EUTECH INSTRUMENTS ALPHA PH 550 - REV 4 User manual

Alpha pH 550
Monitor
pH / ORP

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Preface
This manual serves to explain the use of the Alpha pH 550 Monitor. The manual
functions in two ways, firstly as a step by step guide to help the user operate the
instrument. Secondly, it serves as a handy reference guide. This instruction manual
is written to cover as many anticipated applications of the Alpha pH 550 Monitor. If
you have doubts in the use of the instrument, please do not hesitate to contact your
nearest Alpha Authorised Distributor.
The information presented in this manual is subject to change without notice as
improvements are made, and does not represent a commitment on part of Thermo
Scientific.
Thermo Scientific cannot accept any responsibility for damage or malfunction of the
unit due to improper use of the instrument.
Copyright © 2006
All rights reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Before You Begin...........................................................................................1
1.2 Intended Use..................................................................................................1
1.3 Safety Instructions..........................................................................................2
1.4 Taking Out of Service / Correct Disposal of the Unit.....................................2
2GETTING STARTED 3
2.1 Description of Instrument...............................................................................3
2.2 Measurement System....................................................................................4
2.3 Connecting Peripherals.............................................................................5
2.4 Installation....................................................................................................9
2.5 Display & Keypad .......................................................................................11
3OPERATION 14
3.1 Measurement mode.......................................................................................14
3.2 Menu Overview..............................................................................................15
4CALIBRATION MODE 16
4.1 Preparing the Monitor & Electrode for Calibration.........................................16
4.2 Entering pH/ORP Calibration Mode...............................................................16
4.3 pH Calibration ................................................................................................17
4.4 ORP Calibration .............................................................................................21
4.5 Temperature Calibration ................................................................................22
5SETUP MODE 23
5.1 Enter Setup mode..........................................................................................23
5.2 Electrode Offset Settings ...............................................................................24
5.3 Temperature Settings.....................................................................................25
5.4 Buffer Selection Settings................................................................................27
5.5 Configuration Settings....................................................................................28
5.6 Viewing Electrode Properties.........................................................................30
6TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 32
7LIST OF ACCESSORIES 33
7.1 Thermo Scientific Order Codes......................................................................33
7.2 Eutech Instruments Order Code ....................................................................34
8TROUBLESHOOTING 35
9GENERAL INFORMATION 36
9.1 Warranty.........................................................................................................36
9.2 Return of Goods.............................................................................................36
9.3 Guidelines for Returning Unit for Repair........................................................36
9.4 Maintenance and Cleaning ............................................................................37
10 APPENDICES 38
10.1 Appendix 1 – pH Buffer Values at Various Temperatures.............................38
10.2 Appendix 2 – Abbreviations Used in LCD......................................................38

- 1 -
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Before You Begin
Thank you for purchasing the Alpha pH 550 Monitor.
The construction of the Alpha pH 550 Monitor employs leading edge technology
and complies with safety regulations currently in force. Notwithstanding this,
improper use could lead to hazards for the user or a third-party, and/or adverse
effects on the plant or other equipment. Therefore, the operating instructions must
be read and understood by the persons involved before working with the pH
Monitor.
The instruction manual must always be stored close at hand, in a place accessible
to all people working with the pH Monitor.
If you have questions, which are not or insufficiently answered in this instruction
manual, please contact your authorized supplier. They will be glad to assist you.
1.2 Intended Use
Alpha pH 550 Monitors are intended solely for pH or ORP and temperature
measurement, as described in this instruction manual.
Any other use, or use not mentioned here, that is incompatible with the technical
specifications is deemed inappropriate. The operator is solely responsible for any
damage arising from such use.
Other prerequisites for appropriate use include:
–Comply with the instructions, notes and requirements set out in this instruction
manual.
–Comply with all local safety regulations concerning safety at work.
–Comply with all information and warnings in the documentation dealing with the
products used together with the pH Monitor (housing, sensors, etc.).
–Comply with the local environmental and operational conditions.

