Thermo Scientific A321 Instruction Manual

English

Thermo Scientific Orion Star A221
and Star A321 Portable pH Meter

pH

Instruction Sheet

Preparation

Power Source

1. Power adapter (sold separately)
a. Select the appropriate wall socket plug plate.
b Slide off the clear plastic cover from the plug plate.
c. Slide the plug plate into the groove on the back of the

power adapter.

d. Connect the power adapter to the meter and power

outlet.

2. Batteries (included with meter)
a. Select four AA alkaline batteries.
b. Confirm that the meter is powered off.
c. Remove the battery compartment cover – loosen the

screws holding the battery cover, release the top portion
of the battery cover from the meter (use a coin or your
finger) and release the bottom portion of the battery cover.

d. Orientate the batteries as shown in the battery

compartment housing and insert batteries.

e. Replace the battery compartment cover and screws.

DO/
RDO

ATC/
COND

Orion Star A221 &
Star A321 Portable

Use coin
or finger
to lift.

Remove screws

REF

USB

POWER

BNC

RS232

Electrodes and Other Connections

1. Prepare the pH electrode and any other applicable electrodes according to the
directions in the electrode user guide.

2. Connect the appropriate items as labeled on the meter and as shown in the
figure above:

For additional information on meter setup and operation, refer to the reference guide.
The reference guide is on the included CD and available at

www.thermoscientific.com/water.

Orion Star A221 and Star A321 Portable pH Meters

Display Information

Display Icon Description

Shown when the meter is running on AC power.

Shown when the meter has batteries installed.

Indicates data is being sent to a computer or printer.

Indicates data is being sent to the data log.

Shown when an alarm is set and the alarm value is reached.

Indicates the meter is set to be interfaced with a printer or computer via
the RS232 port.

Indicates the meter is set to be interfaced with a printer or computer via the USB port.

Displays the time and date entered in the setup menu.

C

25.0˚

ATC

HOLD

M

100

pH

ready

7.000 pH

0.0mV

BUFFERS: 1.68, …

Displays the current temperature based on the temperature probe reading or
entered temperature value. Shows the origin of the temperature as MAN
(entered temperature) or ATC (temperature probe).

Shown when is pressed and the displayed measurement is frozen.

Indicates a calibration was successfully completed.

Indicates the pH electrode condition as good (two bars), fair (one bar) or bad
(slash through it), based on the last saved calibration and measurement stability.

Indicates a method is in use and the number of the method being used.

Indicates the type of measurement and determines the type of calibration
that will be performed.

Specifies the stability of the electrode as stabilizing or ready.

Shown when the meter is in AUTO-READ mode. The icon will blink while
the reading is stabilizing and stop blinking when the reading is stable and the
measurement is locked on the display.

Displays the measurement value based on the last saved calibration and current
electrode reading. Units are shown to the right of the value.

Shows the raw millivolt reading of the electrode.

Shows the buffer values used for the last saved calibration.

Shows the operator assigned sample ID number. Star A321 meter only.

Shows the operator assigned user ID number. Star A321 meter only.

cal

view log

setup

2

Displays the action that will be performed when f1 is pressed.

Displays the action that will be performed when f2 is pressed.

Displays the action that will be performed when f3 is pressed.

Keypad Display Information

Press the f1, f2 and f3 function keys to perform the action shown above each key
on the display.

Press to turn the meter on.

When the meter is on, press and quickly release to turn the display backlight on or
off or hold down to turn the meter off.

In the measurement mode, press to take a measurement.

In the setup, calibration and other menus, press to escape the current menu and
return to the measurement mode.

In the measurement mode, press to enter the setup menu.

In the setup, calibration and other menus, press to scroll up through a list of options.

In the continuous measurement mode, press to freeze the displayed measurement and
press again to unfreeze the measurement .

In the setup, calibration and other menus, press to scroll left through a lis t of options.

In the measurement mode, press to change the displayed measurement mode. Options
are pH, mV, RmV (relative mV ) and ORP.

In the setup, calibration and other menus, press to scroll right through a list of options.

