APERA TN400 Portable Turbidity Meter Instruction Manual
- June 3, 2024
- APERA
Table of Contents
APERA TN400 Portable Turbidity Meter Instruction Manual
OVERVIEW
Thank you for selecting our portable TN400 turbidity meter.
This meter is an outstanding combination of the most advanced electronic
technology and software design, and is the most cost-effective portable
turbidity meter. This meter operates on the nephelometric principle of
turbidity measurement and is designed to meet the criteria specified in
ISO7027 and DIN 27027 standards. TN400 allows you to measure the turbidity of
an aqueous sample both in laboratory and in the field.
With built-in microprocessor chips, elegant design, easy to use, the meter has the following remarkable characteristics:
- Smart functions, such as automatic calibration, operating instructions, automatic poweroff, low voltage display and etc.
- Large TFT color screen, with blue background in measuring mode, green background in calibration mode, and text and graphics in operational directive.
- With advanced digital processing technology, the accuracy of the meter is greatly improved.
- The structure design meets the requirements of IP67 level of protection and is suitable for use in field and on-site.
- Contained in customized portable case, calibration standards, sample vials and other necessary accessories are more convenient to use and carry.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Technical Parameters
Measuring Method | ISO 7027 compliant nephelometric method(90°) |
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Measuring Range
| 0 ~ 1000 NTU, automatic range selection: 0.01~19.99 NTU
20.0~99.9 NTU
100~1000 NTU
Resolution| 0.01 / 0.1 / 1 NTU
Reading Error| ≤ ±2 % of reading±stray light
Repeatability| ≤ ± 1% of reading or 0.02 NTU, the greater of the two
Calibration Standards| 0.02 NTU, 20.0 NTU, 100 NTU, 800 NTU(Polymer)
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Light Source| Infrared light emitting diode(850nm wavelength)
Detector| Silicon photovoltaic
Display| TFT Color screen
Sample Vials| Φ25×60 mm, high borosilicate glass with screw cap
Sample Volume| 18 ml
Operating Temp. Range| 0~50°C(32˚F~122˚F)
Others
Power Supply | 4× “AA” Alkaline Batteries |
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IP Rating | IP67 |
Dimension/Weight | Meter:(90×203×80)mm / 385 g |
Portable Case:(310×295×110)mm / 1.5 kg
Quality and Safety Certificate| ISO9001:2015 & CE
INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION
Instrument Overview
- Housing
- Flip cover of the sampling well (Close the cover when measuring)
- Display
- Keypad
- Dust proof plug (Take off the plug when measuring)
- Sampling well
- Calibration vials or sample vials
- Positioning mark (Align the mark with the mark on the calibration vial or the sample vial)
- Battery cover
Meter and Accessories
- Standard solution: 0.02NTU, 20.0NTU, 100NTU, 800 NTU
- Portable case
- TN400 Meter
- Soft cloth
- “AA” Alkaline battery×4
- Silicon oil (10 ml)
- Sample vial×3
- Screwdriver (to remove battery cover)
- Instruction manual
Display
Measuring Mode
- Measuring mode icon
- Reading/Unit
- Progress bar
- Operational directive
- Low battery display
Calibration Mode
- Calibration mode icon
- Reading/Unit
- Progress bar
- Operational directive
Calibration Menu Mode
- Calibration mode Icon
- Standard solution value
- Operational directive
Keypad
Key | Functions |
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Power on/off |
The meter will automatically shut off 10 mins after last key press
| Initiate /Exit the calibration mode
| In measuring mode: Short press the key to perform single-shot measurement;
long press the key to perform continuous measurement in calibration mode:
press the key to confirm the calibration.
| In calibration mode, press the key to select standard solution.
Battery Installation
- Use the screwdriver to remove the four screws on the battery cover and open the battery cover.
- Insert 4 pieces of “AA” alkaline battery. Please make sure the polarity is correct.
- Put on the battery cover and screw tightly.
