Introducing The Horiba U-50 Series Of Multi-Parameter Water Quality Testers

Introducing The Horiba U-50 Series Of Multi-Parameter Water Quality Testers

About Horiba

Founded around 74 years ago, Horiba has grown into a multinational company that produces a comprehensive collection of scientific equipment that includes environmental measuring equipment and scientific analysers.

Figure 1 Horiba U-50 Series Water Quality Tester

Introduction to the U-50 Series

Horiba manufacture water quality meters that vary from inexpensive pocket meters to professional meters designed for field or laboratory use. As part of the professional, field-use range, the U-50 series measure 11 crucial water quality parameters using a single sensor head. The U-50 series is overflowing with features that make testing groundwater and surface water as straightforward as possible.

The series is comprised of seven instrument types and a total of twenty instrument and cable variations. The impressive assortment of options can appear overwhelming. To help find the best U-50 for your application, our scientists prepared a complete overview of the features and specifications of the series. 

 U-50 Series Key Features

Figure 2 Multiple parameters measured
via a single sensor head.

  • Multiple Sensors: Multiple sensors within a single, rugged sensor head allow for seamless measurement of 11 parameters simultaneously.
  • Easy to Read, Backlit LCD: All 11 parameters are listed on the screen simultaneously.
  • One-Hand Operation: The U-50 series digital control unit can be held in one hand for straightforward operation.
  • Rugged: The handheld unit features a shock-resistant cover designed to withstand rough treatment in the field. The sensor head is constructed using chemical resistant materials.
  • Waterproof: When the sensor cable is fitted, the U-50 series is rated to JIS level 7. Meaning water shall not enter the enclosure when it's immersed under defined conditions (immersion-resistant).
  • On-screen Icons: On-screen icons such as battery power, GPS, USB and probe unit connectivity ensure ease of use.
  • Automatic Calibration: An easy auto-calibration feature provides hassle free calibration of pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, depth and turbidity.
  • User-Selectable Display Units: Selectable measurement units allow users to report data easily without manually converting data to desired units.
  • Minimal Maintenance: Minimum dissolved oxygen sensor maintenance thanks to the screw-on type membrane cap.
  • Replaceable Electrodes: The pH and ORP electrodes can be replaced individually – at a fraction of the price of a new sensor.
  • Auto-Hold: The handheld unit features automatic hold, freezing average data values on the screen for easy verification and more time to transcribe data.
  • Data Management: The unit features a USB connection for easy data transfer to a PC (USB sold separately with included software).
  • GPS: GPS enabled units record latitude, longitude and other important location data with individual measurements – this is especially useful for environmental surveys.

U-50 Series Model Specifications

 

U-51

U-52

U-52G

U-53

U-53G

U-54

U-54G

Cable Lengths

2m cable 10m cable

2m cable
10m cable
30m cable

2m cable
10m cable
30m cable

2m cable
10m cable
30m cable

2m cable
10m cable
30m cable

2m cable
10m cable
30m cable

2m cable
10m cable
30m cable

pH

ORP

Dissolved Oxygen

Conductivity

Salinity

TDS

Seawater Specific Gravity

Temperature

Turbidity (LCD)

Turbidity (Tungsten lamp)

Water Depth

️*

️*

GPS (12 channel parallel)

*Water depth only available for 10m and 30m models

Table 1 Horiba U-50 Series Model Specifications 

U-50 Series General Specifications

 

U-51

U-52

U-52G

U-53

U-53G

U-54

U-54G

pH

  • Two-point calibration
  • Automatic Temperature Compensation

Measurement Principle

Glass electrode method

Range

pH0 to 14

Resolution

0.01pH

Repeatability

±0.05pH

Accuracy

±0.1pH

Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP)

Measurement Principle

Platinum electrode method

Range

-2000 mV to +2000 mV

Resolution

1 mV

Repeatability

±5 mV

Accuracy

±15 mV

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

  • Salinity conversion (0 to 70ppt/automatic)
  • Automatic Temperature Compensation