In the measurement mode, press to log or print a measurement.

In the setup, calibr ation and other menus, press to scr oll down through a lis t of options.

Orion Star A221 and Star A321 Portable pH Meters

Keypad

1. Press to power the meter on. When the meter is on, press and quickly release to turn the

backlight on or off or press and hold

2. Press

to exit any meter function and return to the measurement mode.

3. The f1, f2, and f3 function keys perform a variety of meter operations. The menu-specific operation is

shown above each key. For example, press f1 in the measurement mode to start a calibration.

4. The

, , or keys are used as navigation keys (up, right, down, left) when selecting
from a fixed list or grid of meter options. In the measurement mode, these keys are used to access the
setup menu, change the measurement mode, manually log or print a measurement and hold (freeze) a
displayed measurement.

for about three seconds to power the meter off.

3

Orion Star A221 and Star A321 Portable pH Meters

pH Calibration

One to five pH buffers can be used for calibration. Always use fresh pH buffers and select buffers that bracket
the sample pH and are one to four pH units apart. Prepare the pH electrode according to the instructions in
the electrode use guide. Connect the pH electrode and any other electrodes to be used (ATC probe, reference
electrode) to the meter. Power on the meter and set the measurement mode to pH.

1. In the measurement mode, press f1 (cal).

2. Rinse the pH electrode and any other electrodes in use with distilled water, blot dry with a lint-free tissue
and place into the pH buffer.

3. When the electrode and buffer are ready, press f3 (start).

4. Wait for the pH value on the meter to stabilize and stop flashing and perform one of the following actions:

a. Press f2 (accept) to accept the displayed pH value.

b. Press f3 (edit) to access the numeric entry screen and edit the pH buffer value.

i. Press

f3 (enter) to select the highlighted item and repeat until the buffer value at the measured
temperature is shown above the numeric entry screen.

ii. Press f2 (done) to exit the numeric entry screen.

iii. Press f2 (accept) to accept the entered pH value.

5. Press f2 (next) to proceed to the next buffer and repeat steps 2 through 4 or press f3 (cal done) to save
and end the calibration. If five buffers are used, the calibration will save and end once the fifth buffer value
is accepted.

a. If a one point calibration is performed, press f2 (accept) to accept the displayed slope value or press

f3 (edit) to access the numeric entry screen, enter the slope value and press f2 (accept).

6. The meter will display the calibration summary including the average slope. Press f1 (meas) to export
the data to the calibration log or press f2 (print) to export the data to the calibration log and a printer or
computer. The meter will automatically proceed to the measurement mode.

, , or to highlight a number, decimal point or negative sign; press

4

Orion Star A221 and Star A321 Portable pH Meters

Measurement

Press while taking a measurement in the continuous measurement mode to freeze the display and
press
a measurement to manually export the measurement to the data log, if the data log is enabled in the
setup menu.

1. Rinse the pH electrode and any other electrodes in use with distilled water, blot dry with a

2. Start the measurement and wait for it to stabilize.

3. Remove the electrode from the sample, rinse with distilled water, blot dry and place into the next sample.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all samples.

5. When all samples have been measured, store the electrode according to its user guide.

a second time to unfreeze the display and continue the measurement. Press while taking

lint-free tissue and place into the sample.

a. If the meter is in AUTO-READ mode (default setting), press

icon stops flashing, record the pH and temperature of the sample. Press again to start

the
a new measurement.

b. If the meter is in continuous mode, the meter will immediately start taking a measurement and

update the display whenever the measurement changes. Wait for the display to show ready and
record the pH and temperature of the sample.

c. Star A321 meter only - If the meter is in timed mode, the meter will log measurements at the

preselected time interval, regardless of the measurement stability. The meter will update the display
whenever the measurement changes, so the pH and temperature of the sample can be recorded
when the display shows ready.

to start the measurement. When

5

Orion Star A221 and Star A321 Portable pH Meters

Setup Menu

Navigating the Setup Menu

1. In the measurement mode, press

2. Press

, , or to scroll through the main setup menu options. Press f3 (select)

to enter the main setup menu.

to select a main setup menu option.

