Elcometer 148 User manual

English
Elcometer 148
pH Tester
Operating Instructions

English
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This product meets the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive.
The product is Class B, Group 1 ISM equipment according to CISPR 11.
Group 1 ISM product: A product in which there is intentionally generated and/or used conductively coupled
radio-frequency energy which is necessary for the internal functioning of the equipment itself.
Class B products are suitable for use in domestic establishments and in establishments directly connected
to a low voltage power supply network which supplies buildings used for domestic purposes.
Note: In the close presence of some radio transmitters, erroneous readings may be given. If this occurs
tests should be repeated at another location.
is a registered trademark of Elcometer Limited.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Limited. 2010.
All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a
retrieval system or otherwise) or translated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic,
mechanical, magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of
Elcometer Limited.
A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via www.elcometer.com.
Doc.No. TMA-0474 Issue 02
Text with Cover No: 21770

CONTENTS
Section Page
1 About this gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Getting started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Taking a pH measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5 Display panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6 Maximum/Minimum recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8 Technical specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
9 Spares & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
10 Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer 148 pH Tester. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment. Our products
cover all aspects from development through application to post application inspection.
With the purchase of this product you now have access to the worldwide service and support network of
Elcometer. For more information visit our website at www.elcometer.com.
1 ABOUT THIS GAUGE
This gauge is a simple but effective instrument which is used to determine the pH value in countless
applications which include leather production, chemical processing, food production, beauty care and metal
finishing.
The pH value of a liquid describes its acidity or alkalinity with a scale of 1-14. Pure water is said to be neutral
with a value of 7pH.
The pH value of a liquid is measured at a specific temperature. For a meaningful comparison of data, each
measurement should be taken at the same temperature.
Although Redox (ORP) could be measured, this feature is not provided in the Elcometer 148.
1.1 FEATURES
• Dual pH and temperature display
• Waterproof to IP57 Standard and floats on water
• Able to display temperature in °C or °F
• Able to record maximum and minimum temperature readings in a series of tests

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1.2 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINS
• Elcometer 148 pH Tester
• pH/Temperature Sensor
• 4 x AAA Batteries
• Wrist strap
• pH4 calibration sachet
• pH7 calibration sachet
• Operating instructions
The Elcometer 148 pH Tester is packed in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensure that this
packaging is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental
Authority for further guidance.
To maximise the benefits of this instrument please take some time to read these Operating
Instructions. Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you have any
questions.
1.3 STANDARDS
The Elcometer 148 pH Tester can be used in accordance with ASTM E 70.

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2 GETTING STARTED
1. Remove the protective cap. Unscrew the storage
Soaker Cap from the probe. Do not dispose of the
storage solution as it is required to keep the electrodes
wet and ready for continuous measurement.
2. If the electrode sensor is dry, a slow and sluggish
reading will result. Soak the electrodes in water or pH
solution for 15-30 minutes before use.
3. Rinse the sensor in tap water or preferably distilled
water.
4. Press the ON/OFF button once to switch on.
5. Temperature display is factory preset to °C. To switch
the display to °F reading, press and hold-down the
Mode button until reading is displayed in °F
6. Repeat step 5 to return it to °C.
7. Always replace storage soaker cap with some solution
in before storing the instrument.
Attach wrist strap here
Battery Cap
°C-°F Button
Sensor
Probe Electrode
Display
On-Off CAL Button
Unscrew lock ring to
release electrode
Storage Soaker Cap
(unscrew to release from probe)
Protective Cap

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3 CALIBRATION
Calibration should be performed as frequently as possible to ensure accurate measurement, depending on
the frequency of tests performed. Additional calibration solution should be purchased for future needs (See
“Spares & Accessories” on page 10).
1. Cut open the shorter end of the pH7 calibration sachet.
2. Dip the sensor fully into the sachet, stir a little to remove the bubbles.
3. Press and hold-down the ON/OFF/CAL button until CAL is displayed, followed by a flashing 7.00.
4. When SA is displayed followed by End, calibration is complete and the unit resumes measurement.
5. Rinse the sensor with distilled water and blot dry before proceeding.
6. To perform a second point calibration, choose either pH4 or pH9 solution for calibration. For example,
if you are measuring between pH7 and pH4, then pH4 should be selected.
7. Cut open the short end of the calibration sachet.
8. Dip the sensor fully into the sachet and again stir gently to remove any bubbles.
9. Press and hold-down the CAL button until CAL is displayed, which should be followed by a flashing
4.00 (or 9.00).
10. When Elcometer 148 pH Tester displays %, followed by SA, then End, calibration is completed and the
unit resumes measurement.
11. Rinse the sensor with distilled water and blot dry before proceeding.
12. To perform a third point calibration, repeat 6 to 11 with the other solution.
13. ERROR CODE: If SA does not appear after calibration, calibration has failed. Check if electrode is
damaged by swopping for a new one.

