wtw pHotoFlex STD User manual

OPERATING MANUAL
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pHotoFlex®STD
LED FILTER PHOTOMETER

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pHotoFlex®STD
Copyright © 2020 Xylem Analytics Germany GmbH
Printed in Germany.

pHotoFlex®STD Contents
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Contents
1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.1 General features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2 Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.3 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.4 Socket field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.5 LabStation (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.1 Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.1.1 Safety information in the operating manual . . . . . . . . 10
2.1.2 Safety signs on the meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.1.3 Further documents providing safety information . . 10
2.2 Safe operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2.1 Authorized use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2.2 Requirements for safe operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2.3 Unauthorized use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3 Commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.1 Scope of delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2.1 General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2.2 Inserting/exchanging the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.3 Initial commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.1 Switching on the meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.2 Inserting a cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.3 General operating principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.3.1 Operating modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.3.2 Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.3.3 Navigation example 1: Setting the language . . . . . . . 20
4.3.4 Example 2 on navigation: Setting the date and time . 22
4.3.5 Menu overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.4 System settings (System menu) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.4.1 Measured value memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.4.2 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.4.3 Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.4.4 Date/time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.5 Photometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.5.1 General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.5.2 Settings for photometric measurements . . . . . . 31
4.5.3 Measuring the concentration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.5.4 Blank value (reagent blank value) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.5.5 Standard adjustment (user calibration) . . . . . . . . . . . 36
4.5.6 Absorbance / % Transmission, measuring . . . . . . . . . 39
4.5.7 Zero adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

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4.5.8 Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
4.5.9 Analysis timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.5.10 Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.5.11 Measuring diluted samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4.6 Data memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4.6.1 Storing measurement datasets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4.6.2 Filtering measurement datasets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.6.3 Displaying measurement datasets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4.6.4 Download the measurement datsets to the RS232
interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4.6.5 Erasing stored measurement datasets . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.7 Transmitting data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.7.1 Establishing the connection to a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.7.2 Data transmission with the PC software LS Data . . . . 49
4.7.3 Data transmission with the Excel add-in
MultiLab®Importer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.7.4 Establishing the connection to a printer . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.7.5 Configuration for the data transmission to a terminal
program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.7.6 Transmitting data to a printer or terminal program . . . 52
4.7.7 Examples of data transmitted (printer, terminal
program) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.8 Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.8.1 Resetting the system settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.8.2 Resetting the photometry settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.9 Meter information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.10 Software update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.11 Administrating user-defined methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.11.1 Options for method administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.11.2 Administrating user-defined programs with a terminal
program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5 Maintenance, cleaning, disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.1 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.1.1 Inserting/exchanging the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.1.2 Retrofitting the battery pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5.2 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5.2.1 Cleaning the cell shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5.2.2 Cleaning the cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.3 Packing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.4 Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
6 What to do if... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
6.1 General errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
6.2 Photometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
7 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
7.1 General data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

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7.1.1 pHotoFlex®STD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
7.2 Photometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
8 Accessories and options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
8.1 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
8.1.1 Meter accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
8.1.2 Connection cable: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
8.2 Bar code reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
9 Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
10 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
11 Firmware update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Overview pHotoFlex®STD
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1Overview
1.1 General features
The compact pHotoFlex®STD handheld precision meter enables you to car-
ry out the following measurements quickly and reliably:
Concentration measurements (colorimetric measurements)
Absorbance measurements
Transmission measurements
The pHotoFlex®STD handheld meter provides the maximum degree of ease
of use, reliability and measuring certainty for all applications.
1 Keypad
2 Display
3 Cell shaft
(folded out for a 16 mm cell to be inserted)
4 Connectors
If you need further information or application notes, you can ob-
tain the following material from WTW:
Application reports
Primers
Safety datasheets.
You will find information on available literature in the WTW cata-
log or on the Internet.
STD
1
2
4
3

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1.2 Keypad
Key functions
.
Select the measured variable <M>:
–Concentration
–Absorbance
–% Transmission
Open the menu for adjustment measurements (blank
values, zero adjustment)
<CAL/ZERO>
Select a program for concentration measurement
<PROG>
Open menus / confirm entries /
start measurement
<START/ENTER>
Call up the Configuration menu
(all settings are made here)
<MENU>
Switch over between available citation forms
<FORM>
Switch over between available units <UNIT>
Switch the meter on or off
<ON/OFF>
.

