YSI Handheld and Sonde 600 XL Calibration

YSI Handheld and Sonde 600 XL Calibration

Calibration Tips

1.  When calibrating, be sure that all sensors are immersed in the calibration solution. Many of the calibrations factor in readings from other probes. The top vent hole of the conductivity sensor must also be immersed during calibrations. The recommended volumes for calibration solutions for the 600 XL are 50 mL conductivity and 25 mL pH. (Page 2-36 – table 3)

2.  When using the calibration cup for the DO sensor in water-saturated air, make certain to loosen the seal to allow pressure equilibration before calibration.

3.  Set calibration standards out ahead of time in the room where calibration is to occur for temperature stability.

4.  For maximum accuracy, use previously used calibration solution to pre-rinse the sonde. Save old calibration standards for this purpose.

5.  Fill a bucket or sink with room temperature water to rinse the sonde between calibration solutions or rinse them from the tap if near a sink.

6.  Keep clean, absorbent paper towels or cotton cloths available(Kim-Wipes work well) to dry the sonde between rinses and calibration solutions. Shake excess rinse water off of the sonde. Dry the outside of the sonde. Drying of the sonde reduces contamination of your solutions and increases the accuracy of your calibration.

7.  Be certain that port plugs are installed in all ports that aren’t being used.

Starting Your Calibration

1.  Connect the handheld to the sonde and turn it on. Choose “Sonde Menu” from the menu choices. From the next menu choose “Calibrate”.

Conductivity – Should be done first.

1.  Rinse the clean, dry calibration cup and probes with calibration solution. Three rinses are recommended. Used calibration solution can be used for the first and second rinses with new solution being used for the third rinse.

2.  Place 50 mL of conductivity solution in the calibration cup.

3.  Carefully immerse the probe in the solution in the calibration cup moving it up and down and/or rotating it to ensure that there are no bubbles on the probe. Be sure that the probe is completely immersed past the vent hole.

4.  Allow at least one minute for temperature equilibrium before continuing.

5.  Select “Conductivity” from the calibrate menu and press “Enter”.

6.  Select “SpCond” from the conductivity menu and press “Enter”.

7.  Enter the calibration value of the standard you are using. Note: The sonde requires the input in milliSiemens (mS/cm). 1,413 microSiemens (mS/cm) = 1.413 milliSiemen (mS/cm). Press “Enter”. Be sure to record the conductivity of the standard on the calibration sheet.

8.  Wait until there is no significant change in the conductivity readings for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Record the temperature and the conductivity value displayed as the “pre-calibration conductivity” on the calibration worksheet. Press “Enter”. Record the conductivity value displayed as the “post-calibration conductivity” on the calibration worksheet.

9.  If it says “Out of Range”, try again. Typical causes for error messages are incorrect entries (entering 1000 microSiemens instead of 1.0 milliSiemens), low fluid level, and/or air bubbles in the sonde conductivity port.

10.  If all is well, press “Enter” again to return to the main menu.

11.  Rinse the sonde and calibration cup in water and dry each.

Note: It is recommended to clean the sensors in the conductivity port at the end of each sampling day, especially in high turbidity waters. Use the small brush from the YSI maintenance kit to do so.

pH

1.  Rinse the clean, dry calibration cup and probes with calibration solution. Three rinses are recommended. Used calibration solution can be used for the first and second rinses with new solution being used for the third rinse.

2.  Place 25-50 mL of the first buffer solution in the calibration cup. (Ideally pH 7 buffer should be used.)

3.  Carefully immerse the probe in the solution in the calibration cup moving it up and down and/or rotating it to ensure that there are no bubbles on the probe.

4.  Allow at least one minute for temperature equilibrium before continuing.

5.  Choose “Calibrate” from the main menu and press “Enter”.

6.  Select “ISE1pH” from the calibrate menu to access the pH calibration choices. Then select “2-point” and press “Enter”. At the prompt, enter the value of the buffer and press “Enter”.

7.  Observe the pH readings until they show no significant change for about 30 seconds and record this value as the “pre-calibration” value on the calibration worksheet. Also record the temperature on the calibration worksheet. Press “Enter” and record the value as the “post-calibration” value on the calibration worksheet.

