The Best Guide for Choosing Your pH Controller

pH controllers are essential for monitoring the potential of hydrogen (pH) level of a certain medium. There are five classifications for the pH of a solution or medium. These are strongly acidic, strongly basic, weakly acidic, weakly basic and neutral. A neutral medium has an equal amount of basic and acidic molecules, meaning it doesn't lean on either side of the equation. Indeed, the pH composition of a medium affects the outcome of processes in industries like food processing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing.

A pH controller helps you keep an eye on things and maintain the right pH for your applications. Are you thinking of investing in one? Here is a guide that will help you make the right decision:

1. pH Controllers Vary

The first step to choosing the right pH controller is to appreciate the fact that these devices vary. Their performance, features, input and output options will change as you go from device to another. When it comes to performance pay attention to the number of feedback loops, the number of inputs and control outputs, and the update bandwidth rate.

A high update rate means that you will be getting information about the status of the pH more frequently, giving you better control.  Generally, you are better off with multi-functional controllers capable of using several input and output modes at the same time. The multiple connected loops improve the stability and performance of the device. 

2. Pay Attention to the Display

Choosing a pH controller that works for you requires attention to the user interface. This feature is important because you use it to interact with the device. Essentially, you can choose from three display interfaces. The first one is an analog meter with a gauge and simplified visual pointers or indicators. Secondly, you can opt for digital readouts with numerical indications of the pH level of the medium. Lastly, you can go for Video Display Terminals (VDT) with real-time indications of the pH level at any time. Make sure the interface you choose can integrate with personal computers through serial connectors for convenient monitoring and regulation of the pH. 

3. Ability to Work with Other Devices 

It helps to have pH controllers that you can integrate with other devices to suit your applications. For example, you can integrate the controller with a sensor linked to a peristaltic pump. The pump will inject small doses of chemicals into the medium when the pH goes below or above what's desired.