Apera Instruments TN500 User manual

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TN500 Portable Turbidity Meter
Instruction Manual
www.aperainst.de

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Table of Contents
1Introduction ...................................................................................................................................- 3 -
2Technical Specifications ..............................................................................................................- 4 -
3Instrumentation Illustration .........................................................................................................- 5 -
3.1 Summary.................................................................................................................................- 5 -
3.2 Configuration .........................................................................................................................- 6 -
3.3 Display Mode..........................................................................................................................- 6 -
3.4 Keypad ....................................................................................................................................- 7 -
3.5 Power supply..........................................................................................................................- 8 -
3.6 Data Save, Recall, and Deletion ...........................................................................................- 9 -
3.7 Setting for the first time use...............................................................................................- 10 -
4Calibration....................................................................................................................................- 10 -
4.1 Preparation for Calibration .................................................................................................- 10 -
4.2 Calibration Procedure (Take 0 NTU and 20 NTU as an example) ...................................- 11 -
4.3 Notes for Calibration ...........................................................................................................- 12 -
5Turbidity Measurement...............................................................................................................- 14 -
5.1 Sample Vial Handling ..........................................................................................................- 14 -
5.2 Measurement Preparation...................................................................................................- 14 -
5.3 Measurement Mode .............................................................................................................- 14 -
5.4 Notes for Measurement.......................................................................................................- 15 -
6Parameter Setup..........................................................................................................................- 16 -
6.1 Operation ..............................................................................................................................- 16 -
6.2 Parameter Setup Reference Table .....................................................................................- 16 -
6.3 Parameters Description ......................................................................................................- 16 -
7Data Output via USB Port...........................................................................................................- 17 -
8Lamp Replacement .....................................................................................................................- 19 -
9Warranty.......................................................................................................................................- 20 -
*Fully charge the battery before first-time use.

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1 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing Apera Instruments TN500 Portable Turbidity Meter (hereafter referred to as the
instrument). The instrument uses tungsten filament lamp as the light source and 90° scattering method,
which is compliant with U.S EPA 180.1 method for the determination of turbidity in drinking, ground,
surface, and saline waters, domestic and industrial wastes. It is suitable for on-site and laboratory use.
The instrument provides accurate results with simple measurement, calibration, and data management,
giving you unparalleled confidence in test results and ease of use.
Intelligent functions such as automatic calibration, operation navigation, parameter setup, real-time
clock display, calibration date check, automatic power off, low voltage indication, and a replaceable
tungsten filament lamp.
Large TFT color screen with blue background for measurement mode, green background for
calibration mode.
Operation guidance and reminders in the process of calibration, measurement and parameter setting.
TruReadTM measurement mode automatically takes multiple consecutive readings, and calculate
their average, minimum and maximum value, as well as displaying each set of data in a brief test
report. TruReadTM is a much better way to determine the true turbidity of your samples, rather than
relying on just one reading. It's especially suitable for sample solutions with rapid settling and
continuous measurement changes.
Zero turbidity error reminder: the instrument has zero-point calibration and zero-point error reminder
to ensure measurement accuracy for low turbidity solutions.
200 sets of data storage with USB data output to PC (Windows-based).
3.7V rechargeable lithium battery can supply power for over 20 hours of continuous measurement.
The battery life is 5 times longer compared with tungsten lamp turbidimeter in the market using AA
alkaline batteries.
Multi-language operating system, including English, Spanish & Simplified Chinese.
The instrument’s structure meets IP67 water-resistant grade and is suitable for use in harsh
environments.
Everything comes in a rugged carrying case, including accessories such as calibration solutions, test
vials, USB charger, and more.

