Apera Instruments PH20 User manual

PH20 Value pH Tester Kit
User Manual
APERA INSTRUMENTS, LLC
aperainst.com
v 5.1

Thank you for purchasing the Apera Instruments PH20 Pocket pH Tester Kit. Please read this
manual carefully before use in order to properly use and maintain the product.
For video tutorials, please go to support.aperainst.com
Table of Contents
1. General Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1
2. What’s in the Kit? ...................................................................................................................................2
3. Preparation before Use ..........................................................................................................................2
4. Calibration ..............................................................................................................................................2
5. Measurement .........................................................................................................................................3
6. Probe Cleaning........................................................................................................................................4
7. Probe Storage .........................................................................................................................................4
8. Parameter Setting...................................................................................................................................4
9. Technical Specifications..........................................................................................................................4
10. Troubleshooting Guide...........................................................................................................................5
11. Battery Replacement..............................................................................................................................6
12. Warranty.................................................................................................................................................6
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.
Sensor Shield

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1. General Introduction
stands for stabilized reading
stands for successful calibration:
is pH 4, is pH 7, is pH 10.
Short Press (tap)
Long Press
(hold for 2 seconds)
1) Power on;
2) In settings, change
parameter;
3) In calibration mode,
cancel calibration.
1) Power Off;
2) When turned off,
long press to enter
settings.
1) In calibration mode,
start calibration;
2) In settings, short
press to confirm
changes.
In measurement
mode, long press to
enter calibration
mode.
Probe Cap
•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.
•The fill line shows the level to which
you should pour the soaking solution or
sample solution.
•For details of probe storage, see
Section 7.
pH Probe
•Built with Apera’s proprietary
lithium glass membrane for high
accuracy and fast response.
•Temp. sensor is built in for
automatic temp. compensation.
•The pH probe is non-replaceable.

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2. What’s in the Kit?
3. Preparation before Use
3.1. Prepare a cup of pure water (8-16oz) for probe rinsing. Pure water refers to tap water, RO water, distilled
water, or deionized water.
3.1. Pull off the battery insulation paper; Take off the probe cap.
3.2. Perform a 2-point calibration in pH 7.00 and pH 4.00 standard buffers. Refer to Section 4 for tutorial.
4. Calibration
4.1 Short press to power on.
4.2 Rinse the probe in pure water and shake off excess water.
Long press to enter calibration mode.
(short press to go back to measurement mode if you want to cancel
the calibration).
4.3 Insert the probe in the 7.00 pH calibration solution to start 1st point
calibration; Make a quick stir in the solution then hold still;
Wait for to appear and stay on the screen.
4.4 Short press to start 1st point calibration; tester returns to
measurement mode; will display on the lower left corner, indicating
a successful 1-point calibration.
4.5 To calibrate 2nd point, use 4.00 pH buffer and repeat Step 4.2 to 4.4
(Do NOT turn off the tester after you finish pH 7 calibration). will
display next to , indicating a successful 2-point calibration.
4.6 If necessary (target pH>8.0), calibrate 3rd point using 10.01 standard
pH buffer (sold separately) and repeat Step 4.2 to 4.4. will show up
next to and , indicating a successful 3-point calibration.

3
■Notes
a) The 1st point calibration must be 7.00 pH. Perform the 2nd and 3rd point calibrations (4.00 or 10.01 ) right
after the 1st point calibration is finished. Do NOT turn off the tester before you calibrate 2nd or 3rd point.
Otherwise, you will need to restart the calibration process with 7.00 pH first.
b) In calibration mode, when the measured value is not fully stabilized ( is not staying on LCD), pressing
will cause Er2).
c) 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 >8.0 pH).
d) Having good-quality standard calibration buffers ready is the foundation 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.
e) Tester will automatically recognize pH buffer solution, users can choose calibration points: 1 point, 2 points, or
3 points. For details, please refer to the following table:
Calibration Solution
Calibration icon
When
1-point
Calibration
7.00 pH
Required Accuracy≥ 0.3 pH
2-point
Calibration
7.00 pH and 4.00 pH
Target pH level< 8.0 pH
7.00 pH and 10.01 pH
Target pH level> 8.0 pH
3-point
Calibration
7.00 pH, 4.00 pH
and 10.01 pH
Wide measuring range
5. Measurement
5.1. Short press to power on the tester. Remove the probe cap.
5.2. Rinse the probe in pure water. Then shake off excess water.
5.3. Fully submerge the probe into your sample solution at least 1 inch deep, then hold still. Record the readings
after the reading is fully stabilized ( comes up and stays on screen).
■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. If still not working, 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 is not meeting your requirement, please contact us at [e-mail] to
find the specialized meter designed for pure water pH test.