Overview pHotoFlex®STD
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1.3 Display
The graphic display shows all information of the current measurement in the
measured value display. The illumination enables to read the display even in
the dark.
Example
Output the display contents to the RS232 interface
(e.g. print) <PRT>
Open the Store menu: <STO>
Quick storing: 2 x <STO>
Highlight menu items or selection
Set values
<V>, <W>
Switch to the next higher menu level /
cancel input
<ESC>
Keys with an additional number printed on are assigned doubly.
This enables to directly enter numbers in special menus. Thus,
you can, for example, conveniently enter the date and time via
the number keys.
PRT
Measuring mode \ measured
parameter
Measured value (with unit)
Program and citation form
Diameter of the cell and mea-
suring range
Status line with date and time
Photometry \ Concentration
1.29 mg/l
83: A6/25 MC NH4 -N
16 mm 0.20 - 8.00 mg/l
01.02.05 15:12

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1.4 Socket field
1.5 LabStation (optional)
The LabStation, which is available as an accessory, enables you to use the
pHotoFlex®STD conveniently in the laboratory (see LabStation operating
manual).
Laboratory operation with the LabStation enables the following additional
functions:
With photometric measurements, the zero measurement is retained even
after switching the pHotoFlex®STD off and on again
You can connect a barcode reader for the simplified calling up of programs
The LSdata software included serves to easily enter user-defined pro-
grams
Operation with power pack and battery pack (included in the scope of de-
livery of the LabStation). The battery pack in the pHotoFlex®STD is auto-
matically charged as soon as the meter is placed in the LabStation.
1 Contacts for operation on the LabStation
2 RS232 (serial) interface
12

Safety pHotoFlex®STD
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2 Safety
2.1 Safety information
2.1.1 Safety information in the operating manual
This operating manual provides important information on the safe operation
of the meter. Read this operating manual thoroughly and make yourself famil-
iar with the meter before putting it into operation or working with it. The oper-
ating manual must be kept in the vicinity of the meter so you can always find
the information you need.
Important safety instructions are highlighted in this operating manual. They
are indicated by the warning symbol (triangle) in the left column. The signal
word (e.g. "Caution") indicates the level of danger:
CAUTION
indicates a possibly dangerous situation that can lead to slight (revers-
ible) injury if the safety instruction is not followed.
NOTE
indicates a situation where goods might be damaged if the actions mentioned
are not taken.
2.1.2 Safety signs on the meter
Note all labels, information signs and safety symbols on the meter and in the
battery compartment. A warning symbol (triangle) without text refers to safety
information in this operating manual.
2.1.3 Further documents providing safety information
Observe the safety datasheets of the test reagents when working with pho-
tometric test sets.

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2.2 Safe operation
CAUTION
Danger of eye damage by visible and invisible LED radiation. In the cell
shaft there are light emitting diodes (LED) of the 1M class.
Do not look at the radiation using optical instruments.
With normal, authorized use there is no hazard.
2.2.1 Authorized use
This meter is authorized exclusively for the following measurements:
Analysis of substances in water and aqueous solutions
using round cells
Concentration measurement
Absorbance and transmission measurement
The fields of application are mobile use and use in the laboratory. Only the
operation and running of the meter according to the instructions and technical
specifications given in this operating manual is authorized (see chapter
7T
ECHNICAL DATA). Any other use is considered unauthorized.
2.2.2 Requirements for safe operation
Note the following points for safe operation:
The meter may only be operated according to the authorized use specified
above.
The meter may only be supplied with power by the energy sources men-
tioned in this operating manual.
The meter may only be operated under the environmental conditions men-
tioned in this operating manual.
The meter may only be opened if this is explicitly described in this operat-
ing manual (example: Inserting the batteries).
2.2.3 Unauthorized use
The meter must not be put into operation if:
it is visibly damaged (e.g. after being transported)
it was stored under adverse conditions for a lengthy period of time (storing
conditions, see chapter 7 TECHNICAL DATA).

