Vernier TRB-BTA User Manual

Turbidity Sensor

(Order Code TRB-BTA)

Turbidity is a measure of water’s lack of clarity and is
an important indicator of water quality. Water with
high turbidity is cloudy, while water with low
turbidity is clear. The cloudiness is produced by light
reflecting off particles in the water; therefore, the more particles in the water, the
higher the turbidity.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.

What's Included

l Turbidity Sensor
l Turbidity Accessories Kit (includes one empty cuvette and one cuvette

containing 100 NTU StablCal®Formazin Standard)

l Safety Data Sheet for StablCal Formazin Standard

Compatible Software

See www.vernier.com/manuals/trb-bta for a list of interfaces and software
compatible with the Turbidity Sensor.

Getting Started

1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 2, etc.).

2. Start the appropriate data-collection software (Logger Pro, Logger Lite,
LabQuest App) if not already running, and choose New from File menu.

See the following link for additional connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/trb-b ta

Using the Product

Collecting Data

1. Warm up the sensor by connecting it to the software for at least five minutes
prior to use.

2. Gently invert the sample water to mix in any particles that may have settled
to the bottom. Important: Do not shake the sample. Shaking will introduce
tiny air bubbles that will affect turbidity.

3. Empty the distilled water from the cuvette and rinse it with sample water.
Fill the cuvette to the top of the line with sample water.

4. Screw the lid on the cuvette. Wipe the outside with a soft, lint-free cloth or
tissue.

5. Hold the cuvette by the lid and place it into the Turbidity Sensor. Make sure
the marks are aligned. Close the lid.

6. Monitor the turbidity value. Note: Particles in the water will settle over time
and show a slow downward drift in turbidity readings; therefore, take your
readings soon after placing the cuvette in the sensor.

Videos

View videos related to this product at www.vernier.com/trb-bt a

Calibrating the Sensor

For many experiments, calibrating theTurbidity Sensor is not required.
However, periodic calibration will provide the most accurate results. To
calibrate:

1. Warm up the sensor by connecting it to the software for at least five minutes
prior to use.

2. Enter the calibration routine for your data-collection program.

3. First Calibration Point: Obtain the cuvette containing the Turbidity
Standard (100 NTU) and gently invert it four times to mix in any particles
that may have settled to the bottom. Important: Do not shake the standard.
Shaking will introduce tiny air bubbles that will affect turbidity readings.

4. Wipe the outside of the cuvette with a soft, lint-free cloth or tissue.

5. Holding the standard by the lid, place it in the Turbidity Sensor. Align the
mark on the cuvette with the mark on the Turbidity Sensor. Important:
These marks must be aligned whenever a reading is taken.

6. Close the lid.

7. Enter 100 as the value in NTU.

8. Remove the standard.

9. Second Calibration point: Prepare a blank by rinsing the empty cuvette
with distilled water, then filling it to the top of the line with distilled water.
Important: The bottom of the meniscus should be at the top of the line for
every measurement throughout this test. This volume level is critical to
obtain correct turbidity values.

10. Screw the lid on the cuvette. Wipe the outside with a soft, lint-free cloth or
tissue.

11. Holding the cuvette by the lid, place it into the slot of the Turbidity Sensor.
Makec sure that the marks are aligned. Close the lid.

12. Enter 0 as the value in NTU. You are now ready to collect turbidity data.

13. Store the calibration by following the directions under the Storage tab
(Logger Pro and LabQuest only).

14. You are now ready to collect turbidity data.

Specific instructions for each software platform can be found here:.

l For instructions on calibration using LoggerPro computer software, see

www.vernier.com/til/2341

l For instructions on calibration using LabQuest App, see

www.vernier.com/til/3394

l For instructions on calibration using Graphical Analysis with a

Chromebook, see www.vernier.com/til/3631

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l For instructions on calibration using Graphical Analysis with an iOS or

Android device, see www.vernier.com/til/3630

Troubleshooting

For troubleshooting and FAQs, see www.vernier.com/til/1388

Specifications

Range: 0 to 200 NTU

Resolution: 0.25 NTU

Accuracy: ±2 NTU for readings under 25 NTU

±5 of readings above 25 NTU

LED wavelength: 890 nm

Standard: StablCal Formazin Standard 100 NTU

Care and Maintenance

When you have finished using the Turbidity Sensor, simply rinse the sample
cuvette with distilled water. It is important to take good care of your cuvette
and the Turbidity Standard. Their integrity is essential for accurate turbidity
measurements.

Do not wrap the cable tightly around the sensor for storage. Repeatedly doing
so can irreparably damage the wires and is not covered under warranty.

How the Sensor Works

Infrared light is directed at a cuvette containing the sample water. This light is
scattered in all directions off the particles in the water. A detector, consisting of
a photodiode, is placed at a 90° angle to the light source. The amount of light
being scattered directly into the detector is measured in volts and translated into
turbidity units. This style of turbidity sensor is called a nephelometer. A
standard is used to calibrate the Turbidity Sensor in units of NTU,
Nephelometric Turbidity Units.

Repair Information

If you have watched the related product video(s), followed the troubleshooting
steps, and are still having trouble with your Turbidity Sensor, contact Vernier
Technical Support at [e-mail] or call 888-837-6437. Support
specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for
repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be
issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for
repair.

Accessories/Replacements

Item Order Code

Turbidity Bot tles

Turbidity Accessories Replacement Kit

TRB-BOT
TRB-ACC

Warranty

Vernier warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the
customer. This warranty does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse
or improper use. This warranty covers educational institutions only.

Disposal

When disposing of this electronic product, do not treat it as household waste. Its
disposal is subject to regulations that vary by country and region. This item
should be given to an applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical
and electronic equipment. By ensuring that this product is disposed of correctly,
you help prevent potential negative consequences on human health or on the
environment. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources.
For more detailed information about recycling this product, contact your local
city office or your disposal service.

Figure 1 Top View of Turbidity Sensor’s Internal Mechanism

This sensor is equipped with circuitry that supports auto-ID. When used with
LabQuest 2, LabQuest, LabQuest Mini, LabPro, Go! Link, SensorDAQ,
EasyLink, TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle, or CBL 2™, the data-collection software
identifies the sensor and uses pre-defined parameters to configure an
experiment appropriate to the recognized sensor.

The symbol, shown here, indicates that this product must not be disposed of

in a standard waste container.

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