8.  Press “Enter” again to continue.

9.  Rinse the sonde and calibration cup in water and dry both completely before moving to the next step.

10.  Repeat steps 1-7 for the second buffer (pH 10).

11.  After the second calibration point is complete, press “Enter” again to return to the Calibrate menu.

12.  Rinse the sonde and calibration cup in water and dry both completely.

Dissolved Oxygen

1.  Prior to calibration, examine the DO membrane for tears, wrinkles, and bubbles. Examine the anodes for gray or darkened spots. If necessary, recondition the probe anodes. If necessary, replace the membrane. If you have resurfaced the sensor, run the probe continuously for 15-30 minutes or until it reaches a good stability. After a membrane change, allow the sonde to run (burn in) for 10 minutes.

It is recommended to change the DO membrane every 30 days during use. Also, inspect the O-ring and replace if not sealing tightly. A new DO membrane will be slightly unstable for the first 3-6 hours after they are installed. New DO membranes should be put on the day before using the sonde and calibrated just prior to use, ideally at the monitoring site.

2.  Place about 3 mm of water in the bottom of the calibration cup.

3.  Place the sonde probes into the calibration cup making certain that the DO probe is NOT immersed in the water.

4.  Engage only 1 or 2 threads of the cup (keep it loosely attached) so the DO probe is vented to the atmosphere.

5.  Wait about 10 minutes for the air in the calibration cup to become water saturated and for the temperature to equilibrate.

6.  After the 10 minutes, choose “Dissolved Oxygen” from the Calibrate menu.

7.  Select “DO%” from the menu. Calibrating DO% will also calibrate DO mg/L and vice versa.

8.  Enter the current barometric pressure in mm of Hg. (Your handheld should display this number.) If your YSI isn’t showing barometric pressure you may use laboratory barometer readings as they are “true” values. Weather Service readings are usually not “true” and must be uncorrected. Record the barometric pressure on the calibration worksheet.

9.  Press “Enter” and observe the readings until there is no significant change for about 30 seconds. Record this as the “pre-calibration” value on the calibration worksheet.

10.  Press “Enter” to complete the calibration. Record the DO value as the “post-calibration” value on the calibration worksheet.

Hach 2100Q Portable Turbidimeter Calibration

1.  Push the calibration key. (looks like a graph – located on the left side of the wrench key.)

2.  Select the 20 NTU verification solution. HOLD THE BOTTLE ONLY BY THE BLACK CAP. DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS!!

3.  Gently invert the bottle a few times to mix. DO NOT SHAKE THE BOTTLE!

4.  Lift the lid and insert the bottle closing the lid when finished.

5.  Push “Read”.

6.  Continue the above steps with each of the other solutions. (Follow the directions on the screen to know which standard to use.)

7.  After last solution, push “Done” to review the calibration details.

8.  Push “Store” to save the results.

9.  Once the calibration is finished, the meter will automatically enter Verify Cal mode.

10.  Insert the verification standard (10 NTU) after inverting a few times.

11.  Press “Read”.

12.  If calibration verification passed, press “Done”. If not, start over making sure that there are no fingerprints, spots, or debris on the calibration standard bottles.

Calibration Worksheet

Conductivity: Date: Name:

Conductivity Standard Used: Temperature of standard:

Pre-calibration Conductivity (mS/cm):

Post-calibration Conductivity (mS/cm):

Comments:

pH: Date: Name:

pH Buffer 7 - Temperature of standard:

Pre-calibration pH: Post-calibration pH:

pH Buffer 10 - Temperature of standard:

Pre-calibration pH: Post-calibration pH:

Comments:

Dissolved Oxygen: Date: Name:

DO anodes resurfaced? YES NO DO membrane changed? YES NO

Barometric Pressure (mm of HG):

Pre-calibration DO (%):

Post-calibration DO (%):

Comments:

Hach Turbidimeter: Date: Name:

20 NTU value: 100 NTU value:

800 NTU value: 10 NTU Verification Standard value:

Comments: