Getting Ready To Calibrate - YSI 6 series User Manual

Sondes

2.6 GETTING READY TO CALIBRATE

2.6.1 INTRODUCTION
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Reagents that are used to calibrate and check this instrument may be hazardous to your health. Take a
moment to review health and safety information in Appendix A of this manual. Some calibration standard
solutions may require special handling.
CONTAINERS NEEDED TO CALIBRATE A SONDE
The calibration cup that comes with your sonde serves as a calibration chamber for all calibrations and
minimizes the volume of calibration reagents required.
Although not recommended except in unusual circumstances, instead of the calibration cup, you may use
laboratory glassware to perform some of the calibrations. If you do not use a calibration cup that is
designed for the sonde, you are cautioned to do the following:
 Perform all calibrations with the Probe Guard installed. This protects the probes from possible physical
damage.
 Use a ring stand and clamp to secure the sonde body to prevent the sonde from falling over. Much
laboratory glassware has convex bottoms.
 Insure that all sensors are immersed in calibration solutions. Many of the calibrations factor in
readings from other probes (e.g., temperature probe). The top vent hole of the conductivity sensor must
also be immersed during calibrations.
CALIBRATION TIPS
1. If you use the Calibration Cup for calibration of either the Rapid Pulse
Polarographic or ROX Optical DO sensors in water-saturated air, make
certain to loosen the seal to allow pressure equilibration before calibration.
2. If you choose to calibrate your Rapid Pulse Polarographic or ROX Optical
DO sensor in air-saturated water in a separate vessel, be sure to sparge the
water with an aquarium pump and air-stone for at least 1 hour to assure that
the water is truly saturated with air.
3. The key to successful calibration is to insure that the sensors are completely
submersed when calibration values are entered. Use recommended volumes
when performing calibrations.
4. For maximum accuracy, use a small amount of previously used calibration
solution to pre-rinse the sonde. You may wish to save old calibration
standards for this purpose.
5. Fill a bucket with ambient temperature water to rinse the sonde between
calibration solutions or perform the calibration near a sink where the probes
can be rinsed from the tap.
YSI Incorporated Environmental Monitoring Systems Operations Manual
Section 2
2-34