Hach MTC301 User manual

DOC022.53.80026
MTC301
05/2021, Edition 4
User Manual

Table of Contents
Section 1 Product overview................................................................................. 3
Section 2 Specifications........................................................................................ 3
Section 3 Safety information............................................................................... 4
3.1 Intended use ....................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Use of hazard information..................................................................................... 4
3.3 Precautionary labels............................................................................................. 4
3.4 Product hazards.................................................................................................... 5
Section 4 Preparation for use.............................................................................. 5
Section 5 Calibration.............................................................................................. 7
5.1 Calibration notes................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Calibration procedure........................................................................................... 8
Section 6 Sample measurement....................................................................... 8
6.1 Sample measurement notes................................................................................. 8
6.2 Sample measurement procedure......................................................................... 9
Section 7 Verify the calibration.......................................................................... 9
7.1 Verification procedure......................................................................................... 10
Section 8 Maintenance........................................................................................ 10
8.1 Clean the probe.................................................................................................. 10
8.2 Fill the probe....................................................................................................... 11
8.3 Replace the filling solution.................................................................................. 11
8.4 Storage............................................................................................................... 12
Section 9 Troubleshooting................................................................................. 13
Section 10 Consumables..................................................................................... 13
1

Table of Contents
2

Section 1 Product overview
The Intellical MTC301 series ORP probes are digital, combination electrodes that measure the
oxidation reduction potential (ORP/Redox) of wastewater, drinking water and general water samples.
The probes are refillable and have a built-in temperature sensor and a ceramic pin reference
junction. A 28-mL bottle of reference electrolyte filling solution is supplied with the probe. Refer to
Figure 1.
Note: Do not use the probe for measurements in organic solvents.
Figure 1 Probe overview
1 Probe soaker bottle with storage solution 5 Cable
2 Platinum electrode, reference junction and
temperature sensor
6 Probe soaker bottle holder
3 Filling-hole plug 7 Electrode filling and storage solution
4 Protective tape and filling hole
Section 2 Specifications
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Specifications Details
Probe type Digital combination electrode with a refillable Ag/AgCl
reference and a built-in temperature sensor
Range ±1200 mV
Resolution 0.1 mV
Reference type Ag/AgCl
Reference junction Ceramic pin
Temperature accuracy ±0.3 °C (±0.54 °F)
Operating temperature 0 to 80 °C (32 to 176 °F)
Storage temperature 5 to 40 °C (41 to 104 °F)
Minimum immersion depth 20 mm (0.79 in.)
Body material (standard) Epoxy
English 3

Specifications Details
Reference potential versus Standard
Hydrogen Electrode
207 mV at 25 °C
Electrolyte filling solution 3 M KCl saturated with AgCl
Storage solution Hach pH electrode storage solution1 or 3 M KCl
Cable connection M12 digital output and connector
Dimensions Diameter: 12 mm (0.47 in.)
Length: 175 mm (6.9 in.) total; 103 mm (4.1 in.) below head
Cable length: MTC30101: 1 m (3.3 ft); MTC30103: 3 m
(9.8 ft)
Warranty 1 year on the probe. This warranty covers manufacturing
defects, but not improper use or wear.
Certifications CE, FCC/ISED
Section 3 Safety information
3.1 Intended use
The Intellical probes are intended for use by individuals who measure water quality parameters in the
laboratory. The Intellical probes do not treat or alter water.
3.2 Use of hazard information
D A N G E R
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may result in minor or moderate injury.
N O T I C E
Indicates a situation which, if not avoided, may cause damage to the instrument. Information that
requires special emphasis.
3.3 Precautionary labels
Read all labels and tags attached to the instrument. Personal injury or damage to the instrument
could occur if not observed. A symbol on the instrument is referenced in the manual with a
precautionary statement.
Electrical equipment marked with this symbol may not be disposed of in European
domestic or public disposal systems. Return old or end-of-life equipment to the
manufacturer for disposal at no charge to the user.
1Use of other storage solutions can cause permanent damage to the probe.
4 English