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2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Specification
Description
Measurement
Method
90° scattering measurement, U.S EPA180.1 compliant
Light Source
Tungsten filament lamp
Measuring Range
0 to 1000 NTU (FNU), automatic range switch
0.01 to 19.99 NTU(FNU)
20.0 to 99.9 NTU(FNU)
100 to 1000 NTU(FNU)
Accuracy
≤ ±2% of reading+ stray light
Repeatability
≤ ± 1% of reading or 0.02 NTU(FNU) (the greater of the two)
Resolution
0.01/0.1/1 NTU (FNU)
Stray Light
≤0.02 NTU (FNU)
Calibration
Standard
AMCO Polymer or Formazin Solution：0, 20, 100, 400 and 800 NTU (FNU)
Detector
Silicon photovoltaic
Measuring Mode
Normal measurement and TruReadTM measurement
Data Storage
200 groups
Data Output
USB to PC
Calibration Record
Calibration date and time
Display
TFT color screen
Sample Vial
Φ25×60 mm，high borosilicate glass with lid
Sample Vial
Volume
18 ml
Power supply
3.7V Rechargeable lithium battery
Working Condition
Temperature: 0 to 50°C（32°F to 122°F）； Relative humidity：
0 to 90% at 30°C, 0 to 80%at 40°C, 0 to 70% at 50°C, no condensation
Instrument sealing
grade
IP67
Certificates
ISO9001:2015 and CE
Limited Warranty
2 years
Dimension and
Weight
Meter: (90×203×80) mm/385g
Test Kit: (310×295×110) mm/1.5kg

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3 INSTRUMENTATION ILLUS TRATION
3.1 Summary
①
Flip cover of the sample vial holder (Close the
cover when measuring)
⑦
Dust proof plug (Take off the plug when
measuring)
②
Housing
⑧
Sample vial holder
③
Display
⑨
Calibration vials or sample vials
④
Keypad
⑩
Positioning mark (Align the mark with the mark
on the calibration vial or sample vial)
⑤
USB Port
⑪
Built-in lithium battery (Rechargeable)
⑥
Lamp cover
Diagram-1
⑦
⑧
⑨
⑩
⑪
④
①
②
③
⑥
⑤

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3.2 Configuration
3.3 Display Mode
①
Calibration Solutions：
0.0, 20, 100, 400, 800 NTU
②
Carrying case
③
TN500 Turbidimeter
④
Microfiber cloth
⑤
Power adaptor (5V 1A)
⑥
Software flash drive
⑦
Silicone oil (10 ml)
⑧
Sample vials×6
⑨
USB Cable (under the meter)
⑩
User Manual
Diagram-2
①Measurement Mode
②Measurements and unit
③Operation Guide
④Battery icon
⑤Date and time
Measuring
Mode
①Calibration solution
②Measurements and unit
③Progress bar
④Operation guide
Calibration
Mode
①
②
③
④
⑤
⑥
⑦
⑧
⑨
⑩

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3.4 Keypad
Diagram-3
①Calibration Mode
②Standard values
③Operation guide
④Finished calibration indicator
①Parameter Setup
②Menu
③Operation guide
①Data Recall
②Saved data numberings
③Saved data
④Operation guide
Calibration
Menu
Parameter
Setup
Data Recall

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3.5 Power supply
The instrument adopts 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery.
a) Charging mode
·Charge via Power adaptor: connect instrument and power adaptor with a USB cable. Adaptor
specification: AC110 to 240V, 50/60Hz, output: 5V/1A.
·Charge via Computer: connect instrument and a computer with a USB cable.
Under normal circumstances, it is recommended to use the power adapter to charge the lithium
battery to ensure its performance.When the lithium battery voltage is lower than 3V, the instrument
will shut down, and it’s time to recharge it.
b) Battery capacity indication
·Battery capacity icon: , please recharge the battery when
icon displays to ensure measuring accuracy; when icon displays, the battery must be
recharged, otherwise the instrument can't work properly.
·If charging the instrument when it is turned on, icon will be displayed. Users can continue
to use the instrument while it is being charged.
·If charging the instrument when it is turned off, "Charging......" will be displayed, and "Charging is
completed" will be displayed after a full charge.
Keypad
Functions
Power on/off
In measurement mode, press to enter or exit calibration mode
In parameter setup and data recall mode, press to return to measurement mode
In measurement mode, short press to perform single measurement; long press
(>3s) to perform continuous measurement.
In calibration mode, press to confirm calibration.
In parameter setup mode, press to confirm change.
In calibration mode, press to select which standard to calibrate.
In parameter setup mode, press to scroll on the menu options.
In recall mode, press to view store number
Press to enter parameter setup mode
Short press to save measured data; long press (>3s) to enter data recall mode