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6. Parameter Setting
Prompt
Parameter Setting Content
Code
Factory Default Setting
P1
Select pH buffer series
USA –NIST
USA
P2
Select temperature unit
˚F –˚C
˚F
P3
Back to factory default setting
No –Yes
No
Parameter Setting Tutorial
When 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.
7. Technical Specifications
pH
Range
0 –14.0 pH
Resolution
0.1 pH
Accuracy
±0.1 pH
Calibration Points
1 –3 points
Automatic Temperature Compensation
0 –50˚C (32 – 122˚F)
Temperature
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.
8. Probe Cleaning
8.1. 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 or with a wash bottle.
8.2. 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.
9. Probe Storage
9.1. Under regular usage (daily or weekly use), just make sure probe cap is wet, and tightly close the cap with the
red O-ring.
9.2. For long-term storage (you are not going to use the product for a while), add Apera 3M KCL soaking solution
(AI1107) or pH 4.00 buffer solution 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.

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9.3. If you find white crystals inside or outside the probe cap, it is perfectly normal. It is the 3M KCL that
crystalizes over time by its nature. Just rinse them off and use the tester as normal. This chemical is not
poisonous nor dangerous, and the probe’s performance will not be affected.
9.4. 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 Apera 3M KCL soak-ing solution overnight, then re-
calibrate it before using. Pure water is only for rinsing the probe.
10. Troubleshooting Guide
Trouble Reason How to fix
Pressing too soon
(showing ) Wait for to stay on screen before pressing
Poor quality standard solutions
(showing )
Replace with fresh and clean standard calibration solutions
made by legitimate scientific instrument manufacturers.
Contaminated sensor
(showing )
Use a soft brush to clean the probe with Apera probe
cleaning solution or detergent water.
Incorrect calibration order
(showing )
Reboot tester, calibrate pH 7 first, then pH 4. For details
refer to calibration notes (a)
Broken probe
(showing )
If you don’t find any visible damage of the probe, contact
Apera for warranty fulfillment; If there is visible damage,
replace the tester.
Dried-out probe
(showing )
Soak the probe in Apera 3M KCL soaking solution for at
least 15 minutes.
Probe is not fully submerged solution
(showing )
Make sure the probe is fully immersed in the solution at
least 1 inch deep.
Air bubbles around the sensor
(showing )
Make a quick stir in the solution to remove air bubbles.
Contaminated sensor
Use a soft brush to clean the probe with Apera probe
cleaning solution or detergent water.
Clogged junction
Use a soft brush to clean the probe with Apera probe
cleaning solution or detergent water, then soak it in Apera
3M KCL soaking solution overnight.
Aged probe Replace the tester
Testing pH of low iconic strength
solutions like tap/drinking/RO/distilled
water
Be patient, wait for 1-5 minutes to reach a fully stabilized
reading. If still not stabilizing, add Apera 3M KCL solution
to test water at 1:1000 ratio.
Broken probe
If you don’t find any visible damage of the probe, contact
Apera for warranty fulfillment; If there is visible damage or
the probe is more than 6 months old, replace the tester.
Instrument defect Contact us for warranty fulfillment
Probe is not fully submerged in the
solution
Make sure the probe is fully immersed in the solution at
least 1 inch deep.
Air bubbles around the sensor Make a quick stir in the solution to remove air bubbles.
Probe is not properly connected or the
pin connector is broken.
Check the probe’s connector, make sure it’s not broken
and is correctly connected. Align the probe and instrument
correctly before plugging in. Never force it. Ensure that the
probe connector is not exposed in the air too long.
Aged probe Replace the tester.
Air bubbles around the sensor Make a quick stir in the solution to remove air bubbles.
Clogged junction
Clean the probe with Apera probe cleaning solution, then
soak it in Apera 3M KCL soaking solution overnight
Comparison with other testers, test
strips, or drop tests
To compare with other testers, make sure to calibrate all
testers in the same pH 7 solution, then test pH 4.
Whichever gives more accurate reading is the more
accurate one. Test strips or drop tests’ accuracy is not
comparable to pH meters’.
Calibration is successful, but
reading is not accurate
Cannot calibrate
Reading is always slowly
changing, won’t stabilize.
Display similar readings in
any solutions or always
display 7.0 pH
Reading keeps jumping

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11. 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!)
12. 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 or to perform any preventive
maintenance, unauthorized repair or modifications, normal wear and tear, or other external causes or actions beyond our reasonable
control.
To get the fastest warranty fulfillment, go to support.aperainst.com and click “New Support Ticket” on the upper right corner. Type
your email in the requester field, “Warranty”in the Subject field, and then input the following information in the description field:
•Your full name
•Product model that needs warranty fulfillment
•Serial number of the product (can be found on the back sticker of the tester body)
•What problem or issue you had experienced with the product
•Attach a photo of your proof of purchase
•Attach a photo of the problematic product
Then click Submit. One of our customer care specialists will help you fulfill the warranty within one business day.
APERA INSTRUMENTS, LLC
Address: 6656 Busch Blvd, Columbus Ohio 43229
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: aperainst.com