Chauvin Arnoux CA 10101E User manual

pH-meter
EN - User’s manual
CA 10101E

2
Information or useful tip.
Battery.
Earth.
The product is declared recyclable following an analysis of the life cycle in accordance with standard ISO 14040.
Chauvin Arnoux has adopted an Eco-Design approach in order to design this appliance. Analysis of the complete life-
cycle has enabled us to control and optimize the e󰀨ects of the product on the environment. In particular this appliance
exceeds regulation requirements with respect to recycling and reuse.
The CE marking indicates compliance with the European Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), Electromagnetic
Compatibility Directive (2014/30/EU), and Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS, 2011/65/EU and
2015/863/EU).
The rubbish bin with a line through it indicates that, in the European Union, the product must undergo selective disposal
in compliance with Directive WEEE 2012/19/EU. This equipment must not be treated as household waste.
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
This instrument is compliant with safety standard IEC/EN 61010-2-030 or BS EN 61010-2-030, for voltages 5V with report to
ground. Failure to observe the safety instructions may result in electric shock, re, explosion, and destruction of the instrument
and of the installations.
■The operator and/or the responsible authority must carefully read and clearly understand the various precautions to be taken
in use. Sound knowledge and a keen awareness of electrical hazards are essential when using this instrument.
■Observe the conditions of use, namely the temperature, the relative humidity, the altitude, the degree of pollution, and the place
of use.
■Do not use the instrument if it seems to be damaged, incomplete, or poorly close.
■Before each use, check the condition of the housing. Any item of which the insulation is deteriorated (even partially) must be set
aside for repair or scrapping.
■All troubleshooting and metrological checks must be done by competent, accredited personnel.
Thank you for purchasing this CA 10101E pH-meter.
For best results with your instrument:
■read these operating instructions carefully,
■comply with the precautions for use.

3
CONTENTS
1. FIRST USE............................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Delivery condition ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Accessories .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3. Replacement parts ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.4. Inserting the batteries ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
2. PRESENTATION OF THE INSTRUMENT............................................................................................................................. 6
2.1. CA 10101E ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2. Terminal strip .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
2.3. Functions of the instrument ............................................................................................................................................ 7
2.4. Keypad ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.5. Display............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
2.6. Setting the time............................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.7. Prop ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
3. USE IN STAND-ALONE MODE ........................................................................................................................................... 10
3.1. pH measurement .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2. Oxidation reduction potential measurement (ORP) ..................................................................................................... 16
3.3. Recording the measurements ...................................................................................................................................... 19
3.4. Analogue outputs.......................................................................................................................................................... 20
3.5. Errors............................................................................................................................................................................ 22
4. USE IN RECORDING MODE ............................................................................................................................................... 23
4.1. Connection ................................................................................................................................................................... 23
4.2. Get Data Logger Transfer software .............................................................................................................................. 23
4.3. USB link........................................................................................................................................................................ 23
4.4. Data Logger Transfer software ..................................................................................................................................... 25
4.5. Other software .............................................................................................................................................................. 27
5. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................................................................................................... 28
5.1. Reference conditions.................................................................................................................................................... 28
5.2. Characteristics.............................................................................................................................................................. 28
5.3. Memory......................................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.4. USB .............................................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.5. Power supply ................................................................................................................................................................ 30
5.6. Environmental conditions ............................................................................................................................................. 31
5.7. Mechanical characteristics .......................................................................................................................................... 31
5.8. Compliance with international standards...................................................................................................................... 31
5.9. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)............................................................................................................................ 31
6. MAINTENANCE..................................................................................................................................................................... 32
6.1. Cleaning ....................................................................................................................................................................... 32
6.2. Replacement of batteries.............................................................................................................................................. 32
6.3. Serial number ............................................................................................................................................................... 32
6.4. Calibration log............................................................................................................................................................... 33
6.5. Embedded software version ......................................................................................................................................... 33
6.6. Updating the embedded software................................................................................................................................. 33
7. WARRANTY........................................................................................................................................................................... 35

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1. FIRST USE
1.1. DELIVERY CONDITION
The CA 10101E pH-meter is delivered in a cardboard with:
■ one protective sheath tted on the instrument,
■four AA or LR6 alkaline batteries,
■one USB to micro USB cable,
■one mains-USB adapter,
■one bilingual quick started guide,
■ one certicate of verication.
1.2. ACCESSORIES
■One pH electrode
■One pH reference electrode
■One ORP electrode
■One temperature probe (PT1000)
■Electrode storage liquid (3 mol/L KCl)
■One set of 3 plastic beakers
■ One pH 4.01 bu󰀨er solution (NIST).
■ One pH 7.00 bu󰀨er solution (NIST).
■ One pH 1.68 bu󰀨er solution (NIST).
■ One pH 9.18 bu󰀨er solution (NIST).
■ One pH 10.01 bu󰀨er solution (NIST).
■ One pH 4.005 bu󰀨er solution (Cofrac certied).
■ One pH 6.865 bu󰀨er solution (Cofrac certied).
■ One pH 9.180 bu󰀨er solution (Cofrac-certied).
■ One 220mV ORP bu󰀨er solution
■ One 468mV ORP bu󰀨er solution
1.3. REPLACEMENT PARTS
■One protecting sheath,
■One mains-USB adapter,
■One USB to micro USB cable.
For the accessories and spares, consult our web site:
www.chauvin-arnoux.com

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 



■Remove the rubber plug.
■Insert the 4 batteries provided, with the polarities as shown.
■Put the rubber plug back in place.
■Place the two front ends before pushing in the central part.
■Put the battery compartment cover back in place; make sure that it is completely and correctly closed.
1.4. INSERTING THE BATTERIES
■Turn the instrument over.
■ Press the locking tab and lift o󰀨 the battery compartment cover.

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CA 10101E
pH Meter
CAL
END
pH/mV
°C/°F
MEM
REC
Probe
T°
Ref
V out
GND
5V MAX
2. PRESENTATION OF THE INSTRUMENT
2.1. CA 10101E
Keypad with 6 keys.
On/O󰀨 key.
Type B micro USB connector protected by a cap.
Backlit LCD display unit.
Protecting sheath.
Terminal strip.
2.2. TERMINAL STRIP
One BNC socket for the measuring probe.
One 3.5 mm jack socket for the temperature sensor.
One yellow 2 mm banana socket for the pH reference electrode.
One black 4 mm banana socket for the chassis earth of the an-
alogue output.
One red 4 mm banana socket for analogue output of the pH or
Redox measurement.

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2.3. FUNCTIONS OF THE INSTRUMENT
The CA 10101E is a pH-meter designed for use in the laboratory. It can be used to measure pH, temperature, and oxidation
reduction potential (ORP), depending on which electrode is connected. It also enables the pH or ORP measurement value to be
provided in the form of a voltage on the analogue output.
This instrument is easy to use. It has extensive stand-alone capabilities and can be used:
■ to calibrate the electrode using a set of bu󰀨er solutions,
■ to automatically identify the pH bu󰀨er solution,
■to display temperature measurements in °C or in °F,
■to display the time,
■to record the measurements,
■to communicate with a PC via a USB cable.
The Data Logger Transfer software can be installed on a PC and is used to congure the instruments, to program a recording
session and to recover the recorded measurements.
The instrument can also operate with the Regressi and Graph2D software as long as you have installed the USB interface driver,
available from our website (see § 4.5).
2.4. KEYPAD
The functions indicated above the line on the keys are accessed by a short press.
The functions indicated below the line are accessed by a long press.
To prevent inadvertently switching the instrument on, the On/O󰀨 key requires a long press.
Key Function
■A long press on the key switches the instrument on.
■A second long press on the key switches the instrument o󰀨 when it is on.
The instrument cannot be switched o󰀨 while it is recording.
MEM
REC
■A short press on the MEM key records the measurement and the temperature.
■A long press on the REC key starts or stops a manual recording session.
It is not possible to make one-o󰀨 recordings during a recording session.
pH/mV
°C/°F
■A short press on the pH/mV key selects the type of measurement (pH or ORP) that matches the electrode
connected.
■A long press on the °C/°F key selects display of the temperature measurement in °C or in °F.
A short press on the key toggles the backlighting on and o󰀨. Once lit, it goes o󰀨 after 30 seconds.
CAL
END
■A short press on the CAL key is used to look up the current calibration and start the calibration procedure for
the cell connected.
■A long press on the END key is used to terminate the calibration procedure in progress.
▲
▼
■ A short press on the ▲ or ▼ key is used to set the temperature in manual mode.
■ During the calibration, a long press on the ▲ or ▼ key selects the calibration set.

