Portable salinometer is a precision instrument used for rapid determination of solution salinity, and its measurement accuracy and service life are highly dependent on correct maintenance operations. The following systematically explains the maintenance methods of portable salinity meters from aspects such as cleaning, calibration, and storage:
1、 Daily cleaning and disinfection
Sensor maintenance
Clean the residual sample on the surface of the sensor immediately after each use. For ordinary samples, rinse with water or ethanol and wipe dry; Samples with a salt content exceeding 5% must be cleaned with medical grade alcohol. If encountering oily residues, mild soap solution can be used to assist in cleaning, and then rinse with clean water again. Special attention should be paid to avoiding contact between metal instruments and sensors to prevent scratches from affecting accuracy.
Shell and optical component processing
The instrument casing can be wiped with a damp cloth, and stubborn stains can be lightly wiped with a small amount of alcohol. For the prism of the refractive salinity meter, a cotton swab soaked in pure water should be used for unidirectional wiping. The cotton swab head should be replaced every time it is wiped to prevent secondary pollution.
2、 Regular calibration and functional verification
Standard solution calibration
It is recommended to perform zero adjustment operation every day. The specific method is to hold down the ZERO key until the display '000' flashes twice and stops. At this time, there is no object on the sensor. Regularly use a 2.50% NaCl standard solution for calibration. If the measured value exceeds the allowable error range (± 0.13%), it needs to be recalibrated through a combination of button operations.
Temperature compensation verification
The Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) function is susceptible to environmental temperature differences. When measuring temperature samples, the sensor should be pre equilibrated with the sample for 30 seconds or measured multiple times until the value stabilizes. Regularly check the temperature response range of the sensor to ensure that it operates normally within an ambient temperature range of 5-40 ℃.
3、 Battery and sealing system maintenance
power management
When the LCD screen displays a low battery symbol, two AAA alkaline batteries should be replaced in a timely manner. When replacing, pay attention to polarity alignment and regularly clean the battery contacts. When not in use for a long time, the battery should be removed to prevent leakage and corrosion of the internal circuit.
Waterproof structure maintenance
The O-ring of the battery compartment needs to be coated with silicon-based lubricant every six months to enhance its water resistance. If the sealing ring is found to be deformed or damaged, the original parts must be replaced immediately, otherwise it may cause damage to the instrument due to water ingress.
4、 Special scenario protection measures
Dealing with corrosive environments
After measuring highly acidic samples, it is necessary to immediately neutralize and clean them with a weak alkaline solution. Do not use highly corrosive cleaning agents to avoid damaging the sensor coating.
Transportation and Storage Standards
Short term storage requires an ambient temperature of 10-40 ℃ and humidity below 60%, avoiding direct sunlight that can cause plastic components to age. Before long-term storage, the sensor should be treated with rust prevention, covered with a protective cap, and placed with a desiccant. During air transportation, batteries must be taken out and individually packaged.
Proper maintenance not only extends the lifespan of equipment, but also ensures data reliability, providing precise support for scientific research or production.