enElcometer 148

pH Tester

Operating Instructions

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This product meets the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive.

The product is Class B, Group 1 ISM equipment according to CISPR 11.
Group 1 ISM product: A product in which there is intentionally generated and/or used conductively coupled radiofrequency energy which is necessary for the internal functioning of the equipment itself.
Class B products are suitable for use in domestic establishments and in establishments directly connected to a low
voltage power supply network which supplies buildings used for domestic purposes.
Note: In the close presence of some radio transmitters, erroneous readings may be given. If this occurs tests should
be repeated at another location.
Material Safety Data Sheets for the Elcometer 148 Buffer Solutions are available to download via our website:
Elcometer 148 4pH Buffer Solution Material Safety Data Sheet: www.elcometer.com/images/MSDS/elcometer_148_4ph.pdf
Elcometer 148 7pH Buffer Solution Material Safety Data Sheet: www.elcometer.com/images/MSDS/elcometer_148_7ph.pdf
Elcometer 148 10pH Buffer Solution Material Safety Data Sheet: www.elcometer.com/images/MSDS/elcometer_148_10ph.pdfis a registered trademark of Elcometer Limited. All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Limited. 2021
All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a retrieval system or otherwise) ortranslated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the priorwritten permission of Elcometer Limited.
A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via www.elcometer.com

TMA-0474 Issue 05, Text with Cover No: 21770

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1 About this gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Getting started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Taking a pH measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Display panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Maximum/Minimum recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Technical specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Spares & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1010 Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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CONTENTSen

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Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer 148 pH Tester. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment. Our products
cover all aspects from development through application to post application inspection.
With the purchase of this product you now have access to the worldwide service and support network ofElcometer. For more information visit our website at www.elcometer.com

1 ABOUT THIS GAUGEThis gauge is a simple but effective instrument which is used to determine the pH value in countless
applications which include leather production, chemical processing, food production, beauty care andmetal finishing.
The pH value of a liquid describes its acidity or alkalinity with a scale of 1-14. Pure water is said to be neutral
with a value of 7pH.
The pH value of a liquid is measured at a specific temperature. For a meaningful comparison of data, eachmeasurement should be taken at the same temperature.
Although Redox (ORP) could be measured, this feature is not provided in the Elcometer 148.
1.1 FEATURES•

Dual pH and temperature display•

Waterproof to IP57 Standard and floats on water•

Able to display temperature in °C or °F•

Able to record maximum and minimum temperature readings in a series of tests

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1.2 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINS•

Elcometer 148 pH Tester•

pH/Temperature Sensor•

4 x AAA Batteries•Wrist strap•

pH4 calibration sachet••pH7 calibration sachet
pH10 calibration sachet• Operating instructions
The Elcometer 148 pH Tester is packed in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensure that thispackaging is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental
Authority for further guidance.
To maximise the benefits of this instrument please take some time to read these OperatingInstructions. Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you have anyquestions.
1.3 STANDARDSThe Elcometer 148 pH Tester can be used in accordance with ASTM E 70.

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2 GETTING STARTED
1. Remove the protective cap. Unscrew thestorage Soaker Cap from the probe. Do
not dispose of the storage solution as itis required to keep the electrodes wetand ready for continuous measurement.
2. If the electrode sensor is dry, a slow andsluggish reading will result. Soak theelectrodes in water or pH solution for 1530 minutes before use.
3. Rinse the sensor in tap water or
preferably distilled water.

Attach wrist strap here
Battery Cap

Display

Hold/Max-Min Button

Storage Soaker Cap(unscrew to release from probe)

4. Press the ON/OFF button once to switchon.

Unscrew lock ring torelease electrode5. Temperature display is factory preset to°C. To switch the display to °F reading,press and hold-down the Mode button
until reading is displayed in °F
6. Repeat step 5 to return it to °C.
7. Always replace storage soaker cap withsome solution in before storing theinstrument.
4°C-°F Button

On-Off CAL Button

Probe ElectrodeSensor
Protective Cap

Calibration should be performed as frequently as possible to ensure accurate measurement, depending on
the frequency of tests performed. Additional calibration solution should be purchased for future needs (See“Spares & Accessories” on page 10).
In CAL mode the tester is first tested using pH7 followed by either pH4 and/or pH10. pH9 solution can only
be used in normal measurement mode to check the tester.
1. Cut open the shorter end of the pH7 calibration sachet.
2. Dip the sensor fully into the sachet, stir a little to remove the bubbles.
3. Press and hold-down the ON/OFF/CAL button until CAL is displayed, followed by a flashing 7.00.
4. When SA is displayed followed by End, calibration is complete and the unit resumes measurement.
5. Rinse the sensor with distilled water and blot dry before proceeding.
6. To perform a second point calibration, choose either pH4 or pH10 solution for calibration. For example,
if you are measuring between pH7 and pH4, then pH4 should be selected.
7. Cut open the short end of the calibration sachet.
8. Dip the sensor fully into the sachet and again stir gently to remove any bubbles.
9. Press and hold-down the CAL button until CAL is displayed, which should be followed by a flashing
4.00 (or 10.00).
10. When Elcometer 148 pH Tester displays %, followed by SA, then End, calibration is completed andthe unit resumes measurement.
11. Rinse the sensor with distilled water and blot dry before proceeding.
12. To perform a third point calibration, repeat 6 to 11 with the other solution.
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3 CALIBRATION

