Metrohm has announced that its current Titrando titrators feature intelligent Itrode electrodes as standard.
The main difference between conventional analogue electrodes and Itrodes is the connection and data communication with the titrator.
Behind this are the Itrode's memory chip and a miniaturised analogue/digital converter (the 854 Iconnect) that sits in the electrode cable head.
Every electrode measures an analogue signal (mV or uA), which is converted into a digital signal that can be evaluated by the software.
In the case of classical electrodes, the analogue signal is transmitted to the analogue/digital converter in the titrator.
Although this cable is well shielded, the signal can be affected by external electrostatic influences.
In the case of Itrodes, the analogue-to-digital converter is located in the 854 Iconnect that is connected to the electrode head and is therefore close to the origin of the signal.
The cable connection to the titrator transmits a digital signal, which is not affected by external influences.
This is said to result in lower signal noise compared with a classical sensor.
Unlike conventional analogue electrodes, the Metrohm Itrodes are equipped with a memory chip.
The chip contains read-only data that cannot be altered and can store user-specific data.
The read-only data includes, besides others, an individual correction factor for temperature measurement, the article and serial number, which allows the identification of each sensor.
The serial number of the sensor is saved in the database entry along with the method, the system parameters and the serial numbers of all other devices.
Metrohm said this guarantees full traceability of results.
Furthermore, the chip can store the calibration data and even the calibration and sensor history.
The user can specify the calibration validity interval and the expiry date of the sensor itself.
This ensures that the user always works with a well-calibrated sensor.
Since all these data are stored on the chip in the sensor, the data is available at each titration system that is used with the sensor.