- 2 -
1.3 Safety Instructions
The Alpha pH 550 Monitor should be installed and
operated only by personnel familiar with the instrument
and who are qualified for such work.
A defective pH Monitor must neither be installed nor put
into service.
The Alpha pH 550 must only be operated under the
specified operating conditions (see section 6).
The Alpha pH 550 must not be repaired by the
customer.
No modifications to the Alpha pH 550 are allowed. The
manufacturer/supplier accepts no responsibility for
damage caused by unauthorized modifications. The risk
is borne entirely by the user.
1.4 Taking Out of Service / Correct Disposal of the Unit
Taking out of Service
First disconnect the unit from the power supply and then undo all electrical
connections.
Remove the unit from the wall.
Correct Disposal of the Instrument
When the Alpha pH 550 is permanently taken out of service, obey the local
environmental regulations for correct disposal or send the instrument to your local
distributor, they will take care of proper disposal.

- 3 -
2 GETTING STARTED
2.1 Description of Instrument
The Alpha pH 550 Monitor is used for measuring pH and temperature values. The
pH values can be measured using industrial combination pH sensors. The
temperature values can be measured using 3-wire Pt100 / Pt1000 sensors. The
monitor can be used for applications such as water treatment and monitoring,
galvanic-decontamination, chemical processing, food processing, clean or
wastewater control and neutralization processes.
The pH Monitor has many user-friendly and safety features which include:
•Push-button keypad for calibration and setup
•Built-in non-volatile memory to ensure that calibration and other
information are not erased if power supply fails
•Menu-driven program that simplifies setup
•1 or 2 point calibration with selectable USA or NIST standard pH
buffer set
•Automatic temperature compensation (ATC)
•Manual temperature compensation setting without the ATC probe,
with independent setting for calibration and process temperature
•Large dual display LCD for easy reading with clear multiple
annunciators, operational mode indicators and error indicators.

- 4 -
2.2 Measurement System
A typical measurement system consists of:
•A pH process monitor
•A pH sensor with integrated or separate Pt100/Pt1000 temperature
sensor
•An appropriate measurement cable
•An immersion, flow or process assembly
PowerAdaptor
(+9 V DC)
Measurement Cable
Housing and
Sensors
A
lpha pH 550 Monitor
ENT
ESC
pH Monitor
lpha pH550
CAL

- 5 -
2.3 Connecting Peripherals
2.3.1 Connection Terminals
Remove Back Cover:
Remove the screws from the four corners at the back of the pH Monitor. Remove
the back cover. The connectors are exposed on the back PCBA as shown in the
Figure 1 below.
Connectors:
•J11 – 24V DC power
•J8 – 9V DC power
J10 - pH electrode & Temperature probe connections (wiring has to be done in
the detachable connector
Figure 1: Outer Side of Back PCBA
24V DC
J1
J10
J8
9V DC Power
Screw
1)+v
e
J11 Connections
1. +ve
2. Gnd
J10 Connections
1. pH Sense
2. pH Reference
3. No Connection
4. No Connection
5. Pt 100 Compensate
6. Pt 100 Sense
7. Pt 100 GND
8. Potential Matching Pin

- 6 -
2.3.2 Switching Between PT100 & PT1000 Temperature Sensors
The Monitor supports both Pt100 & Pt1000 (2-wire or 3-wire) temperature sensors.
The default factory setting is Pt100. If you need to use Pt1000 temperature sensor,
you have to change the jumper setting (J7) as described below.
Remove Back Cover:
Remove screws from the four corners at the back of the pH Controller. Remove the
back cover.
Remove Back PCBA:
Remove the screw located center of the back PCBA (Figure 1). Detach the back
PCBA from the Controller. Turn over the back PCBA. Locate J7 jumper on the inner
side of the back PCBA as shown in
Figure 2below.
Figure 2: Inner Side of Back PCBA
Set Jumper J7:
Set the J7 jumper to required sensor (Pt100 or Pt1000) type

