Do you have a question about the Realtech REAL UV254 P200 and is the answer not in the manual?
Explains the Split-Sense technology for accurate UV 254nm organic testing.
Crucial safety guidelines for operating and servicing the UV254 P200.
Instructions for activating the standard two-year product warranty.
Steps to unpack the Real UV254 P200 and inspect for shipping damage.
Key recommendations and precautions before operating the field meter.
Explains the function of the buttons and display on the meter's interface.
Step-by-step guide for conducting a UVT or UVA test with the meter.
Details the meter's ability to retain calibration settings, reducing recalibration needs.
A guide on how to calibrate the Real UV254 P200 using DI water.
How to graph UVA vs. lab data to establish a correlation for parameter estimation.
Instructions and solutions for cleaning the quartz cuvette to maintain performance.
Guidelines for safely storing and transporting the UV254 P200 meter.
Procedure to inspect the UV lamp and white light for proper operation.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing the UV lamp in the meter.
Instructions for replacing the fuse in the P200 meter due to power surges.
Information on the battery pack's functionality, usage, and charging.
Explains the Split-Sense technology for accurate UV 254nm organic testing.
Crucial safety guidelines for operating and servicing the UV254 P200.
Instructions for activating the standard two-year product warranty.
Steps to unpack the Real UV254 P200 and inspect for shipping damage.
Key recommendations and precautions before operating the field meter.
Explains the function of the buttons and display on the meter's interface.
Step-by-step guide for conducting a UVT or UVA test with the meter.
Details the meter's ability to retain calibration settings, reducing recalibration needs.
A guide on how to calibrate the Real UV254 P200 using DI water.
How to graph UVA vs. lab data to establish a correlation for parameter estimation.
Instructions and solutions for cleaning the quartz cuvette to maintain performance.
Guidelines for safely storing and transporting the UV254 P200 meter.
Procedure to inspect the UV lamp and white light for proper operation.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing the UV lamp in the meter.
Instructions for replacing the fuse in the P200 meter due to power surges.
Information on the battery pack's functionality, usage, and charging.
The Real UV254 P200 is a portable UV 254nm organic testing meter designed for water quality analysis, utilizing Real Tech Inc.'s innovative Split-Sense technology to provide accurate and reliable measurements. This device is engineered to simplify the process of monitoring organic content in water samples, making it a valuable tool for various applications where rapid and precise organic testing is required.
The primary function of the Real UV254 P200 is to measure UV transmittance (UVT) and UV absorbance (UVA) at a 254nm wavelength. These measurements are crucial for assessing the organic content in water, which can include parameters like Total Organic Carbon (TOC) or Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC). The device's Split-Sense technology is a key feature, designed to enhance accuracy by taking sensor readings both before and after the insertion of a quartz cuvette containing the water sample. This dual measurement approach allows the meter to automatically compensate for minor lamp fluctuations that might occur between calibration and actual testing, thereby eliminating the need for frequent re-calibration. This ensures that the measurements remain consistent and reliable over time, even with variations in lamp performance.
The P200 is capable of providing real-time readings, which is beneficial for field applications where immediate results are often necessary. By measuring UV absorption, the device offers a surrogate parameter for organic matter, enabling users to quickly estimate the concentration of organic compounds without the need for complex laboratory procedures. This makes it an efficient tool for process control, environmental monitoring, and water treatment plant operations. The meter's ability to store calibration settings in memory further streamlines its operation, as it retains these settings even after being powered off and on. This memory function means that users do not need to re-zero the meter with DI water before each individual sample test, saving time and effort during extensive sampling campaigns.
Furthermore, the P200 can be used to establish a linear relationship between UVA data and other water quality parameters, such as TOC. By collecting samples with known UVA values and sending them to a lab for analysis using a reference method (e.g., mg/L TOC), users can create a correlation graph. This graph allows for the estimation of TOC or other parameters based on the UVA readings from the P200. This feature transforms the device from a simple UV meter into a predictive tool for broader water quality assessment, providing valuable insights into water characteristics without continuous lab analysis. The more reference lab data added to the correlation plot over time, the more accurate the estimate of the correlated parameter becomes, although users should be mindful that changes in processes might affect the validity of the established ratio.
The Real UV254 P200 is designed for ease of use, featuring a straightforward operator interface and clear instructions for testing and calibration. To begin operation, the user simply plugs in the power cord and presses the POWER button. After a brief warm-up period, the meter displays "Ready," indicating it's prepared for testing. For battery-operated units, ensuring the battery pack switch is in the ON position is a prerequisite.
