TPS SmartCHEM-Ion3 User manual

SmartCHEM-Ion3
TPS Pty Ltd
ABN 30 009 773 371
Phone: [phone]
International: 61 732058027
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.tps.com.au

Congratulations!
The smartCHEM-Ion3 is an advanced, high quality Specific Ion, pH, mV & Temperature
instrument. It has three separate channels, each of which can be independently set for Specific Ion,
pH, mV or Relative mV.
Despite its impressive list of features, the smartCHEM-Ion3 is a breeze to operate. This manual
has been designed to help you get started, and also contains some handy application tips. If at any
stage you require assistance, please contact either your local TPS representative or the TPS factory
in Brisbane.
The manual is divided into the following sections:
1. Table of Contents
Each major section of the handbook is clearly listed. Sub-sections have also been included to
enable you to find the information you need at a glance.
1. Introduction
The introduction has a diagram and explanation of the display and controls of the
smartCHEM-Ion3. It also contains a full listing of all of the items that you should have
received with the unit. Please take the time to read this section, as it explains some of items that
are mentioned in subsequent sections.
1. Main Section
The main section of the handbook provides complete details of the smartCHEM-Ion3,
including operating modes, calibration, troubleshooting, specifications, and warranty terms.
1. Appendices
Appendices containing background information and application notes are provided at the back
of this manual.
2

Contents
1. Introduction 5
1.1 smartCHEM-Ion3 Display and Controls 5
1.2 smartCHEM-Ion3 Rear Panel Connectors 5
1.3 Function and Menu Keys 6
1.4 One-touch Keys 6
1.5 Numeric Keypad 6
1.6 Delete Key 6
1.7 240 x 64 Dot Graphic Display 6
1.8 Unpacking Information 7
1.9 Specifications 8
2. smartCHEM-Ion3 Menu Structure 11
3. Specific Ion Mode 13
3.1 Selecting Specific Ion Mode 13
3.2 Setting Specific Ion Standards 14
3.3 Specific Ion Calibration 17
3.4 Specific Ion Calibration Notes 19
3.5 Specific Ion Calibration Messages 21
4. pH Mode 22
4.1 Selecting pH Mode 22
4.2 Selecting the pH Buffer Set 23
4.3 Calibration Buffer Sequence 24
4.4 pH Calibration 26
4.5 pH Calibration Notes 29
4.6 pH Calibration Messages 30
5. Absolute Millivolt Mode 32
5.1 Selecting Absolute Millivolt Mode 32
5.2 Absolute Millivolt Calibration 33
5.3 mV Calibration Notes 34
5.4 mV Calibration Messages 35
6. Relative Millivolt Mode 36
6.1 Selecting Relative Millivolt Mode 36
6.2 Relative Millivolt Calibration 36
6.3 Relative Millivolt Calibration Notes 38
7. Temperature Mode 39
7.1 Temperature Calibration 39
7.2 Temperature Calibration Notes 40
7.3 Calibration Messages 40
7.4 Manual Temperature Setting 41
8. Auto Stability Function (ASF) 42
8.1 ASF During Normal Measurement 42
8.2 ASF During Calibration 42
8.3 ASF with Manual Datalogging 43
8.4 ASF with Automatic Datalogging 44
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9. Display Backlight 45
10. Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) 46
10.1 To recall GLP information on the display 46
10.2 Failed Calibration 47
10.3 Printing GLP Information to the RS232 Port 47
10.4 GLP Calibration Alarm 48
10.5 Instrument Serial Number 49
10.6 Additional GLP Features 50
11. Access Code 51
11.1 Enabling the Access Code System 51
11.2 Using the Access Code System 51
11.3 Changing the Access Code 53
11.4 Disabling the Access Code System 53
12. Datalogging 54
12.1 Manual Datalogging 54
12.2 Automatic Datalogging 54
12.3 Recalling Readings from the Logger 57
12.4 Erasing Records from the Logger 57
12.5 Printing Records from the Logger to the RS232 Port 59
13. RS232 Port 60
13.1 Setting the Baud Rate 60
13.2 Sending Readings to the RS232 Port 60
13.3 RS232 Configuration 60
13.4 Communication and Statistical Software 60
13.5 Commands 61
13.6 Data Format 62
13.7 GLP Data Format 63
13.8 Importing Data into Microsoft Excel 64
14. Recorder Port 67
14.1 Recorder Port Configuration 67
14.2 Recorder Port Specifications 67
15. Setting the Clock 69
16. Initialising the smartCHEM-Ion3 70
17. Instrument firmware version number 70
18. Troubleshooting 71
18.1 General Errors 71
18.2 Specific Ion, pH and mV Troubleshooting 72
18.3 Temperature Troubleshooting 73
19. Appendices 74
19.1 pH Sensor Fundamentals 74
20. Warranty 77
4

