Oakton PCTSTestr 50 Instruction Manual

Operating Instructions

cal
esc

cal
esc

cal
esc

PCTSTestr

Applications

• Agriculture

• Aquaculture

• Aquariums and

fish farms

• Boiler blow-

down

• Car washes

Getting Started

The PCTSTestr 50 Pocket Tester has been factory calibrated
and usually works well out of the box. However, after
extended periods of non-use, it is best to remove the sensor
cap and soak the sensor in warm tap water for 10 minutes or
so. Prior to taking the measurements, periodic calibration
with certified standards is recommended for best accuracy.

Measurement Parameter Setting

1. Press ON/OFF ( ) to power on the tester.

2. Press MENU/
to select Measure. The display shows pH, Cond, TDS
and Salinity.

3. Scroll down by pressing MENU/
Cond, TDS and Salinity. Press HOLD/

4. The display shows the selected parameter with a

menu

Key Info

Scroll

Accept

EXIT

pH Buffer Set Selection

PCTSTestr 50 Pocket Tester features USA (pH 4.01, pH 7.00
and pH 10.01) or NIST
standards. Select either one to suit your requirements.

1. Press MENU/
to select Settings. The display shows Buffer, TDS Factor
and Backlight.

™

50 Pocket Tester

• Drinking water

• Ecology

• Electroplating

rinse tanks

• Food sectors

• Hydroponics

• Printing industry

• Swimming pools

• Verication of

reverse osmosis
system operation

• Water and waste­water treatment

• Labs

v

to enter setup window. Press HOLD/

v

to toggle between pH,

to select pH.

MENU

HOLD

CAL

Measure
Settings

Temp Set
Reset

hold

pH
Cond
TDS
Salinity

(pH 4.01, pH 6.86, and pH 9.18)

v

to enter setup window. Press HOLD/

1 2 3

.

hold

pH

2. Press HOLD/ to select Buffer. Display shows USA and NIST.

3. Press HOLD/
MENU/

4. The display shows the selected buffer standard with a

Key Info

menu

Scroll
Accept
EXIT

MENU
HOLD
CAL

to select USA or scroll down by pressing

v

to toggle between the two buffer standards.

hold

Measure
Settings

Temp Set
Reset

Buffer
TDS Factor
Backlight

hold

USA

NIST

.

hold

USA

TDS Factor Setting

1. Press MENU/
pressing MENU/

2. Press HOLD/
Buffer, TDS Factor and Backlight.

3. Scroll down by pressing MENU/
Buffer, TDS Factor and Backlight. Press HOLD/
the TDS Factor.

4. Press HOLD/
MENU/

5. Press HOLD/
display shows the selected value (TDS factor) with a

menu

Key Info

Scroll
Accept
EXIT

v

to enter setup window. Scroll down by

v

to select Settings.

to select Settings. The display shows

v

to toggle between the

to select the default TDS factory setting or

v

to adjust the setting.

to confirm the selection of the setting. The

MENU
HOLD
CAL

hold

Measure
Settings

Temp Set
Reset

Buffer
TDS Factor

Backlight

hold

TDS Factor

Adjust

0.71

to select

.

hold

0.66

Backlight Settings

1. Press MENU/
pressing MENU/

2. Press HOLD/
Buffer, TDS Factor and Backlight.

3. Scroll down by pressing MENU/
Buffer, TDS Factor and Backlight. Press HOLD/
Backlight.

4. The display shows ON and OFF. Scroll down by pressing
MENU/
increases readability in low-light conditions.

5. Press HOLD/
display shows the selected backlight option with a

v

to enter setup window. Scroll down by

v

to select Settings.

to select Settings. The display shows

v

to toggle between

to select

v

to toggle between ON and OFF. Backlight ON

to select the desired backlight option. The

.

menu

Key Info

Scroll
Accept
EXIT

MENU
HOLD
CAL

hold

Measure
Settings

Temp Set
Reset

Buffer
TDS Factor

Backlight

hold

Backlight
ON

OFF

hold

OFF

Temperature Settings

1. Press MENU/
pressing MENU/
to select Temp Set. The display shows Set °C/°F, Temp Cal
and Temp Coeff.

2. Press HOLD/
MENU/

3. Press HOLD/
shows the selected temperature setting with a

menu

Key Info

Scroll
Accept
EXIT

v

to enter setup window. Scroll down by

v

to select Temp Set. Press HOLD/

to select Set °C/°F. Scroll down by pressing

v

to toggle between °C and °F.

to select temperature unit. The display

MENU
HOLD
CAL

Measure
Settings
Temp Set
Reset

hold

Set °C/°F
Temp Cal

Temp Coeff

.

hold

°C

°F

hold

°C

Temperature Calibration

1. Press MENU/
pressing MENU/

2. Press HOLD/
Set °C/°F, Temp Cal and Temp Coeff.

3. Scroll down by pressing MENU/
Set °C/°F, Temp Cal and Temp Coeff. Press HOLD/
to select Temp Cal.

4. The lower display shows the current measured
temperature reading based on the last set offset and the
upper display shows the current measured temperature
reading based on factory default calibration.

