Instruction Manual: Turbidimeter
Instruction Manual: Turbidimeter
Instruction Manual: Turbidimeter
Turbidimeter
PLEASE BE ADVISED
In order to determine the true value of the secondary (sealed)
standards, you MUST initially calibrate your turbidimeter with
primary calibration standards. The secondary standards are
tested to be within + 10% of the indicated value. (The testing to
obtain this value was not done on your instrument.)
Due to slight variations in instruments (sample holder, lamp age,
cuvettes, environment) and technique, the true value of the
sealed standards must be established in YOUR instrument. This
procedure will also test for any damage to standards due to
shipping.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
Introduction.......................................................................2
2.0
Theory of Operation............................................................2
3.0
Specifications....................................................................3
4.0
Accessories.......................................................................3
5.0
Meter Familiarity.....................................................................4
6.0
Operation...........................................................................5
7.0
8.0
9.0
Sample Measurement......................................................10
10.0
Measurement Guidelines.....................................................11
11.0
12.0
13.0
Maintenance..................................................................14
14.0
Troubleshooting Guide........................................................15
15.0
16.0
17.0
Batteries..........................................................................18
The battery charger (wall plug adaptor) will recharge the batteries in
about 12 hours. It will not overcharge. No damage will result if the
charger is connected indefinitely. The meter may be stored with the
charger connected.
17.2 Battery Life
Fully charged batteries will operate the portable turbidimeter for
about 3 hours. As the batteries age, this operating time may decline. End of life usually occurs after 1000 discharge/recharge
cycles or when recharging does not result in significant operating
time. At this point, replace batteries.
16.2 Procedure:
16.2.1 Turn the turbidimeter off. Unplug power jack or
disconnect the batteries.
16.2.2 Remove the shroud (for lab models) or black case
(for portable models).
The circuit board is located underneath the display. Locate
trim pot R3 near the top of the circuit board.
16.2.3 Set the turbidimeter down on a flat surface. Plug
the power jack into the unit or reconnect batteries and turn
unit on.
16.2.4 Set the NTU range switch to 0-20. Adjust the SET/
CAL knob to its middle position. Allow the turbidimeter to
warm up for at least 5 minutes.
16.2.5 Clean the 10 NTU secondary standard. Insert
cuvette into the test well and align the cuvette with the test
well. Note the calibrated NTU value of the standard. Cover
with the light shield.
16.2.6 Adjust trim pot R3 with tweaker until the display
reads the approximate calibrated NTU value of the 10 NTU
sealed standard. If the maximum display reading is less
than the calibrated NTU value, adjust trim pot R3 to get the
highest display reading. Then turn the SET/CAL knob
clockwise. If the display reading cannot be adjusted to the
calibrated NTU value of the 10 NTU secondary standard,
the lamp needs to be replaced. See section 15.0.
16.2.7 After the lamp has been adjusted, turn the unit off.
Unplug the power jack or disconnect the battery.
16.2.8 Put the turbidimeter back together.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Your new turbidimeter measures the turbidity or cloudiness, of
water. Light scattering particles suspended in the water cause
this cloudiness. Turbidity is a key indicator of water quality and
can be a key determinant of chemicals needed to reduce suspended solids.
2.0 THEORY OF OPERATION
Turbidity refers to a lack of clarity in a liquid. It is described as
haze, milkiness, or cloudiness. Turbidity in water is caused by
suspended matter such as clay, silt, organic matter, bacterial
colonies, or plankton.
This turbidimeter detects light scattered by a process called
nephelometry. A strong light beam shines up from the bottom of
the sample well through the sample. The particles in the water
cause the light to be scattered in all directions. The light scattered at 90 angles is detected by three photodiodes placed
symmetrically around the well.
The amount of light scattered can then be directly related to the
concentration of the particulate matter. The amount of light
transmitted or scattered is affected by size, color, shape and
concentration of the impurities. If size and shape are relatively
constant, then measuring the light scattered and/or transmitted
can be related to the concentration of the impurities; however,
turbidity measurement is not an exact count of the mass of
suspended impurities. It is a measurement of the amount of light
scattered by the presence of impurities.
The unit of measurement, the nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU),
is arbitrary. Therefore, it is essential to calibrate the measuring
instrument (turbidimeter) to known standards before sample
testing. For water testing, the known standards are formazin or
styrene divinylbenzene polymer standards.
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3.0 SPECIFICATIONS
Readout:
Resolution:
0.1% of Range
Ranges:
Accuracy:
Light Source:
Sample Well:
Size:
Bench
Portable
Weight:
Bench
Portable
Power:
Bench
Portable
4.1 Sample Cuvettes - two 1" diameter glass cuvettes with caps
for sample measurements. Each cuvette is marked approximately 1" from bottom of cuvette with a white dot for alignment
and sample level indication.
4.2 Cuvette Caps - two silicone caps are provided for placing on
the top of the sample cuvettes after a standard or sample is
poured in. Caps prevents contamination and reduce internal
reflections during sample measurements.
4.3 Light Shield - is placed over the cuvette when taking measurements to prevent stray light from entering the test well.
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14.6 Bouncing readings are due to the 3rd digit (1/1000 place)
sensitivity. In the best lab setting, the 0-2 NTU range may vary
+.002 max. For general use, the 0-2 NTU range may vary +.005,
but will be well within regulatory requirements.
15.0 INSTALLING A NEW LAMP
15.2.1 Turn the unit off and unplug the power jack or
disconnect the batteries.
15.2.2 Remove the shroud (for lab models) or black case
(for portable models).
15.2.3 Locate the two lamp wires coming out of the circuit
board near the word lamp.
15.2.4 Use a soldering iron to remove the lamp wires from
the circuit board.
