Apera Instruments PC60 Premium Multi-Parameter Tester

Upgrade Note

The new PC60 Tester comes with an upgraded probe structure, which is equipped with a sensor shield that prevents the glass bulb breakage from accidental collision. Users can remove the shield when cleaning the sensor and put it back on after cleaning.

1. Battery Installation

Please install batteries according to the following steps. ⚠️ Please note direction of batteries: All POSITIVE SIDES (“+”) FACING UP. (Wrong installation of batteries will cause damage to the tester and potential hazards)

1. Pull the battery cap up
2. Slide the battery cap along to the direction of arrow
3. Open the battery cap
4. Insert the batteries (ALL POSITIVE SIDES FACING UP)
5. Close the battery cap
6. Slide and lock the battery cap along to the direction of arrow
7. Fit the tester's cap while making sure to push all the way down. The tester's waterproof design may be compromised if the cap is not fitted correctly.

2. Keypad Functions

Short press: < 2 seconds, Long press: > 2 seconds

Device Layout: The tester features a Battery compartment, LCD screen, Buttons (MEAS, MODE, CAL), Probe Cap, Probe, and pH Sensor/BPB Sensor.

3. Complete Kit

The complete kit typically includes:

• PC60 Tester
• Lanyard
• Storage Solution (3M KCL)
• pH Calibration Bottles (pH 4.00, 7.00)
• Conductivity Calibration Bottles (1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm)
• AAA Batteries

4. Preparation Before Use

If it is first-time use or the tester hasn't been used for a long time, pour some 3M KCL solution in the probe cap (about 1/5 of the probe cap) and soak the probe for 15-30 minutes. When not in use, store the pH probe in the storage 3M KCL solution in the probe cap to keep the sensor's accuracy. Even if stored dry, it will only temporarily cause the probe to lose its sensitivity, which can be restored by soaking in the storage solution. The storage solution is 3M KCL (potassium chloride). If the soaking solution becomes contaminated, replace with new ones timely. DO NOT use any other brand's storage solutions as this may cause permanent damage to the meter.

5. pH Calibration

Things needed in addition to what's in the box:

• A clean cup
• Distilled water (8-16oz)
• Tissue papers for rinsing and drying the probe

Calibration Steps:

1. Short press [MEAS] to turn on the meter. Rinse the probe in distilled water, shake the meter in the air, and use tissue paper to dab off excess water (never rub or wipe the sensor).
2. Pour a suitable amount of pH 7.00 and pH 4.00 buffer solution into separate calibration bottles.
3. Long press [CAL] to enter calibration mode; Short press [MEAS] to exit.
4. Dip the probe in pH 7.00 buffer solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still until a stable reading is reached. When the stable icon ? is displayed on the LCD screen, short press [CAL] to complete 1-point calibration. The tester returns to measurement mode, and the indication icon [M] will appear at the bottom left of the LCD screen.
5. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it. Long press [CAL] to enter calibration mode. Dip the probe in pH 4.00 buffer solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still. When the stable icon ? is displayed, short press [CAL] to complete 2-point calibration. The tester returns to measurement mode, and indication icons [L] [M] will appear at the bottom left of the LCD screen.
6. If necessary, rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it, and dip the probe in 10.01 buffer solution (sold separately) to complete 3rd point calibration according to the steps in 5.5. Indication icons [L] [M] [H] will appear at the bottom left of the LCD.

Notes:

• The tester automatically recognizes pH buffer solutions. Users can perform one, two, or three-point calibration. For the 1st point calibration, only 7.00 pH solution can be used. Then use other buffer solutions for 2nd or 3rd point calibration. The tester recognizes 5 kinds of pH buffer solutions.
• For pH Calibration buffer solutions, replace new buffer solution after 10 to 15 uses to maintain accuracy. Do NOT pour used calibration solutions back into the bottles to prevent contamination.
• This pH probe will NOT give accurate readings for distilled or deionized water due to insufficient ions. Specialized pH probes are needed for such measurements. Contact info@aperainst.de for details.
• When testing purified water (spring or drinking water), readings may take longer to stabilize (3-5 minutes) due to fewer ions.
• Do NOT store the pH probe in distilled water to prevent permanent damage.
• Self-Diagnosis Information:
  • Er1: Wrong calibration solution or range exceeds standard. Check if calibration solution is correct (1st point must be pH 7.00), check if electrode is damaged, or check for air bubbles in the pH sensor.
  • Er2: Button pressed before measurement is stable. Wait for the stable icon ? to appear and then press [CAL].
• If an air bubble is found in the pH sensor's glass bulb, shake the probe gently to remove it.
• The 1st point calibration must be 7.00 pH. Perform the 2nd point calibration (4.00 pH) immediately after. Do NOT turn off the meter before the 2nd point calibration. If the meter is turned off after the 1st point, restart calibration with 7.00 pH first, then 4.00 pH. Calibrating directly in pH 4.00 after turning the meter off and on will cause Er1.

6. pH Measurement

Short press [MEAS] to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it. Dip the probe in the sample solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still in the solution. Get readings after the stable icon ? comes up and stays.

7. Conductivity Calibration

1. Press [MODE] to switch to conductivity measurement mode. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it.
2. Pour a suitable amount of 1413 µS/cm and 12.88 mS/cm conductivity calibration solution into separate calibration bottles.
3. Long press [CAL] to enter calibration mode, short press [MEAS] to exit.
4. Dip the probe in 1413 µS/cm conductivity calibration solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still until a stable reading is reached. When the stable icon ? appears and stays on the LCD screen, short press [CAL] to complete one-point calibration. The tester returns to measurement mode, and indication icon [M] will appear at the bottom left of the LCD screen.
5. After calibration, dip the probe in 12.88 mS/cm conductivity calibration solution. If the value is accurate, 2nd point calibration is not necessary. If inaccurate, follow steps 7.3 to 7.4 to complete 2nd point calibration using the 12.88 mS/cm buffer solution.