1. Introduction
1.1 smartCHEM-Ion3 Display and Controls
1.2 smartCHEM-Ion3 Rear Panel Connectors
Turn the retaining nut clockwise until it clicks into place when plugging in plastic
connectors. This is essential to produce a waterproof seal.
Always replace the waterproof cap when a connector is not in use to maintain
waterproof integrity.
5

1.3 Function and Menu Keys
Press to enter the user-friendly menu system. is also used to step backwards through the
menu one level at a time, and as an “escape” key to quit functions such as calibration, data entry etc.
Press the to function keys to select desired options within the menu system.
Additionally, these keys perform the following function directly in normal measurement mode…
: Press to Zero Relative mV, when Relative mV is selected. See section 6.2.
: Press to start and stop the Automatic Stability Function. See section 8.
1.4 One-touch Keys
: Press to manually record readings into the Logger. See section 12.1.
: Press to transmit current reading plus date and time to the RS232 port. See section 13.2.
: Press to start and stop Automatic Datalogging. See section 12.2.
: Press to accept default values or those entered on the Numeric Keypad.
1.5 Numeric Keypad
Used to enter values during set-up and calibration. A decimal point is provided.
1.6 Delete Key
Press to make corrections to values entered on the Numeric Keypad.
1.7 240 x 64 Dot Graphic Display
Graphic display with large, clear digits and letters. Features a user-friendly menu and
context-sensitive help system. All three channels of Specific Ion/pH/mV/Relative mV plus
Temperature, Date and Time are displayed simultaneously.
Backlight can be set to On, Off or Energy Saver modes. See section 9.
6

1.8 Unpacking Information
Before using your new smartCHEM-Ion3, please check that the following accessories have been
included:
Part No
Standard Kit…
1. smartCHEM-Ion3 Specific Ion pH, mV, Relative mV, Temperature Meter 121164
2. Temperature/ATC Sensor 121248
3. Plug-Pack Power Supply 130037
4. smartCHEM-Ion3 Handbook 130050
Optional sensors that may have been ordered with your smartCHEM-Ion3…
1. Plastic Body pH Sensor, Porous Teflon Double Junction 121207
2. Intermediate Junction pH Sensor 121234
3. Plastic Body Combination Redox Sensor 121262
4. Intermediate Junction Redox Sensor 121263
5. Double Platinum Karl Fischer Sensor 122209
Instrument Options…
1. Flexible arm type sensor holder 130088
2. RS232 Serial Interface Cable 130041
3. Serial to USB adaptor (must also have 130041 Serial Cable) 130087
4. Recorder Output Option (includes cable) 130028
5. WinTPS RS232 Communication software for Windows 95, 98 and ME 130086
A complete range of Ion Selective, Reference, pH and Redox sensors is available from TPS.
7