3.4 Product hazards
CAUTION
Chemical exposure hazard. Obey laboratory safety procedures and wear all of the
personal protective equipment appropriate to the chemicals that are handled. Refer to
the current safety data sheets (MSDS/SDS) for safety protocols.
CAUTION
Chemical exposure hazard. Dispose of chemicals and wastes in accordance with local,
regional and national regulations.
CAUTION
Personal injury hazard. Glass components can break. Handle with care to prevent cuts.
Section 4 Preparation for use
N O T I C E
Make sure to remove the protective tape from the filling hole of new probes. A probe with a blocked
filling hole will not operate correctly.
New probes are filled with electrolyte filling solution and have a soaker bottle that contains storage
solution to keep the glass bulb and reference junction hydrated. Prepare the probe for calibration and
measurement as follows.
1. Remove the protective tape from the filling hole. Refer to Figure 2.
2. Rinse the reference junction and glass bulb with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.
3. If the inner filling solution is low, add more filling solution. Refer to Fill the probe on page 11.
4. Make sure that the meter has the correct date and time settings. The service-life time stamp in
the probe comes from the date and time settings in the meter.
Note: Some meters automatically open the date and time settings when the meter starts for the first time, or
after battery replacement.
5. Connect the probe to the meter.
6. Open the filling hole before use. Keep the level of the electrolyte filling solution above the level of
the measurement liquid during use. Refer to Figure 3.
English 5

Figure 2 Remove the protective tape
6 English

Figure 3 Probe position during use
1 Open filling hole 3 Level of calibration solution or sample
2 Level of electrolyte filling solution
Section 5 Calibration
The procedure that follows is applicable to meters that can connect to Intellical ORP (MTC) probes.
Refer to the applicable meter documentation for meter operation and probe-specific settings.
5.1 Calibration notes
Read the notes that follow before calibration:
• The meter shows the standard solution to use for calibration. If necessary, change the standard
solution in the probe settings menu.
• Do not dilute the standard solution. Discard the standard solution after each calibration.
• If the calibration standard is ZoBell's ORP/Redox standard solution, calibrate the probe at a
solution temperature that is between 0 and 30 °C (32 to 86 °F). If the calibration standard is Light’s
solution, calibrate the probe at 25 °C (77 °F).
• Use the single display mode for calibration when more than one probe is connected to the meter (if
applicable).
• Calibrate the probes and verify the calibration regularly for best results. Use the meter to set
calibration reminders.
• The calibration data is stored in the probe. When a calibrated probe is connected to a different
meter with the same calibration options, a new calibration is not necessary.
• Air bubbles below the sensor when in solution can cause a slow response or error in the
calibration. Make sure to remove air bubbles during calibration.
English 7

5.2 Calibration procedure
1. Go to the
calibrate menu.
Select the probe, if
applicable. The
display shows the
ORP/Redox
standard solution to
use for calibration.
2. Pour the fresh
standard solution
into a beaker.
3. Open the filling
hole.
4. Rinse the probe
with deionized water.
Dry the probe with a
lint-free cloth.
5. Put the probe in
the standard solution
with the sensor and
reference junction
fully in the solution.
Do not put the probe
on the bottom or
sides of the beaker.
6. Shake the probe
from side to side to
remove air bubbles.
7. Stir gently, then
read the ORP/Redox
value of the standard
solution. The display
shows the mV value
when the reading is
stable.
8. Save the
calibration.
Section 6 Sample measurement
The procedure that follows is applicable to meters that can connect to Intellical ORP (MTC) probes.
Refer to the applicable meter documentation for meter operation and probe-specific settings.
6.1 Sample measurement notes
Read the notes that follow before sample measurements.
• For measurements in reducing-type samples, soak the probe in Reducing Solution for ORP
Electrodes for 3-10 minutes before the initial sample measurement. The soak time significantly
decreases the stabilization time.
• Rinse the probe with deionized water and dry with a lint-free cloth between measurements to
prevent contamination.
• If complete traceability is necessary, enter a sample ID and operator ID before measurement.
Refer to the meter manual for instructions.
• The meter automatically saves the measurement data when the user manually reads each data
point and when the meter is set to read at regular intervals. The user must manually save each
data point when the meter is set to read continuously.
8 English

