Hanna HI98190 Portable pH/ORP/Temperature Meter

Overview

The Hanna HI98190 is a high-precision, portable electrochemical meter engineered for rigorous field and laboratory applications requiring simultaneous measurement of pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and temperature. Designed around the fundamental principles of potentiometric measurement—where pH is determined by the Nernstian response of a glass pH sensing element relative to a stable reference electrode—the HI98190 delivers laboratory-grade accuracy in a rugged, handheld form factor. Its extended pH range of –2.000 to 20.000 pH accommodates extreme aqueous environments, including concentrated alkaline solutions, acidic electrolytes, and non-aqueous or low-ionic-strength samples when paired with appropriate electrodes. The integrated HI12963 electrode features a titanium body for mechanical durability and chemical resistance, combined with a built-in thermistor for real-time, automatic temperature compensation (ATC) across –20.0 to 120.0 °C. This eliminates manual correction errors and ensures thermodynamic consistency per the Nernst equation. The instrument adheres to core electrochemical metrology practices, supporting traceable calibration via seven certified NIST-traceable pH buffer points (1.68, 4.01, 6.86, 7.01, 9.18, 10.01, 12.45) and enabling up to five-point adaptive calibration for nonlinear response characterization.

Key Features

• Extended pH measurement capability from –2.000 to 20.000 pH with selectable resolution (0.1 / 0.01 / 0.001 pH) and accuracy down to ±0.002 pH at 25 °C
• CAL Check™ diagnostic system: Compares current calibration slope and offset against historical values to detect electrode fouling, aging, or buffer degradation—providing actionable feedback without requiring external software
• GLP-compliant data management: Stores date/time-stamped calibration logs—including slope (%), offset (mV), and buffer IDs—for audit-ready traceability in regulated environments (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned workflows)
• IP67-rated enclosure: Fully protected against dust ingress and immersion in water up to 1 m for 30 minutes, enabling reliable operation in demanding industrial, wastewater, or outdoor settings
• Auto-endpoint detection with hold function: Locks stable readings automatically, reducing operator variability and improving repeatability in routine QC testing
• Configurable auto-off timer (5 / 10 / 30 / 60 min or disabled) and backlit LCD for low-light environments, enhancing usability during shift work or field surveys

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HI98190 is validated for use with aqueous and semi-aqueous solutions across diverse sectors—including environmental monitoring (surface water, effluent, soil extracts), pharmaceutical process water (PW, WFI), food & beverage quality control (fermentation, brine, dairy), and electroplating bath management. Its wide pH and ORP ranges support compliance with ASTM D1293 (pH of water), ASTM D3222 (ORP of drinking water), and USP (pH measurement). When used with the HI12963 electrode, it meets IEC 60746-1 for pH meters and satisfies essential requirements for GLP and GMP documentation integrity. The instrument’s 10¹² Ω input impedance minimizes loading effects on high-impedance electrodes, ensuring fidelity in low-conductivity samples such as deionized water or ethanol-water mixtures. All calibration and measurement data are stored internally with timestamps, enabling full retrospective review per ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate).

Software & Data Management

Data transfer is facilitated via USB interface using the optional HI92000-15 software suite—a Windows-based application that supports bidirectional communication, customizable report generation, and export to CSV or PDF formats. The meter stores 200 measurements (100 pH and 100 mV entries), each tagged with sample ID, date, time, temperature, and electrode status flags. Calibration history includes full metadata: buffer IDs used, measured mV values, calculated slope and offset, and pass/fail indicators per CAL Check™. The software enables trend analysis, statistical summaries (mean, SD, RSD), and electronic signature integration for regulated workflows. While the HI98190 itself does not enforce 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature controls, its timestamped, immutable calibration logs and read-only data export architecture provide foundational elements for validation under FDA, EMA, or Health Canada guidance.

Applications

• Environmental laboratories: Monitoring pH and redox potential in groundwater, leachate, and sediment pore water per EPA Method 9040C and ISO 10523
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: Verifying pH stability of purified water systems and buffer preparation tanks in accordance with USP and EU Annex 1
• Food safety labs: Validating acidification steps in canned goods, fermented products, and HACCP-critical control points
• Industrial process control: Managing caustic cleaning solutions (CIP), plating baths, and boiler feedwater chemistry
• Educational institutions: Teaching fundamental electrochemistry concepts, including Nernst equation derivation, junction potential, and calibration uncertainty propagation

FAQ

What calibration buffers are pre-programmed into the HI98190?
The meter includes seven NIST-traceable pH buffer values: 1.68, 4.01, 6.86, 7.01, 9.18, 10.01, and 12.45—all referenced at 25 °C.
Does the HI98190 support two-point or multi-point ORP calibration?
No. ORP measurement is referenced to the Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) and is inherently single-point; the instrument measures absolute mV without adjustable offset—calibration is performed only for pH.
Can the HI12963 electrode be used for non-aqueous samples?
It is optimized for aqueous media. For solvents like ethanol or acetone, a specialized double-junction electrode (e.g., HI1083B) is recommended to prevent reference electrolyte contamination.
How does CAL Check™ determine if an electrode requires cleaning or replacement?
By comparing the current calibration slope (ideally 95–105% at 25 °C) and asymmetry potential (offset) against prior valid calibrations—if deviation exceeds user-defined thresholds, a warning icon appears.
Is the HI98190 compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements?
Yes—its GLP mode provides auditable, time-stamped calibration records with full metrological parameters, satisfying Clause 7.7 (Measurement Traceability) and Clause 7.8.2 (Reporting of Results) of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.