1.9 Specifications
1.9.1 Specific Ion
Ranges
Resolution
Accuracy
Auto-ranging in units of
ppM, ppK, % and Exponential
Notation
User selectable for 3
significant digits, 2
significant digits or
Auto-rounding.
± Least significant digit
Sensor Type Compatible with all combination and half cell Ion
Selective Sensors for monovalent or divalent anions or
cations.
Input Impedance >3 x 1012 Ohms
Temperature Compensation Automatic, 0 to 100 OC
Calibration Automatic asymmetry and slope calibration in
user-defined standards.
Sensor Asymmetry Range Auto detection at calibration.
Sensor Slope Range 50.0 to 110.0 %
1.9.2 pH
Ranges
Resolution
Accuracy
0 to 14.000 pH
0 to 14.00 pH
0.001 pH
0.01 pH
±0.002 pH
±0.01 pH
Sensor Type Glass bulb pH sensor, combination or half cell.
Input Impedance >3 x 1012 Ohms
Temperature Compensation Automatic, 0 to 100 OC
Calibration Automatic asymmetry and slope calibration.
Automatic Buffer Recognition pH4.01, pH6.86, pH7.00, pH9.18 & pH10.01.
Any other can be entered during calibration.
Sensor Asymmetry Range -1.00 to 1.00 pH
Sensor Slope Range 85.0 to 105.0 %
1.9.3 Absolute and Relative mV
Ranges
Resolution
Accuracy
0 to ± 400.0 mV
0 to ±1500 mV
(auto-ranging)
0.1 mV
1 mV
±0.15 mV
±1 mV
Sensor Type Platinum or Gold tip ORP sensor, combination or half cell.
Ion Selective Sensors can also be used in this mode.
Input Impedance >3 x 1012 Ohms
1.9.4 Temperature
Range
Resolution
Accuracy
-10.0 to 120.0 OC
0.1 OC
±0.2 OC
Sensor Type Silicon transistor
8

