Swiss LabSen 833 electrode built for strong acid and HF — ±0.01 pH, IP57, field-ready.
The Apera PH850-HF (AI5529) is a portable pH meter purpose-built for measuring solutions containing strong acids or hydrofluoric acid, paired with the Swiss-engineered LabSen® 833 pH/Temp electrode featuring a specialized HF-resistant glass membrane. With ±0.01 pH accuracy, IP57 waterproofing, and a foldable stand for bench use, it handles demanding measurement environments that will degrade a standard electrode fast.
The Apera PH850-HF is a field-portable and bench-capable pH meter from Apera's Value Series (850 platform), configured specifically for strong acidic solutions and solutions containing hydrofluoric acid. The included LabSen® 833 pH/Temp electrode is manufactured using proprietary Swiss sensor technology and materials, with a specialized HF glass membrane that is highly resistant to hydrofluoric corrosion — rated for up to 1,000 HF measurements under standard conditions (HF concentration ≤0.1 mol/L or 0.2% wt%, measurement duration under one minute).
The LabSen 833's hemispherical glass membrane is engineered to be significantly stronger than conventional glass bulb membranes, reducing the risk of accidental breakage in field conditions. Apera's proprietary blue gel inner solution eliminates air bubble formation and allows the electrode to function accurately even when held inverted — useful when working in tight spaces or at odd angles in a grow environment.
This meter is for operations that regularly work with pH-aggressive inputs — acid-based pH-down formulations at high concentration, sulfuric acid used in fertigation system maintenance, hydrofluoric acid cleaning protocols, or storage battery solutions in backup power systems. A standard general-purpose pH electrode degrades rapidly in these environments, losing calibration stability and producing drifting readings. The LabSen 833's HF-resistant membrane and silver ion trap reference system address both corrosion and junction clogging head-on.
Licensed cannabis and hemp facilities running large recirculating systems or heavy fertigation schedules that dose with strong acids will see the most value here — particularly in any application where the operator is testing the acid concentrate or a low-pH working solution before dilution, not just the final reservoir.
Calibration runs 1–3 points with automatic buffer recognition across five standard solutions: 1.68, 4.00, 7.00, 10.01, and 12.45 pH. The smart self-diagnosis system actively flags out-of-range readings, incorrect calibration sequences, and electrode invalidation, reducing operator error during the calibration process. Post-calibration, electrode slope is displayed on-screen so technicians can assess electrode health without additional equipment.
The meter body carries an IP57 waterproof rating with a soft silicone case that provides a secure grip in wet or condensation-heavy environments. The foldable integrated stand converts the unit from a handheld instrument to a benchtop meter without additional hardware. Automatic temperature compensation (ATC) is active across the full 0–100°C range, and the stability icon — displayed when readings have settled — tells the operator exactly when to log a value. Auto power-off preserves battery life between tests.
The silver ion trap reference system works in conjunction with the long-life reference junction to prevent junction clogging caused by samples containing sulfides, proteins, or TRIS buffer solutions — a meaningful advantage in media-dense grow environments where carryover on the electrode tip is common.
In a commercial fertigation setup, pH accuracy at the strong-acid end of the scale matters during two distinct tasks: dosing verification before the acid enters the reservoir, and line-flush or equipment-cleaning verification where acid concentrations are high. A general-purpose electrode drifts or fails outright in these conditions. The PH850-HF is purpose-configured to stay accurate where standard meters cannot.
The portable-to-benchtop convertibility is practical for a facility that does most pH checks at the fertigation station — set the foldable stand on the mixing table and run measurements bench-style, then pull the unit for field checks on remote zones without carrying a second instrument. Powered by standard AA batteries with no USB power dependency, it stays functional anywhere on the floor. RoHS and CE certified; 3-year warranty on the meter body, 6 months on the electrode.
| Model / SKU | PH850-HF / AI5529 |
| pH Range | 0.00 – 14.00 pH |
| pH Accuracy | ±0.01 pH |
| Temperature Range | 0 to 100°C (32 to 212°F) |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.5°C ±1 digit |
| Calibration Points | 1–3 point auto-calibration; recognizes 1.68 / 4.00 / 7.00 / 10.01 / 12.45 pH |
| Electrode | Swiss LabSen® 833 pH/Temp, HF-resistant glass membrane |
| HF Service Life | ~1,000 measurements (≤0.1 mol/L or 0.2% wt% HF, <1 min per test) |
| IP Rating | IP57 (waterproof and dustproof) |
| Power | AA batteries |
| Certifications / Warranty | RoHS, CE; 3 years (meter) / 6 months (electrode) |
Standard pH electrodes use conventional glass membranes that corrode and fail rapidly when exposed to strong acids or hydrofluoric acid. The LabSen 833 uses a specialized HF-resistant glass membrane developed with Swiss sensor technology. It is rated for approximately 1,000 HF measurements (at ≤0.1 mol/L concentration, under one minute per test) — significantly longer service life than a general-purpose electrode in these conditions.
Yes. The PH850-HF measures across the full 0–14 pH range with ±0.01 accuracy. It is specifically designed for strong acidic solutions including those in the very low pH range where standard electrodes drift or read inaccurately. The LabSen 833 is noted as suitable for solutions with hydrofluoric acid at pH ≥3 for HF-specific use, but the meter handles strong acid solutions broadly across the full measurement range.
Yes. The LabSen 833 electrode includes an integrated temperature sensor, and the PH850-HF performs automatic temperature compensation (ATC) across the full 0–100°C (32–212°F) range. Temperature and pH readings display simultaneously on the LCD.
Yes. The PH850-HF includes a built-in foldable stand that props the meter upright for use as a benchtop instrument. It runs on AA batteries, so no AC power source is required at either location. The IP57 rating also makes it suitable for wet or humid environments typical of a commercial grow floor.
After completing a two- or three-point calibration, the meter displays the electrode slope percentage on screen. Significant deviation from the ideal slope indicates electrode degradation. The self-diagnosis system will also flag electrode invalidation directly on the LCD, removing guesswork from the process.
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