- 7 -
2.3.3 Connecting pH/ORP Electrode
1. If the pH/ORP electrode has a BNC connector, remove the BNC
connector from the cable.
NOTE: Oakton Instruments offers an optional ‘BNC to Spade Lug
adapter’ (Order code: 05994-90) that can be used with pH/ORP
electrode without removing the BNC connector.
2. Strip the insulation of the cable so that the bare wires are exposed
enough for connection as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3 : pH/ORP Electrode Cable
NOTE: Make sure to strip inner black layer (screen) to expose the
clear sheath.
3. Connect pH sensing wire to Pin 1 of J10 connector
4. Connect pH reference wire to Pin 2 of J10 connector
Insulation
pH Reference Wire
Clear sheath
pH Sensing Wire
Screen

- 8 -
2.3.4 Connecting Temperature Probe
For Automatic Temperature Compensated (ATC) pH readings, a 100ΩPt RTD
temperature probe (2-wire or 3-wire) can be connected to the Controller.
3-Wire Probe:
1. Connect PT100 compensate wire to Pin 5 of J10 connector
2. Connect PT100 sense wire to Pin 6 of J10 connector
3. Connect PT100 GND wire to Pin 7 of J10 connector
2-Wire Probe:
1. Short Pin 5 & 6 of J10 connector using a small piece of wire
2. Connect PT100 sense wire to Pin 6 of J10 connector
3. Connect PT100 GND wire to Pin 7 of J10 connector
2.3.5 Connect Potential Matching Pin (PMP)
If using an electrode with a PMP, connect the additional wire (PMP) from the pH
electrode to Pin 8 of J10 connector. This liquid electrical reference wire is only used
when the pH Controller is configured to ‘Symmetrical mode of operation’. Refer
section 5.5 for details on symmetrical mode of operation.

- 9 -
2.4 Installation
2.4.1 Mechanical Dimensions
2.4.2 Wall Mount
ENT
ESC
PH/ORP RF Transmitter
Alpha pH 600
CAL
11
Pierce through holes at both sides
2
Cover the catch slots at both sides
with overlays
Alpha pH 550
pH Monitor

- 10 -
2.4.3 Panel Mount
Panel
Gasket
Prepare panel cut-out o
f
92.0 mm X 92.0 mm
Remove back cover o
f
pH Monitor and slide it
through panel cut-out
A
ttach catch to both sides
of pH Mete
r
Insert threaded rods through catch
until pH Meter is held against panel
2
3
4
1
1
Panel

- 11 -
2.5 Display & Keypad
2.5.1 Display Overview
The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) of Alpha pH 550 has two alpha-numerical displays
(Upper and a Lower).
•Upper display: Measured pH, mV or relative mV value are
displayed when the Monitor is in normal operation (measurement)
mode.
•Lower display: Measured temperature value is displayed when the
Monitor is in normal operation (measurement) mode. In pH
Calibration mode, standard pH buffer values are displayed here:
while measured mV values are displayed in the ORP Calibration
mode.
The two displays indicate function names, options & settings in Setup mode. Refer
‘Appendix 2 – Abbreviations Used in LCD’ for more details.
The LCD also consists of various mode indicators, status annunciators and unit of
measurement indicators.
SETUP MEAS CAL
ERR
pH
°C
READY
-8.8.8.8
-8.8.8.8
A
TC
pH
R.mV
°F

- 12 -
Mode Indicators
MEAS Measurement mode; blinks in Symmetric mode
(Refer Section 3.1& 5.5 )
SETUP Setup mode (Refer Section 5)
CAL Calibration mode (Refer Section 4)
Status Annunciators
READY Appears when the reading is stable
ATC Appears when Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) is
enabled.
Not visible when Manual Temperature Compensation (MTC) is
enabled.
Flashes if the temperature probe is faulty in its ATC mode.
(Refer Section 5.3)
ERR Appears when an error occurs (Eg. wrong key pressed)
Electrode annunciator. Appears when viewing electrode properties
or during calibration error
Buffer annunciator. Appears in calibration mode
Units of Measurement Indicators
mV Millivolt. Appears in ORP measurement / calibration modes
(Refer Section 3.1, 4.4)
R.mV Relative Millivolt
pH Appears in pH measurement/calibration modes
(Refer Section 3.1,4.3)
ºC Temperature in Celsius (Refer Section 5.3)
ºF Temperature in Fahrenheit (Refer Section 5.3)