15.2.5 Grab the lamp body sticking out of the optical block
with the pliers. Twist to break the glue seal and pull out.
Scrape excess glue off the optical block.
15.2.6 Clean the new lamp lens with alcohol and insert
into the optical block. Push the lamp in gently until it stops
against the IR filter.
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14.3 Readings are way off and only change when the light
shield is removed.
a. Lamp burnt out?...see Installing A New Lamp.
b. Batteries dead?...Try wall plug adapter and recharge.
When the turbidimeter is not in use, the light shield will prevent
dust from accumulating at the bottom of test well.
<
4.2
<
5.1
<
<
<
4.1
5.3
5.2
<
5.4
5.1 Test Well - one inch diameter well into which a sample
cuvette or sealed standard is placed. A notch is provided at the
front of the test well for cuvette alignment.
6.1.2 Push the wall plug adaptor plug into the jack on the
turbidimeter and plug the wall plug adaptor into an AC outlet.
When using the portable unit, skip this step.
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13.0 MAINTENANCE
20
15
10
20
10
15
Actual Value, NTU
25
NOTE: The linear calibration curves are essential when using the
0-2 NTU range.
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IF your cuvette loses its alignment mark, use the following procedure to realign the cuvette:
a. Fill the cuvette with approximately 5 mL of 10 NTU primary
standard.
b. Place the cuvette in the test well.
c. Cover with the light shield.
d. Check the reading.
e. Remove the light shield and rotate the cuvette 90.
f. Replace light shield and check reading again.
g. Continue rotating cuvette and checking readings, until the
lowest reading is found. NTU values may vary as much as
25% by simply rotating the cuvette 5.
NOTE: This is the spot where the cuvette glass causes the
least interference with the instrument reading. Once the best
alignment is established, make an alignment line or dot on the
cuvette glass. The mark should be 1" or higher from the bottom
of the cuvette. Use a permanent marker or nail polish.
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7.9 Pour the primary standard out of the sample cuvette. Do not
reuse, Primary is now contaminated.
7.10 Prepare the sample cuvette using the 10 NTU primary
standard. (Remember to rinse twice.)
7.11 Change the range switch to 0-20 NTU.
7.12 Insert the sample cuvette into the test well, align cuvette, and
cover with light shield.
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10.10 Gently pour the liquid to be tested down the side of the
tilted cuvette. This reduces the air bubbles which distort the
readings. When using standards, if air bubbles are present allow
the cuvette to sit for 10 minutes and/or gently tap the side of the
cuvette.
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9.6 Clean the outside of the cuvette with a lint free tissue or cloth
and alcohol. Avoid touching the area below the mark as finger
prints can greatly distort the turbidity reading. Using a dry tissue
alone is not adequate for removing finger prints and oils and will
cause inaccurate readings.
9.7 Set the range switch to 0-200 NTU, insert the sample cuvette, align the cuvette in the test well and cover with the light
shield. Switch to the lowest NTU range for which there is a
displayable reading and read the NTU value of the sample.
10.0 MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES
NOTE: When calibrating in the 0-2 NTU range, the 3rd digit ( 1/1000
place) may vary +0.002 in a lab setting and +0.005 outside the
lab.
10.1 The 0-2 NTU range should only used for calibration procedures and LAB testing. Under normal use, the 0-20 NTU range
should be used for all low level sample readings done in the field.
The 0-20 NTU range gives acceptable readings well within EPAs
and other regulatory agencies 2% requirements.
7.14 Remove the primary standard and replace it with the 10 NTU
sealed standard. Align cuvette and cover with light shield.
7.15 Record the NTU value of the sealed standard on the label.
7.16 The secondary standards are now calibrated and can now be
used for daily calibration without using primary standards.
NOTE: The preceding procedure should be performed every three
months, every time a new sample cuvette is used or any time the
sealed standard values are questionable. Repeated use of the
sample cuvettes and sealed standard cuvettes will cause wear
and scratches on the glass which will result in a change in the
assigned value of the standard. It is important to realize that a
change in the assigned value does not necessarily indicate degradation or deterioration of the standard.
10.2 Always use the same cuvette for the standard and the
sample when calibrating with primary standard as long as it
remains scratch free. Remember... no two cuvettes have
identical characteristics.
10.3 Keep cuvettes clean from dust and scratches. Handle the
cuvettes so that no fingerprints can get on the area below the
level mark.
10.4 Make sure the cuvette is indexed (determination of alignment, see section 6.3) and aligned in test well before taking any
readings.
10.5 Insure that the turbidimeter has been warmed up.
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-8-
Always clean cuvettes prior to placing in the test well. Clean the
outside with a soft tissue or cloth and alcohol. Hold the cuvette by
the cap and avoid touching the glass. When not being used, the
secondary standards should be stored where they will not be
scratched or broken.
8.3 When testing samples on the 0 - 2 NTU range, steps 8.3 thru
8.8 may need to be repeated until no further adjustments are
needed
8.4 The turbidimeter is now calibrated to the secondary standard
for this range. You can now proceed to measure unknown
samples.
8.5 The turbidimeter must be recalibrated whenever the range
selection is changed.
8.6 Insert the light block into test well. Cover with light shield. Set
the range switch to 0-2 NTU. Insert the appropriate secondary
standard into the test well and line up the alignment marks. Note
the NTU value obtained when the standard was calibrated to the
primary standard.
8.7 Cover the cuvette with the light shield and use the SET/CAL
control to set the display to the recorded calibrated value.
8.8 Remove the standard.
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9.2 For best results, use the cuvette which was used to calibrated the meter with primary standards. Variations in cuvettes
may cause faulty readings.
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