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REC
MEM
MEM FULL
OFFSET
CAL SET
MTC
ATC
AM
PM
%
2.5. DISPLAY
Display of the measurement.
Display of the unit.
Indicates the battery voltage level. When the symbol is empty, the batteries must be replaced.
Indicates that the instrument is connected to a PC via the USB cable or that the power adapter is connected.
P
Indicates that auto-o󰀨 is disabled and the instrument is in permanent mode.
This occurs when:
■a calibration is in progress,
■a recording is in progress,
■the instrument is connected via the USB cable,
■ auto o󰀨 is deactivated (see §4.4.3).
Indicates the quality of the last electrode calibrated.
MEM FULL When lit steadily, indicates that the instrument’s memory is full.
When blinking, indicates that the instrument’s memory is 90% full.
Indicates the progress of the measurement. When all segments are lit, the measurement is stable.
When blinking, indicates that the measurement is over or that the calibration has been applied.
REC When lit steadily, indicates that recording is in progress.
When blinking, indicates waiting for the start of a recording session.
MEM Indicates that a measurement is recorded.
%Indicates the slope of the electrode.
OFFSET Indicates the o󰀨set of the electrode.
CAL SET Indicates that calibration is in progress.
MTC Indicates that temperature compensation is manual.
ATC Indicates that temperature compensation is automatic.
When the measurement exceeds the limits (whether positive or negative), the instrument displays OL.
2.6. SETTING THE TIME
The time of your instrument is set using the Data Logger Transfer software. Refer to §4.4.2.
Display of the temperature.
Display of the time.

9
2.7. PROP
To make reading easier, the instrument can be set on its prop.

10
3. USE IN STAND-ALONE MODE
The instrument can operate in two modes:
■the stand-alone mode described in this section,
■the record mode, in which it is controlled by a PC. This mode is described in the next section.
In order to ensure proper operation of the instrument, always leave the electrode connected and the cap on the USB con-
nector closed.
Keep your electrode in a bottle containing an electrolytic solution. Never keep the electrode in distilled or de-ionized water.
3.1. PH MEASUREMENT
3.1.1. CALIBRATION
You can calibrate at one point, two points, or three points. Two solutions are provided with the instrument, the third is an option.
■Connect the pH electrode to the instrument’s BNC socket.
HO
2
■Remove the storage bottle from the electrode. ■Rinse the electrode in de-ionized water, then dry it.
■ Pour each bu󰀨er solution (one, two, or three depending on
the number of calibration points) into a beaker. ■Long-press the key to switch the instrument on.
7,00
4,01 9,18
> 2s
■If you spot an air bubble on the glass membrane, shake the electrode to eliminate it.

11
■ Plunge the end of the electrode in the rst bu󰀨er solution.
Take care to completely submerge the glass ball and the salt bridge in the solution.
Minimum level of immersion.
To measure the temperature, you have two choices:
■ATC mode: Connect the temperature sensor to the jack
socket on the instrument and immerse it in the solution.
■MTC mode: Plunge the thermometer directly in the solution
and perform manual temperature correction (see § 3.1.4).
■If the reference electrode is not integrated in the probe, con-
nect it to the yellow 2 mm banana socket on the instrument.

12
■ Choose the calibration set by long presses on the ▲ and
▼ keys.
CAL SET 1
CAL SET 2
CAL SET 3
ATC
CAL SET The pH values of the calibra-
tion set are scrolled.
■ Conrm the set by pressing the CAL key.
When the instrument detects the bu󰀨er solution value, it
displays it, corrected for temperature, in alternation with
the temperature.

