Oakton CON550 User manual

CON550 Benchtop Conductivity Meter
Instruction Manual
OAKTON INSTRUMENTS
www.4oakton.com
v2.0

Table of Contents
1Brief Introduction ............................................................................................................- 1 -
1.1 Main Features...................................................................................................................... - 1 -
2Technical Specifications....................................................................................................- 1 -
3Instrument Description ....................................................................................................- 2 -
3.1 LCD Display .......................................................................................................................... - 2 -
3.2 Keypad ................................................................................................................................ - 3 -
3.3 Connectors .......................................................................................................................... - 4 -
3.4 Stable reading display mode................................................................................................. - 4 -
3.5 Data storage, recall, and deletion ......................................................................................... - 4 -
3.6 Max/Min Function ............................................................................................................... - 5 -
4Conductivity Measurement..............................................................................................- 5 -
4.1 Preparation.......................................................................................................................... - 5 -
4.2 Conductivity Electrode Information ...................................................................................... - 5 -
4.3 Information regarding Calibration......................................................................................... - 5 -
4.4 Conductivity Calibration (take 1413 μS as an example).......................................................... - 6 -
4.5 TDS and Conductivity ........................................................................................................... - 7 -
4.6 Sample Test.......................................................................................................................... - 7 -
4.7 Parameter Setting ................................................................................................................ - 8 -
4.8 Conductivity Electrode’s Maintenance .................................................................................. - 9 -
5Complete Kit..................................................................................................................- 10 -
6Warranty .......................................................................................................................- 10 -

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1 Brief Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Oakton Instruments CON 550 Benchtop Conductivity Meter.
This instrument is an outstanding combination of advanced electronics desin and sensor technology. It’s the
most economical choice of a reliable lab benchtop conductivity meter.
Please read this maual carefully to properly use and maintain the meter. Oakton Instruments reserves the right
to update the contents of this manual without giving prior notices.
1.1 Main Features
•The meter has a built-in microprocessor chip, which enables intelligent functions such as automatic
calibration, automatic temperature compensation, data storage, parameter setup, max/min reading
display, etc.
•The advanced automatic calibration mode has calibration guide and self-diganosis functions,
automatically recognizing standard calibration solutions.
•The advanced digital processing technology intelligently improves the meter’s response time and
measuring accuracy with stable reading display mode available.
•The kit comes with a combination conductivity electrode with temperature sensor, measuring
conductivity and temperature simultaneously, and allows for automatic temperature compensation.
•IP54 dustproof and spillproof. Connectors are protected by silicone seal caps, effectively ensuring the
reliability and service life of the meter under harsh environment.
•Detachable electrode holder and 3 bottles of conductivity calibration solutions come with the kit for
convenient use.
2 Technical Specifications
Conduct
ivity
Range
Conductivity: 0-200.0 mS/cm, divided into 4 ranges:
(0-199.99) μS/cm, (200-1999) μS/cm, (2.00-19.99) mS/cm, (20.0-
199.9) mS/cm
TDS: (0-100) g/L, devided into 4 ranges:
(0-99.9) mg/L, (100-999) mg/L, (1.00-9.99) g/L, (10.0-100.0) g/L
Resolution
Conductivity: 0.1/1 μS/cm; 0.01/0.1 mS/cm
TDS: 0.1/1 mg/L, 0.01/0.1 g/L
Accuracy
±1.0% F.S ±1 digit
Temperature
Compensation
0 to 50 ˚C (Auto or Manual)
Electrode Constant
0.1/1/10 cm-1
Reference Temperature
25 ˚C
Temperature
Compensation
Coefficient
0.00-9.99%/ ˚C, default value: 2.00%/ ˚C

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Calibration
1-4-point Auto Calibration
Temp.
Range
0 to 100˚C; 32 to 212°F
Resolution
0.1˚C; 0.1/1°F
Accuracy
±0.5˚C ±1 digit
Others
Data Storage
50 groups
Storage Content
Numberings, Measurement, Unit, Temperature, Temperature
Compensation Status
Power
DC9V/300mA
IP Ratings
IP54 dustproof and spillproof
Size and Dimension
(240*235*103) mm/1kg
3 Instrument Description
3.1 LCD Display
(1) — Measurement mode
(2) — Measurement value
(3) — Calibration icons and numberings
(4) — Measurement unit
(5) — Temperature unit
(6) — The unit displayed during calibration
(7) — The value displayed during calibration, numberings for storage and recall, and reminder icons
(8) — Icons for data storage and recall — M+: store measuring data; RM: Recall measuring data
(9) — Temperature and reminder icons
Figure-1