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13. ERROR CODE: If SA does not appear after calibration, calibration has failed. Check if electrode isdamaged by swapping for a new one.
14. Always perform a single point calibration with pH7 first before performing the second or third
point calibration.
15. After each successive second and third point calibration, the ‘percentage of slope’ % reading will bedisplayed. This is an indication of the condition of the electrode. If the % reading shows 100%, itmeans the electrode is in good condition. However, if the % reading is below 70% or above 130%, thenthe electrode has deteriorated and should be replaced.

4 TAKING A pH MEASUREMENT
1. Switch on the unit
2. Rinse the electrode in water then shake the unit dry with a snap motion as shaking a mercury
thermometer.
3. Dip the sensor into test solution, shake to remove bubbles.
4. Once the reading stabilises, a reading is established.
5. Press the Hold button once to freeze the display, press again to release it for another reading.
6. Always rinse the electrode before and after each test.

6Unit of measurement
Measurement Reading
Calibration mode activatedCurrent measurement function
Highest recorded reading displayed

Lowest recorded reading displayed
Reading frozen or on holdAutomatic Temperature
Compensation activated

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5 DISPLAY PANELenR

6 MAXIMUM/MINIMUM RECORDING
1. To register the maximum and minimum reading over a series of tests, press and hold-down theHold/Max-Min button until the display shows MAX and MIN blinking.
2. In this mode, proceed to make a series a tests.
3. To display the highest and lowest reading for the series of tests, press the Hold/Max-Min button once,
the highest reading will appear with the Max icon momentarily followed by the lowest reading with theMin icon, following which the unit resumes measurement.
4. To stop or make a new recording, press and hold-down the Hold/Max-Min button until the MAX andMIN annunciator disappear. Repeat step 1 to begin new recording.
5. Auto shut-off is disabled when recording is activated.

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Elcometer products are designed to give many years reliable service under normal operating and storage
conditions. The instrument does not contain any user-serviceable components. In the unlikely event of a
fault, the instrument should be returned to your local Elcometer supplier or direct to Elcometer. The warranty
will be invalidated if the instrument has been opened.
When the batteries are nearly depleted the battery symbol starts flashing andbatteries need to be replaced.
Unscrew the two screws from the battery cap. See Figure 1.
Change all four batteries with new ones. Observe polarity.
Ensure black sealing ring is in place. Replace the battery cap and tighten bothscrews.
Note: Alkaline batteries must be disposed of carefully to avoid environmental
contamination. Please consult your local Environmental Authority for
information on disposal in your region.
Do not dispose of any batteries in fire.

Figure 1.

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7 MAINTENANCE

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8 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
pHRange:
Resolution:Accuracy:
Battery:
Calibration:
Size:
Weight:Temperature

0 to 14pH
0 to 89°C (32-192°F)
0.01pH
0.1°C (0.1°F)±0.03pH±0.5°C (±1°C)
4 x 1.5 Volt AAA size battery
3 point at 7pH, 4pH and 9pH
195 x 40 x 36mm (7.7 x 1.6 x 1.42”)
150g (5.3 ozs)

9 SPARES & ACCESSORIESThe following spare parts and optional items are available from Elcometer, or your local supplier:Description
E148 ElectrodeE148 4pH Buffer Solution Capsules (x10)
E148 7pH Buffer Solution Capsules (x10)
E148 9pH Buffer Solution Capsules (x10)
E148 4.01pH Buffer Solution 100ml
E148 7pH Buffer Solution 100ml
E148 10.01pH Buffer Solution 100ml

Part Number
T14821766
T14821768-1
T14821768-2
T14821768-3
T14821767-1
T14821767-2
T14821767-3

Note: Buffer solution capsules are used by dissolving the contents of the capsule in 100ml of pure ordeionised water.
10In addition to the Elcometer 148 pH Tester, Elcometer produces a wide range of other coating testing
equipment.
Users of the Elcometer 148 pH Tester may also benefit from the following Elcometer products:•Elcometer 130 Salt Contamination Meter•Elcometer 134S Chloride Ion Test Kit for Surfaces•

Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Kit

For further information contact Elcometer or your local supplier.
Details of Elcometer offices around the world are given on the outside cover of these operating instructions.
Alternatively visit the Elcometer website, www.elcometer.com

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10 RELATED EQUIPMENTenR12