Frequently Asked Questions About YSI Drinking Water Systems
Appendix H
YSI Incorporated Drinking Water Monitoring Systems Operations Manual
H-2
What are the differences between YSI DW instruments and YSI 6-series sondes which have been sold for
surface- and ground-water applications over the last 13 years?
Other than the sonde overlay which indicates the sonde is a “DW” (600DW-B or 6920DW) version, the appearance and
mechanical design of the two drinking water instruments is identical to their surface-and ground-water equivalents
(600XLM and 6920). However, the most critical unique feature of the DW sondes is the fact that they contain a
different internal PC board which supports the free chlorine sensor, but not a dissolved oxygen sensor. Because of this
new hardware which reflects the different polarizing potentials necessary for oxygen and chlorine, DW sondes are not
capable of measuring oxygen even though a YSI 6562 oxygen probe would be physically compatible with installation
in the DW sondes.
Can I measure dissolved oxygen with a DW sonde if I have a YSI 6562 Rapid Pulse DO Probe?
No. Even though the probe will fit in the sonde bulkhead, the polarizing potential from the free chlorine PC board will
not reduce oxygen.
How can I tell the difference between dissolved oxygen and free chlorine sensors?
Along with a different model number stamped on the probe body, the oxygen sensor is built with a gray body while the
free chlorine sensor has a white body.
What are the key competitive features of the YSI Drinking Water Sondes?
•
Use hardware, software and sensors (with the exception of free chlorine) which have been proven in 13 years
of surface- and ground-water usage.
•
New free chlorine sensor which is easy to calibrate and which has been proven in extensive flow cell field
testing prior to release.
•
Relatively small size allows use at virtually any site with a water tap and a drain.
•
Easy setup of sonde configuration and calibration of sensors using standard reagents and techniques.
•
Data is compatible with YSI’s widely-used EcoWatch for Windows software for use in custom data reports
and plots.
•
Relatively inexpensive compared to wall-mounted systems utilizing separate sensors.
•
Can be deployed at remote locations where no AC power is present.
•
Good battery life (30 days at a 15 minute sample interval for both 6920DW (with turbidity active) and for the
600DW-B) under stand-alone conditions.
•
Can be used in four distinct modes, all of which have potential use in the drinking water industry.
•
Stand-alone with internal logging and battery or external power
•
Attached to a PC with real-time graphic display of data using YSI EcoWatch for Windows software.
•
Attached to a SCADA system utilizing the YSI 6500 Process Monitor as a link between the sonde and
the SCADA.
•
Attached to a data collection platform, such as the YSI EcoNet system, which provides web-based
access to real-time data.
DRINKING WATER SONDE DEPLOYMENTS
What are the site requirements for using YSI Drinking Water Sondes?
To carry out side-stream (flow cell) studies, you will need the following:
