Apera Instruments PC60 User manual

Premium Series PC60 5-in-1 Tester

(pH/Conductivity/TDS/Salinity/Temp.)

User Manual

APERA INSTRUMENTS, LLC

aperainst.com

V7.7

2 
 
Thank you for purchasing Apera Instruments PC60 Premium Multi-parameter Tester. Please read this 
manual before use in order to properly use andmaintain the product. 
 
For video tutorials, please go to support.aperainst.com 
 
Table of Contents 
1What’s in the Kit ...................................................................................................................3 
2Keypad Functions ..................................................................................................................3 
3Preparation Before Use .........................................................................................................4 
4pH Calibration .......................................................................................................................4 
5pH Measurement...................................................................................................................6 
6Conductivity Calibration ........................................................................................................6 
7Conductivity Measurement....................................................................................................7 
8Probe Cleaning......................................................................................................................8 
9Probe Storage .......................................................................................................................8 
10 Parameter Settings ............................................................................................................8 
11 Technical Specifications .....................................................................................................9 
12 Probe Replacement..........................................................................................................10 
13 Battery Replacement .......................................................................................................10 
14 Troubleshooting Guide.....................................................................................................11 
15 Warranty.........................................................................................................................12 
 
 
ATTENTION 
•Water droplets are added during production to maintain the moisture of the probe. This is normal 
practice and should not be attributed to used product. 
•Never use the product when it’s freezing cold. Let it warm to room temperature before using. 
•The latest PC60 Tester comes with an upgraded probe structure equipped with a sensor shield that 
prevents glass bulb breakage from accidental collisions (see picture below). Users can remove the 
shield when cleaning the sensor and put it back on after cleaning. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What’s in the Kit

Keypad Functions

■Short press------ < 2 seconds, Long press------- > 2 seconds

1.Short press to turn on the tester and long press to

turn off the tester.

2.When turned off, long press to enter parameter

setting.

3. In measurement mode, short press to turn on

backlight.

1.In measurement mode, short press to switch

parameter pH→COND→TDS→SAL

2.In parameter settings, short press to make change

(Unidirectional)

1. Long press to enter calibration mode.

2. In calibration mode, short press to confirm

calibration.

3.When reading is locked, short press to unlock;

Battery

Cap

Buttons

Probe

Ring

Sensor

Probe Cap

LCD

Display

pH Sensor

Platinum black

Conductivity

Sensor

Conductivity calibration vials

pH calibration vials

Preparation Before Use

3.1 Pull out the battery insulation slip, and take off the probe cap.

3.2 Rinse off the probe in pure water (preferably distilled or deionized water. RO water or tap water is the

alternative) , then shake off excess water.

3.3 Perform calibration. For pH calibration tutorial, refer to Section 5; for conductivity calibration, refer to

Section 7.

3.4 If the tester hasn’t been used for a long time (over 1 month), please soak the probe in the 3M KCL

soaking solution for 15 minutes, then calibrate it before test.

pH Calibration

4.1 How to Calibrate

4.1.1 Short press to power on.

4.1.2 Pour pH buffer solutions in the correspondent calibration vials to

about half volume.

4.1.3 Rinse the probe in pure water; Shake off excess water. Dip the

probe in the pH 7.00 buffer solution first, and make a quick stir in

the solution, then hold still.

4.1.4 Long press to enter calibration mode, screen will turn green

(Short press if you decide to quit calibration and return to

measurement mode).

4.1.5 Wait for the reading to stabilize (when stays on the screen), then

short press to start the 1st point calibration. After calibration is

completed, the tester will return to measurement mode.Icon will

appear at the bottom left of the screen, indicating a successful 1-point

calibration (middle point).

4.1.6 To calibrate 2nd point, use 4.00 pH buffer and repeat Step 5.1.3 to 5.1.5 (Do NOT turn off the tester

after you finish pH 7 calibration). will display next to , indicating a successful 2-point

calibration (low and middle points).

4.1.7 If necessary (target pH>8.00), calibrate 3rd point using 10.01 standard pH buffer and repeat Step

5.1.3 to 5.1.5, will show up next to and , indicating a successful 3-point calibration

(high, low, and middle points).

4.2 Notes about Calibration

a) The 1st point calibration must be 7.00 pH. Perform the 2nd and 3rd point calibrations (4.00, 10.01, 1.68,

or 12.45) immediately after the 1st point calibration is finished. Do NOT turn off the meter before you

calibrate 2nd or 3rd point. Otherwise, you will need to restart the calibration process with 7.00 pH first.

b) The pH 4.00 and 7.00 buffer solutions poured into the calibration vials can be used for up to 10 times

as long as they are not contaminated and the bottles are capped when not in use. pH 10.01 can only

be used for up to 5 times as it will lose its accuracy much faster. After that, replace the buffer solutions

in the calibration vials with new ones to keep the accuracy. Keeping the freshness and cleanliness of

calibration buffers is essential for accurate pH measurement.

