ECD

CA6 Water Hardness Analyzer

Compact online colorimeter for the automatic measurement of Hardness in water

0-500 ppb (26 mm cell) – 0-1000 ppb (16 mm cell), up to 50 ppm with internal dilution
2 x 4-20 mA outputs for measured data Modbus RTU RS485 and 4 SPDT programmable potential free relays
Automatic calibration, validation and cleaning, with colour touchscreen and USB datalogger

Quantity

Overview

The Model CA-6 Water Hardness Analyzer is an automated online system for continuous water monitoring, using colorimetric analysis with an LED light source and a heated reaction cell. Its dual-enclosure design keeps the top electrical section (power supply, controller PCB, and touchscreen UI) completely isolated from the bottom liquids section (pumps and reaction cell).

During operation, the system performs a smart reference measurement after adding initial reagents to eliminate background sample color, turbidity, and refractive index variations. It then adds color-producing reagents, mixes the sample, takes the final reading to calculate concentration, and automatically drains and rinses the cell between cycles.

The CA-6 can also be configured to measure: Aluminum, Ammonia, Chlorine, Chloride, Chromium VI, Copper, Cyanide, Hardness, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Total Phosphate, Silica, Sulfate, Zinc.

Typical Applications

Power plants
Cooling water
Water steam cycle
Boiler feedwater
Reversed osmosis
Ion exchangers
Ultrapure water
Drinking water

Key Features

Color Touchscreen Interface: Features an intuitive graphic display for easy menu navigation, multi-language support, status monitoring, and an integrated USB datalogger
Automatic Calibration, Validation & Cleaning: Standard automated features that reduce downtime, minimize operator intervention, and use freely selectable intervals
Multiple Streams: Available in dual-stream versions, with support for up to 4 sample streams using an external sequencer

Benefits

Dual-Compartment Enclosure: Completely separates the electronics from the wet section for maximum safety
Low Reagent Consumption: Minimizes operating costs by using only 1.7 L (16 mm cell) or 2.5 L (26 mm cell) of each reagent every 30 days at a 15-minute analysis frequency
Factory Tested & Ready: Plug-and-play setup—simply connect power, sample, and reagent lines for immediate operation

Specifications

MEASUREMENT
Measured parameter	Hardness as CaCO3 (ppb, ppm, mg/l)
Measuring principle	Differential photometric absorbance. O-cresolphalein Complexone
Measuring range	0-500 ppb (26 mm cell) 0-1000 ppb (16 mm cell) up to 50 ppm with internal dilution
Reproducibility	± 5 ppb or ± 5%, whichever is greater (26 mm cell) ± 10 ppb or ± 5%, whichever is greater (16 mm cell)
Analysis frequency	Freely programmable, batch near-continuous analysis
Cycle time	6 minutes, including conditioning before analysis cycle and rinsing after measuring
Reaction cell	Temperature heated

SAMPLE & STREAMS
Sample	Pressure-free from overflow vessel Temperature: 41 - 113 °F (5 to 45 °C) Flow Rate: 80 to 500 mL/min Connection: 6 mm (¼-in.)
Drain	Pressure-free, atmospheric drain Connection: 12 mm (½-in.)
Number of streams	1, 2 with integrated switching valve 3, 4 with external sequencer
Reagent consumption	Minimum operating cost by small reagent consumption, only 1.7L (0.45 US gal) for the 16 mm cell / 2.5L (0.66 US gal) for the 26 mm cell of each reagent every 30 days with 15 minute analysis frequency

ELECTRICAL
Power supply	Voltage: 100 - 240 VAC 50/60 Hz standard or 24 VDC (option) Power consumption: max. 80 VA
Outputs	2 x 4-20 mA outputs for measured data Modbus RTU RS485
Alarms	4 SPDT programmable potential free relays
Digital input	Remote start / stop
User interface	Colour graphic touchscreen, multiple languages, integrated datalogger with USB download

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL
Dimensions (H x W x D)	23.6 x 15.0 x 8.2 in / 606 x 380 x 209 mm
Weight	Approx. 44 lbs (20 Kg)
Operating temperature	41 - 113 °F (5 - 45 °C)
Humidity	10 to 90% non-condensing (indoor use, outdoor installation only possible with protective cabinet or shelter not included)
Installation	Wall mount (standard), bench top support or panel mount (options)
Ingress protection	IP54