Apera Instruments PC60 Premium 5-in-1 Tester

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Apera Instruments PC60 Premium Multi-parameter Tester. Please read this manual before use to properly operate and maintain the product.

For video tutorials, please visit support.aperainst.de.

1 What's in the Kit

The kit typically includes:

• PC60 Tester
• Lanyard
• Storage Solution
• Soaking Solution (3M KCL)
• pH Calibration Solutions (e.g., 4.00 pH, 7.00 pH, 10.01 pH)
• Conductivity Calibration Solutions (e.g., 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm)
• Calibration Bottles
• Calibration Vials
• Probe Cap

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the PC60 tester, lanyard, storage solution, soaking solution, pH calibration vials (labeled 4.00 pH, 7.00 pH, 10.01 pH), conductivity calibration vials (labeled 1413 µS, 12.88 mS), and calibration bottles.

2 Keypad Functions

The tester features several buttons with different functions based on press duration (Short press: < 2 seconds; Long press: > 2 seconds).

MEAS Button:

• Short press: Turns the tester ON or OFF.
• In measurement mode, short press: Turns the backlight ON/OFF.
• When turned OFF, long press: Enters parameter setting mode.

MODE Button:

• In measurement mode, short press: Switches between parameters (pH ➔ COND ➔ TDS ➔ SAL).
• In parameter settings, short press: Makes changes (unidirectional).

CAL Button:

• Long press: Enters calibration mode.
• In calibration mode, short press: Confirms calibration.
• When a reading is locked, short press: Unlocks the reading.

Diagram Description: An illustration of the PC60 tester shows its components: Battery Cap, LCD Display, Buttons (MEAS, MODE, CAL), Probe Ring, Probe Cap, and Sensor. The sensor section is further detailed to show the pH Sensor and the Platinum black Conductivity Sensor.

3 Preparation Before Use

1. Pull out the battery insulation slip and remove the probe cap.
2. Rinse the probe in pure water (preferably distilled or deionized water; RO or tap water is an alternative), then shake off excess water.
3. Perform calibration. Refer to Section 4 for pH calibration and Section 6 for conductivity calibration.
4. If the tester has not been used for a long time (over 1 month), soak the probe in the 3M KCL soaking solution for 15 minutes before calibrating.

4 pH Calibration

4.1 How to Calibrate

1. Short press the MEAS button to power on.
2. Pour pH buffer solutions into the corresponding calibration vials, filling them to about half volume.
3. Rinse the probe in pure water and shake off excess water. Dip the probe into the pH 7.00 buffer solution, stir gently, and hold still.
4. Long press the CAL button to enter calibration mode. The screen will turn green. (Short press MEAS to quit calibration and return to measurement mode).
5. Wait for the reading to stabilize (indicated by a stable icon on the screen). Short press CAL to start the 1st point calibration. The tester will return to measurement mode, and an icon (M) will appear at the bottom left, indicating a successful 1-point calibration.
6. To calibrate the 2nd point, use the 4.00 pH buffer and repeat steps 4.1.3 to 4.1.5. Do NOT turn off the tester after the pH 7 calibration. An icon (L) will display next to (M), indicating a successful 2-point calibration.
7. If necessary (for target pH > 8.00), calibrate the 3rd point using the 10.01 pH buffer and repeat steps 4.1.3 to 4.1.5. An icon (H) will show up next to (L) and (M), indicating a successful 3-point calibration.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the action of making a quick stir in the solution before test or calibration. Another shows the tester screen displaying a stable reading of 7.00 pH and 24.8°C, with calibration icons (M) and (L) indicating successful calibration points.

4.2 Notes about Calibration

• The 1st point calibration must be 7.00 pH. Perform subsequent calibrations (4.00, 10.01, 1.68, or 12.45) immediately after the 1st point. Do NOT turn off the meter before completing the 2nd or 3rd point calibration; otherwise, you must restart with 7.00 pH.
• pH 4.00 and 7.00 buffer solutions can be used up to 10 times if not contaminated and bottles are capped. pH 10.01 can be used up to 5 times due to faster accuracy loss. Replace buffer solutions regularly to maintain accuracy.
• The tester supports 1 to 3 points of automatic calibration and recognizes 5 types of pH standard solutions.