• Air bubbles below the sensor can cause a slow response or error in the measurement. Make sure
to remove air bubbles before and during measurements.
6.2 Sample measurement procedure
1. Open the filling
hole.
2. If the samples
contain reducing
agents, soak the
probe in Reducing
Solution for ORP
Electrodes for 3 to
10 minutes.
3. Rinse the probe
with the sample. Dry
the probe with a lint-
free cloth.
4. Put the probe in
the sample with the
sensor and
reference junction
fully in the sample.
Do not put the probe
on the bottom or
sides of the beaker.
5. Shake the probe
from side to side to
refresh the reference
junction and remove
air bubbles.
6. Stir gently, then
read the ORP/Redox
value of the sample.
The display shows
the mV value when
the reading is stable.
Section 7 Verify the calibration
Measure the value of a fresh ORP/Redox standard solution to make sure that the result is accurate.
Refer to the procedure that follows. The meter compares the selected standard solution value to the
measured value and accepts or rejects the measurement. The user can change the standard solution
and acceptance criteria for verification in the probe-specific settings.
Note: Password protection may prevent access to the acceptance criteria.
English 9

7.1 Verification procedure
1. Go to the
verification menu.
The display shows
the standard solution
to use for
verification.
Note: Menu name for
HQd meters: Run check
standard.
2. Pour the fresh
standard solution
into a beaker.
3. Open the filling
hole.
4. Rinse the probe
with deionized water.
Dry the probe with a
lint-free cloth.
5. Put the probe in
the standard solution
with the sensor and
reference junction
fully in the solution.
Do not put the probe
on the bottom or
sides of the beaker.
6. Shake the probe
from side to side to
remove air bubbles.
7. Stir gently, then
read the mV value of
the standard
solution. The meter
accepts or rejects
the result.
Section 8 Maintenance
Regular maintenance is necessary for the best accuracy, stabilization time and life of the probe.
Keep the probe in the recommended storage solution between measurements.
8.1 Clean the probe
Clean the probe regularly to remove contamination and to keep the reference junction open.
Symptoms of contamination:
• Incorrect or irregular readings
• Slow stabilization times
• Calibration errors
• Sample material stays on the probe
1. Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.
2. Soak the probe sensor and platinum disc in electrode cleaning solution or warm detergent
solution for a maximum of 15 minutes.
10 English

3. Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.
4. To remove inorganic mineral deposits, soak the probe sensor and platinum disc in a solution of
0.1 M hydrochloric acid or 0.1 M nitric acid for a maximum of 15 minutes.
5. Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.
6. If the platinum disc is dirty, polish the platinum disc with a soft cloth or cotton swab and detergent
solution.
7. Condition the probe in a representative sample before use.
8.2 Fill the probe
Add electrolyte filling solution to the probe regularly to make sure that the electrolyte flows from the
probe to the sample. Refer to Figure 4. Make sure to use the correct filling solution (3 M KCl
saturated with AgCl).
Note: If the dispensing tip becomes clogged, remove the dispensing tip and soak the tip in warm water. Then, fully
dry and assemble the tip again.
Figure 4 Fill the probe
8.3 Replace the filling solution
If the filling solution becomes contaminated, replace the filling solution.
1. Tilt the probe and open the filling hole.
2. Use a plastic transfer pipet to remove the contaminated solution from the filling hole. Discard the
solution.
3. Rinse the inner probe three times with deionized water.
English 11