5. Dip the tester into a solution of known temperature and
allow time for the built-in temperature sensor to stabilize.

6. Press MENU/
the HOLD/
temperature value of the solution.

Note: To exit this program without confirming the
calibration, press CAL/ESC.

Key Info

menu

Scroll
Accept
EXIT

v

to enter setup window. Scroll down by

v

to select Temp Set.

to select Temp Set. The display shows

v

to toggle between

v

to adjust the temperature value or press

to confirm the calibrated value as the new

MENU
HOLD
CAL

hold

Measure
Settings
Temp Set
Reset

Set °C/°F
Temp Cal
Temp Coeff

hold

Temp Cal
23 4 °C
23 4 °C

hold

2.00

Temperature Coefficient

Key Info
Scroll
Accept
EXIT

v

to enter setup window. Scroll down by

MENU/

v

to select Temp Set.

v

to toggle between

to select Temp Coeff or MENU/v to

to confirm the Temp Coeff value. The

MENU
HOLD
CAL

Measure
Settings
Temp Set
Reset

hold

Set °C/°F
Temp Cal
Temp Coeff

hold

Adjust

Temp Coeff

2.00

.

hold

2.00

1. Pres

MENU/

pressing

2. Press HOLD/ to select Temp Set. The display shows
Set °C/°F, Temp Cal and Temp Coeff.

3. Scroll down by pressing MENU/
Set °C/°F, Temp Cal and Temp Coeff.

4. Press HOLD/
adjust the Temp Coeff.

5. Press HOLD/
new value is automatically confirmed with a

menu

pH Calibration

Calibration should be done regularly, recommended once a
week. Calibrate up to three points using either the USA or
the NIST buffer set standards.

1. Press ON/OFF (

2. Dip electrode about 2 cm to 3 cm into the pH standard
buffer solution.

3. Stir gently and press CAL/ESC to enter calibration mode. The
CAL indicator will be displayed. The upper display will show
the measured reading based on the last calibration while the
lower display will indicate the pH standard buffer solution.

Note: To abort calibration, press CAL/ESC to escape.

4. Allow about 2 minutes for the tester reading to stabilize.
The timer icon blinks during this time. Once the reading
is stabilized, the timer stops blinking. Automatic
confirmation happens when the buffer is found and
the display returned to measurement window with
reading calibrated to pH standard buffer solution.

5. Repeat with other buffers if necessary. Rinse electrode
before dipping into next buffer.

Note: The calibration mode allows you to perform up to
three calibration points. Calibration is automatically con­firmed with the buffer identification. No user interaction is
required after starting the calibration by pressing CAL/ESC.

cal

CAL

esc

Place the tester
in the buffer to
start or press
to escape.

) to power on the tester if needed.

CAL pH

pH

7.45

7.01

pH

7.01

25.5°C

Calibration for Conductivity, TDS, or Salinity

For best results, periodic calibration with an accurate
standard is recommended prior to measurement. Use the
calibration standard value that is close to your intended
sample value. The tester will retain one calibration value in
each mode (conductivity, TDS, salinity) when the instrument
is powered off. The conductivity value can be calibrated
automatically or manually, while the TDS & salinity values
require manual calibration. The tester will begin in the
measurement mode that was used when it was powered
off. See “Measurement Parameter Setting” to change the
desired parameter.

Automatic Calibration for Conductivity

1. Remove the cap and press ON/OFF ( ) to power on.

2. Dip the sensor in at least 30 mm of calibration standard.

3. Stir gently and press CAL/ESC to begin the calibration.

4. The display will show CAL followed by the default value.
CAL is indicated on the display during calibration mode.

5. If the reading is within the calibration range of the automati­cally recognized standards; 80 (84 μS/cm), 1410 (1413 μS/cm),
or 12.90 (12.88 mS/cm), the

icon is displayed when the

automatic calibration standard value has been detected.

6. Press HOLD/

to accept the auto conductivity standard

and finish the calibration.

7. Display returns to Measurement window.

cal

CAL

esc

Place the tester in
the calibration STD
to start or press
to escape.

CAL COND

µS/cm

1413

844

µS/cm

844

23.5°C

Manual Calibration

When the conductivity reading is outside calibration range
of the automatic conductivity standards or when TDS or
salinity is used, the tester will require manual adjustment.

