Hach-Lange PHC20103 User Manual

DOC022.52.80197

User Manual

General use pH probe: Models PHC20101, PHC20103

Safety information

Precautionary labels

Read all labels and tags attached to the instrument. Personal injury or damage to the
instrument could occur if not observed.

Electrical equipment marked with this symbol may not be disposed of in European public disposal systems after 12
August of 2005. In conformity with European local and national regulations (EU Directive 2002/98/EC), European
electrical equipment users must now return old or end-of-life equipment to the Producer for disposal at no charge to
the user.

Note: For return for recycling, please contact the equipment producer or supplier for instructions on how to return end-of-life
equipment, producer-supplied electrical accessories, and all auxillary items for proper disposal.

Specifications

Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Specifications Details

Probe type Digital combination non-refillable, semi-liquid gel-filled probe with double

junction reference and built-in temperature sensor

pH range pH 0 to 14

pH resolution User-selectable stabilization time and resolution—Fast: 0.1, Fast: 0.01,

Medium: 0.01, Slow: 0.01 or Slow: 0.001

Slope -59 mV/pH (85 to 115% at 25 °C (77 °F) per Nernstian theoretical value)

Operating temperature range 0 to 80 °C (32 to 176 °F)

Storage temperature range 5 to 40 °C (41 to 104 °F)

Junction Ceramic

Reference type Ag/AgCl

Sodium (alkalinity) error <20% at pH 14 in 1 M NaCl

Temperature accuracy ±0.3 °C (±0.54 °F)

Minimum sample depth 15 mm (0.59 in.)

Dimensions (standard) Diameter: 12 mm (0.47 in.)

Length: 103 mm (4.056 in.)

Total length: 200 mm (7.9 in.)

Cable length: 1 or 3 m (3.28 or 9.84 ft)

Cable connection M12 digital output and connector compatible with HQd meters

Product overview

The PHC201 series probe is a non-refillable, semi-liquid gel-filled combination pH probe
with a built-in temperature sensor (Figure 1). The standard PHC20101 or PHC20103 probe
comes with a 1 or 3 m (3.28 or 9.84 ft) cable and is intended for laboratory use. The probe
provides pH measurement in general aqueous applications. The probe is not suitable for
use with organic solvents, low ionic strength, wastewater, high solids or high alkaline sample
types.

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Figure 1 Probe overview

1 Probe soaker bottle 4 Reference junction

2 Standard probe (1 or 3 meter cable) 5 Glass bulb and temperature sensor

3 Soaker bottle holder

Preparation for use

To prepare the probe for initial use:

1. Turn the probe soaker bottle cap counter-clockwise to loosen the cap. Remove the
soaker bottle from the probe.

2. If the probe will be used immediately, prepare the probe for calibration or sample
measurement.

3. If the probe will not be used immediately, store the probe (Storage on page 9).

To prepare the probe for calibration or sample measurement:

1. Turn the probe soaker bottle cap counter-clockwise to loosen the cap. Remove the
soaker bottle from the probe.

2. Rinse the reference junctions and glass bulb thoroughly with deionized water to remove
the 3 M KCl solution completely. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.

3. Rinse the reference junction and glass bulb thoroughly with deionized water to remove
the 3 M KCl solution completely. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.

4. For the best stabilization time, condition the probe for several minutes in the sample
before use.

Calibration

Before calibration:

The probe must have the correct service-life time stamp. Set the date and time in the meter before the probe is attached.

It is not necessary to recalibrate when moving a calibrated probe from one HQd meter to another if the additional meter is
configured to use the same calibration options.

To view the current calibration, push , select View Probe Data, then select View Current Calibration.

When two probes are connected, push the UP or DOWN arrow to change to the single display mode in order to show the
Calibrate option. (Available only on HQ40d and HQ440d meters.)

Prepare the probe for use (refer to Preparation for use on page 2).

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Calibration notes

• pH buffers can be used in any order. Use buffers that are two pH units apart.

• Additional standard sets along with the minimum number of calibration points can be
selected in the Calibration Options. For a two point calibration, it is recommended that
two buffers be selected: one with a pH above and one with a pH below the expected
sample pH. For a one point calibration, select the buffer nearest to the expected sample
pH.

• The calibration is recorded in the probe and the data log. The calibration is also sent to
a PC, printer or flash memory stick if connected.

• Air bubbles under the sensor tip when submerged can cause slow response or error in
measurement. If bubbles are present, gently shake the probe until bubbles are removed.

• If a calibration error occurs, refer to Troubleshooting on page 10.

Calibration procedure PHC201

1. Connect the

probe to the meter.
Make sure that the
cable locking nut is
securely
connected to the
meter. Turn on the
meter.