3. Press

or to scroll through setup submenu options. Press f3 (select) to select a setup

submenu option.

4. Perform the appropriate actions to set the desired parameter in the setup submenus.

a. To select a value from a list of options, press

or to highlight the desired value and press

f3 (select) to set the value.

b. To enter a numeric value, use the numeric entry screen.

i. Select the value to be entered by pressing f3 (select) or f3 (edit). The numeric entry screen will

popup on the display.

ii. Press

, , or to highlight a number, decimal place or negative sign; press

f3 (enter) to select the highlighted item and repeat until the desired value is shown on the top
of the numeric entry screen.

iii. Press f2 (done) to save the value and exit the numeric entry screen.

5. Press f1 (back) and then

key to return to the measurement mode at any time.

Setup Menu Overview

pH Channel Settings Log View Diagnostics

Method

Mode & Settings

t Measure Mode
tRead Type
tResolution
tBuffer Group
tStability
tAveraging
tAlarm Settings
tSample ID

*Star A321 meter only.

t Export Data
t Data Log
t Date / Time
t Language
t Key Press Beep
t Alarm Beep
t Contrast
t Auto Shut Off
t User ID

*Star A321 meter only.

t

Data Log

t Calibration Log

t Meter Self Test
t Factory Reset
t About Meter

Temperature

tManual Temp Value
tTemperature Unit
tTemperature Calibration

6

Orion Star A221 and Star A321 Portable pH Meters

pH Buffer Group Selection

The selected buffer group allows for the automatic recognition of certain pH buffers during a pH calibration.
The USA buffer group includes pH 1.68, 4.01, 7.00, 10.01 and 12.46 buffers and the DIN buffer group includes
pH 1.68, 4.01, 6.86, and 9.18 buffers.

1. In the measurement mode, press

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press

5. Press

6. Press

, , or to highlight pH Channel and press f3 (select).

or to highlight Mode and Settings and press f3 (select).

or to highlight Buffer Group and press f3 (select).

or keys to highlight USA or DIN and press f3 (select).

to return to the measurement mode.

Read Type Selection

1. In the measurement mode, press .

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press

5. Press

a. Star A321 meter only – If Timed is selected and the time interval needs to be changed – highlight

Timed; press
numeric entry screen; use the numeric entry screen to change the values and press f1 (back) when the
time interval is correct.

6. Press

, , or to highlight pH Channel and press f3 (select).

or to highlight Mode and Settings and press f3 (select).

or to highlight Read Type and press f3 (select).

or to highlight Auto, Continuous or Timed (Star A321 meter only) and press f3 (select).

to highlight hours (HH), minutes (MM) or seconds (SS); press f3 (edit) to access the

to return to the measurement mode.

7

Orion Star A221 and Star A321 Portable pH Meters

Viewing the Calibration Log

1. In the measurement mode, press .

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press

5. Press

, , or to highlight View Log and press f3 (select).

or to highlight Calibration Log and press f2 (accept).

or to highlight pH – Channel and press f2 (select).

or to highlight pH, RmV, ORP or Temperature as the calibration type and

press f2 (select).

6. The meter will display a list of calibrations for the selected channel and calibration type. The list shows
the sequential number of the calibration and the date and time it was saved (07/01/2011 12:45).

7. To view the calibration data, press

or to highlight a specific calibration and press

f2 (select). Press f2 (print) to print the calibration, press f3 (info) to view the electrode slope between
calibration points or press f1 (back) to return to the list of calibrations.

8. Press

to return to the measurement mode.

Viewing the Data Log

1. In the measurement mode, press .

2. Press

3. Press

4. The meter will display a list of the data points. The list shows the sequential number of the data point and
the date and time the data point was saved (07/01/2011 12:45).

5. To view the measurement information for an individual data point, press
point and press f2 (select). Press f2 (print) to print the data point or press f1 (back) to return to the list of
data points.

6. Press

, , or to highlight View Log and press f3 (select).

or to highlight Data Log and press (accept).

or to highlight the data

to return to the measurement mode.

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