The Intelligent Submersible ARGES Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls, is a high performance submersible sensor that has been designed to simplify the acquisition of water quality measurement parameters into any platform that supports data logging operations using digital network communications.
Each of the Intelligent Submersible ARGES Chloride Sensors by Keynes Controls is suitable for direct connection to industry standard SDI12 Data Recorder, RS485 and MODBUS networks. The instruments can communicate directly across a MODBUS network and can be integrated into plant wide SCADA applications and to many 3rd party PLC controllers.
The sensor operations are digital only and supply results directly in SI (Engineering) Units. The sensors are shipped pre-calibrated and only require deployment. In-built industry standard commands can be used to make configuration changes and read sensor measurements. The parameter order returned by the sensor can be user defined in the device setup.
ISOLATION
The sensor element of the Chloride Sensor is isolated to prevent any current flow between measurements. This prevents contamination of the sensor element and maintains the long active life of the device. When no measurement is being made the sensor is in low power mode.
Measurement Integrity
All of the ARGEs sensor range have the serial numbers and the last calibration date stored internally. The user can access this information for reporting purposes. The sensors can be redeployed at any time with the calibration and serial number records are retained in the sensor.
Product Features
| TYPE | RANGE (Typical levels) |
| Solid state ISE sensor. | |
| Measurement range: | 5 to 35000 ppm - Autoranging |
| Chloride Resolution: | 0.01 ppm |
| Chloride Accuracy: | +/- 10% of Reading or 2 ppm |
| Built-in Digital Networks |
SDI12 / RS485 / MODBUS (16 & 32 Bit Registers) |
| Sensor life: | Re-calibrate after 5000 hours (3 months) |
| pH Range | 2-12 |
| Operation | Stand-alone and as part of a multiparameter system. |
| Sensor Element | Solid State |
| Interference IONS | S2− Ag CN− I− Br− |
Calibration Summary
The Intelligent Submersible Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls can be used within SONDE multi-parameter housing, or as a stand-alone sensor.
The sensors are shipped factory pre-calibrated.
Keynes Controls offers a calibration kit for The Intelligent Submersible Chloride Sensor and this is available from the online store.
The overall accuracy of the sensor will depend upon how well it has been calibrated.
Why is a chloride testing done in water?
Testing for chloride in water is important because this component is corrosive to most metals in systems with elevated pressures and temperatures such as boilers and oil-drilling equipment.
In drinking water the presence of chloride can affect the taste of water.
The image opposite shows a sample of the real-time Chloride measurements made by the ARGES sensor on the Blackwater River in Berkshire Oct 2024 using the QLOG software.
Storage and Handling
When not in use the ARGES Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls can be stored dry for long period of time without any degradation in performance. Should the sensor not be used by a considerable length of time then soak the sensor in a low Chloride concentration for several hours before use.
Storage temperature range : -2 to 60 Degrees Celsius.
Further Information
The Submersible Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls monitors Chloride levels in water sources. The ARGES Chloride Sensor readings are influenced by temperature. As the temperature increases the levels of dissolved Chloride will increase.
Freshwater Chloride Levels
- Chloride levels in freshwater with a concentration between 1 to 60 ppm (1 to 100 mg/L) are considered normal.
Saltwater Chloride Levels
- The concentration of chloride levels in seawater is approximately 19,000 mg/L.
Product Specifications
| CHLORIDE | ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Calibration Options | Dual + Multi-point Option | |||
| Resolution | 0.01 ppm | Storage Temp Range: -2 to 60 Deg C | ||
| Accuracy | 10 % Reading | Water Temperature: 0 to 50 Deg C | ||
| Maximum Depth: 50 m | ||||
| Process Electrodes: | Solid State Cells | |||
| PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS | ||||
| Interference IONS | S2− Ag CN− I− Br− | Length x Diameter: 22 x 205 mm | ||
| Material: | PVC/ Stainless Steel | Weight: 90 g | ||
| Settling Time |
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| Wiper Trigger | SDI12 Command - aM! | |||
| Built-in Network Types: | ||||
| Cells | Solid State | SDI12 / RS485 / MODBUS over 485 | ||
| Housing | PVC / 316 Stainless Steel | |||
| Sensor Connector | Gold Plated Pins + Wet Mate | Power Requirement | ||
| Voltage Range: 10-18 V DC | ||||
| Data Output | a+Chloride+Temperature | Standby Current: 0.9 mA Typical | ||
| where a = Instrument ID Number | Reading: 25 mA Typical |
Please Note: The ARGES Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls is pre-calibrated at the factory.
