Horiba Scientific LAQUAact-EC110, LAQUAact-EC120 Instruction Manual

Handheld Conductivity Meter
LAQUAact-EC110
LAQUAact-EC120

Instruction Manual

CODE:GZ0000427797

Preface

This manual describes the operation of the Handheld Conductivity Meter LAQUAact­EC110, LAQUAact-EC120.
Be sure to read this manual before using the product to ensure proper and safe
operation of the product. Also safely store the manual so it is readily available whenever
necessary.
Product specifications and appearance, as well as the contents of this manual are
subject to change without notice.

■ Warranty and responsibility

HORIBA, Ltd. warrants that the Product shall be free from defects in material and
workmanship and agrees to repair or replace free of charge, at option of HORIBA, Ltd.,
any malfunctioned or damaged Product attributable to responsibility of HORIBA, Ltd. for
a period of two (2) years from the delivery unless otherwise agreed with a written
agreement. In any one of the following cases, none of the warranties set forth herein
shall be extended;

・ Any malfunction or damage attributable to improper operation
・ Any malfunction attributable to repair or modification by any person not authorized

by HORIBA, Ltd.

・ Any malfunction or damage attributable to the use in an environment not specified in

this manual

・ Any malfunction or damage attributable to violation of the instructions in this manual

or operations in the manner not specified in this manual

・ Any malfunction or damage attributable to any cause or causes beyond the

reasonable control of HORIBA, Ltd. such as natural disasters

・ Any deterioration in appearance attributable to corrosion, rust, and so on
・ Replacement of consumables

HORIBA, LTD. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY
MALFUNCTIONS OF THE PRODUCT, ANY ERASURE OF DATA, OR ANY OTHER
USES OF THE PRODUCT.

■ Trademarks

・ Microsoft, Windows are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation

in the United States and other countries.
Other company names and brand names are either registered trademarks or trademarks
of the respective companies. (R), (TM) symbols may be omitted in this manual.

CODE:I20050200003200635710GZ0000427797

January, 2016 　　 2016 HORIBA, Ltd.

I

Regulations

■ EU regulations

●Conformable standards

This equipment conforms to the following standards:

EMC: EN61326-1

Class B, Basic electromagnetic environment

Safety: EN61010-1
RoHS: EN50581

9. Monitoring and control instruments

Warning: This product is not intended for use in industrial environments. In an

industrial environment, electromagnetic environmental effects may
cause the incorrect performance of the product in which case the
user may be required to take adequate measures.

●Installation environment

This product is designed for the following environment.
・Overvoltage Category II
・Pollution degree 2

●Information on disposal of electrical and electronic
equipment and disposal of batteries and accumulators

The crossed out wheeled bin symbol with underbar shown on the product or
accompanying documents indicates the product requires appropriate treatment,
collection and recycle for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) under the
Directive 2012/19/EU, and/or waste batteries and accumulators under the Directive
2006/66/EC in the European Union.
The symbol might be put with one of the chemical symbols below. In this case, it satisfies
the requirements of the Directive 2006/66/EC for the object chemical.
This product should not be disposed of as unsorted household waste.
Your correct disposal of WEEE, waste batteries and accumulators will contribute to
reducing wasteful consumption of natural resources, and protecting human health and
the environment from potential negative effects caused by hazardous substance in
products.
Contact your supplier for information on applicable disposal methods.

●Authorised Representative in EU

HORIBA UK Limited
2 Dalston Gardens, Stanmore, Middx HA7 1BQ, UK

II

Regulations

■ FCC rules

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance shall void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

●WARNING

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

■ Korea certification

●

■ Taiwan battery recycling mark

III

For your safety

■ Hazard classification and warning symbols

Warning messages are described in the following manner. Read the messages and
follow the instructions carefully.

●Hazard classification

This indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, will result in death or serious injury . This is to
be limited to the most extreme situations.

This indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

This indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury . It may
also be used to alert against unsafe practices.

●Warning symbols

Description of what should be done, or what should be followed

Description of what should never be done, or what is prohibited

IV

For your safety

WARNING

CAUTION

■ Safety precautions

This section provides precautions for using the product safely and correctly and to
prevent injury and damage. The terms of DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION indicate
the degree of imminency and hazardous situation. Read the precautions carefully as it
contains important safety messages.

●Instrument and electrode

Do not use an unspecified AC adapter.
Otherwise, it may heat up or be ignited resulting in a fire or an accident.

Do not disassemble or modify the instrument.
Otherwise, it may heat up or be ignited resulting in a fire or an accident.

Broken glass

Broken glass may cause injury. The outer tube and tip of an electrode are
made of glass. Handle them with care.

Do not use the RS-232C communication and the AC adapter under wet or
humid conditions. Otherwise, it may cause a fire, electric shock, or
breakage.

V

●Battery

WARNING

CAUTION

Keep batteries out of reach of children. If someone accidentally swallows a
battery, consult a doctor immediately.

If alkaline fluid from a battery gets into the eyes, do not rub the eyes, rinse
with clean water immediately and then consult a doctor.
Contact with alkaline fluid could cause blindness.

Do not put batteries in a fire, expose to heat, disassemble or remodel.
Doing so could case fluid leakage, overheating or explosion.

Do not remove or scratch the external label of the battery.
Doing so could cause injury to hands and fingers.

For your safety

VI

For your safety

■ Product handling information

●Operational precautions (instrument)

・Only use the product including accessories for their intended purpose.
・Do not drop, crash, or give any physical impact on the instrument.
・The instrument is made of solvent-resistant materials but that does not mean it is

resistant to all chemicals. Do not dip the instrument in strong acid or alkali solution, or
wipe with such solution.

・If the instrument is dropped into water or gets wet, wipe it using soft cloth. Do not heat

to dry it with a hair-dryer (or the like).

・The instrument has a dust-proof and waterproof structure. Waterproof performance is

following specification: the instrument does not malfunction even when immersed in
water of 1 m depth for 30 minutes.
This does not mean to guarantee non-destructive, trouble-free, dust-proof, and
waterproof performance in all situations. If the instrument is correctly handled
according to the descriptions in this manual, the instrument provides dust-proof and
waterproof performance.

・When replacing the batteries with an AC adapter or a serial cable connected the

instrument does not have the dust-proof and waterproof performance. The dust-proof
and waterproof performance is maintained only when the covers are attached
correctly.

・After replacing the batteries with an AC adapter or a serial cable connected make sure

that the waterproof packing attached to each cover is not deformed or discolored, or
has foreign matter adhering to it. If the waterproof packing is deformed, discolored or
has foreign matter adhering to it, or dust could get inside, water leaks could occur that
could lead to instrument malfunction.

・To disconnect an electrode, AC adapter cable or serial cable, hold the connector and

pull it off. If you pull at the cable, it may cause a breakage.

・The RS-232C communication between the instrument and a personal computer

(referred to as PC in the rest of this document) may fail because of environmental
conditions, such as (radio/electromagnetic) noise.

・Do not replace the batteries in a dusty place or with wet hands while an AC adapter or

a serial cable is connected. Dust or moisture could get inside the instrument, possibly

causing instrument malfunction.
・Do not use the tip of a nail or an object with a sharp end to press the keys.
・If the power supply is interrupted while measurement data is being saved in the

instrument, the data could be corrupted.
・A NiMH rechargeable battery can be used in this instrument, but the battery used in

the instrument cannot be charged using the AC adapter.

VII

For your safety

●Operational precautions (battery)

・Do not short-circuit a battery.
・Set the + and  side of the battery correctly.
・When the battery has run out or the instrument will not be used for a long time, remove

the batteries.
・Of the specified battery types, make sure to use two batteries of the same type.
・Do not use a new battery together with a used battery.
・Do not use a fully charged nickel-metal hydride battery together with a partially

charged battery.
・Do not attempt to charge a non-rechargeable battery.

