Science labs often use a pH meter to check a solution's basicity.To give an accurate reading, the probes on the pH meter need to be clean.To make sure the meter is precise, you have to calibrate it.
Step 1: Use a chemical wipe to remove the debris from the probe.
If you can, try to remove as much of the contaminant as possible.The end of the probe should be gently removed.If you wipe the probe, it will cause static and affect future readings.
Step 2: Place a beaker under the probe and rinse it.
You can use a spray bottle to control the stream.Wet the end of the probe.The dirty water will be collected by the beaker.It is possible to rinse the probe with deionized or distilled water.
Step 3: In a beaker, mix warm tap water with 3 or 4 drops of dish detergent.
Do not use dish detergent with abrasives orolin.Softsoap should work.The tap water and soap solution should be thoroughly mixed together.
Step 4: For 5 minutes, soak the sensor.
The end of the sensor should be put in the solution.The detergent should break down any leftover messes from the initial rinse.The probe may hit the sides of the beaker, so don't stir it.
Step 5: If necessary, scrub the sensor with a toothbrush.
Use gentle strokes with the brush to not break the end of the probe.After you remove the bulb from the solution, you can do this.The reference area of the probe could be damaged by stiff bristles.
Step 6: Warm tap water can be used to rinse the probe.
Once the probe is clean, use a spray bottle to control the water you use to rinse it.Hold the probe over the beaker.It is possible to rinse the probe with distilled or deionized water.
Step 7: 5% hydrochloric acid can be used for alkalinecontamination.
To remove salt deposits, fill a beaker with enough acid to submerge the end of the probe.After 5 minutes, rinse the probe with distilled water.Since hydrochloric acid is corrosive, use caution when working with it.The eye shield, lab coat, and gloves are protective gear.You can wash the end of the probe with a CHEM wipe.
Step 8: A 4% solution can be made.
To make a 250 liter solution, combine 10 grams of sodium hydroxide with warm tap water.Take the solution and soak the probe for 5 minutes.Once you have finished, rinse and dry the probe.
Step 9: An organic solvent can be used for oil or grease.
Carbon is found in organic solvents.Make sure the solvent you use is compatible with the sensor material.The sensor should be soaked in the solvent for 5 minutes.You may need to use a soft bristle toothbrush.Online purchases of organic chemical solvents can be made.Two examples of organic solvents are ether and carbon tetrachloride.If you want a deeper clean, you should use solvent.
Step 10: The probe should be put into a buffer solution.
The end of the probe should be submerged.It is possible that the numbers on the meter are off by a little.
Step 11: Once it reads stable, standardize the pH meter.
The numbers will change a bit before stabilizing.To calibrate the meter, hit the standardize button when an icon reads "Stable".The probe can be removed from the solution once it is standardized.If the reading is less than.05, the calibration is fine.
Step 12: Deionized water can be used to rinse the probe.
The spray bottle can be used to clean the probe.It's important to rinse the submerged area so it doesn't taint future solutions.Remove the previous solution by blotting the probe dry.If you want to rinse in between tests, you should not use tap water.
Step 13: The process should be repeated with 7.0 and 10.0 buffer solutions.
The meter should be Calibrate with the other 2 solutions.The meter has accurate reads for acids, bases, and neutral solutions.To match the solutions, the meter will standardize to 7.0 and 10.0 pH.The 7.0 buffer solution will give you more accurate reads in the future if you include it.
Step 14: The probe should be stored in the solution.
When the probe isn't being used, place it back into a storage solution.Ensure that the probe is dry before storing it again.The probe will have less accurate reads if it is stored in distilled water, deionized water or tap water.