c) The tester can perform 1 to 3 points of automatic calibration and can recognize 5 types of pH standard

solutions. For details, please refer to the following table:

Calibration

USA Series

NIST Series

Indication icon

Recommended

1-pt

7.00 pH

6.86 pH

Accuracy requirement

≥ 0.1 pH

2-pt

Option A

1st pt: 7.00 pH

2nd pt: 4.00 pH or

1.68 pH

Option A

1st pt: 6.86 pH

2nd pt: 4.01 pH or

1.68 pH

Range < 7.00 pH

Option B

1st pt: 7.00 pH

2nd pt: 10.01 pH or

12.45 pH

Option B

1st pt: 6.86 pH

2nd pt: 9.18 pH or

12.45 pH

Range >7.00 pH

3-pt

1st pt: 7.00 pH

2nd pt: 4.00 or 1.68 pH

3rd pt: 10.01 or 12.45 pH

1st pt: 6.86 pH

2nd pt: 4.01 or 1.68 pH

3rd pt: 9.18 pH or 12.45 pH

Range: 0 to 14.00 pH

pH Measurement

5.1 How to take pH measurements

Short press to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water,

shake off excess water. Insert the probe in your sample solution, make a

quick stir and hold still. Record the reading when it is stabilized

( appears and stays on screen).

5.2 Pure Water pH Measurement

When testing pure water like tap water, drinking water, RO water and

distilled water, it will take longer for the readings to get fully stabilized

(typically 1-5 minutes). Please be patient. If still not working, add Apera

3M KCL (AI1107) to your pure water at the ratio of 1:1000 (e.g. 1 ml KCL to 1000 ml water) to accelerate

stabilization while minimizing pH change. If the accuracy is not meeting your requirement, please contact us

at info@aperainst.com to find the specialized meter designed for pure water pH test.

Conductivity Calibration

6.1 Power on the tester. Press to switch to conductivity (Cond) measurement mode. Rinse the probe

in pure water and shake off excess water.

6.2 Pour 1413μS and 12.88 mS conductivity calibration solution into the corresponding calibration vials to

about half volume.

6.3 Long press to enter calibration mode (screen turns green).

6.4 Dip the probe into 1413 μS/cm conductivity calibration solution, stir gently and hold still. When the

reading is fully stabilized ( stays on screen), short press to start one-point calibration, the

tester returns to measurement mode and will appear at the bottom left of the screen, indicating

a successful 1st point conductivity calibration.

6.5 If needed (your target conductivity level is greater than 2 mS or 2000 μS), dip the probe into the 12.88

mS conductivity calibration solution. Follow the steps in 7.3 to 7.4 to complete the 2nd point of

calibration using the 12.88 mS standard solution. will appear next to , indicating a successful

2-point conductivity calibration.

6.6 Conductivity Calibration Notes

The tester can calibrate 84μS, 1413 μS/cm and 12.88 mS/cm conductivity calibration solution. User can

conduct 1 to 3 points calibration. Refer to the table below. Usually calibrating the tester with 1413 μS/cm

conductivity buffer solution alone shall meet the testing requirement.

Calibration Indication Icon

Calibration Standards

Measuring Range

84 μS/cm

0 - 200 μS/cm

1413 μS/cm

200 - 2000 μS/cm

12.88 mS/cm

2 - 20 mS/cm

For conductivity calibration solutions, we recommend that users replace new solutions after 5 times of use to

keep the standard solution’s accuracy. Do NOT pour the used calibration solutions back into the solution

bottles in case of contamination.

Conductivity Measurement

7.1 Short press to turn on the tester. Rinse the probe in distilled water and dry it.Dip the probe into

your sample solution, make a quick stir, and hold still. Record the reading after it is fully stabilized

( comes up and stays). Press to switch from conductivity to TDS, and Salinity.

7.2 Unit Conversion

a) 1000 µS/cm= 1 mS/cm = 1 EC (In conductivity mode, the unit will automatically turn from µS to

mS if the reading is greater than 1999 µS, meaning you will only see 2.XX mS instead of 2XXX µS)

b) 1000 ppm = 1 ppt (In TDS mode, the unit will automatically turn from ppm to ppt if the reading

is greater than 999 ppm, meaning you will only see 1.XX ppt instead of 1XXX ppm)

c) The TDS and Salinity values are converted from the conductivity values via a certain conversion

factor. TDS and conductivity is linear related, and its conversion factor is 0.40 to 1.00. Adjust the

factor in parameter setting P5 based on the requirements in different industries. The factory

default setting is 0.71.

d) Salinity and conductivity is linear related, and its conversion factor is 0.5.

e) The tester only needs to be calibrated in Conductivity mode.

f) Conversion Example: if conductivity measurement is 1000µS/cm, then the default TDS

measurement will be 710 ppm (under the default 0.71 conversion factor), and the salinity be 0.5

ppt. If TDS conversion rate is changed to 0.5, then the TDS measurement will be 500 ppm.