●Environmental conditions for use and storage

・Temperature: 0°C to 45°C
・Humidity: under 80% in relative humidity and free from condensation

Avoid the following conditions.

・Strong vibration
・Direct sunlight
・Corrosive gas environment
・Close to an air-conditioner
・Direct wind

●Transportation

When transporting the instrument, repackage it in the original package box. Otherwise, it
may cause instrument breakage.

●Disposal

・Standard solution used for the calibration must be under neutralized before the

disposal.
・When disposing of the product, follow the related laws and/or regulations of your

country for disposal of the product.

VIII

Manual information

Note

Reference

Tip

■ Description in this manual

This interprets the necessary points for correct operation and notifies the important
points for handling the product.

This indicates the part where to refer for information.

This indicates reference information.

Description of this manual uses the screen display of EC120.

IX

M E M O

X

Contents

Preface...................................................................................I

■ Hazard classification and warning symbols................... IV

■ Safety precautions ............................................................. V

■ Product handling information ......................................... VII

■ Description in this manual................................................ IX

Part names and basic operation.........................................1

■ Names of each part .............................................................2

● Instrument....................................................................................2

● Display .........................................................................................4

● Operation key..............................................................................6

■ Basic operation....................................................................7

● Function layer..............................................................................7

● Changing the operation mode.................................................10

● Changing the measurement parameter ..................................11

● Using the backlight...................................................................12

● Entering numeric values ..........................................................13

● Saving measurement data in the internal memory................14

Measurement......................................................................15

■ Preparation.........................................................................16

● Confirmation before starting measurement...........................16

● Turning ON the instrument ......................................................17

● Connecting an electrode..........................................................20

■ Conductivity measurement ..............................................21

● Setting the instrument..............................................................22

● Performing conductivity calibration........................................38

● Performing measurement ........................................................42

● Saving measured values..........................................................43

XI

Contents

Using various functions....................................................45

■ Data functions....................................................................46

● Displaying saved data..............................................................46

● Using the automatic data save................................................47

● Deleting all saved data.............................................................50

■ Measurement setting.........................................................52

● Displaying the latest calibration..............................................52

● Changing the calibration method............................................53

● Deleting calibration data..........................................................54

■ Temperature settings........................................................56

● Calibrating temperature sensor ..............................................56

■ General settings.................................................................58

● Setting the auto stability and auto hold function..................58

● Changing the automatic power off setting (default: 30 min) 60

● Resetting to factory default settings ......................................62

● Setting the date and time.........................................................64

● Performing test printing of the printer unit............................66

■ Other settings ....................................................................68

● Printing measured values and calibration data.....................68

● Transferring saved data to a PC..............................................70

● Operating the instrument from an external device................71

Maintenance ....................................................................... 73

● Contact for maintenance..........................................................73

● Maintenance and storage of the instrument..........................73

● Environmental conditions for storage....................................73

● Maintenance and storage of the conductivity cell.................74

How to resolve errors or troubles .................................... 75

XII

Contents

■ When an error message appears.....................................75

● ERROR No.0001　 Memory error..............................................75

● ERROR No.0006　 Maximum calibration points exceeded....75

● ERROR No.0009　 Printer error................................................76

● ERROR No.0010　 Memory full.................................................76

● ERROR No.0011　 Cell constant is out of range ....................76

■ Troubleshooting................................................................77

● The indicated value fluctuates.................................................77

● The response is slow................................................................77

● The indicated value does not change/No response ..............78

● The measured value is outside the display range.................78

● Repeatability of the measured value is poor..........................78

● Nothing appears when the power is turned ON.....................79

● Swelling of operation key sheet ..............................................79

● Part of the display is missing ..................................................79

Appendix.............................................................................81

■ Main specifications ...........................................................81

● Table of conductivity cell range ..............................................83

● Table of conductivity cell range (resistivity range) ...............84

■ Instrument default settings ..............................................85

■ Technical note ...................................................................86

● Conductivity standard values at various temperatures........86

■ Options...............................................................................87

XIII

M E M O

XIV

Part names and basic operation

This section describes the name of each part and the main role, function, and basic
operation method of each part.

