{"id":3477,"date":"2015-09-29T20:02:57","date_gmt":"2015-09-30T03:02:57","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-07-25T08:20:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T15:20:22","slug":"3477","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/3477","title":{"rendered":"Platinum Cell Conductivity Probe Troubleshooting and FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"\/product\/platinum-cell-conductivity-probe\/\">Platinum-Cell Conductivity Probe<\/a> (<nobr>CONPT-BTA<\/nobr>)<\/h3>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/manuals\/CONPT-BTA\">Specifications and User Guide<\/a><\/p>\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.conpt-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> Plug the sensor into a Vernier interface, run the data-collection program, and take a reading in a solution of known Total Dissolved Solid (TDS).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\">For best results, condition the electrode in a standard solution for 3 to 5 minutes prior to use.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Troubleshooting<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3910\/\">What chemicals can I use with your conductivity probes?<\/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>Range: 0-2000 \u03bcS\/cm (0-1000 mg\/L TDS)<\/li>\n<li>Body description: epoxy body, 2-cell platinum element<\/li>\n<li>Accuracy using factory calibration: \u00b140 \u03bcS\/cm<\/li>\n<li>Accuracy using custom calibration: \u00b110 \u03bcS\/cm<\/li>\n<li>Response time: 95% of full-scale in 5 seconds<\/li>\n<li>Temperature compensation: two settings &#8211; none or 2% for 5 to 35 \u00baC<\/li>\n<li>Temperature range: 0 to 80 \u00baC<\/li>\n<li>Cell constant: 1.0 cm<sup>-1<\/sup><\/li>\n<li>Shaft dimensions: 12 mm OD x 120 mm length<\/li>\n<li>Minimum submission depth: 3 cm<\/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>Calibrate? You do not have to perform a new calibration when using the Platinum-Cell Conductivity Probe for most experiments. Each probe is programmed with a custom calibration prior to shipping. The factory calibration is set while the probe is at room temperature with the temperature compensation at 2%.<\/p>\n<p>However, if your experimental application requires more accurate readings or if you are testing without temperature compensation, you should calibrate your sensor using a two point calibration.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make sure the temperature compensation switch is set to the desired position.<\/li>\n<li>Initiate the calibration procedure in the software. (For more information, see <a href=\"\/til\/4011\/\">How do I calibrate my sensor?<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>First calibration point<\/strong>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:lower-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Place the Platinum-Cell Conductivity Probe into a known standard solution. <\/li>\n<li>Be sure the entire elongated hole with the electrode surfaces is submerged in the solution and that there are no bubbles along the electrode surface. <\/li>\n<li>Wait for the displayed voltage to stabilize. <\/li>\n<li>Enter the value of the standard solution in the appropriately chosen units for Reading 1. <\/li>\n<li>Click or tap Keep. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Second calibration point <\/strong>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:lower-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Place the Platinum-Cell Conductivity Probe into a different standard solution. <\/li>\n<li>Be sure the entire elongated hole with the electrode surfaces is submerged in the solution and that there are no bubbles along the electrode surface. <\/li>\n<li>Wait for the displayed voltage to stabilize. <\/li>\n<li>Enter the value of the standard solution for Reading 2. <\/li>\n<li>Click or tap Keep.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>If you want to save the calibration onto the sensor (Logger <em>Pro<\/em> and LabQuest App only), click the storage tab and save the calibration to the sensor.<\/li>\n<li>Click or tap Done (or OK depending on the software) to complete the calibration process.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Note: <\/strong>Performing a zero-point calibration is not recommended with conductivity sensors. It is preferred that you use a low-concentration calibration standard instead of a zero point. This is particularly important if you plan to take measurements below 200 \u03bcS\/cm where the low calibration point is most critical.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Storage and Maintenance<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When you have finished using the Platinum-Cell Conductivity Probe, simply rinse it off with distilled water and blot it dry using a paper towel or lab wipe. The probe can then be stored dry.<\/li>\n<li>If the probe cell surface is contaminated, soak it in water with a mild detergent for 15 minutes. Then soak it in a dilute acid solution (0.1 M hydrochloric acid or 0.5 M acetic acid works well) for another 15 minutes. Then rinse it well with distilled water and blot dry. Important: Avoid scratching the inside electrode surfaces of the elongated cell.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\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=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/product\/conductivity-standard-solution\/\">Conductivity Standard Solutions<\/a><br \/>\u26ac CON-LST: Low\u2014150 \u00b5S\/cm<br \/>\u26ac CON-MST: Medium\u20141413 \u00b5S\/cm<br \/>\u26ac CON-HST: High\u201412,880 \u00b5S\/cm<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/conductivity-probe\/\">Conductivity Probe<\/a> (<nobr>CON-BTA<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/go-direct-conductivity-probe\/\">Go Direct<sup>&reg;<\/sup> Conductivity Probe<\/a> (<nobr>GDX-CON<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/go-direct-platinum-cell-conductivity-probe\/\">Go Direct<sup>&reg;<\/sup> Platinum-Cell Conductivity Probe<\/a> (<nobr>GDX-CONPT<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Specifications and User Guide Troubleshooting For best results, condition the electrode in a standard solution for 3 to 5 minutes prior to use. Additional Troubleshooting&#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":[1808,5890,720,5889,5888],"class_list":["post-3477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-conmain","tag-conptmain","tag-maintil","tag-ptconbtamain","tag-ptconmain"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3477","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=3477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3477\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}