Performing a test involves ensuring the quartz cuvette is not in the test chamber, then pressing the COMPUTE button. The display will prompt the user to "Insert Cuvette with Test Water." It is crucial to ensure the outside of the cuvette is clean and dry, free from fingerprints, dust, or water streaks, as these can interfere with accurate readings. The cuvette should be handled by its frosted sides to avoid contamination. Once the cuvette, filled with the water sample, is inserted into the test chamber, aligning the black dot on the cuvette with the black circle next to the chamber, the device will display the computed UVT or UVA value. For subsequent tests, the cuvette should be removed, rinsed at least twice, and a new sample inserted. After all testing is complete, the cuvette must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being reinserted into the meter for storage, and the meter powered off.
The P200 offers flexibility in measurement units, allowing users to switch between UV transmittance (UVT) and UV absorbance (UVA) modes. This is achieved by holding down both the CALIBRATE and COMPUTE buttons for two seconds. The current mode (UVT or UVA) will be indicated in the corner of the display. This adaptability makes the device suitable for different reporting requirements and analytical preferences.
Calibration is a critical aspect of maintaining accuracy, and the P200 simplifies this process. While the meter retains calibration settings, periodic checks using a DI water sample (or equivalent to 100% UVT) are recommended. If the accuracy deviates by more than 0.5% UVT, calibration is advised. The calibration procedure mirrors the testing process: power on the meter, ensure no cuvette is in the chamber, press CALIBRATE, and then insert a clean cuvette containing DI water, ensuring proper alignment. The display will show "100.0" for UVT mode or "0.000" for UVA mode upon successful calibration. It is particularly recommended to perform a calibration after replacing the UV lamp or using a new cuvette to ensure optimal performance.
The device also supports grab sample data collection, allowing users to record UVA values alongside corresponding lab values for other parameters like TOC. This data can then be used in a spreadsheet program, such as Excel, to graph the relationship between UVA and the target parameter, calculate a ratio or slope, and subsequently estimate the parameter's value from future UVA readings. This feature enhances the P200's utility for long-term monitoring and trend analysis.
Maintaining the Real UV254 P200 involves several key steps to ensure its longevity and continued accuracy. Regular cleaning of the quartz cuvette is paramount. Not only should the outside of the cuvette be kept clean and dry, but the inside also requires periodic cleaning to prevent the accumulation of mineral deposits and other fouling agents from the test water. A cleaning solution, such as lactic acid, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, sodium hypochlorite, acetic acid, or sulfuric acid, along with a small cleaning object like a cotton swab, can be used to clean the inside. The choice of cleaning solution depends on the type of fouling agent present (e.g., lime, calcium, rust, biofilm, oil, grease, mineral scaling). After cleaning, the cuvette should be rinsed with pure water and polished dry with a low-lint wipe.
The device includes two internal lamps: a low-pressure mercury UV lamp and a white light. If the meter's display shows "Lamp Stabilizing" for an extended period without transitioning to "Ready" mode, it indicates that one or both lamps may need checking. The process involves powering on the meter (fully assembled) and checking for a white light glow in the cuvette holder area. If no white light is visible, it may need tightening or replacement. If the white light is visible, the UV lamp might be the issue. After powering off the meter, the metal faceplate can be removed by unscrewing four screws. This allows for inspection of the lamps for cracks, damage, or looseness. Loose bulbs can be tightened, while cracked or damaged bulbs require replacement.
Replacing the UV lamp is a straightforward process. After ensuring the power is off and the faceplate is removed, a small flathead screwdriver can be used to pry the lamp base from the ceramic lamp socket. The new lamp is then securely pressed into the socket. After replacing the faceplate screws, the meter should be powered on to confirm it stabilizes into "Ready" mode, followed by a calibration to ensure accuracy with the new lamp.
In the event of a power surge, the P200 is protected by a fuse, which may require replacement. This process is also simple: ensure the unit is unplugged, remove the four screws on the metal faceplate, flip over the faceplate and inner assembly, remove the blown fuse, and replace it with a spare. After reassembling, power on the meter to confirm correct functionality.
For storage and transport, it is essential that the cuvette is clean, dry, and inserted into the test chamber with a foam protection layer on top, and the lid securely fastened. For units equipped with the battery pack option, the battery pack switch should be in the OFF position during storage or transport to prevent accidental discharge. The battery pack, if present, offers 2-3 hours of testing time and features "Smart-charge" circuitry, allowing the meter to be used for sampling or calibration while recharging. A low battery warning will appear on the display, providing 10-15 minutes of operation before the battery is fully depleted. Recharging takes 1-2 hours using the 12VDC battery charger, with the battery pack switch in the ON position.
Overall, the Real UV254 P200 is designed to be a robust, user-friendly, and maintainable device for portable UV254 organic testing, providing reliable data for various water quality monitoring needs.
| Category | Measuring Instruments |
|---|---|
| Model | REAL UV254 P200 |
| Wavelength Range | 254 nm |
| Display | LCD |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 50°C |