METER CALIBRATION
Calibration Frequency
-
Please turn on the meter and warm-up it for 3 minutes. Please perform 4 points calibration for first time use. For normal use, 2~4 points of calibration can be selected for subsequent use according to requirement. Better result is obtained if it is in the range of the above two points.When calibrating, press or to select calibration standard. After calibrating, press button to confirm. Press button to quit and enter into measurement mode.
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To measure low turbidity less than 5 NTU, please perform calibration with 0.02 and 20.0 NTU standard solution before using the meter every time, or perform verification test with 0.02 NTU stand solution. If the error is big, it is necessary to calibrate the meter.
To measure sample with turbidity value lower than 5NTU, one and the same sample vial should be used. Please use 1# sample vial. -
To measure turbidity higher than 5 NTU, it is suggested to calibrate the meter weekly or monthly; or the user can perform verification test, which is to test the standard solution that is close to the value of the test sample. If the error is big, it is necessary to calibrate the meter. Please use 2# and 3# sample vial for measure turbidity higher than 5 NTU.
Calibration Procedure
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Apply a little silicone oil on the calibration vial and wipe with the soft cloth to obtain an even distribution.
Turn the vial of 20.0, 100, 800 NTU upside down several times and set it still for 2 mins.(0.02 NTU doesn’t need to be overturned) -
Press key to turn on the meter. The meter indicates measuring mode.
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Open the flip cover and put in 0.02 NTU calibration vial. Align the mark on the vial with the mark on the sample well and then close the cover.
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Press key to enter into calibration menu, and press key to perform calibration when cursor indicates on 0.02 NTU.
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After calibration with 0.02 NTU standard, press key to return to calibration menu.
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When cursor indicates on 20.0 NTU, put the calibration vial of 20.0 NTU into the sample well and press key to calibrate.
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After calibration with 20.0 NTU standard, press key to return to calibration menu.
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When cursor indicates on 100 NTU, put the calibration vial of 100 NTU into the sample well and press key to calibrate.
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After calibration with 100 NTU standard, press key to return to calibration menu.
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When cursor indicates on 800 NTU, put the calibration vial of 800 NTU into the sample well and Press key to calibrate.
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After calibration with 800 NTU standard, press key to confirm.
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Press key, the meter resume to measuring mode.
Calibration Standards
TN400 turbidity meter adopts US EPA certified Reagecon high molecular weight polymer turbidity standard solution. Compared with traditional Formazin standard solution, Reagecon standard solution has a lot of advantages, such as non-toxicity, high accuracy, long shelflife, traceable to NIST and so on. The standard solution supplied in the TN400 turbidity meter kit has a shelf-life of 12 months (from the date of manufacture). Please check the date on the bottom of the vials before using.
Calibration Notes
- Place turbidity meter on a flat and level surface, and please do not hold the instrument in hand.
- When a calibration vial is placed into measuring well, the arrow mark on vial cap must be aligned with the arrow mark on the measuring well. See diagram-4
- Apply little drop of silicone oil on the calibration vial and wipe even with soft cloth to improve light scattering. Please don’t apply too much silicone oil, and the vial must be wipe and cleaned up. Otherwise it will affect measuring accuracy. After wiping and cleaning, set the calibration vial still on the table for at least 2 minutes to eliminate micro bubble in solution. For 0.02 NTU calibration vial, the standing time should be at least 5 minutes.
- If Formazin standard is used to calibrate, note the diluted Formazin standard is not stable. Please make sure to use new prepared Formazin standard to ensure calibration precision.
- Please do not open the cap of calibration vial. Inspect the expiration of calibration standard. Make sure the calibration vial free from dust, dirt, fingerprint and scratch.
- Please use the same method to calibrate every time, and establish standard operating procedures (SOPs).
TURBIDITY MEASUREMENT
Sample Vial Handling
- There are 3 sample vials contained in the case, marked 1#, 2# and 3# on the cap and bottom of the vial. Please note the number of sample vial should be same as that of vial cap, and do not mix up. Please always use 1# sample vial to measure low turbidity less than 5 NTU.