* 1000 µS/cm = 1 mS/cm

8. Conductivity Measurement

Press [MEAS] to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it. Dip the probe in sample solution, stir gently, and allow it to stand still until a stable reading is reached. Get readings after the stable icon ? comes up and stays. Press [MODE] to switch from Conductivity to TDS, and Salinity.

Notes:

• TDS and Salinity measurements are converted from conductivity measurements via a conversion factor.
• The tester can calibrate with 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, and 12.88 mS/cm conductivity calibration solutions. Users can conduct 1 to 3 points calibration. Calibrating with 1413 µS/cm conductivity buffer solution usually meets testing requirements.
• The tester is calibrated before leaving the factory. Users can generally use it directly or test conductivity buffer solutions first. If the error is large, calibration is needed.
• For conductivity calibration solutions, replace new solutions after 5 to 10 uses to maintain accuracy. Do NOT pour used calibration solutions back into bottles.
• Temperature Compensation Factor: The default setting is 2.0%/°C. This can be adjusted in parameter setting P4.
• Temperature Compensation Factors for various solutions:
  • NaCl: 2.12%/°C
  • 5% NaOH: 1.72%/°C
  • Dilute ammonia: 1.88%/°C
  • 10% Hydrochloric acid: 1.32%/°C
  • 5% Sulfuric acid: 0.96%/°C
• 1000 ppm = 1 ppt
• TDS and conductivity are linearly related with a conversion factor of 0.40-1.00 (default 0.71). Salinity and conductivity are linearly related with a conversion factor of 0.5. Calibration is only needed in Conductivity mode; the meter can then switch to TDS or Salinity.
• Conversion Example: If conductivity is 1000 µS/cm, default TDS is 710 ppm (with 0.71 factor), and salinity is 0.5 ppt.
• Self-Diagnosis Information:
  • Er1: Wrong conductivity buffer solution or range exceeds meter's recognizable range. Check buffer solution correctness and electrode condition.
  • Er2: Button pressed before measurement is stable. Wait for the stable icon ? and then press [CAL].

9. Parameter Setting

9.1 Setting Chart

9.2 Parameter Setting

When turned off, long press [MEAS] to enter parameter setting. Short press [MODE] to switch between P1-P8. Short press [CAL] to choose parameter, parameter flashes. Short press [MEAS] to confirm. Long press [MEAS] to turn off.

9.3 Parameter Setting Instruction

• Select standard pH buffer solution (P1): Two options: USA series and NIST series.
  • USA Series: 1.68 pH and 4.00 pH [L], 7.00 pH [M], 10.01 pH and 12.45 pH [H]
  • NIST Series: 1.68 pH and 4.01 pH [L], 6.86 pH [M], 9.18 pH and 12.45 pH [H]
• Automatic lock (P2): Select "On" to activate auto lock. When reading is stable for over 10 seconds, the value locks, and HOLD icon displays. Press [CAL] to cancel auto hold.
• Backlight (P3): "Off" turns off backlight, "On" turns on backlight, "1" keeps backlight on for 1 minute.
• Factory default setting (P7): Select "Yes" to recover instrument calibration to theoretical values (pH 7.00, slope 100%) and reset parameter settings to initial values. Use this if the instrument is not working well. Recalibrate and measure again after resetting.

10. Technical Specifications

11. Icons and Functions

• ① Calibration points indication: [L], [M], [H]
• ② Stable Measurement: ?
• ③ Reading value Auto. Lock: HOLD
• ④ Self-Diagnostic Information: Er1, Er2
• ⑤ Low-Voltage warning: ⚡ flashes, reminder of battery replacement
• ⑥ Three-Color backlight: Blue—Measurement Mode; Green—Calibration Mode; Red—Alarm
• ⑦ Auto. Power off: In 8 minutes if no operation.

12. Probe Replacement

Unscrew the probe ring, unplug the probe, plug in the new replacement probe (paying attention to its position), and screw on the probe ring. The model numbers of replacement probes compatible with PC60 are:

• PC60-E (Regular pH/conductivity probe)
• PC60-DE (Double-junction pH/conductivity probe)
• PH60-DE (Double-junction pH glass bulb probe)
• PH60-E (Regular pH glass bulb probe)
• PH60S-E (Spear pH probe for solids/semi-solids pH testing)
• PH60F-E (Flat pH probe for surface pH testing)
• EC60-E (Conductivity probe)

13. Warranty

Apera Instruments warrants this instrument to be free from defects in material and workmanship. Apera Instruments (Europe) GmbH will repair or replace, free of charge, any malfunctioned or damaged product attributable to its responsibility for a period of TWO YEARS (SIX MONTHS for the probe) from the delivery date.

This limited warranty does not cover damages due to:

• Transportation, storage, improper use, failure to follow product instructions or perform preventive maintenance.
• Modifications, combination or use with unauthorized products, materials, processes, systems, or other matters.
• Unauthorized repair, normal wear and tear, or external causes such as accidents, abuse, or other events beyond reasonable control.

APERA INSTRUMENTS (Europe) GmbH
Wilhelm-Muthmann-Straße 18, 42329 Wuppertal Germany
info@aperainst.de | www.aperainst.de | Tel. +49 202 51988998