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3.6 Data Log, Recall, and Deletion
a) Manual data logging and Automatic data logging
In parameter setup P4, users can select manual or automatic data logging mode. In the manual mode,
after measurement is finished, press to save the data (also the measurement interface); In
automatic mode, the data (also the measurement interface) will be automatically saved after each
measurement. The instrument has two types of measurement mode: normal measurement (as in
Diagram 4) and TruReadTM measurement (Diagram 5). in Diagram 4 means that 12 sets of data
has been saved. The storage number only indicates the number of measurement interfaces, which is
not equal to the number of actual stored data. In normal measurement mode, one serial number
corresponds to one measurement data. In TruReadTM measurement mode, one serial number
corresponds to multiple measurements (according to user’s setting) in the measurement interface. The
data, as shown in Diagram 5, has 10 measurements. Obviously, for one measurement interface, the
memory storage of the normal measurement is different with that of TruReadTM measurement. The below
table shows the amount of storage for each measurement mode.
Measurement Mode
Storage Capacity
Normal
200 sets
TruReadTM（5 times measurement）
100 sets
TruReadTM（10 times measurement）
61 sets
TruReadTM（15 times measurement）
44 sets
TruReadTM（20 times measurement）
34 sets
Therefore, when the instrument is stored in a mixture of measurement mode, The storage capacity of
measurement interface is different, and it's between 34 to 200. If the stored value is full, will
flash to remind you that the storage is full and you need to delete it before saving new data.
b) Data Recall
In measurement mode, long press (>3s), the instrument will display the saved measurement
interface. As shown in Diagram 6, means there are 15 saved measurement interfaces and
it’s currently showing the 9th one. Press or to check other data. Hold or to quickly
check other data. Press to return to measurement mode.
Diagram 4
Diagram 5
Diagram 6

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c) Data Deletion
Once the data storage is full, users need to delete the data in order to save new data. Select Yes in P5
in parameter setup and press to confirm the deletion (will delete all of the saved data, non-
reversible).
3.7 Setting for first-time use.
The instrument should be fully charged before first-time use. Check and adjust settings for the following
items: date, time, system language, etc. See the detail in Section 6 Parameter setup.
4 CALIBRATION
4.1 Preparation for Calibration
a) Calibration point
The instrument has 5 calibration points: 0 NTU, 20 NTU, 100 NTU, 400 NTU, and 800 NTU. Among
them, 0 NTU point uses AMCO 0.0 NTU calibration solution or laboratory distilled water, and the
remaining4 calibration points useAMCO polymer solutions. Note thatthe cap ofthe 0.0 NTU solution
vial can be unscrewed. After the solution is invalidated, users can replace the 0.0 NTU calibration
solution or laboratory distilled water. The 0.0 NTU calibration solution can be purchased from the
supplier; For the remaining 4 calibration solutions, their vial caps cannot be opened. Simply dispose
the solutions after they are expired and buy new ones from your supplier to replace.
b) Replace zero turbidity solution
Replace 0.0 NTU calibration solution: open the vial cap, pour out the original solution, add
1/2 distilled water,cover the cap and shake the vial to rinse it and pour out the water. Repeat
it 3 times. Shake off the distilled water in the vial. Pour in new 0.0 NTU calibration solution
and close the vial cap.
Replace laboratory distilled water: open the vial cap, pour out the original solution, add 1/2
distilled water, cover the cap and shake the vial to rinse it and pour out the water. Repeat it
3 times. Shake off the distilled water in the vial. Pour in new laboratory distilled water and
close the vial cap.
The accuracy of 0.0 NTU calibration solution and laboratory distilled water is same. But 0.0
NTU calibration solution has 6 to 12 months of shelf-life, distilled water can only be used for
several days.
c) Clean vial surface
Apply a small drop of silicone oil on the surface of the vial and wipe it off with a micro-fiber cloth to
evenly distribute the silicone oil on the surface so as to cover smudges or scratches, which helps
light scattering. But please pay special attention to the following points:
①The silicone oil applied should not be too much. After wiping with micro-fiber cloth, please wipe
with filter paper or high-quality tissue paper to clean off. Excessive residual silicon oil on the vial
surface will affect the measurement accuracy.