Xylem WTW pHotoFlex pH User manual

QUICK START GUIDE
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pHotoFlex®pH
LED FILTER PHOTOMETER WITH INTEGRATED pH FUNCTION

pHotoFlex®pH
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Copyright ©2022 Xylem Analytics Germany GmbH
Printed in Germany.

pHotoFlex®pH Contents
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Contents
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Display and socket field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
General operating principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Initial commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Inserting a cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Photometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
pH value / ORP voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Maintenance, cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
What to do if... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
General errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Photometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
pH value / ORP voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
General data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Photometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
pH value / ORP voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Part of the process of consequently improving our products is the continuous
further development of the range of photometric tests offered and the meter
irmware. All current data for the pHotoFlex®pH can be found on the Internet
under www.xylemanalytics.com:
Firmware
Method data
Analysis specifications
Operating manual
You can easily transfer new firmware to your instrument with the aid of the
AK 540/B cable and a PC. More detailed information can be found in the
detailed operating manual on the CD-ROM provided.

Safety pHotoFlex®pH
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Safety
Safety information Safety instructions point out dangers:
NOTE
indicates a possibly dangerous situation where goods might be
damaged if the actions mentioned are not taken.
Safe operation
Authorized use This meter is authorized exclusively for carrying out the following measure-
ments in the laboratory:
Analysis of substances in water and aqueous solutions
using round cells
Concentration measurement
Absorbance and transmission measurement
Only the operation and running of the meter according to the instructions and
technical specifications given in this operating manual is authorized (see
TECHNICAL DATA, page 20).
Any other use is considered unauthorized.
Display and socket field
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 darkness.
WARNING
indicates a possibly dangerous situation that can lead to se-
rious (irreversible) injury or death if the safety instruction is
not followed.
CAUTION
indicates a possibly dangerous situation that can lead to
slight (reversible) injury if the safety instruction is not fol-
lowed.
CAUTION
Danger of eye damage by visible and invisible LED radiation.
In the cell shaft of the Turb 430 IR there are light emitting di-
odes (LEDs) of the 1M class.
Do not look at the radiation using optical instruments.
With normal, authorized use there is no hazard.

pHotoFlex®pH Power supply
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Socket field
Power supply
You can operate the meter either with batteries, rechargeable battery or a
power pack.
The LoBat display indicator appears when the batteries or rechargeable
battery is nearly discharged.
General operating principles
This section contains basic information on the operation of the
pHotoFlex®pH.
Measuring mode \ measured pa-
rameter
Measured value (with unit)
Program and citation form
Diameter of the cell and measur-
ing 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
1 pH electrode
2 pH temperature sensor
3Power pack (9 V DC, see section 7.1)
4 Contact points for operation with the LabStation
5 RS232 (serial) interface
12345

General operating principles pHotoFlex®pH
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Operating modes Measurement
The display indicates measurement data in the measured value display
Calibration
The display indicates a calibration process with calibration information,
or a process to carry out a zero adjustment
Data transmission
The meter transmits measuring datasets or calibration records to the
serial interface
Configuration
The display indicates a menu with further menus, settings and functions
Keypad Select the measuring mode
<M> (long keystroke):
–Photometry
–pH & ORP
Select the measured parameter within a measuring
mode
<M> (short keystroke):
–pH & ORP: pH, ORP
–Photometry:
Concentration, Absorbance, % Transmission
Start calibration (measuring mode pH & ORP)
Start zero adjustment or blank value measurement via
the Photometry \ Adjustment menu
(measuring mode, Photometry)
<CAL/ZERO>
In the Photometry measuring mode: 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>
In the Photometry measuring mode, measured
parameter, Concentration
:
switch over between available citation forms
<FORM>
In the Photometry measuring mode, measured
parameter, Concentration
:
Switch over between available units <UNIT>
.

pHotoFlex®pH General operating principles
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Measured value
display
In the measured value display, you can
select a measuring mode with <M> (long pressure)
select a measured parameter in the active measuring mode (e. g. pH <−
>mV) with <M> (short pressure)
open the menu with <MENU>
switch to the higher Start menu with <ESC>.
Menus and dialogs The menus for settings and dialogs in procedures contain further submenus.
The selection is made with the <V><W>keys.
The current selection is highlighted as white text on a black background.
Menus
The name of the menu is displayed at the upper edge of the frame. Menus
are opened by confirming with <START/ENTER>. Example:
Switch the meter on/off
<ON/OFF>
Output display contents to 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
Photometry
pH & ORP
System
Info
Configuration

General operating principles pHotoFlex®pH
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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
settings 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
immediately carried out by confirming with <START/ENTER>.
Example: display the Calibration record function
(in the pH & ORP / Calibration menu).
Messages
Information or operating instructions are indicated by the isymbol. They
cannot be selected.
Example:
Language:English
Beep:Off
Illumination:On
Contrast:48 %
Temperature unit:°C
Switchoff time:30 min
System
Calibration record
Cal. type: AutoCal
TEC
Calibration interval:007 d
Unit for slope:mV/pH
i2.00 4.01 7.00 10.01
pH & ORP
iBuffer recognition TEC
iImmerse sensor in buffer 1
Set temperature:25 °C
Continue
pH & ORP
The iindicates
info texts, e.g.
messages, notes or
instructions

pHotoFlex®pH Initial commissioning
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Initial commissioning
Switching on the
meter
Press the <ON/OFF> key.
For a few seconds, the Start menu appears with a selection of the measuring
modes. The measuring mode last selected is highlighted.
After a few seconds, the meter automatically switches to the measuring mode
and measured parameter used last.
Setting the
language
The English language is set on delivery. Set a different language as follows:
Setting the date
and time
The date and time are set in the menu,
Configuration / System / Continue ... / Date/time.
Operation
Inserting a cell
To be able to insert cells in the pHotoFlex®pH, the cell shaft has to be
prepared to take in a cell.
1 Open the Configuration menu with the <MENU> key.
2 Open the Configuration / System / Language menu with the
<V><W>and <START/ENTER> keys.
3 Select the required language with the <V><W>keys and confirm
with <START/ENTER>.
4 Quit the menu with the <M> key.
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 10)
1

Operation pHotoFlex®pH
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Inserting a 28 mm
cell
Inserting a 16 mm
cell
2 Insert the cell so that it is positioned on the bottom of the cell shaft.
The cell is ready to be measured.
1 Put the fold-out cell shaft (2) in an upright position until it locks into
place.
2 Pull up the height adapter (3).
The cell shaft is extended.
3 Open the external light cover (4) of the cell shaft.
2
3

pHotoFlex®pH Operation
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Photometry
Measuring the
concentration
4 Insert the 16 mm cell (marking points forward) so that it is positioned
on the bottom of the cell shaft.
5 Close the external light cover (4).
The cell is ready to be measured.
4
1 Press the <M> key (long pressure) repeatedly until the Photometry
measuring mode is selected.
2 Press the <M> key (short pressure) repeatedly until the measured
parameter, Concentration is selected.
Photometry \ Concentration
iSelect program
with <PROG>
01.02.05 15:12
Photometry \ Concentration
iSelect program
with <PROG>
or with ▲ ▼
1: A5/25 MC NH4-N
16 mm 0.20 - 6.51 mg/l
01.02.05 15:12
First concentration measurement
with the pHotoFlex®pH
Second and all further
concentration measurements

Operation pHotoFlex®pH
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Blank value
(reagent blank
value)
A blank value is required for every concentration measurement.
For some programs (methods) for concentration measurement, the blank
values are already stored in the meter. For all other programs, the blank
value has to be determined separately before the first measurement.
From the second concentration measurement, the data of the
program last used is automatically displayed here.
With <V><W>you can quickly switch between the ten
programs last used.
3 Open the Program number display with <PROG>,
enter the required program number with the number keys and
confirm with <START/ENTER>.
or (from the second concentration measurement):
Select a program out of the last ten programs with <V><W>. The
program data is displayed.
If a program number is selected that requires a measured blank
value, the menu automatically guides to the blank value
measurement.
4 Insert the cell (see page 9).
5 Start the measurement with <START/ENTER>.
Measurement is started. The result is displayed.
Photometry \ Concentration
iInsert sample
iStart measurement
with <START>
1: A5/25 MC NH4-N
16 mm 0.20 - 6.51 mg/l
01.02.04 15:12
Photometry \ Concentration
[BV]
0.74 mg/l
1: A5/25 MC NH4-N
16 mm 0.20 - 6.51 mg/l
01.02.04 15:12
A blank value measured by
the user is used

pHotoFlex®pH Operation
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Zero adjustment The zero adjustment, i. e. measuring and storing the absorbance of a cell
filled with water, is necessary after the meter is switched on.
Additionally, we recommend to carry out a zero adjustment if the ambient
temperature has changed.
Only perform the zero adjustment against distilled water in an optically
perfect cell. The zero adjustment must be performed separately for each cell
type.
Zero adjustment /
blank value
measurement
pH value / ORP voltage
You will find more information on blank values in the
photometry analysis manual. A table with the programs
and required blank values can be found in the analysis
specifications.
1 Press the <M> key (long pressure) repeatedly until the
Photometry measuring mode is selected.
2 Press the <M> key (short pressure) repeatedly until the
measured parameter, Concentration is selected.
3 Press the <CAL/ZERO> key.
The menu for adjustment measurements opens up.
4 Using <V><W>and <START/ENTER>, select and start the Zero
adjust. or Measure blank value function.
The menu-guided blank value measurement or zero adjustment
starts.
Follow the instructions on the display.
1 Connect a suitable pH or ORP electrode to the pHotoFlex®pH.
2 Press the <M> key (long pressure) repeatedly until the pH & ORP
measuring mode is selected.
Zero adjust.
Measure blank value
Delete blank value
Photometry \ Adjustment

Operation pHotoFlex®pH
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Measuring the pH
value
Measuring the
ORP
Calibration
1 Immerse the pH electrode in the test sample.
2 Press the <M> key (short pressure) repeatedly until the measured
parameter, pH is selected.
pH & ORP \ pH
6.94
25.0 °C
[AR]
01.02.04 15:12
1 Submerse the ORP electrode in the sample.
2 Press the <M> key (short pressure) repeatedly until the measured
parameter, pH is selected.
pH & ORP \ ORP
157mV
25.0 °C
[AR]
01.02.04 15:12
1 Press the <M> key (long pressure) repeatedly until the pH measuring
mode is selected.
2 Press the <CAL/ZERO> key.
The menu-guided calibration begins.
Follow the instructions on the display.
Calibrate
at regular intervals
after connecting another electrode
when the sensor symbol flashes:
– after the calibration interval has expired
– after voltage interruption (e.g. empty batteries, empty
rechargeable battery)

pHotoFlex®pH Maintenance, cleaning
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Maintenance, cleaning
Maintenance The meter is almost maintenance-free.
The only maintenance task is replacing the batteries or rechargeable battery.
NOTE
Make sure the poles of the batteries are the right way round. The ± signs on
the batteries must correspond to the ± signs in the battery compartment.
End users within the European Union are obligated to return used batteries
(even ecologically compatible ones) to a collection point set up for recycling
purposes.
Batteries are marked with the crossed-out waste container symbol. There-
fore, they may not be disposed with the domestic waste.
Cleaning Occasionally wipe the outside of the meter with a damp, lint-free cloth.
Disinfect the housing with isopropanol as required.
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 compartment.
3 Insert four batteries (3) in the battery compartment.
4 Close the battery compartment and fix it with the screws.
Dispose of used batteries according to the local regulations of
your country.
1
2

Maintenance, cleaning pHotoFlex®pH
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NOTE
The housing components are made out of synthetic materials
(polyurethane, ABS and PMMA). Thus, avoid contact with acetone and
similar detergents that contain solvents. Remove any splashes immediately.
Cleaning the cell
shaft
If liquid is in the cell shaft (e.g. due to a spilled cell), clean the cell shaft as
follows:
Cleaning the cells Cells have to be clean, dry, and free of fingerprints and scratches. Therefore,
clean them regularly:
CAUTION
Cells can contain poisonous or corrosive substances. If the
content is released follow the danger warnings on the cell. If
necessary, take corresponding protective measures
(protective goggles, protective gloves etc.).
1 Switch the pHotoFlex®pH off and pull out the power plug.
2 Rinse the cell shaft with distilled water.
1 Clean the cells inside and out with hydrochloric acid or laboratory
soap.
2 Rinse out several times with distilled water.
3 Let them dry in the air.
4 Only hold the cells by the top or by the light protection cap so that the
optical path is not impaired.
5 Before measuring, clean the cell with the enclosed cleaning cloth.
Scratches in the glass change the optical characteristics of the
cell and falsify the measured value. For this reason, never use
scratched cells!

