Sartorius PB-30 / PB-30L Portable pH Meter

Overview

The Sartorius PB-30 and PB-30L are high-precision, portable pH meters engineered for rigorous field and laboratory applications where regulatory compliance, measurement repeatability, and operational flexibility are essential. Based on potentiometric measurement principles—utilizing a glass pH electrode and reference junction to detect hydrogen ion activity—the instruments deliver traceable, NIST-traceable pH readings across the full aqueous scale (0–14 pH). Designed and manufactured in Germany, both models integrate advanced electrochemical signal conditioning circuitry, low-drift analog-to-digital conversion, and temperature-compensated slope calculation to ensure thermodynamic consistency per ISO 3696 and ASTM E70. The PB-30L variant provides identical core metrology but omits multi-level user administration, making it suitable for environments requiring simplified access control without compromising analytical integrity.

Key Features

• High-resolution color touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-driven navigation and real-time graphical display of pH, mV, temperature, and stability indicators
• Automatic temperature compensation (ATC) via integrated Pt1000 sensor or manual temperature input (MTC), enabling accurate correction per the Nernst equation across 0–100 °C
• Three-point calibration with automatic buffer recognition for pH 4.01, 7.00, and 10.01 (or custom buffers), minimizing operator error and ensuring adherence to ISO 17025 calibration documentation requirements
• Calibration timer and scheduled reminder system to enforce periodic verification—critical for GLP and GMP-regulated workflows
• On-device storage of up to 1,000 measurement records, each tagged with electrode serial number, user ID, sample ID, timestamp, ambient temperature, and calibration history
• Full GLP data integrity architecture: electronic signatures, password-protected configuration changes, and immutable audit trails compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (when paired with validated Sartorius LabX software)
• PB-30-specific functionality: role-based multi-tier user management (Administrator, Supervisor, Operator) with configurable permissions for calibration, data export, and system settings

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PB-30/PB-30L supports aqueous and mildly buffered solutions typical in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical water testing (Purified Water, WFI), food safety QA/QC, and academic research. Electrode compatibility includes all standard BNC-input combination pH electrodes (e.g., Sartorius FEP-coated, gel-filled, or refillable double-junction types). The instrument meets IEC 61010-1 safety standards and is CE-marked for use in EU laboratories. Its data structure conforms to ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7 (result reporting) and supports ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate) through embedded metadata tagging and non-editable log files.

Software & Data Management

Data export is supported via USB-C and Bluetooth 5.0 to Sartorius LabX Direct software or third-party LIMS platforms using standard .csv or .xlsx formats. All stored measurements include electrode identification codes—enabling full chain-of-custody tracking from measurement to report. The internal memory retains calibration certificates with date/time stamps, slope (%), offset (mV), and asymmetry potential—required for instrument qualification under USP and EP 2.2.3. Optional thermal printer integration allows on-site generation of GLP-compliant hardcopy logs with header fields for analyst signature, instrument ID, and environmental conditions.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: Conductivity-pH correlation checks during PW/WFI system validation per EU Annex 1 and USP
• Environmental fieldwork: In-situ pH profiling of surface water, groundwater, and wastewater effluents per EPA Method 150.1
• Food & beverage QC: Batch release testing of dairy, juice, and fermented products where pH directly impacts microbial stability and shelf life
• Academic teaching labs: Student experiments requiring reproducible calibration protocols and verifiable data provenance
• Biotechnology process monitoring: Offline sampling analysis during upstream bioreactor campaigns where rapid turnaround and electrode traceability are critical

FAQ

Does the PB-30 support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes—when used with Sartorius LabX software in a validated environment, the PB-30 meets electronic record and signature requirements including audit trail, role-based access, and electronic signatures.
Can I use non-Sartorius pH electrodes with this meter?
Yes, any BNC-compatible pH electrode meeting standard impedance specifications (< 1 GΩ) and output range (±1500 mV) is supported, though full GLP traceability (e.g., electrode serial capture) requires Sartorius SmartElectrodes.
What is the difference between PB-30 and PB-30L?
The PB-30L lacks multi-level user management and administrator-level configuration lockout; otherwise, metrological performance, calibration logic, and data storage capabilities are identical.
Is temperature measurement accuracy specified separately?
Yes—the integrated Pt1000 sensor has an accuracy of ±0.2 °C from 0–60 °C, referenced to ITS-90, and is factory-calibrated with certificate of calibration.
How often should I recalibrate during continuous use?
Per ISO 7870-2, recalibration is recommended before each measurement series and after exposure to extreme pH or temperature shifts; the built-in timer can be configured to prompt at user-defined intervals (e.g., every 2 hours).