20
Typical Electrode Life
Ambient Temperature
1- 3 years
90 °C
Less than 4 months
120 °C
Less than 1 month
Alkaline Error
High concentrations of sodium ions interfere with readings in alkaline
solutions. The pH at which the interference starts to be significant
depends upon the composition of the glass. This interference is called
alkaline error and causes the pH to be underestimated.
Hanna Instruments’ glass formulations have the indicated characteristics.
The resistance of glass electrodes partially depends on the temperature.
The lower the temperature, the higher the resistance. It takes more time
for the reading to stabilize if the resistance is higher. In addition, the
response time will suffer to a greater degree at temperatures below
25 °C.
Since the resistance of the pH electrode is in the range of 50-200
Mohms, the current across the membrane is in the pico Ampere
range. Large currents can disturb the calibration of the electrode for
many hours.
For these reasons high humidity environments, short circuits and static
discharges are detrimental to a stable pH reading.
The pH electrode’s life also depends on the temperature. If constantly
used at high temperatures, the electrode life is drastically reduced.
TEMPERATURE CORRELATION
FOR pH SENSITIVE GLASS
Sodium Ion Correction for Glass at 20-25 °C
Concentration
pH
Error
0.1 Mol L
-1
Na
+
13.00
0.10
13.50
0.14
14.00
0.20
1.0 Mol L
-1
Na
+
12.50
0.10
13.00
0.18
13.50
0.29
14.00
0.40