- 13 -
2.5.2 Key Functions
ENT
ESC
PH/ORP RF Transmitter
Alpha pH 600
CAL
Key Description
CAL
Enter Calibration mode.
ENT
Enter Setup mode
Access sub screens (parameters) within a group of settings in
Setup mode
Confirm (save) setup parameters and numerical values
Start/Confirm calibration in Calibration mode.
Select a group of settings in Setup mode.
Select parameters and increment/decrement numerical values in
Setup and Calibration modes.
(When pressed continuously, speed of value increment/decrement
increases)
Returns to Measurement mode when both keys are pressed
simultaneously.
Alpha pH 550
pH Monitor

- 14 -
3 OPERATION
3.1 Measurement mode
When the pH Monitor is powered on, the display shows all the LCD segments
briefly, and then automatically enters into the Measurement mode.
pH
MEAS
ATC
°C
READY
25.0
7.00
The mode indicator ‘MEAS’ at the top of the display indicates that the pH monitor is
in Measurement mode; ‘MEAS’ blinks when in Symmetric mode. The upper alpha-
numerical display shows the measured pH or mV value, while the lower display
shows the temperature value. The indicator “pH” or “mV” at the upper right side of
the display indicates the current measurement mode. (Refer Section 5.5 for
switching measurement modes)
NOTE: To guarantee accurate readings, the measuring system (the pH
Transmitter and the sensor) must be calibrated regularly.
From measurement mode you can access:
•Calibration mode (by pressing CAL key)
•Setup mode (by pressing ENT key)
For more details, refer section 4 for Calibration mode and section 5 for Setup
mode.)

- 15 -
3.2 Menu Overview
3.2.1 Alpha pH 550
MEAS
pH
°C
ATC
READY
ENT
SETUP
SETUP
ENT
SETUP
SETUP
SETUP
ENT
ENT
ENT
ENT
CAL
CAL ENT ENT
ENT
ENT
ENT
ENT
ENT

- 16 -
4 CALIBRATION MODE
4.1 Preparing the Monitor & Electrode for Calibration
Before starting calibration, make sure that the pH Monitor is in appropriate
measurement mode (pH or ORP). When the monitor is switched on, it starts up with
the measurement mode last used. For example, if the pH Monitor is switched off in
ORP measurement mode, it starts up in ORP mode when it is switched on. (Refer
Section 5.5 for switching measurement modes)
Be sure to remove the protective electrode storage bottle or rubber cap of the
electrode before calibration or measurement. If the electrode has been stored dry,
wet the electrode in tap water for 10 minutes before calibrating or taking readings to
saturate the pH electrode surface and minimize drift.
Rinse the electrode in de-ionized water after use, and store in electrode storage
solution. If storage solution is not available, use pH 4.01 or 7.00 buffer solution.
Do not reuse buffer solutions after calibration. Contaminants in the solution can
affect the calibration, and the accuracy of the measurements.
The pH Monitor features two internationally recognized pH buffer standards. Select
the buffer standard you require in the setup mode. (Refer Section 5.4) Available
buffer options are:
•USA buffers --- pH 4.01, 1.68, 7.00, 10.01 and 12.45
•NIST buffers --- pH 4.01, 1.68, 6.86, 9.18 and 12.45
4.2 Entering pH/ORP Calibration Mode
While in measurement mode, press the CAL key to access calibration mode. LCD
indicates ‘CAL PH’ (when measurement mode is pH) or ‘CAL OrP’ (when
measurement mode is ORP).
pH Calibration
OPR Calibration
Temp. Calibration
Calibration Mode
- See Section 4.3
- See Section 4.4
- See Section 4.5
CAL
HOLD
CAL
MEAS
pH
°C
ATC
READY
&
To quit Calibration Mode
ENT