Accumet

Basic pH Meter
User's Guide

See

Fisher Scientific
300403.1
Rev. D

B a s i c pH Meter Quick Reference

Power
1. Connect power cable to meter power
jack and to AC power source.

2. Connect the glass electrode to the input

and ATC connectors, or the FET electrode
to the FET connector.

rel mV pH

Standardizing

pH/mV

3. Press pH/mV until the display indicates

the appropriate measurement mode.

Standardize

4. Standardize the meter using up to three

buffers by immersing the electrode in a
buffer, then pressing Standardize to
enter each buffer.

%slope

Clear
Sat Buffers

Measuring

Setup

oo# o
5. The display shows the current reading
in pH, mV, or relative mV units.

6. Press Setup to review electrode calibration

and to clear or select buffer sets.

Table of Contents
Getting Started

Learning the front panel controls

Learning the digital display
Learning the rear panel connectors
Connecting to a power source

Installing and Maintaining Electrodes

Preparing glass electrodes

Installing the combination glass pH electrode
Installing the FET pH electrode
Installing ORP or ISE electrodes
Rinsing electrodes
Storing electrodes

Standardizing for pH Measurement

Entering buffers
The diagnostic electrode test
Standardizing tips
Selecting buffers based on 20C or 25C

Using Setup

Clearing Buffers
Reviewing electrode standardization
Selecting buffer sets

Standardizing for Millivolt Measurement (Relative Millivolts)

Entering a millivolt standard

Clearing a millivolt standard

Measuring pH or Millivolts
Understanding pH Theory

8
9

Defining pH
Measuring pH

Troubleshooting

11

The "Error" Icon

The "CAL Error" Icon
The "Err C" Icon
The "Electrode Error" Icon
Electrode testing
Meter Operation testing
Meter Specifications

Quick Reference
,
Technical Assistance
Warranty Information
Accessories

12

.. Inside
,.. Inside
,.. Inside
Outside

Front
Back
Back
Back

Cover
Cover
Cover
Cover

Page 1

Getting Started

Temperature
Stability Icon

Digital Display

Mode
Icons

l O O - O o c L f /
%slope rel mV pH ^
1

Setup

pH/mV

Standardize

Enter

1. Learn the Front Panel Controls.

FET
Electrode

-180.0.0

Good Electrode ErrorFET]

Standardizing
Clear
Measuring "SetBuffers
14 7101!
13111111
MS 4J0F1 SAG 118 12.48
I J m U J U J l 13318.76

Electrode
Check
Icons

Result

Prompts

Buffer Icons

2. Learn the Digital Display.

erature
Probe

T e m p

Power

Reference
Electrode

Glass pH or
ISE Electrode

3. Learn the Rear Panel Connectors.

4. Connect the Power Cable to the rear

panel power jack and to a power
source.

Page 2

Installing and Maintaining Electrodes

This meter allows you to use two types of pH electrodes: the pH glass electrode and the AccuFET
field effect transistor (FET) pH electrode. If both types of pH electrodes are installed, the meter will
read the FET electrode. Note: If both electrodes are connected to the meter, do not put them In
a solution together because you will get Inaccurate
measurements.

1. Remove protective end cover

from electrode. Before first
using your glass pH electrode,
or whenever the electrode is
dry, soak it overnight in electrode filling solution or in a
KCI solution.

4. Option: Install ORP or Ion

Selective Electrode pairs by
removing the shorting cap on
the BNC input connector and
plugging the electrode into the
BNC input connector. If a
combination electrode isn't
used, plug the reference
electrode into the ref pin.

2. Remove shorting cap on BNC

input connector. Install the
combination glass electrode
by plugging it into the BNC
input connector (twisting to
lock in place), and into the
ATC temperature connector
on the back panel of the
meter.

5. Rinse and blot-dry (don't

wipe) electrodes between
each measurement. Rinse
electrodes with distilled or
deionized water, or a portion
of the next solution to be
measured.

3. Option: Install the optional

FET electrode by plugging it
into the FET jack on the back
meter panel. Allow the FET to
warm up one minute before
use.

6. Store glass and FET pH

electrodes in electrode filling
solution or a KCI solution.
Always leave the filling hole
open and refill with filling
solution when the internal
solution level gets low.