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14. Always perform a single point calibration with pH7 first before performing the second or third
point calibration.
15. After each successive second and third point calibration, the ‘percentage of slope’ % reading will be
displayed. This is an indication of the condition of the electrode. If the % reading shows 100%, it
means the electrode is in good condition. However, if the % reading is below 70% or above 130%, then
the electrode has deteriorated and should be replaced.
4 TAKING A pH MEASUREMENT
1. Switch on the unit
2. Rinse the electrode in water then shake the unit dry with a snap motion as shaking a mercury
thermometer.
3. Dip the sensor into test solution, shake to remove bubbles.
4. Once the reading stabilises, a reading is established.
5. Press the Hold button once to freeze the display, press again to release it for another reading.
6. Always rinse the electrode before and after each test.

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5 DISPLAY PANEL
Reading frozen or on Hold
Lowest recorded reading displayed
Highest recorded reading displayed
Calibration mode activated
Measurement Reading
Unit of measurement
Current measurement Function
Temperature Reading
Automatic Temperature
Compensation activated

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6 MAXIMUM/MINIMUM RECORDING
1. To register the maximum and minimum reading over a series of tests, press and hold-down the Hold/
Max-Min button until the display shows MAX and MIN blinking.
2. In this mode, proceed to make a series a tests.
3. To display the highest and lowest reading for the series of tests, press the Hold/Max-Min button once,
the highest reading will appear with the Max icon momentarily followed by the lowest reading with the
Min icon, following which the unit resumes measurement.
4. To stop or make a new recording, press and hold-down the Hold/Max-Min button until the MAX and
MIN annunicator disappear. Repeat step 1 to begin new recording.
5. Auto shut-off is disabled when recording is activated.

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7 MAINTENANCE
Elcometer products are designed to give many years reliable service under normal operating and storage
conditions. The instrument does not contain any user-serviceable components. In the unlikely event of a
fault, the instrument should be returned to your local Elcometer supplier or direct to Elcometer. The warranty
will be invalidated if the instrument has been opened.
When the batteries are nearly depleted the battery symbol starts flashing
and batteries need to be replaced.
Unscrew the two screws from the battery cap. See Figure 1.
Change all four batteries with new ones. Observe polarity.
Ensure black sealing ring is in place. Replace the battery cap and tighten
both screws.
Note: Alkaline batteries must be disposed of carefully to avoid
environmental contamination. Please consult your local Environmental
Authority for information on disposal in your region.
Do not dispose of any batteries in fire.
Figure 1.

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8 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
pH Temperature
Range: 0 to 14pH 0 to 89°C (32-192°F)
Resolution: 0.01pH 0.1°C (0.1°F)
Accuracy: ±0.03pH ±0.5°C (±1°C)
Battery: 4 x 1.5 Volt AAA size battery
Calibration: 3 point at 7pH, 4pH and 9pH
Size: 195 x 40 x 36mm (7.7 x 1.6 x 1.42”)
Weight: 150g (5.3 ozs)
9 SPARES & ACCESSORIES
The following spare parts and optional items are available from Elcometer, or your local supplier:
Description Part Number
E148 Electrode T14821766
E148 4pH Buffer Solution Capsules (x10) T14821768-1
E148 7pH Buffer Solution Capsules (x10) T14821768-2
E148 9pH Buffer Solution Capsules (x10) T14821768-3
E148 4.01pH Buffer Solution 100ml T14821767-1
E148 7pH Buffer Solution 100ml T14821767-2
E148 10.01pH Buffer Solution 100ml T14821767-3

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10 RELATED EQUIPMENT
In addition to the Elcometer 148 pH Tester, Elcometer produces a wide range of other coating testing
equipment.
Users of the Elcometer 148 pH Tester may also benefit from the following Elcometer products:
• Elcometer 130 Salt Contamination Meter
• Elcometer 134S Chloride Ion Test Kit for Surfaces
• Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Kit
For further information contact Elcometer or your local supplier.
Details of Elcometer offices around the world are given on the outside cover of these operating instructions.
Alternatively visit the Elcometer website, www.elcometer.com