Metrohm 827 Desktop pH Meter

Overview

The Metrohm 827 Desktop pH Meter is a precision electrochemical measurement instrument engineered for routine and regulated laboratory applications requiring high reproducibility in pH, redox potential (mV), and temperature determination. Based on potentiometric measurement principles—employing a glass electrode and reference electrode pair—the 827 delivers stable, drift-compensated readings traceable to NIST-certified buffer standards. Its dual-temperature-sensor support (Pt1000 and NTC) enables accurate thermal compensation across extreme operational ranges, critical for non-aqueous, high-ionic-strength, or elevated-temperature samples encountered in pharmaceutical QC, chemical synthesis monitoring, and environmental water analysis. Designed and manufactured in Herisau, Switzerland, the instrument reflects Metrohm’s decades-long commitment to metrological integrity, mechanical robustness, and long-term calibration stability.

Key Features

• Triple-parameter measurement capability: simultaneous display and logging of pH, mV, and temperature with automatic temperature compensation (ATC)
• Dual-sensor temperature input support: configurable selection between Pt1000 (–150.0 to +250.0 °C) and NTC (–5.0 to +250.0 °C) probes for broad application flexibility
• Infrared (IrDA) wireless interface compliant with IrDA 1.1 standard—enables contactless data transfer to compatible printers and PCs without cables or drivers
• RS232 serial port for direct connection to LIMS or SCADA systems; optional USB-to-RS232 adapter available for modern workstation integration
• High-resolution display (pH: 0.001, mV: 0.1, T: 0.1 °C) with real-time stability indicator and electrode status feedback
• Calibration management: up to 5-point pH calibration with slope and offset diagnostics; GLP-compliant calibration report generation including date, operator ID, buffer values, and electrode ID
• Robust die-cast aluminum housing with IP20-rated enclosure—designed for continuous benchtop use in ISO 17025-accredited laboratories

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 827 supports aqueous, non-aqueous, viscous, and low-conductivity samples when paired with appropriate Metrohm electrodes (e.g., pH 9658 for organic solvents, pH 9660 for low-ionic-strength waters). It meets essential regulatory expectations for documented measurement integrity: full audit trail support (when used with Metrohm LabX software), calibration certificate traceability to national standards, and compliance with ISO 7027 (for turbidity-assisted pH validation), ASTM D1293 (for water pH), and USP . While the meter itself does not carry FDA 21 CFR Part 11 certification, its output and calibration records are structured to support Part 11–compliant environments when integrated into validated workflows with electronic signature-capable software.

Software & Data Management

Data export is supported via IrDA or RS232 to CSV or TXT formats for post-processing in Excel or statistical packages. For fully auditable environments, the 827 integrates seamlessly with Metrohm LabX™ PC software—providing automated calibration logging, user access control, electronic signatures, instrument qualification templates (IQ/OQ), and raw data archiving aligned with ALCOA+ principles. All measurement files include embedded metadata: timestamp, electrode serial number, calibration history, ambient temperature, and operator code—ensuring full traceability per GLP and GMP requirements.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical quality control: dissolution media pH verification (USP ), buffer preparation, and cleaning validation
• Chemical R&D: reaction endpoint detection in acid–base titrations, catalyst stability testing under thermal stress
• Food & beverage: shelf-life studies, fermentation process monitoring, and regulatory compliance reporting (EU Regulation 1169/2011)
• Environmental labs: surface water, wastewater, and soil leachate analysis per EPA Method 9040C and ISO 10523
• Academic research: teaching labs requiring intuitive interface and metrologically sound fundamentals of potentiometry

FAQ

Does the 827 support automatic electrode recognition?
No—the 827 requires manual electrode type selection during setup. Automatic recognition is available only on newer Metrohm pH meters (e.g., 914/915 Pico, 917 Coulometer series).
Can I use the 827 for measurements in hot alkaline solutions above 100 °C?
Yes, provided a high-temperature pH electrode (e.g., Metrohm pH 9662 with Pt1000 thermistor) is used and calibrated within the specified range; verify thermal limits of both electrode and meter cable.
Is firmware upgrade possible in the field?
Firmware updates require Metrohm Service Center intervention and are performed via dedicated service mode—not user-accessible.
What buffer standards are recommended for 5-point calibration?
Metrohm recommends NIST-traceable buffers at pH 1.68, 4.01, 6.86, 9.18, and 12.45 (25 °C); alternate points may be selected based on sample matrix but must be certified and temperature-adjusted.
How is measurement uncertainty estimated for the 827?
Total uncertainty derives from electrode performance (±0.01 pH typical), temperature probe accuracy (±0.2 °C for Pt1000), and meter electronics (±0.002 pH)—combined using root-sum-square (RSS) per GUM (JCGM 100:2008).