Commissioning pHotoFlex®STD
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3 Commissioning
3.1 Scope of delivery
Handheld meter, pHotoFlex®STD
4 batteries 1.5 V type AA
1 empty cell 16 mm
2 empty cells 28 mm
Microfiber cloth to clean the meter
Compact operating manual
Overview of the keys / available programs
CD-ROM with
– Detailed operating manual
– Photometry analysis manual with analysis specifications
– Software to program user-defined methods
Optional: LabStation with LSdata PC software, battery pack and universal
power pack
3.2 Power supply
3.2.1 General information
The meter is supplied with power by 4 batteries 1.5 V type AA (see
section 3.2.2).
When you are using the LabStation, you can also supply the meter with pow-
er with an battery pack. The battery pack is included in the scope of delivery
of the LabStation and is inserted in the battery compartment instead of the
batteries (see LabStation operating manual).
Automatic switch-
off function
The meter has an automatic switch-off function in order to save the batteries
or battery pack (see section 4.4).
Display illumina-
tion
During operation with the batteries or battery pack the meter automatically
switches off the display illumination if no key is pressed for 30 seconds. The
illumination is switched on again with the next keystroke. The display illumi-
nation can also be switched off completely (see section 4.4.2).
The LoBat display indicator appears when the batteries or battery pack are
nearly discharged.
The optional parts of the scope of delivery are available as acces-
sories (see section 8.1).

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3.2.2 Inserting/exchanging the batteries
NOTE
Make sure that the poles of the batteries are positioned correctly.
The ± signs on the batteries must correspond to the ± signs in the battery
compartment.
1 Open the battery compartment:
– Unscrew the two screws (1) on the underside of the meter,
– Remove the lid of the battery compartment (2).
2 If necessary, take four old batteries out of the battery compart-
ment.
3 Insert four batteries (3) in the battery compartment.
4 Close the battery compartment and fix it with the screws.
1
2

Commissioning pHotoFlex®STD
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3.3 Initial commissioning
Perform the following activities:
For
– Battery operation: Insert the batteries (see section 3.2.2)
– Operation with LabStation and battery pack: Insert the battery pack,
connect the LabStation and insert the meter in the LabStation (see
LabStation operating manual)
Switch on the meter (see section 4.1)
Set the language as necessary (see section 4.3.3)
Set the date and time as necessary (see section 4.3.4)
When you set the language, date and time according to the men-
tioned sections of this operating manual you will quickly become
familiar with the simple operation of the pHotoFlex®STD.

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4 Operation
4.1 Switching on the meter
Switching on Press the <ON/OFF> key.
The Start menu appears for 30 seconds. The status line indicates the meter
designation and the version number of the software.
After a few seconds the meter automatically switches to the measured pa-
rameter used last.
Using <M>, switch between the measured parameters Concentration, Absor-
bance and % Transmission.
Switching off Press the <ON/OFF> key.
Automatic switch-
off function
The meter has an automatic switch-off function in order to save the batteries
or battery pack (see section 4.4). The automatic switchoff switches off the
meter if no key is pressed for an adjustable period.
The automatic switchoff function is not active
if the power is supplied by the LabStation (optional),
if the Timer or Analysis timer function is on.
Photometry
ipHotoFlex V1.70
Start
Photometry \ Concentration
iSelect program
with <PROG>
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Operation pHotoFlex®STD
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Display illumina-
tion with battery-
powered operation
During operation with batteries or battery pack the meter automatically
switches off the display illumination if no key is pressed for 30 seconds. The
illumination is switched on again with the next keystroke.
4.2 Inserting a cell
To be able to insert cells in the pHotoFlex®STD, the cell shaft has to be pre-
pared to take in a cell.
Inserting a 28 mm
cell
1 Push the dust cover (1) upward.
The cell shaft for 28 mm cells is open.
Insert a 28 mm cell (see below)
Insert a 16 mm cell (see page 17)
1
2 Insert the cell so that it is positioned on the bottom of the cell
shaft.
The cell is ready to be measured.

