Metrohm 826 Portable pH Meter

Overview

The Metrohm 826 Portable pH Meter is a field-deployable, laboratory-grade electrochemical measurement instrument engineered for high-precision pH and mV determination in demanding industrial, environmental, and quality control settings. Based on potentiometric measurement principles using glass electrode technology, the 826 delivers traceable, reproducible results under variable ambient conditions — from wastewater treatment plants and pharmaceutical cleanrooms to outdoor soil and surface water monitoring. Designed and assembled in Switzerland with over six decades of Metrohm’s electrode and metering expertise, it integrates robust analog signal conditioning, intelligent temperature compensation (ATC), and embedded microprocessor-controlled calibration logic. Its fully sealed IP67-rated housing — including IEC 60529-compliant ingress protection for dust and immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes — ensures operational integrity during extended field use, rain exposure, or accidental submersion.

Key Features

• High-resolution pH measurement with 0.001 pH readability and ±0.005 pH accuracy at 25 °C (calibrated with NIST-traceable buffers)
• Three-point automatic buffer recognition (pH 4.01, 7.00, 10.01) with real-time temperature compensation via integrated Pt1000 sensor or external probe
• Wireless IrDA interface (Infrared Data Association v1.1) enabling direct data transfer to compatible printers and PCs without cables or drivers
• GLP-compliant data management: time-stamped storage of up to 200 measurements (including date, time, sample ID, operator ID, and calibration history)
• Long-life Primatrode pH electrode (Model 6.0228.020) with integrated IEC 60172 Class I safety plug and extended service life (>12 months in typical aqueous applications)
• Optimized human-machine interface: cursor-driven text menu system with multilingual support (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese), intuitive navigation, and tactile feedback keys
• Power efficiency: 4 × AA (LR6/UM3) alkaline batteries providing ≥500 hours of continuous operation; low-battery indicator and auto-power-off function
• Integrated carrying case functions as both protective transport solution and stable field workbench — includes electrode holder, calibration solutions (pH 4.01 & 7.00), storage solution, USB-IrDA adapter, and quick-start guide

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 826 supports aqueous and mildly aggressive liquid samples across pH 0–14, with compatibility verified for municipal wastewater, cooling tower fluids, food extracts, pharmaceutical process streams, and natural freshwater systems. Electrode selection enables adaptation to high-sodium, low-ionic-strength, or protein-rich matrices. The instrument conforms to key international standards including IEC 61000-6-2 (EMC immunity), IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions), and IEC 61010-1 (safety requirements for electrical equipment). All stored data meet GLP and GMP documentation requirements, with audit-trail-capable metadata export supporting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when interfaced with validated LIMS or Metrohm Metrodata VESUV 3.0 software.

Software & Data Management

Raw measurement data and calibration logs are exportable via IrDA to Metrohm’s Metrodata VESUV 3.0 platform — a validated, Windows-based application supporting automated report generation, statistical analysis (e.g., mean, SD, RSD), trend visualization, and electronic signature workflows. Export formats include CSV, PDF (with customizable GLP headers), and XML for seamless integration into enterprise LIMS environments. The device itself maintains an immutable internal log of all calibrations, including buffer IDs, measured potentials, slope (%), offset (mV), and temperature — each timestamped and linked to user-defined identifiers.

Applications

• On-site verification of pH in drinking water distribution networks and effluent discharge points (per ISO 10523 and ASTM D1293)
• In-process pH monitoring during bioreactor runs, fermentation, and buffer preparation in cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Field-based assessment of acid mine drainage, agricultural runoff, and wetland restoration projects
• Quality assurance testing of cleaning-in-place (CIP) rinse water in food & beverage production lines
• Educational laboratories requiring rugged, student-safe instrumentation with full traceability
• Calibration and verification of fixed online pH analyzers prior to commissioning or maintenance

FAQ

Does the 826 support ion-selective electrode (ISE) measurements?
No — the 826 is dedicated exclusively to pH and redox (mV) measurements. For ISE applications, Metrohm recommends the 916 Ti-Touch or 856 Professional models.
Is the IP67 rating maintained when the electrode is connected?
Yes — the IEC 60172 Class I plug interface is rated IP67 when mated with the corresponding socket; no additional sealing is required.
Can calibration data be edited after saving?
No — calibration records are write-once within the instrument’s non-volatile memory to ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance.
What is the recommended recalibration frequency?
Per ISO/IEC 17025 and USP , recalibration is required before each measurement series, after electrode replacement, following prolonged storage, or when drift exceeds ±0.02 pH between readings.
Is firmware upgrade supported in the field?
Yes — firmware updates are delivered via Metrohm Service Portal and installed using the included USB-IrDA adapter and Metrodata VESUV 3.0 software.