Leici PH-30 Portable Pen-Style pH Meter

Overview

The Leici PH-30 is a compact, field-deployable pen-style pH meter engineered for rapid, reliable electrochemical measurement in diverse operational environments—from routine quality control in food and beverage production lines to environmental monitoring in wastewater treatment plants and educational laboratory instruction. Based on potentiometric principle using a glass electrode reference system, the PH-30 measures hydrogen ion activity in aqueous solutions by detecting the potential difference between a pH-sensitive glass membrane and a stable internal reference element. Its design adheres to fundamental electrochemical standards including ISO 7888 (water quality — determination of pH), ASTM D1293 (standard test method for pH of water), and supports compliance with GLP documentation requirements through traceable calibration logging and stable sensor response characteristics.

Key Features

• High-contrast LCD display with adjustable backlight for low-light field use and clear readability under direct sunlight
• Auto-recognition of standard GB (China) and US (NIST-traceable) pH buffer solutions (pH 4.01, 7.00, 10.01) during calibration—eliminating manual buffer selection errors
• Three interchangeable pH sensing tip configurations: spherical (general-purpose), flat-surface (for semi-solid or surface measurements), and conical (for narrow containers or viscous samples)
• Integrated automatic temperature compensation (ATC) across 0.0–60.0 °C, using a built-in thermistor to correct pH readings in real time per the Nernst equation
• IP67-rated housing ensures full dust ingress protection and temporary submersion resistance (up to 1 m for 30 min), enabling robust operation in humid, outdoor, or washdown-intensive settings
• Intelligent power management: programmable auto-off (5–20 s), battery level indicator, and >200-hour continuous operation on four AAA alkaline cells
• Readout lock function—both manual trigger and auto-hold (configurable 5–20 s)—to stabilize transient readings during handheld measurement

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PH-30 is validated for aqueous and mildly conductive non-aqueous solutions with conductivity ≥50 µS/cm. It is not intended for strong oxidizers, hydrofluoric acid, or high-viscosity solvents (>500 cP) without appropriate electrode selection and rinsing protocols. Electrode compatibility aligns with common ISE and combination electrode geometries compliant with DIN 19265 and IEC 60746-1. Calibration verification meets ISO/IEC 17025 traceability requirements when performed with certified reference materials (CRM) from accredited providers. The device supports audit-ready documentation practices required under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with external data logging software (e.g., Leici DataLink v2.0), including timestamped calibration records, operator ID tagging, and change history tracking.

Software & Data Management

While the PH-30 operates as a standalone instrument, it interfaces seamlessly with Leici’s optional PC-based DataLink v2.0 software via USB-to-serial adapter (sold separately). This software enables batch export of pH/mV/temperature readings in CSV or Excel format, generates calibration reports with slope and offset diagnostics, and maintains electronic logbooks compliant with GLP/GMP record retention mandates. All calibration events—including date/time stamp, buffer IDs used, measured mV values, and calculated electrode slope (% recovery)—are stored internally and retrievable via serial query command set (Leici ASCII protocol). No cloud connectivity or firmware OTA updates are supported; all configuration changes require local physical interaction.

Applications

• Field-based water quality assessment: drinking water distribution networks, aquaculture ponds, stormwater runoff sampling
• Process monitoring in brewing, dairy, and juice production where rapid pH verification is critical pre- and post-pasteurization
• Educational labs for introductory electrochemistry experiments—demonstrating Nernstian behavior, buffer capacity, and electrode drift analysis
• Swimming pool and spa maintenance, including chlorine stability correlation via pH-dependent hypochlorous acid equilibrium
• Soil slurry testing (1:5 water extract method) following APHA Standard Methods 4500-H⁺ B
• Pharmaceutical excipient QC checks where USP pH tolerance limits apply to liquid dosage forms

FAQ

What calibration buffers are supported?
The PH-30 auto-identifies three standard buffers: pH 4.01 (potassium hydrogen phthalate), pH 7.00 (potassium dihydrogen phosphate/dibasic sodium phosphate), and pH 10.01 (sodium carbonate/bicarbonate), compliant with both Chinese GB/T 27501 and US NIST SRM specifications.
Can the PH-30 measure non-aqueous samples?
It is designed for aqueous systems. For ethanol/water mixtures or glycerol solutions, use only the conical-tip electrode and rinse thoroughly with deionized water after each measurement to prevent junction clogging.
How often should calibration be performed?
Daily calibration is recommended for regulated environments; for general field use, calibrate before each measurement session and verify with a mid-range check buffer (e.g., pH 7.00) after every 10 samples.
Is the electrode replaceable without tools?
Yes—the modular electrode cartridge system allows tool-free replacement in under 15 seconds, minimizing downtime and extending total instrument service life.
Does the device meet any international safety standards?
The PH-30 complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and carries CE marking under the EU Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and EMC Directive (2014/30/EU).