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(10) — Self-Diagnosis icons and numberings
(11) — Temperature compensation mode icons — ATC: Auto Temperature Compensation; MTC: Manual
Temperature Compensation
(12) — Completed calibration icons
(13) — Stable reading icon
(14) — Icons for maximum and minimum values
3.2 Keypad
3.2.1. Keypad operations
Short press ----- <1.5 seconds; Long press ----- >1.5 seconds.
3.2.2 For keypad operation, please see Table-1.
Table – 1 Keypad operations and descriptions
Keypad
Operation
Functions
Short Press
Power on/off
Short Press
Select measuring mode: Cond→TDS.
Long Press
Enter parameter setting：P1→P2→…P6.
Short Press
Enter Calibration mode
Cancel any operation and go back to measurement mode
Short Press
In calibration mode, press to conduct calibration
In parameter setting, press to confirm selection
Short Press
Store measuring data
Long Press
Recall stored measuring data
Short Press
or
Long Press
1. In manual temperature compensation mode, short press to change
temperature, long press to change quickly
2. In parameter setting mode, short press to change parameter and settings.
3. In recall mode, short press to change numberings, long press to change
quickly.
Short Press
4. Buttons for max/min values (refere to section 3.6)
Figure-2

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3.3 Connectors
Symbol
Connector Name
Connector Type
COND
Socket for conductivity electrode
BNC
TEMP
Socket for temperature sensor
RCA
DC9V
DC9V power socket
Φ2.5 direct type
3.4 Stable reading display mode
When the measuring value is stable, smiley face icon appears on LCD, see
Figure-3. Please do not get the reading value or make calibration until the
icon appears and stays.
3.5 Data storage, recall, and deletion
3.5.1 Storage
When the measurement is stable, press key, the meter displays
M+ icon and storage numberings on LCD and stores the measuring data.
In Figure-4, the meter stores the first group of the measuring data. Press
again, to keep storing.
3.5.2 Recall stored data
In the measurement mode, long press key to recall the last stored
Measuring data. The meter displays RM icon and storage numberings.
In Figure-5, the meter is recalling the 28th stored measuring data.
Keep pressing and to recall successively the stored
measuring data. Press and hold and to quickly recall the stored
measuring data. Short press to go back to measurement mode.
3.5.3 Clear stored data
The meter can store 50 groups of data. Once the storage is full, if user
presses again, the FUL icon will be displayed on LCD (see Figure-6).
The storage needs to be cleared in parameter setting P4 to keep storing
data. The numberings in M+ indicates the total number of stored data; The
Figure - 3
Figure - 5
Figure - 4
Figure - 6

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numberings in RM indicates the number of stored data in current mode (cond/TDS).
For example, if 20 groups of data is stored in conductivity mode, and 10 groups in TDS
mode, then the numberings for M+ will be “M+30” in both conductivity and TDS mode;
the numberings for RM in conductivity mode would be “RM20”, in TDS mode “RM10”.
3.6 Max/Min Function
Use this function to display the maximum or minimum records out of groups of measuring data. In
measurement mode, press , LCD will display flashing icons of “MAX/MIN”, indicating the meter has
entered the mode of recording maximum and minimum data. After testing, press again, LCD will
alternately display the maximum and minimum value in the past measurements. Press to go back to
regular measurement mode.
4 Conductivity Measurement
4.1 Preparation
4.1.1 Install the electrode holder
The electrode holder is comosed of a metal stand base, a supporting pole, and a electrode clip. First,
install the metal stand base to the meter (screw it on). Please note that the metal base can be installed
on either side of the meter. Then install the supporting pole on the metal stand base, and then install the
electrode clip on the supporting pole.
4.1.2 Connect the power adapter
Plug the power adapter tightly into the DC9V socket. The power’s voltage should meet the requirements
listed on the power adapter.
4.2 Conductivity Electrode Information
4.2.1 Conductivity Electrode
The meter comes with the 35419-32 combination conductivity electrode (K=1.0) with built-in temperature
sensor, which enables the automatic temperature compensation. The electrode’s housing adopts
polycarbonate materials, which is resistant to shocks and corrosion.
4.2.2 Electrode Connectors
The pH electrode has two connectors: the BNC connector connects the conductivity sensor; the RCA
connector connects the temperature sensor. Plug these two connectors into ‘COND” and “TEMP” sockets.
Please note do not pull the cables in case of poor contact. Please keep the connectors clean and dry. Refer to
section 6.7 regarding how to properly maintain the pH electrode.
4.2.3 Use the Electrode
Stir the electrode for a few seconds after it’s dipped into the solution and then let it stand still such that the
bubbles inside the probe can be removed and a stable measurement can be quickly obtained.
4.3 Information regarding Calibration
4.3.1 Conductivity standard solutions
The meter automatically recognizes calibration solutions. 1 point or multi-points calibration (up to 4 points)
can be adopted. The calibration icons stand for 4 different calibration points ( stands for two standard
solutions), see Table-2:

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Table-2
Calibration icon
Conductivity Standards
Oakton part numbers
500 mL bottles, 20 mL pouches(20/box)
4-Point
calibration
84 μS/cm
00653-16, 35653-08 (Pouches)
1413 μS/cm
00653-18, 35653-11 (Pouches)
12.88 mS/cm
00606-10, 35653-14 (Pouches)
111.8 mS/cm
4.3.2 How often to calibrate
•We recommend calibrating the conductivity meter once per month under normal conditions.
•If the requirement for accuracy is high or the temperature of the test sample has a big difference to
the reference temperature (25 ˚C), we recommend doing the calibration at least once a week.
•Users can tell if the meter needs a calibration by testing the standard calibration solutions. If the
measurements you get have a big difference to the standard value of the calibration solutions, then a
calibration is necessary.
•For new electrodes or the meter that has been restored to factory default setting, we recommend
conducting 3-4 points calibration for best accuracy. For general uses, users can choose the
calibration solutions that are close to the test samples to conduct 1 or 2 points calibrations.
4.4 Conductivity Calibration (take 1413 μS as an
example)
4.4.1. Rinse the electrode in distilled or pure water, allow it to dry, wash with
a little of standard solution and submerge it in standard solution. Stir the
solution briefly and allow it to stay in the solution until a stable reading is
reached.
4.4.2. Press key to enter the calibration mode. The “CAL” icon will
flash at the top right, and the scanning and locking process of calibration
solution will appear at the bottom right.
4.4.3. When the meter locks 1413 μS, stable icon will display on LCD.
Press key to complete calibration. “End” icon will show up and the
meter will return to measuring mode and will show up on the bottom
left (see Figure-7).
Note: pressing before the reading being stable ( shows up and stays), the
Err4 self-diagnosis icon will appear (see section 6.5.2).
4.4.4. For multi-point calibration, please repeat clause 4.3.1-4.3.2 until all the calibration is done. The
meter can repeat calibration in the same calibration solution until the stable value is reached.
Figure-7

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4.5 TDS and Conductivity
4.5.1. TDS and conductivity are linear related. The conversion factor is 0.40-1.00. Adjust the factor from
parameter P2.6. The factory default setting is 0.71 and please refer to Section 7.4. The meter only needs to
be calibrated in Conductivity mode, then after calibration of conductivity, the meter can switch from conductivity
to TDS.
4.5.2. Adjust TDS conversion factor in parameter setting P4 according to the data collected during testing and
experience. Table – 10 lists some commonly used Conductivity and TDS conversion factors. This is for your
reference only.
Table – 10 Conductivity and TDS conversion factors
Conductivity of solution
TDS conversion factor
0-100 μS/cm
0.60
100-1,000 μS/cm
0.71
1-10 mS/cm
0.81
10-100 mS/cm
0.94
4.6 Sample Test
4.6.1. Rinse conductivity electrode in distilled or pure water, dry it, and submerge it in the sample solution. Stir
the solution briefly and allow it to stay in the sample solution until a stable reading is reached and icon
appears on LCD, then get the reading value, which is the conductivity value of the solution.
4.6.2. During the process of calibration and measurement, the meter has self-diagnosis functions, indicating
the relative information as below: Table – 8.
Table – 8 Self-diagnosis information of conductivity measurement mode
Display Icons
Contents
Checking
Wrong conductivity calibration solution or
the meter recognition of calibration
solution is out of range.
1. Check whether conductivity calibration
solution is correct.
2. Check whether the meter connects the
electrode well.
3. Check whether the electrode is damaged.
Press key when measuring value is
not stable during calibration.
Press key after icon appears.
During calibration, the measuring value
being unstable for over 3 minutes.
1. Shake the electrode to eliminate bubbles in
electrode head.
2. Replace with new conductivity electrode.
4.6.3. Factory default setting
For factory default setting, please refer to parameter setting P7 (Section 4.7.2). With this function, all calibration
data is deleted, and the meter restores to the theory value. Some functions restore to the original value. When
calibration or measurement fails, please restore the meter to factory default setting and then perform re-
calibration or measurement. Please note once set the factory default, all the data deleted will be irretrievable.

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4.7 Parameter Setting
Table-9
Symbol
Parameter setting content
Parameter
Factory default setting
P1
Select electrode constant
0.1, 1.0, 10
1.0
P2
Select reference temperature
15 - 30 ℃
25℃
P3
Adjust temperature compensation
coefficient
0.00 - 9.99%
2.00%
P4
Adjust TDS Factor
0.40 – 1.00
0.71
P5
Select temperature unit
℃ - ℉
℃
P6
Clear stored data
No – Yes
No
P7
Restore to factory default
No – Yes
No
4.7.1 How to do the parameter setting:
In measurement mode, long press to enter parameter setting P1. Then press or to
change menu from P1 to P2…P7. For details, please see Table-10.
Table-10 pH Parameter Setting
P1 — Select electrode’s constant（1.0—10.0—0.1）
1. Long press to enter P1
2. Press , “1.0” flashes, press to choose 1.0→10.0→0.1; press
to confirm
3. Press to enter P2 or press to return to measurement mode.
P2—Select reference temperature (25.0℃—18.0℃—20.0℃)
1. Press , “25.0℃” flashes, press or to adjust temp. from 15℃ to
30℃; press to confirm.
2. Press to enter P3 or press to return to measurement mode.
P3—Adjust temp. compensation coefficient (0.00-9.99%)
1. Press , “2.00” flashes, press or to adjust from 0.00-9.99; press
to confirm.
2. Press to enter P4 or press to return to measurement mode.