CAL
END
ATC
CAL SET
The instrument performs the pH measurement and indicates its progress.
ATC
CAL SET
ATC
CAL SET
It then proposes selecting the calibration set. Three sets are available.
pH at 25°C
Calibration set 1 4.01 7.00 9.18
Calibration set 2 1.68 4.01 7.00 10.01
Calibration set 3 4.005 6.865 9.180
Calibration set 3 contains the Cofrac-certied bu󰀨er solution pH values.
If you have your own calibration set, you can change these values in the pH_Set.txt le (see §4.3).
■The instrument displays the pH and temperature meas-
urements and the time.
ATC = Automatic Temperature Compensation
ATC

CAL
END
OFFSET
%
■Press the CAL key.
The instrument briey displays the current calibration val-
ues (the slope in % and the o󰀨set in mV).
Do not withdraw the electrode from the solution until the measurement is over.

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If you want to abort the calibration of the electrode, long-press the END, key before the end of the measurement.
ATC
CAL SET
Otherwise, when the measurement has stabilized ,
the rst calibration point is applied. The instrument then informs
you that you can calibrate a second point.
(N° 1 --> 2).
The value of the bu󰀨er solution of the calibration set is always
displayed in alternation with the temperature.
The CAL and END symbols are also displayed in alternation,
indicating that you can continue or terminate the calibration.

CAL
END
> 2s OFFSET
%
■If you need only one calibration point, long-press the END key. Only the o󰀨set of the electrode will be calculated; the slope will
be left unchanged.
The instrument exits from the calibration procedure and briey displays the slope and the o󰀨set before switching back to
measurement mode.

CAL
END
■If you want to continue the calibration, withdraw the electrode from the solution, rinse it with de-ionized water, dry it, plunge it
in the second bu󰀨er solution, and press the CAL key again.
HO
2

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ATC
CAL SET
■Wait for the measurement to stabilize. Once again, the instrument proposes terminating the calibration (by pressing the END
key) or continuing at a third point (by pressing the CAL key).
ATC
CAL SET

CAL
END

MEM
REC

CAL
END

CAL
END
> 2s OFFSET
%
■If two calibration points are enough, long-press the END key. The slope and o󰀨set of the electrode will be calculated and displayed.
However, you can continue the calibration on a third and last point by pressing the CAL key again.
During the calibrations, the slope and o󰀨set of a given electrode must not vary more than a little. If you observe a large
variation, redo the calibration. If the problem persists, check the bu󰀨er solution (in particular the use-by dates) or replace
the electrode.
3.1.2. RESTORE THE INITIAL CALIBRATION
Press the CAL key, then the MEM key.
If you do not want to restore the initial calibration, choose no (using the ▲ and ▼ keys) before pressing the CAL key.
Otherwise, choose YES and press the CAL key. The calibration values return to 100% for the slope and 0.0 mV for the o󰀨set.

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3.1.3. MEASUREMENTS
Once the calibration is over, the electrode is ready to make measurements.
Between measurements, the electrode must be rinsed and dried. When you have nished using it, put it back in its storage
bottle.
For each measurement, wait until the measurement has stabilized and the temperature is correctly established.
The symbol indicates the quality of the electrode just calibrated. This lets you track the evolution of the state of your electrode
and replace it when necessary.
Slope O󰀨set State of the
electrode
95% ≤ slope ≤ 105% o󰀨set ≤ 19 mV
90% ≤ slope < 95% 19 mV < o󰀨set ≤ 38 mV
85% ≤ slope < 90% 38 mV < o󰀨set ≤ 58 mV
105% < slope < 85% 58 mV < o󰀨set
It is the less good of the 2 states (slope and o󰀨set) that should be applied.
3.1.4. MANUAL TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
If you have not connected a temperature sensor, you must correct the temperature manually.
The instrument indicates that the temperature can be modied by displaying MTC next to the temperature.
MTC = Manual Temperature Compensation
You must then correct the temperature displayed, using the ▲ and ▼ keys, so that it is equal to the measured temperature of the
solution.
The instrument corrects the response of the cell as a function of the temperature.
To calibrate the cell, always correct the temperature rst and make sure that all the bu󰀨er solutions are at the same tem-
perature.
MTC

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3.2. OXIDATION REDUCTION POTENTIAL MEASUREMENT (ORP)
ORP = Oxidation Reduction Potential
3.2.1. CALIBRATION
Calibration is done at a single point.
■Connect the ORP electrode to the measuring instrument’s BNC socket.
■Remove the storage bottle from the electrode. ■Rinse the electrode in de-ionized water, then dry it.
HO
2
■ Pour the bu󰀨er solution into a beaker. ■Long-press the key to switch the instrument on.
■Press the pH/mV key to switch to oxidation reduction po-
tential measurement.

pH/mV
°C/°F
> 2s
■If you spot an air bubble on the diaphragm, shake the electrode to eliminate it.