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Inserting a 16 mm
cell 1 Put the fold-out cell shaft (2) in an upright position until it locks into
place.
2 Pull upwards the height adapter (3).
The cell shaft is extended.
3 Open the external light cover (4) of the cell shaft.
2
3
4

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4.3 General operating principles
This section contains basic information on the operation of the
pHotoFlex®STD.
Operating ele-
ments,
display
An overview of the operating elements and the display is given in section 1.2
and section 1.3.
Operating modes,
navigation
An overview of the operating modes of the pHotoFlex®STD and the naviga-
tion through menus and functions can be found in section 4.3.1 and
section 4.3.2.
4.3.1 Operating modes
The instrument has the following operating modes:
Measuring
The meter determines measurement data and displays the results in the
measured value display
Calibrating
The meter carries out a blank value measurement or zero adjustment
Data transmission
The meter transmits datasets to the serial interface
Configuration
The display indicates a menu with further menus, settings and functions
4 Insert the 16 mm cell (marking points to the front) so that it is posi-
tioned on the bottom of the cell shaft.
5 Close the external light cover (4).
The cell is ready to be measured.
For optimum measurement results, the cell must always be cov-
ered by the external light cover. Otherwise, the external light can
falsify the measurement result.

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4.3.2 Navigation
Measured value
display
In the measured value display, you can
select the measured parameter with <M>:
–Concentration
–Absorbance
–% Transmission
open the menu with <MENU>
switch to the superordinate Start menu with <ESC>.
Menus and dialogs The menus for settings and dialogs in procedures contain further subele-
ments. The selection is done with the keys <V><W>.
The current selection is displayed inverse.
Menus
The name of the menu is displayed at the upper edge of the frame. Menus
are opened by confirming with <START/ENTER>. Example:
Settings
Settings are indicated by a colon. The current setting is displayed on the
right-hand side. With <START/ENTER>, the selection of the possible set-
tings is opened. Subsequently, the setting can be changed with <V><W>
and <START/ENTER>.
Example:
Functions
Functions are designated by the name of the function. They are immedi-
ately carried out by confirming with <START/ENTER>.
Example:
Photometry
Timer
System
Info
Configuration
Illumination:Auto off
Contrast:50 %
Brightness:50 %
Display

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Messages
Information or operating instructions are designated by the isymbol.
They cannot be selected.
4.3.3 Navigation example 1: Setting the language
The following example describes in the language of the country how to set
the language. On delivery, English is set as the language in the
pHotoFlex®STD. During initial commissioning, the language setting is done
in the menu, Configuration / System / Language.
The principles of navigation are explained in the two following
sections by reference of examples:
Setting the language (section 4.3.3)
Setting the date and time (see section 4.3.4).
1 In the measured value display:
Using <MENU>, open the Configuration menu.
The instrument is in the configuration mode.
2 Select the System menu with <V><W>.
The current selection is displayed in reverse video.
3 Using <START/ENTER>, open the System menu.
i83: A6/25 MC
Celli= 16 mm
iInsert blank sample
Start measurement
Measure blank value
i83: A6/25 MC
Celli= 16 mm
iInsert blank sample
Start measurement
Measure blank value