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TEMPERA
TURE CORRELA
TION FOR pH SENSITIVE GLASS
10. TEMPERATURE CORRELATION FOR pH SENSITIVE GLASS
• The resistance of glass electrodes partially depends on the temperature. The lower the temperature,
the higher the resistance. The higher the resistance, the longer the time required for the reading to
stabilize. The response time is affected by temperatures below 25 °C (77 °F).
Since the resistance of the pH electrode is in the range of 50 – 200 MΩ, the current across the
membrane is in the pico Ampere range. Large currents can disturb the calibration of the electrode
for many hours.
• High humidity environments, short circuits and static discharges are detrimental to a stable pH
reading.
If constantly used at high temperatures, the electrode life is drastically reduced.
Typical Electrode Life
Ambient temperature 1 – 3 years
90 °C (194 °F)
less than 4 months
120 °C (248 °F)
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’s glass formulations
have the indicated characteristics.