■ Names of each part...................................................................... 2

● Instrument..............................................................................................2

● Display....................................................................................................4

● Operation key ........................................................................................6

■ Basic operation............................................................................ 7

● Function layer........................................................................................7

● Changing the operation mode ...........................................................10

● Changing the measurement parameter............................................. 11

● Using the backlight .............................................................................1 2

● Entering numeric values..................................................................... 13

● Saving measurement data in the internal memory ..........................1 4

1

Names of each part

*

* : EC120 only

*

■ Names of each part

● Instrument

No. Name Function

1 Display Displays the measured value and set value and so on.
2 Operation keys
3 Electrode connector Connects the BNC connector of the electrode.
4
5 Battery cover Set batteries inside.
6
7 Strap att achment section Attach a strap.
8 Serial connector
9 AC adapter jack Connects an optional AC adapter.

Temperature

connector (T)

Electrode hook

attachment section

Used for instrument operation.
(LIGHT key: EC120 only)

Connects the temperature connector (T) of the
electrode.

Attach the electrode hook to carry with instrument.

Connects the serial cable and printer cable.
(EC120 only)

2

Names of each part

• Identification of manufacturing date

Manufacturing date can be identified from MFG No. described in the ID label on the
backside of the instrument.
Third number from the left in the MFG No. indicates manufacturing year.
Forth alphabet from the left in the MFG No. indicates manufacturing month.
The alphabet is assigned to month according to the table below.

Ex.: ID: AA6A0000 means the device manufactured in 2016 January.

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

ABCDEFGHJKLM

3

Names of each part

1

2

4

5

6

7
8

2

12

13

2

3

10

9

11

● Display

No. Name Function

Displays the current operation mode, electrode

1Status icon

status, printer or PC connection status, and
remaining battery level.

2 Direction key icon Displays the currently available direction key.
3

Date and time, set item

display area

Displays the date and time and the set items.

4 ERR No. icon Displays an error No.
5 Data No. icon Displays the data No.

6

Measurement parameter

display area

Displays the currently set measurement parameter.

7 HOLD icon Lights when the measured value display is fixed.
8 SET icon Lights when numerical values are entered.
9 Temperature display area Displays the measured and the set temperature.

10 MTC icon

11

12

Measured value, set item

display area

Standard solution

calibration history icon

13 Unit display area

Lights when the temperature setting is MTC
(optional temperature setting).

Displays the measured value and the set value.
When calibrating conductivity standard solution, the

corresponding icon lights.
Displays the unit for the measurement parameter

and the display item.

4

•Battery level display

Battery level is high.

Battery level is a little lower.
Battery level is low.

The backlight may become unavailable.
Battery has run out. Replace the batteries or use AC

adapter (option).
"ERR No. 0002" is displayed and operation is disabled.

Names of each part

5

Names of each part

● Operation key

Key Name Function

MEAS key

Changes the operation mode to the measurement mode
during operation in a different mode.
Releases the fixed measurement value mode in the auto
hold mode.

Changes from the measurement mode to the calibration

CAL key

DATA key Changes from the measurement mode to the data mode.

SET key

POWER key Turns ON/OFF the power of instrument.

MODE key

LIGHT key

ENTER key

UP key

DOWN key

mode.
Start calibration in the calibration mode.

Changes from the measurement mode to the setting mode.
Starts repeatability inspection after calibration is complete.

In the measurement mode, changes measurement
parameters.

Turns on/off the back light.
(EC120 only)

Determines the selection or setting.
Save data in the measurement mode and calibration mode.

