Salinity Sensor Troubleshooting and FAQs

Salinity Sensor, order code SAL-BTA, $92
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING
-Primary Test: Plug in the sensor and start up the data-collection program. Place the sensor in distilled water. The reading should be at or near 0 ppt. Place the sensor in a 35 ppt salinity standard solution. The reading should be at or near 35 ppt. Note: This standard solution can be purchased from Vernier or made by adding 33.03 g reagent grade NaCl to enough distilled or deionized water to make 1.00 liter of solution.
-Secondary Test: Plug in the sensor and start up the data-collection program. Place the sensor in distilled water and then move the sensor to a container of tap water. The readings should change from 0 ppt to a salinity value that is appropriate for your region of the country.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES

SPECIFICATIONS
-new order code: SAL-BTA
-old order code: SAL-DIN
-Measurment range: 0 - 50 ppt (0 - 50,000 ppm)
-Resolution: 0.02 ppt (20 ppm)
-Accuracy: +/- 1% of full-scale reading
-Response time: 98% of full-scale reading in 5 seconds
-Temperature compensation: automatic from 5 to 35 deg C
-Temperature range (can be placed in safely): 0 to 80 deg C
-Cell constant: 10 cm-1
-Description: dip type, epoxy body, parallel platinum electrodes
-Dimensions: 12 mm OD and 150 mm length
-Typical calibration values: slope: 16.3 ppt/V intercept: 0

CALIBRATION
-Calibrate? Usually, no. This sensor is individually calibrated.

-If you choose to calibrate the sensor, you may use a one-point calibration in LP3 or a two-point calibration in LP2, DataPro, or Datamate.
Zero calibration point: keep the probe out of any liquid and record the small potential reading as 0 ppt.
Standard solution calibration point: place the sensor in a standard solution (solution of known concentration), making sure to completely immerse the opening at the bottom of the sensor. Wait for the potential to stabilize and enter the value of the standard soltion in units of ppt.

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS
Salinity Standard, order code SAL-ST, $16 (Salinity Standard, 35 ppt, 500 mL)