1. Repeat steps 1 to 4 from “Automatic Calibration for
Conductivity”.

2. Press MENU/
desired reading.

Note:

The adjustment will decrease only, however the
adjustment will eventually cycle to the highest available
value after decreasing by 40% of the initial value.

3. Press HOLD/ to accept and finish the calibration when

the desired value is selected.

Note: To abort calibration, press CAL/ESC to escape.

v

to manually adjust the value to the

4. Once the calibration is finished and user has accepted
the changes, measurement window will now show the
calibrated reading.

Note: The auto conductivity standards are 84 μS/cm,
1413 μS/cm & 12.88 mS/cm.

cal

CAL

esc

Place the tester in
the calibration STD
to start or press
to escape.

CAL CAL

µS/cm

844

1413

COND

µS/cm

844
820

µS/cm

1413

23.5°C

Measurement

1. Press ON/OFF ( ) to power on the tester if needed.

2. Dip the electrode in about 2 cm to 3 cm into the test
solution. Stir and let the reading stabilize. The timer icon
will blink during this time. Once the reading is stabilized,
the timer stops blinking and

will appear to indicate the

stability of the reading.

CAUTION: Testing dry samples is not accurate

and can lead to sensor damage or
breakage. Soils must be wet and
free of particulates that may scratch

pH

pH

4.01

25.5°C

the glass sensor. Excessive force
into dry samples can cause glass
breakage.

3. Note the value or press HOLD/
To release the reading, press HOLD/

4. Press ON/OFF (

) for 3 seconds to turn off tester. If you

to freeze the reading.

again.

do not press a button for 8.5 minutes, the tester will
automatically shut off to conserve batteries.

User Reset

Reset to the user’s default settings by using the User Reset
function. Buffer selection and user temperature calibration
are not affected by the user reset function.

MENU
HOLD
CAL

v

to enter setup window. Scroll down by

v

to select Reset. Press HOLD/ to select

to select User Reset.

v

to toggle between No and Yes.

to confirm either No or Yes. The display

.

hold

Measure
Settings
Temp Set
Reset

User Reset

Factory
Reset

hold

No

Yes

hold

1. Press MENU/
pressing MENU/
Reset. The display shows User Reset and Factory Reset.

2. Press HOLD/

3. The display automatically shows No and Yes. Scroll down
by pressing MENU/

4. Press HOLD/
shows the User Reset option with a

Key Info

menu

Scroll
Accept
EXIT

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Factory Reset

Reset to the Factory Default Settings by using the Factory
Reset function.

1. Press MENU/
pressing MENU/

v

to enter setup window. Scroll down by

v

to select Reset. Press HOLD/ to select

Reset. The display shows User Reset and Factory Reset.

2. Scroll down by pressing MENU/
resets. Press HOLD/

to select Factory Reset.

v

to toggle between the

3. The display automatically shows No and Yes. Scroll down
by pressing MENU/

4. Press HOLD/
shows the Factory Reset option with a

menu

Key Info

Scroll
Accept
EXIT

MENU
HOLD
CAL

v

to toggle between No and Yes.

to confirm either No or Yes. The display

.

Measure
Settings
Temp Set
Reset

hold

Factory
Reset

User Reset

hold

No

Yes

hold

HOLD Function

This feature lets you freeze the display for a delayed
observation.

1. Press HOLD/ button to
freeze the measurement.

COND

µs/cm

820

23.5°C

COND

hold hold

µs/cm

820

Press Hold
to release

23.5°C

2. Press HOLD/ again to
release the measurement.

COND

µs/cm

820

Press Hold
to release

23.5°C

COND

µs/cm

820

23.5°C

Sensor Replacement

You can replace the sensor module at a fraction of the cost

of a new tester. When the tester fails to calibrate or gives

fluctuating readings in calibration standards, you need to
change the electrode.

1. With dry hands, grip the ring with sensor facing you.
Twist the ring counterclockwise. Save the ring for later use.

2. Pull the old sensor module away from the tester.

3. Align the four tabs on the new module so that they
match the four slots on the tester.

4. Gently push the module onto the slots to sit it in position.
Push the smaller O-ring fully onto the new sensor
module. Push the other O-ring over the module and
thread it into place by firmly twisting clockwise.

Note: It is necessary that you recalibrate your tester prior
to measurement after a sensor replacement.

Replacing the Batteries

The PCTSTestr 50 Pocket Tester uses four AAA 1.5 V batteries.

1. To remove the battery
cover, see Figure 1.
Clear the front catch
and then the back
catch, before sliding
the cover off.