17
■Plunge the end of the electrode into the calibration solution.
Take care to completely submerge the salt bridge in the solution.
Minimum immersion level.
To measure the temperature, you can:
■The instrument displays the ORP and temperature meas-
urements and the time.
ATC = Automatic Temperature Compensation.
■Press the CAL key.
The instrument briey displays the current calibration value
(the o󰀨set in mV).

CAL
END
ATC
OFFSET
■Connect the temperature sensor to the jack socket on the
instrument and immerse it in the solution.
■Plunge the thermometer directly in the solution and perform
manual temperature correction (see § 3.1.4).

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Do not withdraw the electrode from the solution until the measurement is over.
If you want to abort the calibration of the electrode, long-press the END key before the end of the measurement.
Otherwise, when the measurement has stabilized , the calibration is applied. Press the CAL key. The instrument briey
displays the o󰀨set before returning to measurement mode.
■ Choose the calibration set by long presses on the ▲ and
▼ keys.
■Validate the set by pressing the CAL key.
When the instrument detects the value of the bu󰀨er solution,
it displays it in alternation with the temperature.
CAL SET

CAL
END

CAL
END
The instrument makes the ORP measurement and indicates its progress.
OFFSET
During the calibrations, the o󰀨set of a given electrode must not vary more than a little. If you observe a large variation, redo
the calibration. If the problem persists, check the bu󰀨er solution (in particular the use-by dates) or replace the electrode.
It then proposes selecting the calibration set. Two sets are available.
ORP at 25°C (mV)
Calibration set 1 220
Calibration set 2 468
If you have your own calibration solutions, you can change these values in the ORP_Set.txt le (see §4.3).

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3.2.2. RESTORE THE INITIAL CALIBRATION
Press the CAL key, then the MEM key.

CAL
END

CAL
END

MEM
REC
If you do not want to restore the initial calibration, choose no before pressing the CAL key.
Otherwise, choose YES and press the CAL key. The o󰀨set returns to 0.0 mV.
3.2.3. MEASUREMENTS
Once the calibration is over, the electrode is ready to make measurements.
Between measurements, the electrode must be rinsed and dried. When you have nished using it, put it back in its storage
bottle.
For each measurement, wait for the measurement to stabilize.
3.3. RECORDING THE MEASUREMENTS
■A short press on the MEM key records the measurement with the date and time. The MEM symbol is displayed briey.
It is not possible to record a single measurement while the instrument is already recording.
■A long press on the REC key starts or stops a recording session. The REC symbol remains displayed for the duration of a
recording session. Auto o󰀨 is deactivated (this means that the instrument is in permanent mode) and the Psymbol is dis-
played.
If the REC symbol ashes, a recording session has been programmed and is pending.
Before starting a recording session, make sure that the battery life is su󰀩cient, or else connect the instrument to an external
power supply on/to a wall outlet using a micro USB cord.
When the memory is 90% full, the MEM FULL symbol blinks. When the memory is full, the MEM FULL symbol stops blinking.
To see the records, you must use a PC and install the Data Logger Transfer software (see §4).

20
3.4. ANALOGUE OUTPUTS
The CA 10101E is equipped with one analogue output (two 4 mm banana socket, one red and one black) which supply continuously
a voltage proportional to the pH or ORP value.
Connect a voltmeter with an input impedance greater than 1 MΩ between the Vout and GND terminals of the instrument.
V
The DC voltage range supplied by the instrument is from 0 to 5 V.
You can choose:
■which pH values will correspond to the minimum and the maximum.
■which ORP values will correspond to the minimum and the maximum.
This conguration is dened in the SetAnalogOutput_pH.txt and SetAnalogOutput_ORP.txt les. To access it, connect the
instrument to a PC using the USB / micro-USB cable.
The PC “sees” the instrument as a USB drive, so you can read its contents.