storage solution. If storage solution is not available, use pH 4.01 or 7.00 buffer solution.

Do not reuse buffer solutions after calibration. Contaminants in the solution can affect the calibration and eventually the accuracy of the measurements. See Section on Accessories for information on our high-quality pH buffer solutions.

Instruction Manual PC 300

To Calibrate pH:

1. If necessary, press the MODE key to select pH mode. The pH indicator appears in the upper right hand corner of the display.

2. Rinse the prob e thoroughly with de-ionized water or a rinse solution. Do not wipe the probe; this causes a build-up of electrostatic charge on the glass surface.

3. Dip the probe into the calibration buffer. The end of the probe must be completely immersed into the sample. Stir the probe gently to create a homogeneous sample.

NOTE: The temperature element is in the conductivity

cell. For temperature compensated readings, dip the conductivity cell into the calibration buffer as well.

4. Press CAL/MEAS to enter pH calibration mode. The CAL indicator will be shown. The primary display will show the measured reading while the smaller secondary display will indicate the pH standard buffer solution.

5. Wait for the measured pH value to stabilize. See Figure 5.

Figure 5 - pH Calibration

Instruction Manual PC 300

6. Press ENTER to confirm calibration. The meter is now calibrated to the current buffer. The lower display scrolls through the remaining buffer options.

• If you are performing multi-point calibration, go to step 7.

• If you are performing one-point calibration, go to step 9.

7. Rinse the electro de with de-ionized water or in rinse solution, and place it in the next pH buffer.

8. Follow steps 5 to 8 for additional calibration points. See Figure 6.

9. When calibration is complete, press CAL/MEAS to return to pH measurement mode.

Figure 6 - Next point calibration for

pH 4.01

NOTES:

To exit from pH calibration mode without confirming calibration, DO NOT press ENTER in step 6. Press CAL/MEAS instead.

If the selected buffer value is not within ±1.0 pH from the measured pH value: the electrode and buffer icon blink and the ERR annunciator appears in the lower left corner of the display. See Figure 7.

To limit the number of pH buffer values available during calibration, see SETUP section P3.2.

Figure 7 - Err message and

electrode icon will appear if

incorrect buffer are used

Instruction Manual PC 300

4.4 Conductivity Calibration

The PC 300 meter has five measuring ranges. You can calibrate one point in each of the measuring ranges (up to five points). If you are measuring values in more than one range, make sure to calibrate each of the ranges you are measuring. All new calibration data will over-ride existing stored calibration data for each measuring range you calibrate.

• If you are measuring in ranges near to or greater than 20 mS (10 ppt), or near to or lower than 100 µS (50 ppm), calibrate the meter at least once a week to get specified ±1% F.S. accuracy.

• If you are measuring in the mid ranges and you washed the probe in deionized water and stored it dry, calibrate the meter at least once a month.

• If you take measurements at extreme temperatures, calibrate the meter at least once a week.

Preparing for conductivity calibration

For best results, select a standard value close to the sample value you are measuring. Alternatively use a calibration solution value that is approximately 2/3 the full-scale value of the measurement range you plan to use. For example, in the 0 to 1999 µS conducti vity range, use a 1413 µS solution for calibration.

Table 1 - Range Indicator and its corresponding ranges

Range

indicator

r 1 r 2 r 3 r 4 0.00 Æ 19.99 mS 6.00 to 17.00 mS 1.00 Æ 9.99 ppt 3.00 to 8.50 ppt r 5 0.0 Æ 199.9 mS 60.0 to 170.0 mS 10.0 Æ 200 ppt 30.0 to 170 ppt

Conductivity

Range

0.00 Æ 19.99 µS 6.00 to 17.00 µS

0.0 Æ 199.9 µS 60.0 to 170.0 µS 0 Æ 1999 µS 600 to 1700 µS

Recommended Calibration

Solution Range

TDS Range Recommended Calibration

Solution Range

0.00 Æ 9.99 ppm 3.00 to 8.50 ppm

10.0 Æ 99.9 ppm 30.0 to 85.0 ppm 100 Æ 999 ppm 300 to 850 ppm

Temperature Coefficient: These meters are factory set to a temperature coefficient of 2.1 %

per °C. For most applications this will provide good results. See Program P8.1 in Section 7.9 to set the temperature coefficient to different value. See Addendum 3, “Calculating Temperature Coefficients” to determine the appropriate temperature coefficient for your solution.

Normalization Temperature: The factory default value for normalization temperature is 25

°C. If you need to normalize to a value other than 25 °C, see Program P8.2 in Section

7.9.

Instruction Manual PC 300

Do not reuse calibration solutions after calibration. Contaminants in the solution can affect the calibration, and eventually the accuracy of the measurements. Use fresh calibration solution each time you calibrate your meter.

All new calibration data will over-ride existing stored calibration data for each measuring range calibrated.

Calibrating for Conductivity:

1. If necessary, press the MODE key to select conductivity mode.

2. Rinse the probe thoroughl y with de-ionized water or a rinse solution, then rinse with a small amount of calibration standard.

3. Dip the probe into the calibration standard. Immerse the probe tip beyond the upper steel band. Stir the probe gently to create a homogeneous sample. See Figure 8.

4. Wait for the measured conductivity value to stabilize. If the READY indicator has been activated (SETUP program P7.1), the READY annunciator lights when the reading is stable.

5. Press CAL/MEAS to enter conductivity or TDS calibration mode. The CAL indicator will appear in the upper right corner of the display.

6. Press the  or  keys to chang e the value on the primary display to match the value of the calibration standard.

7. Press ENTER to confirm calibration value. The meter returns to the MEAS (measurement) mode.

8. Repeat steps 1 to 7 for other measuring ranges.

See figure 8.

