The goal of troubleshooting is the isolation of a problem through checking each of the system components in turn: the meter, the glassware, the electrode, the standards, the sample, and the technique.
Clean glassware is essential for good measurement. Be sure to wash the glassware well with a mild detergent and rinse very well with distilled or deionized water. Clean glassware will drain without leaving water droplets behind.
The electrodes may be checked by using the procedure found in the section entitled Calibration.
1. Be sure to use distilled or deionized water when following the procedures given in the Calibration section. 2. If the electrode fails to respond as expected, see the section entitled Maintaining the Electrode. Repeat the calibration. 3. If the electrode still fails to respond as expected, substitute another electrode that is known to be in good working order for the
questionable electrode. If the problem persists and you are using an electrode pair, try the same routine with a working
reference electrode. 4. If the problem persists, the standards may be of poor quality. Open fresh standards and attempt to calibrate the electrode again. 5. If another electrode is not available for test purposes, or if the electrode in use is suspect, review the calibration procedure and be sure to:
* Clean and rinse the electrode thoroughly. * Prepare the electrode properly. * Use the proper filling solution. * Review TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS.
Whenever problems arise with the measuring procedure that has been used successfully in the past, be sure to check the standard solutions. If in doubt about the credibility of any of the standards, open fresh standards.