Nova-Tech pH-CON 300 User Manual

f

r

pH/Conductivity/°C/°F Meter

pH/CON 300 Series

WATERPROOF

MODE

HOLD

ENTER

RANGE

ON

OFF

CAL

MEAS

▲

▼

SETUP

ATC

READY

MEAS

C

µS

I

P

67

16. Warranty

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

OAKTON warrants this meter to be free from significant deviations in material
and workmanship for a period of three years from date of purchase. OAKTON
warrants this probe to be free from significant deviations in material and
workmanship for a period of six months from date of purchase. If repair or
adjustment is necessary and has not been the result of abuse or misuse within
the warrantied time period, please return—freight prepaid—and correction will
be made without charge. OAKTON alone will determine if the product problem
is due to deviations or customer misuse.

Out-of-warranty products will be repaired on a charge basis.

17. Return of items

Authorization must be obtained from our Customer Service Department before
returning items for any reason. When applying for authorization, please include
data regarding the reason the items are to be returned. For your protection, items
must be carefully packed to prevent damage in shipment and insured against possi­ble damage or loss. We will not be responsible for damage resulting from careless or
insufficient packing. Arestocking charge will be made on all unauthorized returns.

NOTE: We reserve the right to make improvements in design, construction, and

appearance of products without notice.

OAKTON®35631-00

Portable Waterproo

pH/CON 300 Mete

00702-89

R1 Printed in the U.S.A. 10/00

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................4

2. Display and keypad functions .............................................................5-6

2.1 Display...................................................................................................................................5

2.2 Keypad...................................................................................................................................6

3. Preparation..........................................................................................7-9

3.1 Inserting the batteries..........................................................................................................7

3.2 Probe information.............................................................................................................8-9

4. Calibration.......................................................................................10-16

4.1 Important information on meter calibration .................................................................10

4.2 Preparing the meter for calibration .................................................................................10

4.3 pH calibration................................................................................................................11-12

4.4 Conductivity and TDS calibration .............................................................................13-15

4.5 Temperature calibration....................................................................................................16

5. Measurement...................................................................................17-22

5.1 Taking pH measurements .................................................................................................17

5.2 Taking conductivity or TDS measurements...................................................................18

5.3 HOLD function / Ready indicator / Auto endpoint...................................................19

5.4 Using manual ranging function: conductivity/TDS....................................................20

5.5 Selecting manual temperature compensation: conductivity/TDS.............................21

5.6 Selecting the manual temperature compensation value..............................................22

ogram 4.0: Resetting to factory default settings (pH) ...............................................31

6.5 Pr

ogram 5.0: Viewing previous conductivity/TDS calibration data..........................32

6.6 Pr

ogram 6.0: Viewing conductivity/TDS probe data (effective cell constant) .........33

6.7 Pr

ogram 7.0: Conductivity/TDS measurement configuration ..............................34-37

6.8 Pr

P7.1 Selecting Ready indicator/auto endpoint function.............................................34

P7.2 Selecting °C or °F......................................................................................................35

P7.3 Selecting automatic or manual temperature compensation...............................36

P7.4 Setting the TDS factor ..............................................................................................37

ogram 8.0: Temperature settings.............................................................................38-39

6.9 Pr

P8.1 Setting the temperature coefficient........................................................................38

P8.2 Selecting the normalization temperature ..............................................................39

ogram 9.0: Resetting to factory default settings (conductivity/TDS)..................40

6.10 Pr

7. Probe care and maintenance...........................................................41-42

7.1 pH electrode care..........................................................................................................40-41

7.2 Conductivity probe care....................................................................................................41

8. Troubleshooting....................................................................................43

9. Error Messages......................................................................................44

10. Specifications......................................................................................45

11. Accessories.....................................................................................46-47

6. Advanced setup functions...............................................................23-40

6.1 Advanced setup mode overview................................................................................24-25

pH .......................................................................................................................................24

Conductivity/TDS ............................................................................................................25

ogram 1.0: Viewing previous pH calibration data....................................................26

6.2 Pr

ogram 2.0: Viewing pH electrode data (slope and offset)........................................27