Calibration Table:

5 pH Measurement

5.1 How to take pH measurements

Short press the MEAS button to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water, shake off excess water. Insert the probe into your sample solution, stir gently, and hold still. Record the reading when it is stabilized (indicated by a stable icon on the screen).

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the action of making a quick stir in the solution before test or calibration.

5.2 Pure Water pH Measurement

Testing pure water (tap, drinking, RO, distilled) may require longer stabilization times (1-5 minutes). If readings are unstable, add Apera 3M KCL (AI1107) to the pure water at a 1:1000 ratio (e.g., 1 ml KCL to 1000 ml water) to improve stabilization. For accuracy issues, contact Apera Instruments at info@aperainst.de for a specialized meter.

6 Conductivity Calibration

1. Power on the tester. Press the MODE button to switch to conductivity (Cond) measurement mode. Rinse the probe in pure water and shake off excess water.
2. Pour 1413 µS and 12.88 mS conductivity calibration solutions into their respective calibration vials, filling them to about half volume.
3. Long press the CAL button to enter calibration mode (screen turns green).
4. Dip the probe into the 1413 µS/cm conductivity calibration solution. Stir gently and hold still. When the reading is fully stabilized (indicated by a stable icon), short press CAL to start the one-point calibration. The tester returns to measurement mode, and an icon (M) will appear, indicating a successful 1st point conductivity calibration.
5. If your target conductivity is greater than 2 mS or 2000 µS, dip the probe into the 12.88 mS conductivity calibration solution. Follow steps 6.3 to 6.4 to complete the 2nd point calibration. An icon (H) will appear next to (M), indicating a successful 2-point conductivity calibration.

6.6 Conductivity Calibration Notes

The tester can calibrate with 84 µS, 1413 µS/cm, and 12.88 mS/cm conductivity calibration solutions. Users can perform 1 to 3 points of calibration. Typically, calibrating with 1413 µS/cm solution is sufficient.

Calibration Standards and Measuring Range:

Replace conductivity calibration solutions after 5 uses to maintain accuracy. Do not pour used solutions back into the bottles to prevent contamination.

7 Conductivity Measurement

7.1 Measurement Procedure

Short press the MEAS button to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it. Dip the probe into your sample solution, stir gently, and hold still. Record the reading when it is fully stabilized (indicated by a stable icon). Press the MODE button to switch between conductivity, TDS, and Salinity.

7.2 Unit Conversion

• 1000 µS/cm = 1 mS/cm = 1 EC. The unit automatically converts from µS to mS if the reading exceeds 1999 µS.
• 1000 ppm = 1 ppt. The unit automatically converts from ppm to ppt if the reading exceeds 999 ppm.
• TDS and Salinity values are converted from conductivity using a conversion factor. The TDS/conductivity factor ranges from 0.40 to 1.00 (default is 0.71). The Salinity/conductivity factor is 0.5. These can be adjusted in parameter setting P5.
• Calibration is only required in Conductivity mode.
• Conversion Example: A conductivity reading of 1000 µS/cm with the default TDS factor (0.71) yields a TDS reading of 710 ppm. If the TDS conversion factor is changed to 0.5, the TDS reading becomes 500 ppm.

7.3 Temperature Compensation Factor

The default temperature compensation factor is 2.0%/°C. This can be adjusted in parameter setting P4 based on the test solution and experimental data. Common examples include:

8 Probe Cleaning

Probe cleanliness is crucial for accuracy. Always rinse the probe thoroughly with pure water before and after each measurement.

For tough contaminants, detach the sensor shield, soak the probe in Apera probe cleaning solution (AI1166) or detergent water for 30 minutes. Use a soft brush to remove contaminants. Afterwards, soak the probe in 3M KCL soaking solution for at least 1 hour. Rinse and re-calibrate before use.