Figure 8 - Conductivity Calibration

Instruction Manual PC 300

NOTES:

When entering calibration mode, the meter will display the factory default value. If the meter was previously calibrated, the display may “jump” to the factory default value when switching from measurement to calibration mode.

To exit from Conductivity calibration mode without confirming calibration, DO NOT press the ENTER key in step 7. Press CAL/MEAS instead. This will retain the

meter’s old calibration data in the measuring range of the calibration.

You can offset the conductivity reading up to ± 40% from default setting. If your measured

Figure 9 - Proper Immersion of

the conductivity probe

value differs by more than ± 40%, clean or replace probe as needed.

Eutech Instruments/ Oakton Instruments offers a wide selection of high-quality calibration standards. See section on Accessories for more information.

Instruction Manual PC 300

4.5 TDS Calibration

4.5.1 Calibrating for TDS directly

The factory default setting for TDS conversion factor is

0.5. If your solution has a different TDS factor, you can

improve calibration accuracy by setting the TDS factor prior to calibration. See P7.4 for directions.

1. If necessary, press the MODE key to select TDS mode.

2. Rinse the probe thoroughly with de-ionized water or a rinse solution, then rinse with a small amount of calibration standard.

3. Dip the probe into the calibration standard. Immerse the probe tip beyond the upper steel band. Stir the probe gently to create a homogeneous sample. Allow time for the reading to stabilize.

4. Press CAL/MEAS to enter TDS calibration mode. The CAL indicator will appear in the upper right corner of the display.

5. Press the  or  keys to change the value on the primary display to match the value of the calibration standard.

6. Press ENTER to confirm the calibration value. The meter returns to the MEAS (measurement) mode. See Figure 10.

7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 for other measuring ranges.

NOTES

To exit from TDS Calibration mode without confirming calibration, DO NOT press the ENTER key in step 6. Press CAL/MEAS instead. This will retain the meter’s old calibration data in the measuring range of the calibration. You can offset the TDS reading up to ± 20% from the default setting. If your measured value differs by more than ± 40%, clean or replace probe as needed.

Figure 10 - TDS Calibration

Instruction Manual PC 300

4.6 Calibration with Conductivity Standard and TDS factor

The concentration of salts dissolved in solution increases the conductivity of that solution. This relationship varies from salt to salt and is roughly linear over a given range for a given salt. The TDS conversion factor is the number used by the meter to convert from conductivity to TDS.

Instead of calibrating for TDS directly (described above), you can calibrate the PC 300 meter by:

1. calibrating to conductivity standards (as described above) and then

2. entering the appropriate TDS conversion factor into the meter.

To determine the conductivity to TDS conversion factor for your solution:

• Addendum 1 lists some commonly used conversion factors.

• Addendum 2 describes how to calculate the TDS conversion factor for other

solutions.

Enter the TDS conversion factor into your meter as described under Section 7.5, in P7.4 Setting the TDS Factor.

Instruction Manual PC 300

4.7 Te mperature Calibration

The conductivity electrode (EC-CONSEN91W/ 35608-50) supplied with the meter has a built-in temperature sensor. In addition you can also use a separate temperature sensing element supplied by Eutech Instruments (as such temperature probe (EC-PHWPTEMP-01W/ 35618-05), or the “3-in-1” pH/Temperature combination electrode, (ECFE73528-01W/ 35808-71) for ATC purpose.

The conductivity probe is factory calibrated. Temperature calibration can be done only if you suspect temperature errors that may have occurred over a long period of time, or if you have a replacement probe.

Temperature calibration is accessible during pH or conductivity or TDS calibration.

Temperature Calibration

1. Make sure the conductivity electrode (or temperature probe or “3-in-1” electrode) is attached to the 6-pin connector.

2. Switch the meter on.

3. Press the CAL/MEAS key to enter calibration mode (either from pH or conductivity mode). The CAL indicator will appear above the primary display.

4. While in pH (or conductivity or TDS) calibration mode, press the MODE key to enter temperature calibration mode. The primary display shows the last set temperature value and the secondary display shows the temperature reading with zero offset.

5. Dip the ATC probe into a solution of known temperature (i.e. a temperature bath). Allow time for the temperature probe to stabilize.

Figure 11 - Temperature Calibration in pH mode.

Instruction Manual PC 300

6. Scroll with the  and  keys to set the correct temperature value (i.e. the temperature of the temperature bath). You can adjust the reading increments of 0.1 °C.

7. Once you have selected the correct temperature press the ENTER key. The meter automatically returns to pH measurement mode. See Figure 11.

NOTES:

• You can offset the temperature reading up to ±5 °C from original reading.

• To exit this program without confirming the temperature calibration value,

DO NOT press ENTER. Press CAL/MEAS instead.

Instruction Manual PC 300

5 MEASUREMENT

5.1 Taking pH Measurements

5.1.1 Automatic Temperature Compensation

Automatic Temperature Compensation only occurs when a temperature sensing element is plugged into the meter.

Temperature sensing element refers to the following probes made specifically for this meter:

• The conductivity electrode (EC-CONSEN91W/ 35608-50) with a built-in temperature sensor;

• Temperature probe (EC-PHWPTEMP-01W/ 35618-05); or

• The “3-in-1” pH/Temperature combination electrode (EC-FE73528-01W/ 35808-71).

Figure 12 - ATC annunciator will

light up when connected to

temperature probe

If there is no temperature sensor plugged into the meter, the default manual temperature setting is automatically 25 °C. You can manually set the temperature to match your working conditions using a separate thermometer.

For automatic temperature compensation (ATC) simply plug the temperature probe into the meter (see page 6 for directions). The ATC indicator will light up on the LCD. See figure 12.

NOTE: The temperature sensing element must be submersed in the liquid yo u are

measuring.

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