6. Push Read.
Stir gently. The
display will show
"Stabilizing" and a
progress bar as
the probe
stabilizes in the
standard. The
display shows the
buffer that has just
been read and
shows the
temperature
corrected pH value
when the reading
is stable.

2. Push

Calibrate. The

display shows the
buffers that are
necessary for
calibration.

7. Repeat steps 4

- 6 until the
minimum number
of calibration
points specified in
the current method
have been
collected.

3. Prepare the
fresh buffers in
separate beakers
or appropriate
containers.

8. Push Done to
view the calibration
summary. The
display will not
show Done until
the minimum
number of
calibration points
have been
collected.

4. Rinse the probe
with deionized
water. Blot dry with
a lint-free cloth.

9. Push Store to
accept the
calibration and go
back to
measurement
mode.

5. Put the probe in
the pH buffer
solution and stir
gently. Make sure
that the reference
junction is
completely
submerged. Shake
the probe from
side to side in the
standard solution
to refresh the
reference junction.

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Sample measurement

Before measurement:

The probe must have the correct service-life time stamp. Set the date and time in the meter before the probe is attached.

If complete traceability is necessary, enter a sample ID and operator ID before measurement. Refer to the HQd meter manual
for more information.

Regular calibration is required for the best measurement accuracy (refer to Calibration on page 2).

Prepare the probe for use (refer to Preparation for use on page 2).

Measurement notes

• Data is automatically stored in the data log when Press to Read or Interval is selected
in the Measurement Mode. When Continuous is selected, data will only be stored when
Store is pushed.

• Air bubbles under the sensor tip when submerged can cause slow response or error in
measurement. If bubbles are present, gently shake the probe until bubbles are removed.

• If a measurement error occurs, refer to Troubleshooting on page 10.

Measurement procedure

1. Connect the

probe to the meter.
Make sure that the
cable locking nut is
securely
connected to the
meter. Turn the
meter on.

6. Repeat steps
3-5 for additional
measurements.

2. For the best
stabilization time,
condition the probe
for several minutes
in the sample or in
a solution
comparable to the
sample in terms of
pH and ionic
strength before the
initial sample
measurement.

7. When
measurements are
done, store the
probe (refer to

Storage

on page 9).

3. Rinse the probe
with deionized
water, then with
the sample. Blot
dry with a lint-free
cloth.

4. Put the probe in
the sample and stir
gently. Make sure
that the reference
junction is
completely
submerged. Do not
put the probe on
the bottom or sides
of the container.
Shake the probe
from side to side in
the sample to
refresh the
reference junction.

5. Push Read.
The display will
show "Stabilizing"
and a progress bar
as the probe
stabilizes in the
sample. The
display will show
the lock icon when
the reading
stabilizes.

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Run a check standard

The run check standard feature validates instrument performance between sample
measurements. Use the run check standard feature for periodic or user-defined interval
measurements of a traceable standard solution. Set the criteria for check standards from
the PHC201 Settings menu.

Note: Access control must be off or a valid password must be entered before any of the check standard
method options can be changed.

1. Push . The Full Access Options menu is shown.

2. Select Run Check Standard.

Note: Select the correct probe if two probes are connected to the meter.

3. Get the standard solution shown on the display.

4. Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.

5. Put the probe in the standard solution until the temperature sensor is completely

submerged. Move the probe up or down or gently shake the probe to remove air
bubbles.

6. Push Read. The display will show "Stabilizing" and a progress bar as the reading
stabilizes. The display shows the value of the check standard and either Check
Standard Passed or Check Standard Failed.

7. If the display shows Check Standard Passed, the check standard measurement is
within the accepted limits set by the administrative user. Select Done to continue with
the sample measurement.

8. If the display shows Check Standard Failed, the measurement is outside of accepted
limits set by the administrative user and a recalibration is recommended. If the
acceptance criteria is set to Cal Expires on Failure: Yes, the display shows the
calibration icon and a question mark until the probe is recalibrated. To correct the probe
calibration and status indicator, calibrate the probe (refer to Calibration on page 2).

Advanced operation

Parameter-specific settings can be changed through the Full Access Options menu. Details
about menu navigation, available options and how to change them are given in the screens,
tables and procedures throughout this section.

The settings that can be changed are shown in Table 1.

Setting Options

Measurement Options

Calibration Options

Check Standard Options

Units

• Resolution

• Upper and lower range limits

• Buffer set

• Buffer set values (if Custom Buffer Set selected)

• Reminder

• Minimum Cal points

• Slope limit

• Standard (temperature compensated buffer or custom at 25 °C)

• Reminder

• Acceptance criteria

• Standard value at 25 °C (if custom standard selected)

• pH

• mV

Table 1 Parameter-specific settings

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