- Sample vial has been meticulously cleaned and disinfected. It can be used directly for the first time. Before subsequent uses, sample vial should be thoroughly cleaned: wash the interior and exterior of the vial in a detergent solution repeatedly rinse with clean distilled water or deionized water. Rinse sample vial with sample solution twice fill sample vial with sample solution screw the vial cap tightly.
Measurement Preparation
- Collect sample solution in a clean vessel, fill sample solution to the 4/5 position of sample vial (approximately 18ml), see diagram-5, screw the vial cap tightly.
- Before measuring, please make sure sample solution is uniform. Gently shake the sample vial to make sample solution uniform, and wait until air bubbles disappear.
- Wipe the sample vial surface with the soft cloth. Ensure that the outside of the vial is dry, clean and free from smudges.
- Apply 1~2 drops of silicone oil on the surface of the vial. Wipe with a soft cloth to obtain an even distribution over the entire surface, in order to ameliorate scratches and flaws and improve light scattering.
- Place turbidity meter on a flat and level surface, please do not hand held the instrument.
- Hold vial cap, align the arrow mark on vial cap with the arrow mark on the calibration well, and insert sample vial into the measuring well and close the cover
For Single Measuremen
Press button, the display shows progress bar(see diagram-6). It will display
measured value after 8 seconds.
Please press button again for repeated measurement.
For Continuous Measuremen
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Press and hold button, release it until the display shows the wire frame of progress bar (see diagram-7).The instrument enters continuous measuring mode. The display is updated every 8 seconds with continuous measurements and display.
Press button again to exit and then the instrument entrs single measurement mode. -
Continuous measuring mode can be used to observe the process of stabilizing turbidity values. It’s also suitable for a sample solution which precipitates faster, since it records every measuring value and calculates the average value
Measurement Notes
Turbidity is a very complex analytical measurement which can be affected by many factors. Some are inherent in the design of instrument. However, there are also other factors such as stray light, air bubbles, vial handling and other operating technique.
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Sample Vial
Sample vial must be meticulously cleaned and free from spots and scratches. Its surface should be applied with some silicone oil to treat the outside with a uniform thin coating. This is to mask minor imperfections and scratches that may contribute to stray light. Do not apply large quantity of oil as this may collect dirt and dust and extra oil should be wiped off with soft cloth. When wiping, user should grip the cap to avoid leaving fingerprints on the surface of glass vial. -
Silicone Oil
The refractive index of silicone oil should be same with that of glass vial. It is recommended to use silicone oil supplied with the instrument. -
Mixing and Degassing
Samples should not be violently shaken or agitated. It is recommended user gently shake sample vial to make solution uniform. Air bubbles in solution will cause big error to turbidity measurement. So air bubble must be eliminated before measuring. But mixing and degassing simultaneously is a difficult process to handle, especially for solution with precipitates, which requires some operating experience and experimental conditions. For example, same mixing condition and equilibrating time for degassing are required for two measurements to be comparable. -
Other Requirements
a) On the premise of ensuring uniform sample, sample should be measured immediately to prevent temperature changing and precipitates from affecting measuring values.
b) Avoid the sample dilution for measurement as much as possible.
c) Avoid operating under direct sunlight.
d) Do not pour solution into measuring well. Sample vial must be used for measurement.
e) Please do not try to wash the measuring well as this may damage its optical structure.
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 (Europe) GmbH, any malfunctioned or damaged product attributable to responsibility of APERA INSTRUMENTS (Europe) GmbH for a period of TWO YEARS (SIX MONTHS for the probe) from the delivery.
- This limited warranty does not cover any damages due to:
Transportation, storage, improper use, failure to follow the product instructions or to perform any preventive maintenance, modifications, combination or use with any products, materials, processes, systems or other matter not provided or authorized in writing by us, unauthorized repair, normal wear and tear, or external causes such as accidents, abuse, or other actions or events beyond our reasonable control.
APERA INSTRUMENTS (Europe) GmbH
Wilhelm-Muthmann-Straße 18
42329 Wuppertal, Germany
Contact: info@aperainst.de
Website: www.aperainst.de
Tel. +49 202 51988998
APERA INSTRUMENTS (Europe) GmbH
www.aperainst.de