LabCO SCIENTIFIC PH20 Pocket pH Tester Kit User Manual

LabCO SCIENTIFIC PH20 Pocket pH Tester Kit

Product Information

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Apera Instruments
• Model: PH20
• pH Range: 0.00 – 14.00 pH
• Resolution: 0.01 pH
• Accuracy: ±0.1 pH
• Power Supply: 4 x 1.5V LR44 button cell batteries

FAQ

• Q: Can I use other buffer solutions for calibration?
  • A: While the kit includes pH 4.00 and pH 7.00 buffers, you can purchase additional solutions like pH 10.01 if needed for specific pH levels.
• Q: How often should I replace the calibration buffers?
  • A: The bottled buffers included in the kit can be used up to 10 times. It is recommended to replace them with new ones after multiple uses to maintain accuracy.

Thank you for choosing Apera Instruments PH20 Pocket pH Tester Kit. Please read this manual carefully before use in order to properly use and maintain the product.

scan to watch video tutorial

ATTENTION

• Water droplets are added during production to maintain the moisture of the probe. This is normal practice and should not be attributed to used product.
• Never use the product when it’s freezing cold. Let it warm to room temperature before using.
• The latest PH20 Tester comes with an upgraded probe structure equipped with a sensor shield that prevents glass bulb breakage from accidental collisions (see picture below). You can remove the shield when cleaning the sensor and put it back on afterwards.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

KEYPAD FUNCTIONS

WHAT’S IN THE KIT

PREPARATION BEFORE USE And pH CALIBRATION

PREPARATION BEFORE USE

1. Prepare a cup of pure water (8-16oz) for probe rinsing. Pure water refers to drinking water, RO water, distilled water, or deionized water.
2. Pull off the battery insulation paper; Take off the probe cap.
3. Perform a 2-point calibration in pH 7.00 and pH 4.00 standard buffers. Refer to Section 4 for tutorial.

pH CALIBRATION

Notes about Calibration

1. Always start calibrating with pH 7.00 first. Perform the 2nd and 3rd point calibration immediately after the 1st point is finished. Do NOT turn off the meter before you calibrate the second or third point. Otherwise, after you restart the meter and perform calibration in pH 4.00 or pH 10.01,Er1 error will be generated and you will have to calibrate with pH 7.00 again. For more troubleshooting tips with calibration, refer to Section 11.
2. In calibration mode, when the reading is not fully stabilized ( is not staying on LCD), pressing will cause Er2 error. Refer to Section 11 Trouble Shooting Guide for more details.
3. Only pH 4.00 and pH 7.00 buffer solutions are included in the test kit, pH 10.01 is not. You can purchase it separately if needed (when your target pH level is >9.0 pH).
4. Having good-quality calibration buffers ready is the basis for reliable pH measurement. The bottled buffers (2 oz.) in the kit can be used for up to 10 times of calibration (make sure they are tightly closed when not in use). After that, we recommend replacing them with new ones to keep the accuracy.
5. Tester will automatically recognize pH buffer solutions, you can choose 1 to 3 points of calibration. For details, please refer to the following table:

7.00 pH

| M      /      Required Accuracy ≥ 0.3 pH
2-POINT CALIBRATION|

7.00 pH and 4.00 pH

| L        M      /       Target pH level < 9.0 pH

7.00 pH and 10.01 pH

| M        H      /        Target pH level > 9.0 pH
3-POINT CALIBRATION|

7.00 pH, 4.00 pH and 10.01 pH

| L     M     H     / Wide measurement range

PH MEASUREMENT

1. Short press to power on the tester. Remove the probe cap.
2. Rinse the probe in pure water. Then shake off excess water.
3. Dip the probe into your sample solution at least 1 inch deep, make a quick stir and hold still. Record the reading as the pH measurement after it’s stabilized ( comes up and stays on screen). When the probe is in the air, it’s normal that the reading is randomly jumping.
4. Pure Water pH Measurement
   • When testing pure water like tap water, drinking water, RO water and distilled water, it will take longer for the readings to get fully stabilized (typically 1-5 minutes). Please be patient. Before taking measurement, soak the probe in pH 4.00 buffer solution for 30 seconds. If reading is not stablised in 5 minutes, add Apera 3M KCL (AI1107) to your pure water at the ratio of 1:1000 (e.g. 1 ml KCL to 1000 ml water) to accelerate stabilization while minimizing pH change. If the accuracy does not meet your requirement, please contact Apera to find the specialized meter designed for pure water pH test.
5. To achieve the best measurement accuracy, calibrate the pH probe at the same/similar temperature as your sample.
6. Avoid testing in very high (> 47°C or 113°F) or very low (< 5°C or 41°F) temperature solutions as it will cause greater measurement error and will shorten the pH probe’s life span.

PARAMETER SETTINGS

Settings Menu

Parameter Setup

When the tester is turned off, long press to enter parameter settings→ short press to switch P1-P2-P3→Short press to select the parameter you want to change (parameter flicking) →short press to make changes, short press to confirm parameter change →Long press to go back to measurement mode.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PH

| Measurement Range| 0 – 14.0pH
---|---|---
Resolution| 0.1 pH
Accuracy| ±0.1 pH
Calibration Points| 1 – 3 points
Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)| 0 – 50˚C (32 – 122˚F)

TEMPERATURE

| Measurement Range| 0 – 50˚C (32 – 122˚F)
Resolution| 0.1˚C /˚F
Accuracy| ±0.5˚C/±1˚F

pH probes do NOT last forever. They age through normal use and will eventually fail. The average lifetime of a probe is 1-3 years depending how it is used and maintained. To ensure you receive a long life from your tester, please ensure you follow the guide below.

PROBE CLEANING AND STORAGE

PROBE CLEANING

1. The tester is only as accurate as the probe is clean. Always thoroughly rinse off the probe before and after each test with clean water in a container and shake off excess water.
2. For tough contaminants, detach the sensor shield, soak the probe in Apera’s cleaning solution (AI1166) or detergent water for 30 minutes. Then use a soft brush to remove the contaminants. Afterwards, soak the probe in Apera 3M KCL soaking solution (AI1107) for at least 1 hour. Rinse it off, then re-calibrate the tester before using.
3. Never use your finger to touch the glass membrane or use other material to rub it. Doing so could generate staticelectricity and cause measurement errors. To remove excess water, just shake them off or use clean tissue paper or Kimwipe to dap off.

PROBE STORAGE

1. For short-term storage under regular usage (daily or weekly use), just make sure probe cap is wet with some water droplets or soak the probe in pH 4 buffer solution, and tightly close the cap with the red O-ring.
2. For long-term storage (>1 month), add Apera 3M KCL soaking solution (AI1107) to the Fill line in the probe cap and store the probe in it. Close on the probe cap tightly with the red O-ring.
3. If you find white crystals inside or outside the probe cap, don’t worry. It is the 3M KCL soaking solution that crystallized over time by its nature. Just rinse them off. This chemical is not poisonous or dangerous. And the probe’s performance will not be affected at all.
4. NEVER store the probe in pure water like tap, RO, distilled, or deionized water as they could damage the pH probe. If this happens, immediately soak the pH probe in Apera 3M KCL soaking solution overnight, then re-calibrate it before using. Pure water is only for rinsing the probe.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

BATTERY REPLACEMENT

Please install batteries according to the following steps.
Please note the correct direction of battery installation: The Positive Side (“+”) OF EVERY SINGLE Battery MUST FACE UP.

(WRONG INSTALLATION OF BATTERIES WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TESTER AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS!)

1. Loosen the pocket clip
2. Pull off the battery cap
3. Slide and unlock battery compartment
4. Open the battery compartment
5. Insert the batteries (all “+” FACE UP)
6. Press down the battery compartment
7. Slide and lock the battery compartment
8. Close on the battery cap (make sure it’s tightly closed with the O-ring. Otherwise the waterproof rating could be compromised.)

LIMITED WARRANTY

We warrant this instrument to be free from defects in material and workmanship and agree to repair or replace free of charge, at option of APERA INSTRUMENTS, LLC, any malfunctioned or damaged product attributable to responsibility of APERA INSTRUMENTS, LLC for a period of TWO YEARS (SIX MONTHS for the probe) from the delivery. This limited warranty does NOT cover any damages due to:

• accidental damage
• transportation, storage
• improper use
• failure to follow the product instructions
• Unauthorized repair or modifications
• normal wear and tear
• Other external causes or actions beyond our reasonable control

To get the fastest warranty fulfilment, go to support.aperainst.com and submit a new Support Ticket. One of our customer service specialists will get in touch with you within one business day.

Printed technical specifications are subject to change without notification Labco® is a registered trademark.
See the full product range online.

Contact

• 1800 052 226
• PO Box 5816, Brendale, QLD 4500
• [email protected]
• labcoscienfific.com.au

References

• Home Page
• Support : Apera Instruments

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>