Thermo Scientific Orion AQUAfast AQ3010 Turbidity Meter User Guide
7
Chapter 2
Turbidity Calibration
The AQ3010 turbidity meter was calibrated and tested prior to leaving
the factory . The meter kit includes a set of prepared primary standards
that can be used to verify the meter calibration daily and to recalibrate the
meter, if required . Before measuring samples for the first time, verify the
meter calibration with the prepared primary standards .
The SDVB primary standards in the meter kit are in plastic bottles for
improved precision and shelf life . Four vials are included and labeled for
each standard level .
The instrument includes a light shield cover to keep stray light from
changing the calibration and sample measurement readings . In many
environments, the light shield is not required . The vial cap keeps stray
light from entering the sample well, saving you many steps and reducing
analysis time .
Due to the high quality of the glass vials provided, indexing is not
required . You only need to align the mark on the vial with the mark
on the meter . However, in order to achieve a better precision of the
measurement, you can proceed with indexing of the vials . See the
Indexing a Vial
section for more information .
We recommend that you use the following materials during calibration to
achieve the precision stated in this user guide:
• CAL 1: 800 NTU calibration standard
• CAL 2: 100 NTU calibration standard
• CAL 3: 20 .0 NTU calibration standard
• CAL 4: 0 .02 NTU calibration standard
It is well known that diluted Formazin is unstable . If you choose to use
Formazin to calibrate the instrument, ensure that you are using a fresh
stock suspension of Formazin to achieve the precision quoted for the
instrument . It is very difficult to accurately pipet Formazin for low level
NTU standards, due to the non-homogeneous nature of Formazin and
because these standards have very limited stability at low levels . Be sure
to use good laboratory technique and accurate Class A pipets and refer
to ASTM Method 6855-03 for low level standard vial preparation when
using Formazin .
Calibration
Overview
ndexing
Calibration
Standards