6.3 Pr

ogram 3.0: pH measurement configuration..........................................................28-30

6.4 Pr

P3.1 Selecting Ready indicator/auto endpoint function.............................................28

P3.2 Selecting number of pH calibration points ...........................................................29

P3.3 Selecting °C or °F......................................................................................................30

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12. Appendix 1: conductivity to TDS conversion factors.........................48

13. Appendix 2: calculating TDS conversion factors................................49

14. Appendix 3: calculating temperature coefficients ............................50

15. Appendix 4: meter factory default settings ......................................51

16. Warranty .............................................................................................52

17. Return of Items ...................................................................................52

32

1. Introduction

pH/Conductivity/°C/°F Meter

pH/CON 300 Series

WATERPROOF

MODE

HOLD

ENTER

RANGE

ON

OFF

CAL

MEAS

▲

▼

SETUP

ATC

READY

MEAS

C

µS

Thank you for selecting an OAKTON meter. This OAKTON portable meter
is a microprocessor-based instrument that measures pH, conductivity, TDS and
temperature! Your meter has many user-friendly features, all of which are accessible
through the membrane keypad.

Your meter includes a single-junction pH electrode, a combination conductivity/
temperature probe, and batteries. Please read this manual thoroughly before
operating your meter.

2. Display and Keypad Functions

2.1

Display

The LCD has a primary and secondary display.

• The primary display shows the measured pH or conductivity reading.

• The secondary display shows the temperature of the reading.
The display also shows error messages, keypad functions and program functions.

Primary display

1.

2.

3.

CAL

21

20.

SETUP

READY
HOLD

MEAS

K=

ON

19.

18.

17.

1. SETup mode indicator

2. MEASurement mode

indicator

3. CALibration indicator

4. mV indicator

5. % indicator

6. pH measurement

indicator

7. Millisiemens indicator

8. Microsiemens indicator

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OFF

ERR

15.

16.

14.

9. Parts per thousand

indicator

10.

Parts per million
indicator

11.

Temperature
indicators

12.

pH setup indicator

13.

Automatic
Temperature
Compensation
indicator

Secondary display

14.

ERRor indicator

15.

Low battery indicator

16.

Probe indicator

17.

Calibration indicator

18.

Cell constant indicator

19.

ON/OFF indicator

20.

HOLD indicator

21.

READY indicator

mV

pH
mS
µS
ppt
ppm

F

C

pH

ATC

13.

%

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

54

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.

ON/OFF............Powers and shuts off the meter.

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

measurement mode. To release, press HOLD again.

NOTE:

When auto endpoint feature is switched on, meter automati­cally holds reading after 5 seconds of stability. The HOLD indicator
appears on the display. Press HOLD to release auto endpoint feature.

MODE..............Selects the measurement parameter. Press MODE to toggle between

pH, conductivity and TDS readings. In calibration mode, press
MODE to access temperature calibration.

CAL/MEAS......Toggles user between Calibration and Measurement mode. For

example, if you are in pH measurement mode, press CAL/MEAS to
enter pH calibration mode.
NOTE: Temperature calibration is available from calibration mode;
see page 16 for directions.
In advanced set-up mode: Press CAL/MEAS to return to main menu
from sub menus. Press CAL/MEAS again to return to measurement
mode from main menu.

ENTER ............Press to confirm values in Calibration mode and to confirm

selections in Setup mode.

RANGE............Press to switch to manual ranging in Conductivity (or TDS) mode.

▲▼ ..........Press in Setup mode to scroll through subgroups. Also lets

you increment/decrement the values in the conductivity and
temperature calibration modes.

SETUP..............Press to enter SETUP mode. SETUP mode lets you

customize meter preferences
and defaults, and view
calibration and probe data.

3. Preparation

3.1

Inserting the Batteries

Four AAA batteries are included with your meter.

1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the battery cover.

See figure below.