Measurement Principle

Polarographic method

Range

0 to 50.0 mg/L

Resolution

0.01 mg/L

Repeatability

±0.1 mg/L

Accuracy

0 to 20 mg/L: ±0.2 mg/L 20 to 50 mg/L: ±0.5 mg/L

Conductivity (COND)

  • Auto-Range
  • Automatic Temperature Conversion (25°C)

 

Measurement Principle

4 AC electrode method

Range

0 to 10 S/m (0 to 100 mS/cm)

Resolution

0.000 to 0.999 mS/cm: 0.001 mS/cm 1.00 to 9.99 mS/cm: 0.01 mS/cm 10.0 to 99.9 mS/cm: 0.1 mS/cm 0.0 to 99.9 mS/m: 0.1 mS/m 0.100 to 0.999 S/m: 0.001 S/m 1.00 to 9.99 S/m : 0.01 S/m

Repeatability

±0.05% F.S.

Accuracy

Approx ±1% F.S. (Median of two-point calibration)

Salinity

Measurement Principle

Conductivity conversion

Range

0 to 70 PPT (permillage)

Resolution

0.1 PPT

Repeatability

±1 PPT

Accuracy

±3 PPT

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

  • Conversion Factor Setting

Measurement Principle

Conductivity conversion

Range

0 to 100 g/L

Resolution

0.1% F.S.

Repeatability

±2 g/L

Accuracy

±5 g/L

Seawater Specific Gravity

Measurement Principle

Conductivity conversion

Range

0 to 50σt

Resolution

0.1σt

Repeatability

±2σt

Accuracy

±5σt

Temperature

Measurement Principle

Thermistor method

Range

-10 to 55

Resolution

0.01°C

Repeatability

±0.10 (at calibration point)

Accuracy

JIS class B platinum thermometer sensor (±0.3+0.005 | t |)

Turbidity (TURB)

Measurement Principle

LED light source and 30°scattering method

Tungsten lamp source and 90°scattering method

LED light source and 90°scattering method

Range

0 to 800 NTU

0 to 1000 NTU

0 to 1000 NTU

Resolution

0 to 99.9 NTU: 0.1 NTU 100 to 800 NTU: 1 NTU

0 to 9.99 NTU: 0.01 NTU 10 to 99.9 NTU: 0.1 NTU 100 to 1000 NTU: 1 NTU

0 to 0.99 NTU: 0.01 NTU 1 to 99.9 NTU: 0.1 NTU 100 to 1000 NTU: 1 NTU

Repeatability

*±5% (Reading) or ± 0.5 NTU, whichever is greater

±3% (Reading) or ±0.1 NTU, whichever is greater

±5% (Reading) or ± 0.5 NTU, whichever is greater

Accuracy

±5% (Reading) or ±1 NTU, whichever is greater

0 to 10 NTU: ±0.5 NTU 10 to 1000 NTU: 3% (Reading) or ±1 NTU, whichever is greater

±5% (Reading) or ±1 NTU, whichever is greater

Water Depth

Measurement Principle

Pressure method

Pressure method, only 10m and 30m product

Range

0 to 30 m

Resolution

0.05 m

Repeatability

±1% F.S

Accuracy

±0.3 m

* Accuracy is measured by calibrating 4 points for turbidity and electrical conductivity and 2 points for all other measurements against a standard solution

 Table 2 Horiba U-50 Series General Specifications

U-50 Series Applications

The U-50 series are robust and thrive in fieldwork ground and surface water testing applications. Examples of use include;

  • Measurement at drainage ditches
  • Tests from wharves or marine vessels
  • Measurement in marshes
  • Surface water environmental surveys in oceans, lakes and rivers; and
  • Groundwater analysis from an intake.

Conclusion

When it comes to water quality, the list of parameters the U-50 series does not measure is probably shorter than the list it does! The U-50 series, with its 11 critical water quality parameters, a single sensor head, intuitive software and optional PC connectivity, offers the ultimate selection of field water quality assessment tools.

For more information on the Horiba U-50 series, speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].

Appendix

U-50 Series Meters

U-51

U-52

U-52G

U-53

U-53G

U-54

U-54G

U-50 Series Accessories

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