Calibration Automatic offset calibration
Sensor Offset Range -10.0 to 10.0 OC
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1.9.5 General Specifications
Memory 1489 readings including date and time
Automatic Logging User-set for one reading every 1 to 90 seconds, minutes or
hours.
RS232 Port 1200, 9600, 19200 & 38400 baud.
8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, XON/XOFF Protocol.
Clock Calendar clock displays date, month, year, hours, minutes
& seconds.
Good Laboratory Practices Date, time and results of last calibration for all parameters
are stored. This information can be recalled or sent to the
RS232 port at any time.
Power 12V DC, 90 mA (backlight off) / 130 mA (backlight on).
AC/DC adaptor to suit country of destination is included
in standard kit.
Dimensions 240 x 180 x 105 mm
Mass Instrument only : Approx. 1.0 kg
Full Kit : Approx. 2.0 kg
Environment Temperature : 0 to 45 OC
Humidity : 0 to 90 % R.H.
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2. smartCHEM-Ion3 Menu Structure
A detailed breakdown of the menu system of the smartCHEM-Ion3 is shown below. This diagram
provides a quick reference for the menu functions available for the smartCHEM-Ion3.
→
F1:Calibrate
→
F1:pH-1, mV-1 or Ion-1
F1, F2 or F3 do not appear in the
menu when that channel is set to
Relative mV mode.
F2:pH-2, mV-2 or Ion-2
F3:pH-3, mV-3 or Ion-3
F5:Temperature
→
F2:Logger
→
F1:Recall
F2:Erase
→
F1:Erase All
F2:Erase Last
F3:Print
F4:Program
→
F1:Secs
F2:Mins
F3:Hours
→
F3:Mode
→
F1:Chan-1
→
F1:0.01pH
F2:0.001pH
F3:mV
F4:Rel mV
F5:Ion
F6:Off
F2:Chan-2
→
F1:0.01pH
F2:0.001pH
F3:mV
F4:Rel mV
F5:Ion
F6:Off
F3:Chan-3
→
F1:0.01pH
F2:0.001pH
F3:mV
F4:Rel mV
F5:Ion
F6:Off
→
F4:Setup
→
F1:Standards
→
F1:Ion-1 **
F2:Ion-2 **
F3:Ion-3 **
F5:pH Buffer
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F2:Clock
F3:Backlight
→
F1:On
F2:Off
F3:Energy Saver
F4: Ports
→
F1:Baud Rate
F3:Recorder *
F5:Initialise
→
F1:All
F2:pH SlopeB ***
→
F5:GLP
→
F1:Recall
F2:Alarm
→
F1:Daily
F2:1 Week
F3:2 Weeks
F4:4 Weeks
F5:OFF
F3:Print
F6:Access
→
F1:Change code
F3:Enable & Enter code or F3:Disable Security
* This function only available when Recorder Port option is fitted.
** These menu options only provided when that channel is set to Specific Ion mode.
*** This menu item is only shown when at least one channel has been 3-point pH calibrated.
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3. Specific Ion Mode
3.1 Selecting Specific Ion Mode
1. Select Specific Ion Mode for Channel 1, 2 or 3.
(e.g. →F3:Mode →F1:Chan-1 →F5:Ion)
2.The Valency selection screen is now displayed…
VALENCY
>F1:+Mono F2:-Mono
F3:++Di F4:--Di
The arrow indicates the current selection.
Press to select Monovalent Cation (e.g. Na+).
Press to select Monovalent Anion (e.g. F-).
Press To select Divalent Cation (e.g. Cu2+).
Press to select Divalent Anion (e.g. S2-).
Press to quit without changing the current setting.
3.The Units selection screen is now displayed…
UNITS
>F1:ppM F2:ppK
F3:% F4:Exponent
The arrow indicates the current selection.
Press to select readout in ppM (parts per Million).
Press to select readout in ppK (parts per Thousand).
Press to select readout in %.
Press to select readout in Exponential units (e.g. Molar).
Press to quit without changing the current setting.
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4.The Ion Resolution screen is now displayed…
Ion Resolution
F1:3 Digit F2:2 Digit
>F3:Auto-Rounding
The arrow indicates the current selection.
Press to select resolution to 3 significant digits. In this mode, the readings may become
slightly unstable towards the end of each decade, due to the logarithmic nature of the sensor
signal.
Press to select resolution to 2 significant digits. Readings in this mode are very stable,
although 1 signficant digit is lost.
Press to select Auto-rounding. Readings in this mode are displayed to 3 signficant digits for
most of the decade, and automatically rounded for stability towards the end of the decade.
Auto-rounding is recommended for most users.
Press to quit without changing the current setting.
5. The smartCHEM-Ion3 now displays the following message, before proceeding to the Specific
Ion standards setup for this channel.
This step is bypassed if there were no changes to the current Specific Ion setup.
New Ion setup,
Must Enter Standards
for this channel
Proceed to section 3.2 for details on setting the Primary and Secondary Specific Ion standards.
3.2 Setting Specific Ion Standards
The Primary and Secondary Specific Ion standards must be set before attempting Specific Ion
calibration. The standards must be re-entered when changing Specific Ion modes or if the
smartCHEM-Ion3 is initialised.
NOTE : When the Specific Ion standards are changed, the Specific Ion readout must be
re-calibrated.
3.2.1 Setting Specific ion standards for ppM, ppK and % readouts
1. Select the Specific Ion standards set-up menu for Channel 1, 2 or 3.
(e.g. →F4:Setup →F1:Standards →F1:Ion-1)
To set Specific Ion standards in units of ppM, ppK or %, that channel must be set to Specific
Ion readout in the corresponding units. Refer to section 3.1 for details on selecting Specific Ion
mode and the desired units.
14

