

The UV254Sense UVA/UVT probe offers real-time analysis of organic UVA (ultraviolet absorbance) and UVT (ultraviolet transmission) in water.
Thanks to advancements in spectral analysis technology, monitoring organic contaminants in water has become far simpler than traditional lab based methods with the UV254 Probe. This probe, which comes standard with UV transmittance and UV absorbance outputs, continuously passes a small flow of water through a gap in the probe. The UV254 Probe shines UV254 light through the water and measures how much light is absorbed (UVA) and how much is transmitted (UVT).
By measuring the light absorbed at a specific wavelength (254nm), you can determine the concentration of contaminants, including organic compounds that contribute to the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). The UV254 sensor’s ability to detect the absorption of light provides insight into the amount of aromatic (or reactive) organic matter in water. This makes it a highly effective surrogate for monitoring total organic carbon (TOC) during organic removal processes.
Pi’s UV254 analyzers are capable of detecting natural organic matter (NOM), which is present in all water sources. The UV254 absorption tends to favor aromatic compounds, offering valuable benefits when monitoring the potential for DBP formation.
The UV254Sense Probe from Pi features a high-quality, long-lasting 254nm wavelength UV LED light source. This light passes through a sapphire window and shines into the water. A photodiode detector captures the light. The amount of light absorbed by the water is measured as UVA (ultraviolet absorbance), while the amount of UV light that passes through is recorded as UVT (ultraviolet transmission). The relationship between these two measurements follows Beer-Lambert’s law.
The UV254Sense Probe is very cost-effective to calibrate and maintain, as it has no reagents or moving parts. Maintenance is simple, requiring only periodic cleaning and occasional “zeroing” of the analyzer with DI or RO water. With the option of automatic cleaning systems, maintenance costs are kept to a minimum. Combined with its low purchase price, the total cost of ownership for the UV254Sense Probe is significantly lower compared to other UV254 instruments.
Focus Ons are concise articles delivered via email that offer technical insights into instrumentation and process measurement for a variety of water types, including potable, waste, process, and pool waters. To subscribe to these informational releases, contact us.
>> Correlating the UV254 Water Quality Parameter to Other Organics Parameters
By shining light at a specific wavelength (254nm) through water, you can measure how much of the light is absorbed by contaminants. These contaminants may include particulate matter or organic substances that absorb light at that wavelength.
There are two main ways to use this:
The first is by measuring UV light transmission (ultraviolet transmittance). This is crucial for determining the strength of UV light used in disinfection.
The second is by measuring UV absorption (UVA). This indicates the level of organics in the water and can serve as a surrogate for parameters like TOC, DOC, and COD. It is most commonly used in coagulation control at water treatment facilities.
UVA = 2-log10UVT
UVA and UVT are essentially the same measurement expressed in different ways
Coloured raw water is often caused by organics, so both UV and color measurements can provide similar insights. While color monitors are useful for assessing the appearance of drinking water, many organics do not reflect in the visible spectrum (meaning they have no color), and other factors, such as manganese, can also cause color in water. UV254 measurement is more sensitive to aromatic compounds in the water, which can react with chlorine to form unwanted disinfection by-products (DBPs). As a result, UV254 is typically considered a more valuable measurement than color, especially for coagulation control.
Pi removes interfering particulate using a self-flushing filter.
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) is a challenging and costly parameter to measure online, and UV254 can often be used as a surrogate measurement. To do this, the user must first establish a correlation between TOC and UV254 offline and then input this relationship into the analyzer. The analyzer can then output TOC values by correlating the UV254 reading to the TOC.
The accuracy of this correlation depends on the composition of the TOC. If the TOC is made up entirely of UV254-absorbing organics, the correlation will be excellent. However, if the TOC contains non-absorbing organics, the correlation will weaken predictably, reaching zero when the TOC consists entirely of non-absorbing organics. In general, municipal water and wastewater typically show very good correlations.
The UV254Sense Probe can accommodate path lengths of 2, 5, 10 or 20mm.