7.3 Temperature compensation factor

The default setting of the temp. compensation factor is 2.0%/˚C. User can adjust the factor based on

test solution and experimental data in parameter setting P4. The following table is some common

examples for setting up the temp. compensation factor.

Solution

Temperature

compensation factor

Solution

Temperature

compensation factor

NaCl

2.12%/˚C

10% Hydrochloric acid

1.32%/˚C

5% NaOH

1.72%/˚C

5% Sulfuric acid

0.96%/˚C

Dilute ammonia

1.88%/˚C

Probe Cleaning

8.1 The tester is only as accurate as the probe is clean. Always thoroughly rinse off the probe before and

after each measurement with pure water in a container or with a wash bottle.

8.2 For tough contaminants, detach the sensor shield, soak the probe in Apera probe cleaning solution

(AI1166) or detergent water for 30 minutes. Then use a soft brush to remove the contaminants.

Afterwards, soak the probe in 3M KCL soaking solution for at least 1 hour. Rinse it off, then re-calibrate

the tester before using again.

Probe Storage

9.1 Under regular usage (daily or weekly use), make sure the probe cap is wet, and tightly close the cap with

the O-ring.

9.2 For long-term storage (you are not going to use the product for a while), add 3M KCL soaking solution

to the Fill line in the probe cap and store the probe in it. Close on the probe cap tightly with the O-ring.

9.3 If you find white crystals inside or outside the probe cap, it is perfectly normal. It is the 3M KCL soaking

solution that crystalizes over time by its nature. Just rinse them off and add in new soaking solution.

This chemical is not poisonous nor dangerous, and the probe’s performance will not be affected at all.

9.4 NEVER store the probe in pure water like tap, RO, distilled, or deionized water as they could damage

the pH probe. If this happens, immediately soak the pH probe Apera 3M KCL soaking solution overnight,

then re-calibrate it before using. Pure water is only for rinsing the probe.

Parameter Settings

Symbol

Parameter Setting Contents

Code

Factory

Default

Select pH buffer standards

USA –NIST

USA

Select automatic lock

Off –On

Off

Select backlight

Off - 1 - On

Temperature compensation factor

0.00 - 4.00%

2.00%

TDS factor

0.40 - 1.00

0.71

Salinity unit

ppt - mg/L

ppt

Select temperature unit

˚C - ˚F

˚F

Back to factory default

No –Yes

10.1 Parameter Settings Tutorial

When turned off, long press to enter parameter settings →Short press to switch P1-P2-P3

…P8 →Short press to select parameter (starts flickering) →Short press to change

parameter →Short press to confirm the change →Long press to return to measurement

mode.

10.2 Parameter Setting Instruction

a) Select standard pH buffer solution (P1): There are two options of standard buffer solutions: USA

series and NIST series. Refer to following chart:

Icons

pH Standard Buffer Solution Series

USA series

NIST series

Three-point calibration

1.68 pH and 4.00 pH

1.68 pH and 4.01 pH

7.00 pH

6.86 pH

10.01 pH and 12.45 pH

9.18 pH and 12.45 pH

b) Automatic lock (P2): Select “On”to activate auto lock function. When reading is stable for more than

10 seconds, the tester will lock the value automatically, and HOLD icon will display on LCD.

Press to cancel auto. hold.

c) Backlight (P3)

“Off”-turn off backlight, “On”-turn on backlight, 1- backlight will last for 1 minute.

d) Factory default setting(P8)

Select “Yes”to recover instrument calibration to theoretical value (pH value in zero potential is 7.00,

slope is 100%), parameter setting return to initial value. This function can be used when instrument

does not work well in calibration or measurement. Calibrate and measure again after recover the

instrument to factory default status.

Technical Specifications

Range

-2.00 to 16.00 pH

Resolution

0.01 pH

Accuracy

±0.01 pH ±1 digit

Calibration Points

1 to 3 points

Automatic Temperature Compensation

0 –50˚C (32 – 122˚F)

Conductivity

Range

0 to 200.0 μS, 200 to 2000 μS,

2 to 20.00 mS/cm

Resolution

0.1/1 μS, 0.01 mS/cm

Accuracy

±1% F.S

Calibration Points

1 to 3 points

TDS

Range

0.1 ppm to 10.00 ppt

TDS Factor

0.40 to 1.00

Salinity

Range

0 to 10.00 ppt

Temperature

Range

0 to 50˚C (32-122˚F)

Resolution

0.1˚C

Accuracy

±0.5˚C

Probe Replacement

To replace a probe: 1) Take off the probe cap; 2) Screw off the probe ring 3)

Unplug the probe; 4) Plug in the new replacement probe (pay attention to the

probe’s position); 5) Screw on the probe ring tightly. Soak the probe in 3M KCL

for 5-15 minutes. Then perform calibration before testing.

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)

Battery Replacement

Please install batteries according to the following steps. *Please note the correct direction of battery installation:

The Positive Side (“+”) OF EVERY SINGLE Battery MUST FACE UP.

(WRONG INSTALLATION OF BATTERIES WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TESTER AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS!)

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