pHotoFlex®pH What to do if...
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What to do if...
General errors
Display, LoBat
Instrument does
not react
to keystroke
RS232 interface
does not react
Error message,
Error
0, 8, 16, 16384
Photometry
Measuring range
undercut or
exceeded
Cause Remedy
– The batteries or rechargeable
battery are largely depleted
– Insert new batteries
– Charge the rechargeable battery
Cause Remedy
– Software error
– Operating condition undefined
or EMC load unallowed
– Processor reset:
Press the <START/ENTER> and
<PRT> key simultaneously.
Cause Remedy
– Software error
– Operating condition undefined
or EMC load unallowed
– Processor reset:
Press the <START/ENTER> and
<PRT> key simultaneously.
Cause Remedy
– Instrument error – Repeat measurement
– Meter defective,
send meter for repair and quote the
error number
Cause Remedy
– Program not suitable – Select program with suitable
measuring range
– Dilute the sample

What to do if... pHotoFlex®pH
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Obviously
incorrect
measured values
pH value / ORP voltage
Measuring range
exceeded or
undercut
Measured value
display
----
(calibration error)
Cause Remedy
– Measurement disturbed by
external light
– Close the external light cover.
– Cell not correctly inserted – Insert the cell so that it is positioned
on the bottom of the cell shaft.
– Cell contaminated – Clean the cell
– Cell shaft contaminated – Clean the cell shaft
– Dilution set incorrectly – Set the dilution
– Selected program unsuitable – Select other program
– Zero measurement incorrect – Perform zero measurement
– Blank value incorrect – Remeasure the blank value
Cause Remedy
Electrode:
– Air bubble in front of the
junction
– Remove air bubble
– Air in the junction – Extract air or
moisten junction
– Gel electrolyte dried out – Replace electrode
Test sample:
– The pH value lies outside the
measuring range
– not possible
Cause Remedy
Electrode:
– Junction contaminated – Clean junction
– Membrane contaminated – Clean membrane
– Moisture in the plug – Dry plug
– Not enough electrolyte – Top up electrolyte

pHotoFlex®pH What to do if...
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No stable
measured value
Obviously
incorrect
measured values
– Electrode obsolete – Replace electrode
– Electrode broken – Replace electrode
– Socket damp – Dry socket
Calibration procedure:
– Incorrect solution temperature
(without temperature sensor)
– Set up correct temperature
– Incorrect buffer solutions – Select buffer solutions suitable for
the calibration procedure
– Buffer solutions too old – Use only once.
Note the shelf life
Cause Remedy
Cause Remedy
pH electrode:
– Junction contaminated – Clean junction
– Membrane contaminated – Clean membrane
Test sample:
– pH value not stable – Measure with air excluded if
necessary
– Temperature not stable – Temper if necessary
Electrode + test sample:
– Conductivity too low
(e.g. in ultrapure water)
– Use suitable electrode
– Temperature too high – Use suitable electrode
– Organic liquids – Use suitable electrode
Cause Remedy
pH electrode:
– Not connected – Connect electrode
– Cable broken – Replace cable or electrode
– pH electrode unsuitable – Use suitable electrode

Technical data pHotoFlex®pH
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Sensor symbol
flashes
Technical data
General data
– Temperature difference
between buffer and test
sample too high
– Adjust temperature of buffer or
sample solutions
– Measurement procedure not
suitable
– Follow special procedure
Cause Remedy
Cause Remedy
– Calibration interval expired – Recalibrate the measuring system
Dimensions approx. 236 x 86 x 117 mm
Weight approx. 0.6 kg (without batteries)
Mechanical structure Type of protection IP 67
Electrical safety Protective class III
Test certificates CE, FCC
Ambient
conditions
Storage - 25 °C ... + 65 °C
Operation 0 °C ... + 50 °C
Climatic class 2
Allowable relative
humidity
Yearly mean:
30 days /year:
other days:
75 %
95 %
85 %