Changes the selected item.
Changes the number of the selected digit when entering
numbers.

6

LEFT key

RIGHT key

Changes the selected item.
Changes the selected digit when entering numbers.

Basic operation

■ Basic operation

● Function layer

The function layer of the data mode and setting mode is shown as below.
"dX" and "PXX" indicates the program number which is shown in the screen of the
instrument.

• Data mode

Screen Layer Description

d1: DATA OUT Saved data display

d2: AUT LOG Automatic data save setting

(EC120 only)

d3: DATA CLR Deletion of saved data

7

Basic operation

• Setting mode

Screen Layer Description

P1: COND Conductivity measurement settings

P11: CELL Cell constant setting
P12: UNIT Selection of unit:

S/cm, S/m, mS/cm FIX
P13: CAL DATA Calibration data display
P14: AUTO CAL Selection of auto calibration,

manual calibration
P15: CAL CLR Deletion of calibration data
P16: TEMP CF Selection of temperature

conversion: 0 to 10%/°C
P17: TEMP REF Reference temperature setting:

15°C to 30°C

P2: TDS TDS measurement settings

P21: TDS TYPE Selection of TDS calculation

method: Linear, 442, En27888,

NaCl

P3: SALT Salinity measurement settings

(EC120 only)
P31: UNIT Selection of unit: ppt, %
P32: SALT TYP Selection of salinity calculation

method: NaCl, Sea water

8

P4: TEMP Temperature settings

Selection of temperature

conversion: ATC, MTC

Basic operation

Note

Screen Layer Description

P5: GEN General settings

P51: MEAS Selection of auto hold type:

auto stability, auto hold

P52: AUTO OFF Automatic power off setting:

0 min to 30 min
P53: RESET Initialization settings
P54: DATE Date and time setting

(EC120 only)
P55: PRINT Test print

(EC120 only)

The indication of screen shown in this manual is based on EC120. The program numbers of
EC110 is different from those of EC120.

9

Basic operation

Status icon

Data mode Setting modeCalibration mode

key

key

key or key

key

key or

key

key

● Changing the operation mode

Change the operation mode from four available modes depending on the purpose of use.
The status icon indicates the current mode.
You can change the operation mode using the corresponding key. However changing to
the calibration mode, data mode, or setting mode is possible only from the measurement
mode. When changing to a different mode, first change to the measurement mode and
then change to the desired mode.

Icon Name Function

Measurement mode Performs measurement.

Calibration mode Performs calibration.

Data mode

Performs data settings.
Displays the saved data.

Setting mode Performs various settings.

10

Basic operation

key

key

key

key

(EC120 only)

● Changing the measurement parameter

This instrument measures multiple parameters. In the measurement mode, the
measurement parameter can be changed by pressing the key.

11

Basic operation

Note

key

● Using the backlight

When it is difficult to see the screen in a dark location, you can turn on the backlight by
pressing the key. If the backlight is not operated for 5 minutes, it automatically turns
off. To turn it off manually, press the key again while the backlight is on.

This function is available for EC120.

・ Turning on the backlight consumes energy and shortens battery life.
・ The backlight becomes unavailable when the battery level becomes low.

12

Basic operation

key

key

● Entering numeric values

When entering numeric values to make various settings and set a calibration value,
change the selected digit using the keys and increment or decrement the value (0
to 9) using the keys.

13

Basic operation

Note

key

● Saving measurement data in the internal memory

Up to 100 (EC110) or 1000 (EC120) data items measured by the instrument can be
stored in the internal memory. Saving the measurement data is possible only when the
instrument is in the measurement mode.

1. Press the key while the data to save is displayed.

The saved data is displayed for two seconds and then the display returns to the
previous screen automatically.

If the data saved reaches 100 (EC110) or 1000 (EC120) data items, an error occurs and
"ERR No. 0010" is displayed. Copy or transfer necessary data to a PC and delete the data
from the memory ("Deleting all saved data" (page 50)).

14