Supported Commands
Most Used Commands - SDI12
| Description | Command | Instrument Response |
| Start measurement | aM! | a05\r\n where 05 = time delay before measurement sent |
| Send ID | al! | a14KEYNESCOISO000014\r\n Part description assigned by Keynes |
| Address Query | ?! | Where a = ID number - 0 - 9 (standard) / (a..z) Enhanced SDI-12 0 - 9 / a - z for RS485 |
| Change Address | aAb! | where a = Initial address and b = Final address |
| Start Measurement | aM! | Make a measurement - a = address of sensor Example 1M! starts a measurement for sensor with ID=1 |
| Set Output Variables | XCSTR0 | Sets the parameter order for measurements sent from the sensor - factory set BCDM |
| Read Serial Number | aXSN! | Instrument Response a+Serial-number |
| Calibration Date | aXCD! | Instrument Response a+date |
| First Calibration point electrical (K) - Conductivity | XCA0 | Typical value = 0 |
| First point uncompensated (A) | XCA1 | Typical Value = 0 |
| Second point electrical (K) - Conductivity reading in calibration mode from the sensor | XCA2 | 500 uS Typical - as read from the sensor |
| Second point uncompensated (A) | XCA3 | 12824 Conductivity from standard |
| Temperature Compensation % per Degree C | XCA20 | Typical 1.92 % per/Degree C compensated salinity correction for PSS-78 |
| Calibration temperature | XCA21 | Corrected to 25 Deg C |
| TDS k factor | XCA23 | Factory set 0.67 Typical range 0.5 - 0.8 |
| Practical Salinity Offset | XCA24 | Factory set = -3.7655 |
| Practical Salinity Scale Factor | XCA25 | Factory set = 0.7317 |
| AAA | ||
| BBB | ||
| SDI12 V1.14 (Default factory settings) | ||
| String ID = A | XVIDS0 | Conductivity level as directly measured by the sensor. |
| String ID = B | XVIDS1 | Temperature compensated Conductivity μS/cm at 25 Deg C |
| String ID = C | XVIDS2 | Total Dissolved Solids |
| String ID = D | XVIDS3 | Practical Salinity |
Commonly used with: CDOM, pH & Temperature Sensors.
CDOM/fDOM =The ARGES CDOM/fDOM Sensor by Keynes Control is a single-channel instrument that can detect and report CDOM levels in the range of 0 - 1000 QSU and temperature in Degrees Celsius. Read More...
Submersible pH Sensor = The Intelligent Submersible pH Sensor by Keynes Controls, is a high performance submersible sensor that has been designed to simplify the acquisition of water quality measurement parameters into any platform that supports data logging operations using digital network communications. Read More...
Built-in Communication Options
The ARGES Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls supports SDI12, RS485 and MODBUS digital communications as standard enabling it to be directly connected to data logger for remote web based reporting, onto Wi-Fi and Local Area Networks using the RS485 option. The MODBUS and RS485 option are often used to connect sensors to a PLC Controller and Display Units. The MODBUS protocol enables the sensors to be used directly by most SCADA applications software.
The Free QLOG Applications software supports communications on SDI12 and RS485 network. QLOG can also be used to make reading to the ARGES sensors across a Wi-Fi or Local Area Network.
Optional Accessories
Keynes Controls manufactures a range of accessories that can be used to connect the ARGES range of sensors to a Windows computer system and enable the sensors to be used in Laboratory applications, multi-parameter instruments and calibration operations.
The optional USB media converter can be used to connect The Intelligent Submersible ARGES Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls, or a multi-parameter instrument containing the chloride Sensor to a Windows PC.
Multiparameter Housings
The ARGES Chloride Sensor by Keynes Controls can be used as a stand-alone device or as a part of a multi-parameter solution. Keynes Controls currently manufacture 7 port and 3 port sensor housings. An optional brush unit can be installed to clean the fluorometer optics.
Only a single network connection fitted to the base of the housing is required to communicate with all the internal sensors. The internal sensors will automatically detect the network traffic and start operations.
All of the sensors support SDI12, RS485 and MODBUS communications.
The ARGES Chloride sensor is integrated into the Keynes Controls Q-LOG software.
Our Q-LOG software runs on the widely recognised Windows Operating system, you have the ability to calibrate, adjust instrument network address, and effortlessly display measurements on a series of panel meters and charts. Conveniently store results in text based files for quick analysis in spreadsheets.
MODBUS Operations
ALL of the ARGES range of chemical sensors support MODBUS network operations The sensors act as a slave unit only and can communicate to suitable controllers and SCADA systems that support the MODBUS Protocol. The sensors support 16 and 32 bit registers. .
The ARGES sensors can be connected to a PC based system using the optional USB-485-Pro media converter. This device can power the chemical sensor and supports the correct timing protocols for data transmission for MODBUS and standard RS485 network communications