{"id":1361,"date":"2018-01-30T15:26:55","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T23:26:55","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-04-29T11:13:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T18:13:10","slug":"1361","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/1361","title":{"rendered":"pH Sensor Troubleshooting and FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"\/product\/ph-sensor\/\">pH Sensor<\/a> (<nobr>PH-BTA<\/nobr>)<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/manuals\/PH-BTA\">Specifications and User Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/4110\/\">Which model pH sensor do I have? (How old is my pH sensor?)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/product.ph-bta._hero.001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Troubleshooting<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Primary Test:<\/strong> Does it read approximately 4 in its storage solution? <b>Note<\/b>: A reading of 13 to 14 indicates 0 volts and might mean that the sensor is defective or damaged.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Secondary Test:<\/strong> Take readings in fresh buffers, NOT distilled water! If no buffers are available, try it in vinegar (~ pH 2.5 to 3.5) and ammonia (~ pH 10.5 to 11.5). If readings do not change when the sensor is placed in different solutions, the sensor is possibly defective or damaged.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Troubleshooting<\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>OPERATION<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/782\/\">The glass bulb of my pH Sensor is broken. Can it be repaired?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/730\/\">The pH electrode I have been using no longer seems to work or is slow to respond. Is there anything I can do to fix it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3311\/\">My pH probe does not give an accurate reading. What should I do?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1286\/\">Why doesn't my pH Sensor read pH 7 in distilled or deionized water?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2010\/\">Why does my pH sensor experience drift or calibration issues?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/638\/\">Will I get interference when I put two sensors in the same solution?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1599\/\">What type of liquids cause problems for the pH Sensor?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2166\/\">The liquid inside my pH Sensor is low or gone. Will it still work?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>MAINTENANCE and STORAGE<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/369\/\">Where do I get pH or ORP Storage Solution? (Buffer Storage Solution)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2338\/\">What do I do about mold growth in my bottle of pH electrode storage solution?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/728\/\">How can I keep my pH or ORP storage solution from spilling when the sensor is in use?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2201\/\">My pH sensors were stored dry. Will they still work?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/706\/\">What is the best way to clean the glass bulb of the pH electrode?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1060\/\">Do any of your sensors require special storage?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2174\/\">I bought your pH buffer capsules. Can I make storage solution for my pH Sensors with this kit?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2270\/\">How do I dispose of my pH sensor?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3032\/\">My pH Sensor has mold inside the shaft. How do I remove it?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specifications<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Electrode type: Sealed, gel-filled, polycarbonate body, Ag\/AgCl reference, single junction<\/li>\n<li>Range: pH 0\u201314<\/li>\n<li>Accuracy with new electrode (pH): \u00b10.2<\/li>\n<li>Temperature range: 5 to 80 \u00b0C (readings not compensated)<br \/>\u26ac Isopotential pH: pH 7 (point at which temperature has no effect)<\/li>\n<li>Storage solution: pH-4\/KCl solution (10 g KCl in 100 mL buffer pH-4 solution)<\/li>\n<li>Shaft diameter: 12 mm OD<\/li>\n<li>Default calibration coefficients: slope \u20133.838; intercept 13.720<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Calibration<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calibrate? Usually no. However, for the most accurate measurements with this sensor, we recommend calibration. It is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Custom calibrations can also be stored directly onto the sensor.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For calibration instructions, see: <a href=\"\/til\/4011\/\">How do I calibrate my sensor?<\/a><\/li>\n<li>To save a calibration to a particular sensor, see: <a href=\"\/til\/2442\/\">How do I save a custom calibration to my pH sensor?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3625\/\">Where do I get pH buffer solutions?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cabled pH sensor Calibration with LabQuest\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v8NVHCiMiww?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Products<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/electrode-support\/\">Electrode Support<\/a> (<nobr>ESUP<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/microstirrer\/\">Microstirrer<\/a> (<nobr>MSTIR<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/stir-station\/\">Stir Station<\/a> (<nobr>STIR<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/drop-counter\/\">Drop Counter<\/a> (<nobr>VDC-BTD<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/precision-volume-dispenser\/\">Precision Volume Dispenser<\/a> (<nobr>DC-DISP<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/go-direct-ph-sensor\/\">Go Direct<sup>&reg;<\/sup> pH Sensor<\/a> (<nobr>GDX-PH<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Replacement\/Maintenance Parts<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/ph-buffer-capsule-kit\/\">pH Buffer Capsule Kit<\/a> (<nobr>PH-BUFCAP<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/ph-storage-solution\/\">pH Storage Solution<\/a> (<nobr>PH-SS<\/nobr>) (500 mL bottle)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/storage-solution-bottles-5\/\">Storage Solution Bottles (5)<\/a> (<nobr>BTL<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Troubleshooting Additional Troubleshooting OPERATION MAINTENANCE and STORAGE Specifications Calibration Calibrate? Usually no. However, for the most accurate measurements with this sensor, we recommend calibration. It&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11015,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[720,294,1669],"class_list":["post-1361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-maintil","tag-ph-bta","tag-phmain"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11015"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1361\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}