Page 3

Standardizing for pH Measurement

Because electrodes vary in their response, you must standardize your pH meter and electrode to
compensate for electrode variation. The more frequently you standardize, the more accurate your
measurements. Standardize daily, or more often, for accurate results.
This meter allows for automatic calibration using up to three buffers. After you have entered three
buffers, the fourth buffer you enter will replace the existing buffer farthest in pH value from the new
buffer. This meter will automatically correct for temperature.

pH

PH

4.12

Clear
Buffer*

pH/mV

Setup Enter

ooo O O i i

1. Immerse electrode in a
buffer solution. Stir.

2. Press and release the pH/mV

button until your digital display indicates pH mode. This
button toggles between pH
and mV modes.

pH

PH

%slope

100.0

Standardize

otoo
4. Press Standardize. The
meter recognizes the buffer
and flashes a buffer icon.
When the signal is stable,
or when you press Enter,
the buffer is entered.

Page 4

3. Clear existing buffers when

doing a new 2 or 3 point
standardization. Use the
Setup button to clear existing buffers and to select a
set of buffers (see page 6).

5. The meter displays the %

slope of the electrode as
100.0 %. On entering a
second or third buffer, the
meter performs a diagnostic
check on the electrode (see
page 5, steps 7 & 8).

7.00
4 7

Standardize

otoo
6. To enter a second buffer,
place the electrode in the
second buffer solution and
press Standardize again.
The meter recognizes the
buffer and displays the first
and second buffer icons.

%slope

PH

%slope

82.3

99.4
Good Electrode
47

Electrode Error
4

7. Next, the meter performs a

diagnostic test of the electrode. The display indicates
either Good Electrode or
Electrode Error. The meter
also displays the % slope of
the electrode.

22.5C
PH

10.03
Manuring

4710

10. After entering each buffer,

the Standardizing icon goes
off and the Measuring icon
appears on the display to
indicate that the meter
returns to Measuring.
Note: the meter continually
adjusts for temperature.
Therefore, buffers may vary
slightly from the nominal values
because of temperature
variations.

8. Electrode Error indicates

that your electrode is not
working properly. The
electrode response must
be between 90 and 105%
slope. Measurements
causing Electrode Error
are not accepted, used or
stored by the meter (see
Troubleshooting, page 11)

10.00
4710

Standardize

otoo
9. To set a third standard,
place electrode in the third
buffer solution and press
Standardize. The results
will be the same as in steps
6 and 7, except the display
will show three buffer icons.

25C
MBufcr
2471012

Standardize Setup

o##o
11. The first set of buffers in the
meter is used at 25C in North
America and, typically, at
20C in Europe. In pH mode,
press Standardize and Setup
together to show the current
buffer temperature setting.
Press both Standardize and
Setup again to toggle
between the temperature
settings. Press Enter to
select the displayed temperature setting and return to
Measuring.

12. Standardize your meter

and electrode using at least
two buffers with pH values
bracketing the expected pH
of your samples.
Stirring with a magnetic stir
bar and stirrer provides
faster electrode response.

Page 5

Using Setup
The Setup button lets you clear all the buffers you have entered, review calibration information, or select
the buffer set you want. Note: You can escape setup mode at any time by pressing pH/mV.

PH

%slope

%slope

99.4
Clear
Buffer*

Setup

ooto
1. Press Setup and the meter
displays a flashing Clear
Buffers icon. Use this step
only when you wish to clear
all buffers you have entered.
To clear all existing buffers,
press Enter. The meter clears
all buffers and returns to
Measuring.

pH

Set Buffer*
2471012

Setup

Good Electrode
47

Setup

2. Press Setup again to show

electrode performance. If
the meter has accepted an
electrode and buffers, it will
display Good Electrode,
display the slope between
the first and second buffer,
and display the two buffer
icons.

PH

Set Buffer*
1 S B B 10 13

Setup Enter

5. Press Enter to select the set

of buffers shown on the display.
OR
Press Setup again to view
the next set of buffers.
Continue pressing Setup to
view the third and fourth
buffer sets.

Page 6

710

Setup

OOi o OOi o

oo#o O O i t
4. Press Setup again to display
a flashing Set Buffers icon
and to display the first buffer
set icons.

98.7
f-y _ _ J Bgl . i i

UOOQ CMODDOS

3. Pressing Setup again shows

the electrode slope between
the second and third buffers
(if three buffers have been
entered) and shows the
second and third buffer icons.

PH

Set Buffer
mitiMM.uii.4i

Setup Enter

ooii

6. Press Enter to select the

displayed buffer set that
contains the buffer you
want to use.
Press Setup again, or press
pH/mV at any time, to return
to Measuring.
Note: You may mix buffers
from different sets.