2.The Primary Standard set-up screen will now be displayed.
Enter Primary
Standard:0.00 ppM
Type in the value of the Primary standard, including the decimal point. Use the key to make
any corrections.
Press to save the Primary standard.
Alternatively, press to quit without changing the current setting.
3.The Secondary Standard set-up screen is now displayed.
Enter Secondary
Standard:0.00 ppM
Type in the value of the Secondary standard, including the decimal point. Use the key to
make any corrections.
The Secondary Standard must be at least 2 to 100 times higher or lower than the primary
standard.
Press to save the Secondary standard.
Alternatively, press to quit without changing the current setting.
4.If the Specific Ion standards were changed, the Specific Ion readout must be re-calibrated. The
smartCHEM-Ion3 provides the following prompt as a reminder…
Calibration settings
reset, Channel 1
must be Calibrated
3.2.2 Setting Specific ion standards for Exponential readout
3. Select the Specific Ion standards set-up menu for Channel 1, 2 or 3.
(e.g. →F4:Setup →F1:Standards →F1:Ion-1)
To set Specific Ion standards in Exponential units, that channel must be set to Specific Ion
readout in Exponential units. Refer to section 3.1 for details on selecting Specific Ion mode and
the desired units.
15

1.The Primary Standard set-up screen will now be displayed.
Enter Primary
Standard:0.00 00
Readings in Exponential mode are expressed in Scientific notation. For example, 1.0010–04
should be read as 1.00 x 10-4, ie. 0.0001.
Type in 3 significant digits of the value of the Primary standard. The decimal point is fixed for
you in this mode.
Now press for 10+or press for 10–.
Enter the power. This can be entered as 1 or 2 digits (eg. “04” is treated the same as “4”).
Use the key to make any corrections.
Press to save the Primary standard.
Alternatively, press to quit without changing the current setting.
2.The Secondary Standard set-up screen will now be displayed.
Enter Secondary
Standard:0.00 00
The Secondary Standard must be at least 2 to 100 times higher or lower than the primary
standard.
Type in 3 significant digits of the value of the Secondary standard. The decimal point is fixed
for you in this mode.
Now press for 10+or press for 10–.
Enter the power. This can be entered as 1 or 2 digits (eg. “04” is treated the same as “4”).
Use the key to make any corrections.
Press to save the Secondary standard.
Alternatively, press to quit without changing the current settings.
4.If the Specific Ion standards were changed, the Specific Ion readout must be re-calibrated. The
smartCHEM-Ion3 provides the following prompt as a reminder…
Calibration settings
reset, Channel 1
must be Calibrated
16

3.3 Specific Ion Calibration
1. Plug the Ion Selective Sensor into the relevant pH/mV/Ion BNC socket.
If a separate Reference Sensor is being used, plug this into the separate pH/mV/Ion 4mm
Reference socket provided.
Plug the Temperature sensor into the Temperature socket.
2. Switch the meter on.
3. Select and set up the Ion mode for the relevant channel, as detailed in section 3.1.
Set up the Primary and Secondary Specific Ion standards, as detailed in section 3.2.
For the purposes of this handbook, the smartCHEM-Ion3 has been set up for 10ppM as the
Primary Standard and 100ppM as the Secondary Standard.
4. Ensure that temperature has already been calibrated (section 7.1) or manually set (section 7.4).
NOTE:A“*” in place of the decimal point in the temperature readout indicates that
temperature is not calibrated.
5. Remove the wetting caps from the Ion Selective and Reference sensors, if fitted.
Rinse the Ion Selective, Reference and Temperature sensors in distilled water and blot dry.
Primary Calibration
6. Place the Ion Selective, Reference and Temperature sensors into the Primary Standard.
Ensure that the Ion Selective Sensor sensing surface and the reference sensor’s reference
junction are both covered, as per the diagram below.
Add any Ionic Strength Adjusting Buffer (ISAB) that may be required (see the Ion Selective
Sensor’s handbook).
A magnetic stirrer providing constant, gentle stirring generally improves stability.
Continued over the page…
17