4. Rinse the inner probe three times with new filling solution.
5. Fill the probe with new filling solution. Refer to Fill the probe on page 11.
8.4 Storage
N O T I C E
Probes can become permanently damaged if kept in a storage solution that is not specified by the
manufacturer. Use only the specified storage solution (Hach pH electrode storage solution or 3 M
KCl).
Do not store the probe in deionized water or in samples of low ionic strength. For short-term storage,
the probe can stay in the sample for a maximum of 2 hours if the sample pH is not high. Close the
filling hole and put the soaker bottle that contains the storage solution on the probe when not in use.
Refer to Figure 5. Keep the probe in a vertical position with the sensor and reference junction below
the liquid level in the soaker bottle. Add storage solution to the soaker bottle if necessary.
Figure 5 Probe storage
12 English

Section 9 Troubleshooting
Problem Possible cause Solution
Decreased probe performance
causes slow stabilization and
prevents accurate calibrations or
measurements.
The platinum sensor is
dirty.
Clean the probe. Refer to Clean
the probe on page 10.
The reference junction is
clogged.
Clean and condition the probe.
Refer to Clean the probe
on page 10.
The filling solution has
contamination.
Replace the filling solution. Refer
to Replace the filling solution
on page 11.
The sensor has become
dry.
Clean and condition the probe.
Refer to Clean the probe
on page 10.
Sample properties cause slow
stabilization or inaccurate
measurements.
The sample temperature is
low, or there is a large
temperature difference
between samples.
Increase the sample temperature
or adjust the temperature of
different samples to be the same
(within 2 °C (3.6 °F)).
Procedure problem causes slow
stabilization and prevents
accurate calibrations or
measurements.
The filling hole is closed. Open the filling hole during use.
The probe is not
conditioned for reducing
samples.
Soak the probe in Reducing
solution for ORP electrodes for
3 to 10 minutes before sample
measurement.
Air bubbles are around or
below the probe tip.
Carefully tap or shake the probe
to remove air bubbles.
The electrical connection
through the reference
junction is not sufficient.
Shake the probe in the solution
from side to side to refresh the
reference junction.
An incorrect standard
solution was used or the
standard solution has
contamination.
Use the specified standard
solution of good quality.
The protective tape was not
removed from the filling
hole.
Remove the tape from the filling
hole. Refer to Preparation for use
on page 5.
Section 10 Consumables
Note: Product and Article numbers may vary for some selling regions. Contact the appropriate distributor or refer to
the company website for contact information.
Description Quantity Item no.
Electrode filling solution, 3 M KCl solution saturated with
AgCl 28 mL22841700
Hach pH electrode storage solution 500 mL 2756549
2Larger quantities are available.
English 13

Section 10 Consumables (continued)
Description Quantity Item no.
3 M KCl solution 50 mL32756559
Electrode cleaning solution for regular maintenance 500 mL 2965249
Electrode cleaning solution for minerals/inorganic
contamination 500 mL 2975149
Electrode cleaning solution for fats, oils and grease
contamination 500 mL 2964449
Electrode cleaning solution for porous pin/diaphragm
reference junctions 250 mL C20C380
Reducing solution for ORP electrodes 500 mL 2965349
ORP standard solution, Light's solution, 20-mL ampules 25/pkg 2612520
ORP standard solution, ZoBell's solution 500 mL 2316949
Beaker, 30 mL, plastic, colorless 80/pkg SM5010
Beaker, 100 mL, polypropylene 1 108042
Disposable wipes, 11 x 22 cm 280/pkg 2097000
Wash bottle, polyethylene, 500 mL 1 62011
Probe stand for standard Intellical probes 1 8508850
Soaker bottle for probe storage 1 5192900
3Larger quantities are available.
14 English

*DOC022.53.80026*
HACH COMPANY World Headquarters
P.O. Box 389, Loveland, CO 80539-0389 U.S.A.
Tel. [phone]
[phone] (U.S.A. only)
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
www.hach.com
HACH LANGE GMBH
Willstätterstraße 11
D-40549 Düsseldorf, Germany
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
www.de.hach.com
HACH LANGE Sàrl
6, route de Compois
1222 Vésenaz
SWITZERLAND
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
© Hach Company/Hach Lange GmbH, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2021.
All rights reserved.