Apera Instruments PC60 User manual

PC60 Premium Multi-Parameter Tester
(pH/EC/TDS/Salinity/Temp.)
Instruction Manual
APERA INSTRUMENTS, LLC
www.aperainst.com

2
Thank you for purchasing Apera Instruments PC60 Premium Multi-Parameter Tester. Please
carefully read this instruction manual before using the product in order to have an accurate and
reliable test result, and avoid unnecessary damages to the meter or probe. Apera Instruments
reserves the rights to make any updates of this instruction manual without giving prior notices.
For video tutorials, please go to support.aperainst.com
Contents
Battery Installation .................................................................................................................................. 3
Keypad Functions .................................................................................................................................... 3
Complete Kit............................................................................................................................................ 4
Preparation Before Use ........................................................................................................................... 4
pH Calibration.......................................................................................................................................... 5
pH Measurement..................................................................................................................................... 6
Conductivity Calibration .......................................................................................................................... 6
Conductivity Measurement ..................................................................................................................... 7
Parameter Setting.................................................................................................................................... 8
Technical Specifications........................................................................................................................... 9
Tester Functions .................................................................................................................................... 10
Probe Replacement ............................................................................................................................... 10
Warranty ............................................................................................................................................... 11

3
1. Battery Installation
Please install batteries according to the following steps. *Please note direction of batteries: All
POSITIVE SIDES (“+”) FACING UP. (Wrong installation of batteries will cause damage to the
tester and potential hazards)
2. Keypad
Functions
■Short press------ < 2 seconds ,Long press------- > 2 seconds
1.Short press to turn on the tester and long press to
turn off the tester.
2.When turned off, long press to enter parameter
setting.
3. In measurement mode, short press to turn on
backlight.
1.In measurement mode, short press to switch
parameter pH→COND→TDS→SAL
2.In mode setting, short press to change parameter
(Unidirectional)
1. Long press to enter calibration mode.
2. In calibration mode, short press to confirm
calibration.
3.When measured value is locked, short press to
unlock;
① Pull the battery cap up
② Slide the battery cap along to the direction of arrow
③ Open the battery cap
④ Insert the batteries (ALL POSITIVE SIDES FACING UP) (see graph)
⑤ Close the battery cap
⑥ Slide and lock the battery cap along to the direction of arrow
⑦ Fit the tester’s cap while making sure to push all the way down. The tester’s
waterproof design may be compromised if the cap is not fitted correctly.
Battery
Cap
Buttons
Probe
Ring
Probe
Probe Cap
LCD
Display
pH Sensor
BPB Sensor
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
-

4
3.Complete Kit
4.Preparation Before Use
If it is first-time use or the tester hasn’t been used for over 30 days, pour a little 3M KCl storage
solution in the probe cap (about a fifth of the probe cap), and soak the probe for about 5 to 15
minutes. Do NOT let the storage solution come in contact with the BPB sensor (two black rods),
since it could cause potential damage to the sensor. The black fill line on the cap does NOT
indicate how much the KCL soaking solution should be poured in. The volume of KCL solution
poured in should be less than that. The black fill line indicates the minimum volume for sample
testing in the probe cap. To achieve maximum accuracy for pH testing, we recommend soaking the
probe for one night (12 hours) to activate the glass membrane thoroughly.
When not in use, we recommend store the pH probe in the storage solution (do not let the solution
contact BPB sensor). But even if stored dry, it won’t do any damage to the sensor. Users just need
to restore the sensor’s sensitivity by soaking it again.
Diagram - 2