7. Select Primary Calibration for the channel to be calibrated.
(e.g. →F1:Calibrate →F1:Ion-1 →F1:Primary).
The primary calibration screen is now displayed. If the smartCHEM-Ion3 is not currently
Primary calibrated, the Specific Ion reading is replaced by the millivolt signal from the sensor,
along with a flashing “ U” (for Un-calibrated). If the smartCHEM-Ion3 is currently Primary
calibrated, the current reading is displayed on the top left and the actual mV data coming from
the sensor is displayed on the top right.
See the following examples…
Not Primary calibrated…
Currently Primary calibrated…
U 0.0mV
25.0 OC
Ion 10.0 M Cal.
Press Enter
10*0 M 0.0mV
25.0 OC
Ion 10.0 M Cal.
Press Enter
8. Press to calibrate to the Primary Standard value. The Automatic Stability Function will
now show a and highlight any unstable readings…
Not Primary calibrated…
Currently Primary calibrated…
U 0.0mV
25.0 OC
Ion 10.0 M Cal.
Waiting to Stabilise
10*0 M0.0mV
25.0 OC
Ion 10.0 M Cal.
Waiting to Stabilise
When the Specific Ion and Temperature readings have stabilised, the unit will calibrate itself.
To calibrate immediately without waiting for complete stability, press to disable the
Automatic Stability Function.
The smartCHEM-Ion3 will then display the Offset of the Ion Selective Sensor, before
returning to the Ion Calibration menu.
Note that the “ *” will not removed from the Specific Ion readout until a Secondary calibration
has been successfully performed
9. Rinse the Sensors in distilled water and blot dry.
Secondary Calibration
10. Place the Ion Selective, Reference and Temperature sensors into the Secondary Standard.
Ensure that the Ion Selective Sensor sensing surface and the reference sensor’s reference
junction are both covered as per the diagram in step 6.
Ensure that any Ionic Strength Adjusting Buffer (ISAB) that may be required has been added
(see the Ion Selective Sensor’s handbook).
A magnetic stirrer providing constant, gentle stirring generally improves stability.
18

11. Select Secondary Calibration. Simply Select F3:Secondary if the unit is still in the Ion
Calibration menu, or select Secondary Calibration for the channel to be calibrated.
(e.g. →F1:Calibrate →F1:Ion-1 →F3:Secondary).
The secondary calibration screen is now displayed. The current reading is displayed on the top
left, followed by the actual mV data coming from the sensor. A “ *” in place of the decimal
point indicates that the smartCHEM-Ion3 is currently not Secondary calibrated. For
example…
99*0 M 58.5mV
25.0 OC
Ion 100. M Cal.
Press Enter
12. Press to calibrate to the Secondary Standard value. The Automatic Stability Function
will now show a and highlight any unstable readings…
99*0 M58.5mV
25.0 OC
Ion 100. M Cal.
Waiting to Stabilise
When the Specific Ion and Temperature readings have stabilised, the unit will calibrate itself.
To calibrate immediately without waiting for complete stability, press to disable the
Automatic Stability Function.
The smartCHEM-Ion3 will then display the Slope of the Ion Selective Sensor before returning
to the calibration menu.
A “ *” in the display will be replaced by a decimal point after a successful 2-point Slope
calibration.
13. The smartCHEM-Ion3 is now calibrated and is ready for Specific Ion measurements for the
channel that was calibrated. Rinse the Ion Selective, Reference and Temperature sensors in
distilled water and blot dry before placing them into unknown samples.
3.4 Specific Ion Calibration Notes
1. A Primary Calibration should be performed at least weekly. In applications where the reference
sensor junction can become blocked, such as dairy products, mining slurries etc, a Primary
Calibration may have to be done daily.
2. A full Primary and Secondary Calibration should be performed at least monthly. Of course,
more frequent calibration will result in greater confidence in results.
3. All calibration information is retained in memory when the smartCHEM-Ion3 is switched off,
even when the power supply is removed. This information can be recalled or printed later using
the GLP function (see section 10).
19

4. The smartCHEM-Ion3 displays the value of the standard to which it will attempt to calibrate.
Ensure that the standard value displayed corresponds to the standard that you are using. Alter
the Standards set-up if necessary (see section 3.2).
20