Standardizing for Millivolt Measurement (Relative Millivolts)

You will use millivolt measurement primarily for measuring ion concentration and for measuring
redox potential (also called ORP, oxidation reduction potential).
You will normally use an ion selective electrode (ISE), combined with a reference electrode, to
measure ion concentration. The ISE senses the ion concentration and responds with a millivolt
potential. The millivolt readings are then used to calculate ion concentration.
You will normally use a platinum indicator electrode, combined with a reference electrode, to measure redox potential (ORP). ORP measurements indicate the oxidizing or reducing capability of a
solution. You can use ORP values to monitor or control solutions requiring a set amount of oxidants
or reductants.

mV

mV

100.0

100.0

Standardizing

pH/mV

ooo

1. Immerse electrode in a
standard solution.

2. Press pH/mV until your meter

display indicates mV mode.

Standardize

otoo
3. Press Standardize to enter a
mV standard and read relative
mV.
Note: Relative mV mode is not
allowed with the FET electrode.

mV

relmV

rel mV

0.0
Measuring

4. When the signal becomes

stable, or when you press
Enter, the current absolute
mV value becomes zero
relative millivolts.

100.0
Clear

Setup

ooto
5. To clear a mV offset and
return to absolute millivolt
mode, press Setup. The
meter displays a flashing
Clear icon, and the current
relative millivolt offset.

Meaauring

Enter

OOO

6. To clear your previous mV

standard, press Enter.
You then return to absolute
mV mode.

Page 7

Measuring pH or Millivolts

Standardizing

Standard rza

otoo
1. Standardize your meter
following the instructions
beginning on page 4 for pH
or page 7 for millivolts.

2. Rinse electrode and

immerse in your sample
solution. Stir moderately.

rel mV pH

3. Press pH/mV until your

digital display indicates
the correct mode (pH,
mV, or rel mV).

Glass <3=

=-> FET

Err
Electrode Error

Measuring

The display shows the

current reading in pH, mV,
or relative mV units. When
the signal is stable, the
meter displays the S (for
stable) icon. The S icon
means the signal is changing by less than 0.007 pH or
0.08 mV from the prior reading.

Page 8

You may receive an out of

range error, Err, if your
electrode is not immersed in
a solution. To correct the error,
immerse electrode in a
solution.

PH
47

PH
47 10

Separate calibrations for

the glass and FET electrodes are stored in memory.
Plugging the FET in recalls
its' calibration, unplugging
the FET recalls the glass
electrode calibration.

Understanding pH Theory
Defining pH
The measurement of pH plays an important role in identifying and controlling acidity and alkalinity
levels for industry and research. pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution and can be
represented by this equation:
+

pH = -log [ H ]
+

with [ H ] representing the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution. pH is sometimes referred
to as the power of the hydrogen ion in a solution.
By using a pH meter, you can determine exact pH levels of solutions. For example, rather than say
that lemon juice is quite acidic, you can say that lemon juice has a pH of 2.4. An exact pH value can
be used to control or measure acidity levels for manufacturing processes or for basic research.
pH values generally range from 0 to 14, with a pH value of 7 being the neutral point, or the value of
pure water. The pH values above the neutral point represent increasing alkalinity, whereas pH
values below the neutral point represent increasing acidity (Figure 1).

6
_

more acidic

"

7
1

I
PH

I Strong Base

Ammonia

Baking Soda

Pure Water

Coffee

Tomato Juice

Lemon Juice

Neutral

10

11

12

13

14

more basic

Figure 1. A phi scale showing the relative acidity or basicity of some common

substances.

Page 9

Measuring pH
To measure pH with a conventional glass pH electrode, the meter uses a pH-sensing glass bulb
electrode that is sensitive to hydrogen ions. The potential developed at the glass bulb is directly
related to the pH of the solution.
The glass bulb electrode is paired with a reference electrode which completes the electrical measuring circuit and provides a stable reference point. These two electrodes are joined to create a
combination electrode (Figure 2). The combination glass electrode is connected to the pH meter
which reads the voltage, converts it to pH units, and displays the result.

Glass
Membrane

Reference
Electrode
(outer body)

Glass Electrode
(inner body)

-Porous
Junction

Glass
Membrane

Temperature
Sensor

Figure 2. The Combination Glass pH

Electrode.

This meter can also use a field effect transistor (FET) electrode for measuring pH. The FET uses an
ion-sensitive solid state membrane attached to the transistor to measure the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution. The FET is paired with a reference electrode and counter electrode that maintain a constant potential while the FET responds to the sample (Figure 3).

pH-Sensitive
Membrane

Reference
Electrode \

Counter
Electrode

*1

FET
Figure 3. The FET electrode.

Page 10

Temperature
Sensor

Annular
Porous
Junction

Troubleshooting

Err
Electrode Error

Electrode Error

1. If the signal from the

electrode is out of range, the
display will show Err. This
may happen when the
electrode is not in a solution.