5
5.pH Calibration
5.1 Rinse the probe in pure water and dry it.
5.2 Pour certain amount (about half volume of the calibration bottle) of pH 7.00 and
pH 4.00 buffer solution in separate calibration bottles;
5.3 Long press to enter calibration mode; Short press to exit.
5.4 Dip the probe in pH7.00 buffer solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still in
the buffer solution until a stable reading is reached. When stable icon is
displayed on the LCD screen (as shown in Diagram 3), short press to
complete 1-point calibration and the tester returns to measurement mode.
Indication Icon will appear at the bottom left of the LCD screen.
5.5 Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it. Long press to enter calibration mode.
Dip the probe in pH 4.00 buffer solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still in the buffer
solution. When stable icon is displayed on the LCD screen, short press to complete
2-point calibration and the tester returns to measurement mode. Indication icon will
appear at the bottom left of the LCD screen.
5.6 If necessary, rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it, and dip the probe in 10.01 buffer
solution (sold separately) to complete 3rd point of calibration according to the steps in 5.1 to 5.4
will appear at the bottom left of the LCD.
■Notes
a) Tester will automatically recognize pH buffer solution. Users can perform one-point, two-point,
or three-point calibration. But for the 1st point calibration, only 7.00 pH solution can be used.
Then use other buffer solutions to conduct 2nd or 3rd point calibration. Tester will
automatically recognize 5 kinds of pH buffer solutions. Refer to the table below:
Calibratio
n
USA Series
NIST Series
Calibration
Indication Icon
Recommended
Accuracy and
Range
1-point
7.00 pH
6.86 pH
Accuracy ≥ 0.1
pH
2-point
7.00 pH,
4.00 pH or 1.68 pH
6.86 pH,
4.01 pH or
1.68 pH
Measurement
Range＜7.00
pH
7.00 pH,
10.01 pH or 12.45 pH
6.86 pH,
9.18 pH or
12.45 pH
Measurement
Range＞7.00pH
3-point
7.00 pH, 4.00 or 1.68
pH,
10.01 or 12.45 pH
6.86pH, 4.01
or 1.68pH,
9.18 pH or
12.45 pH
Wide
Measurement
Range
Diagram - 3

6
b) For pH Calibration buffer solutions, we recommend that users replace new buffer solution
after 10 to 15 times of use to keep the standard buffer’s accuracy. Do NOT pour the used
calibration solutions back into the solution bottles in case of contamination.
c) pH probes will NOT give accurate and stable readings in distilled or deionized water. This
is because distilled and deionized water do not have enough ions present for the electrode
to function properly. Do NOT store pH probe in distilled water to prevent damage.
d) For the self-diagnosis information, please refer to the table below:
Symbol
Self-Diagnosis information
Checking and methods to fix
Wrong calibration solution or the range of
calibration solution exceeds standard.
a) Check if calibration solution is correct (1st point
of pH calibration must be pH 7.00)
b) Check if electrode isdamaged.
c) Start over calibration with pH7.00 first, then
pH 4.00 or 10.01
Is pushed before measurement is stable
( comes up)
Wait forthe smile icon to come up and then press
6.pH Measurement
Short press to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it. Dip the probe in
sample solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still in the solution. Get readings after
comes up and stays.
7.Conductivity Calibration
7.1 Press key to switch to conductivity measurement mode. Rinse the probe in distilled water
and dry it.
7.2 Pour certain amount (about half volume of the calibration bottle) of 1413μS and 12.88mS
conductivity calibration solution into accordant calibration bottles.
7.3 Long press key to enter calibration mode, short press to exit.
7.4 Dip the probe in 1413 μS conductivity calibration solution, stir gently and
allow it to stand still in the solution until a stable reading is reached. When stable
icon appears on the LCD screen, short press key to complete one-point
calibration, the tester returns to measurement mode and indication icon will
appear at the bottom left of the LCD screen.
7.5 After calibration, dip the probe in 12.88 mS conductivity calibration
solution. If the value is accurate, it is not necessary to conduct 2nd point

7
calibration. If it is inaccurate, follow the steps in 7.1 to 7.4 to complete the 2nd point of calibration
using 12.88 mS buffer solution.
8.Conductivity Measurement
Press key to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it.
Dip the probe in sample solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still in the solution until a stable
reading is reached. Get readings after comes up and stays. Press to switch from
Conductivity to TDS/SAL/pH.
■Notes
a) The tester uses 84μS, 1413 μS and 12.88 mS conductivity calibration solution. User
can conduct 1 to 3 points calibration. Refer to the table below. Usually calibrating the
tester with 1413 μS conductivity buffer solution alone shall meet the testing
requirement.
Calibration Indication Icon
Calibration Standards
Measuring Range
84 μS/cm
0 - 200 μS/cm
1413 μS/cm
200 - 2000 μS/cm
12.88 mS/cm
2 - 20 mS/cm
b) The tester has been calibrated in factory. Generally, users can use the tester directly or users
can test conductivity buffer solutions first. If the error is large, then calibration is needed.
c) For conductivity calibration solutions, we recommend that users replace new solutions after 5 to
10 times of use to keep the standard solution’s accuracy. Do NOT pour the used calibration
solutions back into the solution bottles in case of contamination.
d) Temperature compensation factor: The default setting of the temp. compensation factor is
2.0%/℃. User can adjust the factor based on test solution and experimental data in parameter
setting P4.
Solution
Temperature
compensation
coefficient
Solution
Temperature
compensation
coefficient
NaCl
2.12%/˚C
10% Hydrochloric acid
1.32%/˚C
5% NaOH
1.72%/˚C
5% Sulfuric acid
0.96%/˚C
Dilute ammonia
1.88%/˚C