By flushing regularly and automatically (controlled by the analyser) with clean water
Typically, the bulb lasts 10 years
Yes, as long as the sensor isn’t in the path of stray UV light (e.g. sunshine)
Yes! Our controllers can handle up to 16 sensor inputs. Please contact Pi for details
Document | Type | Size |
---|---|---|
UV254Sense Probe | Brochure | 486kB |
UV254Sense – Water | Brochure | 652kB |
UV254 Sample Strainer Unit | Technical Note | 655kB |
Laboratory Based and Portable Analysers | Brochure | 636kB |
Correlating the UV254 Water Quality Parameters to Other Organics Parameters | Technical Note | 666kB |
Importance of Measuring UV Transmittance (UVT) for UV Disinfection | Technical Note | 445kB |
Benefits of UV Transmittance (UVT) Field Testing for Selling and Servicing UV Disinfection Systems | Technical Note | 459kB |
"We at Scottish Water have been using the excellent Pi LabSense 3 and portable UV254 instruments in the field for optimizing our Water Treatment processes for some years now. We find them easy to use and invaluable for detecting and resolving issues in a timely, efficient and effective manner. Two great pieces of kit!”
"I want to thank you and all at Process Instruments for all the assistance, information and handholding during the year. The help that was so freely given was very much appreciated. Can you please extend my appreciation to all at Pi and let me wish you all a happy, safe and wonderful Christmas and I look forward to working with you again in 2021."
"Excellent level of support and always so much more prompt than a lot of our suppliers."
"The plant can’t produce good quality water without the CoagSense."
"We've used the CRIUS® with chlorine, pH and conductivity sensors for several years and confirm quality, performance and reliability has been wholly satisfactory to date."
"We in ECM ECO Monitoring can only recommend Process Instruments products and services to all other potential clients. They have very complex portfolio of products for water quality monitoring in various types of industries, friendly attitude, very quick delivery time and prompt reaction to all our needs and inquires. Our clients especially appreciate the particle counters and sizers allowing identification of drinking water treatment problems. The Streaming Current Monitors are a great tool for optimisation of expensive chemicals.”
"Simply the best turbidity available."
"In 2019, we purchased 29 particle counters which were installed in our water plants. So far, their performance has been perfect."
"We have installed hundreds of ozone analyzers from Pi over the years. They are just accurate, reliable and require low maintenance."
"Over the last few years we've purchased chlorine and turbidity analyzers from Chemtrac and with routine calibration the probes measure the chlorine and turbidity without any issue. We are very happy with this product and would highly recommend them."
"We've been using these analyzers since 2008. They're easy to use and very stable. Calibration and maintenance is quick and simple."
"The Pi products provide excellent value for money and represent the best municipal drinking water analyzers available."
“Servicing customers is much more than just solving problems or addressing complaints and Pi does that very competently with technical and quick efforts providing a good experience."
"Pi's technical team has enabled us to be one step ahead of our competitors by adding value to our projects thanks to their fast and excellent support from the moment you first reach out.
"Going from ORP control to amperometric chlorine sensor control has undoubtedly improved the pool water immensely!"
"The Streaming Current Monitor from Pi is the best SCM I have ever used. The analyser responds quickly and has many powerful functions, which helps me save a lot of money."
“Process Instruments has a broad range of high quality and user-friendly solutions for water-industry problems. The short lead times and great customer support make Pi a reliable partner.”
"Process Instruments UK always have a high level of customer service. All our interactions with Pi have exceeded our expectations. It is always a pleasure working with you.”
"The support from Pi and its partners is superb. They go above and beyond to ensure that, not only is their equipment perfect but that the process is working great too. Five Stars!"
"Process Instruments UK always have a high level of customer service. All our interactions with Pi have exceeded our expectations. It is always a pleasure working with you.”
Process Instruments (UK) Ltd. (Pi) is an international provider of water analysis solutions established in 1998.
Turf St, Burnley BB11 3BP