JENCO 9173/9173R Benchtop Dissolved Oxygen Meter with Large LCD Display
| Brand | JENCO |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | 9173 / 9173R |
| Measurement Principle | Polarographic (Clark-type) |
| Range | 0.00–20.00 ppm DO |
| Accuracy | ±2% FS |
| Air Saturation Range | 0.0–200.0% |
| Temp Range | −6.0–46.0 °C |
| Temp Accuracy | ±0.3 °C |
| Resolution | 0.01 ppm DO, 0.1% sat, 0.1 °C |
| Temp Compensation | Automatic (−6.0–46.0 °C) |
| Pressure Compensation | Adjustable (600–1100 mbar, default 1013 mbar) |
| Salinity Compensation | Adjustable (0.0–40.0 ppt, default 0.0 ppt) |
| Calibration Memory | Yes |
| Communication | RS-232C (9173R only) |
| Power | AC adapter (DC 9 V) or 6 × AA batteries |
| Dimensions | 230 × 165 × 80 mm |
| Weight | ~650 g (without batteries) |
| Compliance | Designed for ISO/IEC 17025-aligned lab environments |
| Electrode | Imported polarographic DO sensor (LD-900-7) |
Overview
The JENCO 9173 and 9173R are benchtop dissolved oxygen (DO) meters engineered for precision, stability, and operational transparency in regulated laboratory and environmental testing environments. These instruments employ the Clark-type polarographic principle—where molecular oxygen is electrochemically reduced at a noble metal cathode under a fixed polarizing voltage—to deliver quantitative, traceable measurements of dissolved oxygen concentration in aqueous samples. Unlike optical (luminescence-based) sensors, polarographic electrodes offer proven long-term reliability, minimal drift between calibrations, and robust performance across variable salinity and temperature gradients—critical attributes for wastewater treatment validation, aquaculture monitoring, and potable water QA/QC workflows. The dual-channel capability (DO + temperature) ensures simultaneous, compensated readings without manual interpolation, while the built-in pressure and salinity correction algorithms enable compliance with ASTM D888 and ISO 5814 standards for reporting DO in non-standard atmospheric or brackish conditions.
Key Features
- Large backlit LCD display (128 × 64 pixels) with simultaneous real-time readouts of DO (ppm), air saturation (%), and temperature (°C)
- Microprocessor-controlled measurement engine delivering high reproducibility (±2% full-scale accuracy) and low intra-series variance (<0.5% RSD over 10 consecutive readings)
- Automatic temperature compensation (−6.0 to 46.0 °C) with user-selectable pressure (600–1100 mbar) and salinity (0.0–40.0 ppt) parameters—essential for field-deployed calibration traceability
- Dual power architecture: DC 9 V AC adapter or six AA alkaline batteries (up to 200 hours continuous operation on battery)
- Ergonomic universal electrode stand (model 007N) for stable, vibration-dampened positioning during extended measurements
- Full tactile feedback via audible keypress confirmation—improving operator confidence in glove-compatible or noisy lab settings
- 9173R variant includes RS-232C serial interface for direct data logging to LIMS or spreadsheet-based QA records; supports ASCII protocol with configurable baud rates (9600/19200 bps)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The 9173/9173R is validated for use with freshwater, seawater, wastewater effluents, biological reactor media, and pharmaceutical process water. Its LD-900-7 polarographic sensor features a Teflon membrane and Ag/AgCl reference system optimized for low-conductivity and high-organic-content matrices. All measurement protocols align with ISO 5814:2012 (water quality — determination of dissolved oxygen — electrochemical probe method) and support GLP-compliant documentation when paired with the 9173R’s RS-232 output and optional software. Calibration memory retains up to two-point (zero-air/saturated-air or zero-water/saturated-water) calibration coefficients—including date/time stamps—for audit readiness per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when used in regulated manufacturing or environmental compliance labs.
Software & Data Management
The 9173R ships with Windows-compatible data acquisition software (CD-ROM included) enabling time-stamped batch export of DO, % saturation, temperature, and ambient pressure values in CSV or Excel format. Software functions include automated calibration curve plotting, outlier detection flags, and user-defined report templates aligned with internal SOPs. Raw serial data streams support integration into third-party SCADA or LabVantage systems via standard COM port drivers. No proprietary runtime or cloud dependency is required—ensuring full data sovereignty and compatibility with air-gapped networks common in municipal water utilities and contract environmental labs.
Applications
- Regulatory compliance testing for EPA Method 360.1 and APHA Standard Methods 4500-O G
- Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) incubation monitoring in activated sludge and membrane bioreactor systems
- Quality assurance of purified water (PW) and water-for-injection (WFI) per USP and EU Annex 1 guidelines
- Research-grade DO profiling in limnology, marine biology, and sediment pore-water studies
- Validation of oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) in aerated bioreactors and pilot-scale treatment units
FAQ
What type of electrode is used in the 9173/9173R?
The instrument uses an imported polarographic (Clark-type) dissolved oxygen sensor (model LD-900-7), featuring a gold cathode, silver/silver chloride reference, and gas-permeable Teflon membrane.
Does the meter support automatic barometric pressure correction?
Yes—pressure compensation is fully adjustable from 600 to 1100 mbar, with factory default set to 1013 mbar (standard sea-level pressure).
Can the 9173 model output data to a computer?
No—only the 9173R variant includes an RS-232C interface. The base 9173 is a standalone measurement unit.
Is temperature measurement integrated and compensated?
Yes—the built-in thermistor provides continuous temperature sensing from −6.0 to 46.0 °C, and all DO readings are automatically temperature-compensated using the Steinhart-Hart algorithm.
What calibration standards are recommended for routine verification?
Two-point calibration is advised: zero-oxygen (sodium sulfite solution) and air-saturated water (at known temperature, pressure, and salinity). Calibration coefficients are stored with timestamps for audit purposes.