2. To remove the battery
plate, push the center
tab towards the front

Fig. 1: Removing battery cover

Fig. 2: Push to unlock

of the tester as shown
in Figure 2. Once
unlocked, remove the
plate to access the
batteries.

3. Invert the tester
upside down to
remove the batteries.

Fig. 3: Align tabs

Fig. 4: Push down to lock

Each side uses two
AAA batteries. Orient
each battery with
positive terminal facing
downward.

4. To lock the battery
place, align the small

Fig. 5: Battery plate unlocked Fig. 6: Battery plate locked

tabs (Figure 3) into the
guide ribs on the hous­ing and then press
down. See Figure 4.

Warranty

This instrument is supplied with a warranty against
manufacturing defects for a period of one year from the
date of purchase.

Sensor Maintenance

1. Always keep the sensor electrodes clean. Rinse the
electrodes with de-ionized water and wipe them dry with
clean cloth before storing with its protective cap. For cup
type electrodes, remove the white plastic cup and insert
to thoroughly clean viscous solutions. Note: Never scratch
electrodes with a hard substance.

2. For better performance, soak the electrode in alcohol for
10 to 15 minutes and rinse with de-ionized water before
starting any measurement process. This is to remove dirt
and oil stains on the electrode, which may affect the
accuracy of the measurements.

7 8 9

Self-Diagnostic Messages

Batteries are weak and need replacement soon.
Appears when calibration is attempted but the reading

stable error

is not yet stable. Wait for the reading to stabilize or
manually confirm the calibration by pressing enter.

buffer error The buffer is outside of the calibration range.
slope error

The 2nd and 3rd calibration point is not within 80% to

120% slope range.
over range The reading is above the measuring range of tester.
under range The reading is below the measuring range of tester.

Specifications

Specifications PCTSTestr 50
pH

pH range –1.00 to 15.00 pH
Resolution 0.01 pH
Relative accuracy ±0.01 pH
Calibration points Up to 3 points
Buffer set standard

selection
Calibration window ±1.00 pH
Calibration type Point to point

Conductivity

Conductivity range
Resolution 0.1 μS, 1 μS, 0.01 mS

Relative accuracy ±1% full scale
Normalization temperature 25.0ºC (77ºF)
Temperature co-efficient 0.0% to 10.0%
Calibration points Up to 3 points

TDS

TDS range
Resolution 0.1 ppm, 1 ppm, 0.01 ppt

Relative accuracy ±1% full scale
Calibration points Up to 3 points
TDS factor 0.40 to 1.00 (selectable)

Salinity

Salinity range 0.00 to 10.00 ppt
Resolution 0.10 ppt
Relative accuracy ±1% full scale
Calibration points 1

USA: 4.01/7.00/10.01
NIST: 4.01/6.86/9.18

0.0 to 200.0 μS, 200 to 2000 μS,

2.00 to 20.00 mS

0.0 to 100.0 ppm, 100 to 1000 ppm,

0.10 to 10.00 ppt (TDS factor 0.5)

Specifications (cont.) PCTSTestr 50
Temperature

Temperature range 0 to 60°C (32.0 to 140.0°F)
Temperature resolution 0.1°C / 0.1°F

Temperature accuracy
Temperature

compensation

From 0 to 50ºC (±0.5°C / ±0.9°F + 1 LSD);
from 50 to 60°C (±1.0ºC / ±1.8°F + 1 LSD)

Yes (Automatic Temperature
Compensation)

General

Display Graphics, dot matrix 80 x 100 pixel
Backlight

Yes, selectable

(30 sec from last key press)
Auto off 8.5 minutes (from last key press)
Reset User / Factory
Power requirement Four AAA 1.5 V batteries
Battery life >150 hours
Water proofing IP67
Regulatory

certifications

CE, FCC

Environmental Operating Conditions

Ambient operating
temperature

5 to 45°C / 41 to 113°F
Relative humidity 5% to 85% noncondensing

Storage temperature –20 to 60°C / –4 to 140°F
Storage humidity 5% to 85% noncondensing

Return of Items

Authorization must be obtained from your distributor

before returning items for any reason. When applying for

authorization, please include information regarding the
reason the item(s) are to be returned.

We reserve the right to make improvements in design,
construction and appearance of products without notice.
Prices are subject to change without notice.

Accessories

Ordering
Code

35634-35
35634-37 Replacement sensor module for PCTSTestr 50

35634-09 Replacement sensor cap
09376-00
17101-45 NIST-traceable calibration with data for pocket testers

Product Description

PCTSTestr 50 pocket tester with case, lanyard,
and batteries

Replacement alkaline batteries; AAA, 1.5 V.
Pack of 12

www.4oakton.com

1065O100_MAN_35634-35 August, 2017

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