The meter will display

Electrode Error when it
detects an error in electrode response. During
standardization, the message indicates that the
electrode is less than 9 0 %
or more than 105% of the
correct response. The
Electrode Error message
can indicate either a bad
electrode or bad buffer(s).

If the meter detects an error

in the temperature probe,
the display shows Err C. If
you do not use a temperature probe, the meter uses
the default temperature
that you set to either 20C
or 25C (see page 5, step
11).
0

Electrode Test
pH 7

0 30 mV

pH4

159 to 186 mV
more than pH 7

pHIO

COL
Error

159 to 186 mV
less than pH 7

4. To test the pH electrode,

place it in a good pH 7
buffer. Press pH/mV to
use the mV mode, and
note the millivolt reading.
Repeat for either a pH 4
or pH 10 buffer. The electrode signal must be
within the limits shown
above (when temperature
is near 25C).

5. To test the meter for correct operation, install the

BNC (input) shorting cap.
Press pH/mV to use the mV
mode, and note the mV
reading. If the meter reads
0 0.5 mV, it is measuring
correctly.

6. If the meter detects a loss

of calibration or a hardware
error during its power-up
self-test, the display shows
CAL Error. This means the
mV accuracy may be
reduced, but pH accuracy
after standardization will be
the same. Press enter to
continue using the meter.
If recalibration is desired,
contact Technical S u p p o r t

Page 11

[
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Technical Assistance
1.

For t e c h n i c a l a s s i s t a n c e , first call t h e C o l e - P a r m e r A p p l i c a t i o n Specialist at

1-800-323-4340.
2. If y o u n e e d a d d i t i o n a l help, call Technical S u p p o r t at t h e factory at 1 - 8 0 0 - 3 2 1 1135.
3. If y o u n e e d to return y o u r m e t e r for s e r v i c e , y o u m u s t o b t a i n a Return
A u t h o r i z a t i o n N u m b e r f r o m D e n v e r I n s t r u m e n t C o m p a n y . Please p a c k
t h e meter carefully a n d i n c l u d e a note indicating t h e Return A u t h o r i z a t i o n
N u m b e r , t h e p r o b l e m , a n d y o u r n a m e , a d d r e s s , a n d p h o n e number. A l s o ,
p l e a s e write t h e Return A u t h o r i z a t i o n N u m b e r on t h e o u t s i d e of t h e s h i p p i n g
carton.
Ship to:

Denver Instrument Company

6 5 4 2 Fig Street
Arvada, Colorado 80004

Two Year Limited Warranty

The manufacturer warrants to the original retail purchaser, for a period of two years from the date of invoice that the accumet product is free from defects in material and workmanship. In the event of failure within the warranty period, the manufacturer will repair or replace at its option, a defective product when used under normal laboratory conditions and in accordance with the operating limitations and maintenance procedures as outlined in the instructions manual and when not
having been subjected to accident, alteration, misuse, or abuse. The defective product, accompanied by a Return Authorization Number, must be delivered to the manufacturer (or its authorized dealer), freight prepaid and securely packaged,
during the warranty period by the original purchaser of the unit. THE MANUFACTURER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE
PURCHASER OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY LOSS, INCONVENIENCE, OR DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHERWISE, RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY OR ANY
ACT OF OMISSION OF THE MANUFACTURER, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER: THIS WARRANTY IS MADE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED,
OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
AND DESIGN AND ALL WARRANTIES ARISING FROM THE COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the limitations or exclusion above may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Fisher Scientific
Accumet Basic pH Meter
For t e c h n i c a l a s s i s t a n c e , call t h e E l e c t r o c h e m i s t r y Hotline or contact T e c h nical S u p p o r t at t h e factory.
Call our Electrochemistry Hotline with your electrochemistry questions or to
order your free Fisher Electrode Handbook. T h e Fisher Electrode h a n d b o o k
gives y o u additional information about practical theory and use of meters
and electrodes.

Electrochemical Question?
Call Fisher Scientific's Electrochemical

HOTLINE
1-800-388-8355
Excellence in Serving Science.. Since 1902

Accessories
You can order the following accessories for your pH meter:
pH/ATC electrode
AccuFET electrode
ATC temperature probe
Free-standing electrode arm with base
Meter lock-down device
Other electrodes, such as ion selective
electrodes and redox electrodes

Note the f o l l o w i n g for y o u r

Model #:

records:

A c c u m e t Basic pH Meter

Serial #:
Purchase Date:

13-620-530
13-620-758
13-620-19
13-635-152
36800110.1