2. Lift off 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. Screw cover back into place.

Remove these
two screws to
access battery
compartment

Battery
compartment

ON

OFF

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CAL

MEAS

▲

HOLD

ENTER

RANGE

▼

SETUP

MODE

76

3.2

Probe information

Your meter includes two probes:

• pH electrode with BNC connector

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

The temperature sensing element built into the conductivity probe will also
compensate for pH readings as long as both probes are in your solution at the
same time.

If you want to use an “All in One” 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/TDS 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/TDS probes, “All in One” pH electrodes with a built-in temperature
element, and temperature probes require a probe with a notched 6-pin connector.
For replacement probes, see the “Accessories” section, pages 46-47.

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.

See figure below.

2. To remove probe, push and rotate the connector counterclockwise. While

holding onto the metal part of the connector, pull probe away from the meter.

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

To connect the conductivity/TDS/temperature probe:

1. Line up the notch and 6 pins on the meter with the holes in the 6-pin connector.

Push down and turn the locking ring clockwise to lock into place.

See figure below.

2. To remove probe, turn the locking ring counterclockwise on the probe connector.

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.

pH electrode
(with BNC connector)

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conductivity/TDS?temperature probe
(with 6-pin connector)

locking ring

top view of 6-pin

connector—

conductivity/TDS

temperature probe

98

4. Calibration

4.1

Important Information on Meter Calibration

When you recalibrate your meter, old calibration points are replaced on a “point
by point” basis in pH, and on a “range by range” basis in conductivity or TDS.

For example:

• pH:

if you previously calibrated your meter at pH 4.01, 7.00, and 10.01, and you
recalibrate at pH 7.00, the meter retains the old calibration data at pH 4.01 and
pH 10.01.

• Conductivity/TDS:

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

TDS values are proportional to conductivity values. Note that if you calibrate a
TDS value in an equivalent conductivity range, the TDS value will replace the
previous conductivity value, and vice versa.

To view current calibration points:

• pH: Program P1.0 in the SETUP section, page 26.

• Conductivity/TDS: Program P5.0 in the SETUP section, page 32.
To completely recalibrate your meter, or when you use a replacement probe,

it is best to clear old calibration data by resetting the meter.

To reset the meter to its factory defaults:

• pH: Program P4.0 in the SETUP section, page 31.

• Conductivity/TDS: Program P9.0 in the SETUP section, page 40.
NOTE: Resetting the meter will set meter to factory defaults.

Conductivity/TDS and pH must be reset separately.

For directions on how to calibrate your meter:

• See section 4.3 on pages 11-12 for pH calibration

• See section 4.4 on page 13-15 for conductivity and TDS calibration

• See section 4.5 on page 16 for Temperature Calibration

4.2

Preparing the Meter for Calibration

Before starting calibration, make sure you are in the correct measurement mode.
When you switch on the meter, the meter starts up in the units last used. For
example, if you shut the meter off in "pH" units, the meter will read "pH" units
when you switch the meter on.

Do not reuse calibration solutions after calibration. Contaminants in the solution can
affect the calibration, and eventually the accuracy of the measurements. See pages
46-47 for information on our high-quality calibration solutions.

if you previously calibrated your conductivity meter at 1413

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4.3

pH calibration

We recommend that you perform at least a 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.
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 rubber cap of the
probe before calibration or measurement. If the electrode has been stored dry,

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

Wash your probe in deionized water after use, and store in electrode storage
solution. If storage solution is not available, use pH 4.0 or 7.0 buffer.

To calibrate pH:

1. If necessary, press the MODE key to

select pH measurement mode. The pH
indicator appears in the upper right hand
corner of the display.

See figure

A

2. Rinse the pH electrode 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 pH electrode 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.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

A

READY

MEAS

pH

C

ATC

1110

4. Press CAL/MEAS to enter pH calibration

mode. The CAL indicator lights. The
primary display will show the measured
reading while the smaller secondary
display will indicate the pH standard

READY

CAL

pH

buffer solution.

See figure

5. Wait for the measured pH value to

B

pH

B

stabilize. If the READY indicator has
been activated (set up program P3.1—
see page 28), the READY annunciator
lights when the reading is stable.

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 multipoint
calibration, go to step 7.

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

7. Rinse the electrode with de-ionized

READY

MEAS

pH

water or a rinse solution, and place it
in the next pH buffer.

8. Follow steps 5 to 8 for additional

calibration points.

9. When calibration is complete,

press CAL/MEAS to return to pH
measurement mode.

See figure

C

C

C

ATC

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.

To limit the number of pH buffer values available during calibration, see Set-up
program P3.2 on page 29.

4.3

Conductivity and TDS calibration

Calibrate up to 5-point conductivity or 5 point TDS calibration at one point per range:
Range

Conductivity: TDS:
R1 0.00-19.99 µS 0.00-9.99 ppm
R2 0.0-199.9 µS 10.0-99.9 ppm
R3 0-1999 µS 100-999 ppm
R4 0.00-19.99 mS 1.00-9.99 ppt
R5 0.0-199.9 mS 10.0-199.9 ppt

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/TDS 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 conductivity range, use a 1413 µS solution for calibration.
See the table below for recommended calibration solution ranges:

Conductivity Recommended TDS Recommended
Range Cal. Solution Range Range Cal. Solution Range

0.00-19.99 µS 6.00 to 17.00 µS 0.00-9.99 ppm 3.00 to 8.50 ppm

0.0-199.9 µS 60.0 to 170.0 µS 10.0-99.9 ppm 30.0 to 85.0 ppm
0-1999 µS 600 to 1700 µS 100-999 ppm 300 to 850 ppm

0.00-19.99 mS 6.00 to 17.00 mS 1.00-9.99 ppt 3.00 to 8.50 ppt

0.0-199.9 mS 60.0 to 170.0 mS 10.0-199.9 ppt 30.0 to 170 ppt

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 on page 38 to set the temperature coefficient to a different value.
See Appendix 31, “Calculating Temperature Coefficients” on page 50 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
on page 39.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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1312

To calibrate conductivity:

1. If necessary, press the MODE key to

select conductivity mode.

See figure

A

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.

See figure

B

4. Wait for the measured conductivity

value to stabilize. If the READY indica­tor has been activated (set up program
P7.1—see page 34), the READY annunci­ator lights when the reading is stable.

5. Press CAL/MEAS to enter conductivity

calibration mode. The CAL indicator
will appear above the display.

See figure

C

6. Press the ▲ or ▼ to change the value on

the primary display to match the value of
the calibration standard.

See figure

D

7. Press ENTER to confirm the calibration

value. The meter returns to the MEAS
(measurement) mode.

8. Repeat steps 1-7 for other ranges.

A

Immerse
probe beyond
upper steel
band

B

C

D

READY

READY

READY

MEAS

µS

C

ATC

CAL

µS

C

ATC

CAL

µS

C

ATC

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 ENTER 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 conductivity reading up to ±20% from the default setting. If your
measured value differs by more than ±20%, clean or replace probe as needed. See
page 47 for a wide selection of high-quality calibration standards.

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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 SetUp Program P7.4 on page 37 for directions. See
Appendixes 1 and 2 on pages 48-49 to determine your exact TDS factor.

1. If necessary, press the MODE key to

select TDS mode.

See figure

A

2. Rinse the probe with de-ionized water or

a rinse solution, then rinse with a small
amount of calibration standard.

A

MEAS

READY

ppm

C

ATC

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

B

Immerse
probe beyond
upper steel
band

4. Wait for the measured TDS value to

stabilize. If the READY indicator has
been activated (set up program P7.1—
see page 34), the READY annunciator
lights when the reading is stable.

5. Press CAL/MEAS to enter TDS calibra-

tion mode. The CAL indicator will appear
above the display.

See figure

C

6. Press the ▲ or ▼ keys to change the

value on the primary display to match the
value of the calibration standard.

See figure

D

7. Press ENTER to confirm the calibration

value. The meter returns to the MEAS
(measurement) mode.

8. Repeat steps 1-7 for other ranges.

B

CAL

READY

ppm

C

ATC

C

CAL

READY

ppm

C

ATC

D

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 TDS Calibration mode without confirming calibration, DO NOT press
ENTER 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 meas-

ured value differs by more than ±20%, clean or replace probe as needed.

1514