8
e) TDS and conductivity is linear related, and its conversion factor is 0.40-1.00. Adjust the factor
in parameter setting P5. The factory default setting is 0.71. Salinity and conductivity is linear
related, and its conversion factor is 0.5. The tester only needs to be calibrated in Conductivity
mode, then after calibration of conductivity, the meter can switch from conductivity to TDS or
salinity.
f) For the self-diagnosis information, please refer to the table below:
Symbol
Self-Diagnosis information
How to fix
Wrong conductivity buffer solution, which
exceeds the recognizable range of the
meter.
1. Check if buffer solution is correct
2. Check if electrode isdamaged.
Is pushed before measurement is stable
( comes up and stays)
Wait forthe smile icon tocomeup and then press
9.Parameter Setting
9.1 Setting Chart
9.2 Parameter Setting
When turned off, long press to enter parameter setting →short press
to switch P1-P2… →P8. Short Press , parameter flashes →short press
to choose parameter, → short press to confirm →Long press
to turn off.
Symbol
Parameter Setting Contents
Code
Factory
Default
P1
Select pH buffer standards
USA –NIST
USA
P2
Select automatic lock
Off –On
Off
P3
Select backlight
Off - 1- On
1
P4
Temperature compensation factor
0.00 - 4.00%
2.00%
P5
TDS factor
0.40 - 1.00
0.71
P6
Salinity unit
ppt - mg/L
ppt
P7
Select temperature unit
℃-℉
℃
P8
Back to factory default
No –Yes
No

9
9.3 Parameter Setting Instruction
a) Select standard pH buffer solution (P1): There are two options of standard buffer solutions:
USA series and NIST series. Refer to following chart:
Icons
pH Standard Buffer Solution Series
USA series
NIST series
Three-point
calibration
1.68 pH and 4.00 pH
1.68 pH and 4.01 pH
7.00 pH
6.86 pH
10.01 pH and 12.45 pH
9.18 pH and 12.45 pH
b) Automatic lock (P2):
Select “On”to activate auto lock function. When reading is stable for more than 10
seconds, the tester will lock the value automatically, and HOLD icon
will display on LCD. Press key to cancel auto hold.
c) Backlight (P3)
“Off”-turn off backlight, “On”-turn on backlight, 1- backlight will last for 1 minute.
d) Factory default setting(P7)
Select “Yes”to recover instrument calibration to theoretical value (pH value in zero
potential is 7.00, slope is 100%), parameter setting return to initial value. This function can
be used when instrument does not work well in calibration or measurement. Calibrate and
measure again after recover the instrument to factory default status.
10.Technical Specifications
pH
Range
-2.00 to 16.00 pH
Resolution
0.01 pH
Accuracy
±0.01 pH
Calibration Points
1 to 3 points
Automatic Temperature Compensation
0 - 50℃
Cond.
Range
0 to 200.0 μS, 0 to 2000 μS,
0 to 20.00 mS
Resolution
0.1/1 μS, 0.01 mS
Accuracy
±1% F.S

10
Calibration Points
1 to 3 points
TDS
Range
0.1 ppm to 10.00 ppt
TDS Factor
0.40 to 1.00
Salinity
Range
0 to 10.00 ppt
Temp.
Range
0 to 50 ℃
Resolution
0.1 ℃
Accuracy
±0.5 ℃
11.Tester Functions
①Calibration points indication:
②Stable Measurement:
③Reading value Auto. Lock: HOLD
④Self-Diagnostic Information: Er1, Er2
⑤Low-Voltage warning: flashes, reminder of battery replacement
⑥Three-Color backlight:
Blue—Measurement Mode; Green—Calibration Mode; Red—Alarm;
⑦Auto. Power off in 8 minutes if no operation.
12.Probe Replacement
Screw off the probe ring, unplug the probe, plug in the new replacement probe (pay attention to the
probe’s position), and screw on the probe ring. The model numbers of replacement probes that are
compatible with PC60 are:
PC60-E
PH60-E (Regular pH glass bulb probe)
PH60S-E (Spear pH probe for solids/semi-solids pH testing)
PH60F-E (Flat pH probe for surface pH testing)
EC60-E (Conductivity probe)