9 Probe Storage

Regular Usage (Daily/Weekly): Ensure the probe cap is wet and tightly closed with the O-ring.

Long-Term Storage: Add 3M KCL soaking solution to the fill line in the probe cap and store the probe in it. Close the cap tightly with the O-ring.

White crystals forming inside or outside the probe cap are normal; they are crystallized KCL. Rinse them off and add new soaking solution. This is not hazardous.

IMPORTANT: NEVER store the probe in pure water (tap, RO, distilled, deionized) as it can damage the pH probe. If this occurs, immediately soak the probe in Apera 3M KCL solution overnight and re-calibrate.

10 Parameter Settings

The tester allows adjustment of various parameters. Access settings by turning off the tester and long-pressing the MEAS button.

10.1 Parameter Settings Tutorial

To enter settings: Turn off tester, long press MEAS. To switch parameters (P1-P8): Short press MODE. To select a parameter (it will flicker): Short press CAL. To change the parameter value: Short press MODE. To confirm change: Short press CAL. To return to measurement mode: Long press MEAS.

10.2 Parameter Setting Instruction

• P1 (pH buffer standards): Choose between USA (4.00, 7.00, 10.01) or NIST (4.01, 6.86, 9.18) series.
• P2 (Automatic lock): When ON, the tester locks stable readings for over 10 seconds, displaying a HOLD icon. Press CAL to cancel auto-hold.
• P3 (Backlight): Options are Off, On (always on), or 1 (lasts for 1 minute).
• P8 (Factory default): Selecting "Yes" resets calibration to theoretical values (pH 7.00, 100% slope) and restores parameter settings to initial values. Use this if the instrument is not performing well. Re-calibrate and measure after resetting.

Three-point calibration pH Standard Buffer Solution Series:

11 Technical Specifications

12 Probe Replacement

To replace the probe:

1. Take off the probe cap.
2. Screw off the probe ring.
3. Unplug the old probe.
4. Plug in the new replacement probe, ensuring correct positioning.
5. Screw on the probe ring tightly.
6. Soak the new probe in 3M KCL for 5-15 minutes.
7. Perform calibration before testing.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the steps for probe replacement, including unscrewing the probe ring, unplugging the old probe, plugging in the new probe, and screwing the ring back on.

Probes compatible with PC60 Tester:

• AI1211 PC60-E (Regular pH/conductivity probe)
• AI3719-E PC60-DE (Double-junction pH/conductivity probe)
• AI1201 PH60-E (Regular pH glass bulb probe)
• AI3711-E PH60-DE (Double-junction pH glass bulb probe)
• AI1205 PH60S-E (Spear pH probe for solids/semi-solids pH testing)
• AI1203 PH60F-E (Flat pH probe for surface pH testing)
• AI1209 EC60-E (Conductivity probe)

13 Battery Replacement

Install batteries following these steps:

Note on Battery Installation: The positive side ("+") of EVERY SINGLE battery MUST FACE UP. WRONG INSTALLATION CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TESTER AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS!

1. Pull the tester's cap up.
2. Slide the battery cap along the direction of the arrow.
3. Open the battery cap.
4. Insert the batteries, ensuring ALL POSITIVE SIDES FACE UP.
5. Close the battery cap.
6. Slide and lock the battery cap along the direction of the arrow.
7. Fit the tester's cap, pushing it all the way down. Ensure it is fitted correctly to maintain the tester's waterproof design.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the battery compartment and the correct orientation for inserting four AAA batteries. It depicts steps from opening the cap to closing it securely.

14 Troubleshooting Guide

15 Warranty

Apera Instruments warrants this instrument to be free from defects in material and workmanship. Apera Instruments (Europe) GmbH will repair or replace any malfunctioning or damaged product attributable to its responsibility, free of charge, 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, or improper use.
• Failure to follow product instructions or perform preventive maintenance.
• Modifications, combinations, or use with unauthorized products, materials, processes, or systems.
• Unauthorized repair.
• Normal wear and tear.
• External causes such as accidents, abuse, or events beyond reasonable control.

Contact Information:

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