A photometer measures how much light a liquid sample absorbs at a specific wavelength. The amount of light absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration of a chemical substance in the sample, following the Beer-Lambert principle. This makes photometric testing one of the most reliable methods for determining water quality parameters such as chlorine, ammonia, iron, phosphate, and dozens of other analytes.
Hanna Instruments manufactures photometers for a wide range of industries in Singapore, from drinking water treatment and aquaculture to swimming pool maintenance and environmental monitoring. Whether you need a simple single-parameter device for field checks or a full multiparameter system for laboratory analysis, our product line covers every application and budget.
Choosing the right photometer depends on where you plan to test, how many parameters you need to measure, and the level of accuracy your work demands. Below is a breakdown of the four main categories available from Hanna Instruments.
Type | Best For | Parameters | Key Features |
Fieldwork, on-site testing, pool and spa maintenance | 1 to 9 per meter (single or multiparameter models) | IP67 waterproof, CAL Check validation, battery-powered, tutorial mode | |
Laboratory analysis, quality control, compliance testing | Up to 60 methods measuring 37+ parameters (HI83300) | Built-in pH meter input, USB data transfer, 1000-reading memory, rechargeable battery | |
Quick spot checks, hobbyist aquariums, basic water testing | 1 parameter per device | Pocket-sized, affordable, more accurate than chemical test kits | |
Advanced labs, research, custom method development | 80+ factory methods, 100 user-programmable methods | Full visible spectrum (340 to 900 nm), split-beam optics, 10-point calibration curves |
Every Hanna photometer follows the same basic measurement principle. You fill a glass cuvette with your water sample, add a chemical reagent that reacts with the target analyte, and place the cuvette into the meter. An LED light source sends a beam through the sample at a specific wavelength. On the other side, a silicon photodetector measures how much light passes through. The higher the concentration of the analyte, the more light is absorbed, and the meter calculates the result in your chosen unit of measure.
What separates Hanna’s optical system from older photometer designs is the combination of a narrow-band interference filter (accurate to ±1 nm), a reference detector that compensates for power fluctuations, and a focusing lens that collects all exiting light. Together, these components reduce errors caused by cuvette imperfections, temperature drift, and inconsistent light output.
Municipal water treatment plants and private labs use benchtop photometers to test for chlorine residual, turbidity, ammonia, nitrate, and heavy metals. The HI83300 multiparameter photometer covers 37 water quality parameters in a single instrument, making it suitable for compliance testing under PUB and NEA guidelines.
Fish farms and marine research facilities need to monitor ammonia, nitrite, dissolved oxygen, and pH on a daily basis. The HI83303 aquaculture photometer includes 12 parameters specific to both freshwater and marine environments, with absorbance mode for custom calibration curves.
Pool operators rely on portable photometers to test free chlorine, total chlorine, pH, and cyanuric acid at the poolside. Waterproof housing (IP67 rated) and a built-in tutorial mode make these meters practical for daily use by maintenance staff who may not have a lab background.
Breweries, wineries, and food processing facilities measure parameters like iron, copper, and sulfate in their process water. Photometric testing provides faster turnaround than sending samples to an external lab, and Hanna’s portable models are compact enough to move between production lines.
Environmental consultants and government agencies conducting river, reservoir, or coastal water surveys benefit from portable photometers that can withstand field conditions. Results are available on-site within minutes, which supports faster decision-making during pollution events.
A photometer uses fixed-wavelength LEDs paired with interference filters. Each meter is built around a specific wavelength (or a small set of wavelengths) matched to the reagent chemistry of the parameters it measures. This design is simpler, more affordable, and produces highly accurate results for its intended tests.
A spectrophotometer, on the other hand, uses a tungsten lamp and a diffraction grating to produce a continuous spectrum of visible light (340 to 900 nm on the Hanna HI801 iris). The operator can select any wavelength, which allows the meter to run a much wider range of methods, including user-programmed tests. If your lab frequently develops custom analytical methods or needs to comply with regulatory procedures that specify exact wavelengths, a spectrophotometer gives you that flexibility.
For most routine water quality work, a portable or benchtop photometer with pre-programmed methods will be the more practical and cost-effective choice. A spectrophotometer is the better investment when versatility and method development are priorities.
All Hanna portable and benchtop photometers include CAL Check, a feature that uses NIST-traceable secondary standards to verify meter accuracy. Each CAL Check standard vial simulates a known absorbance value at the meter’s operating wavelength. If the reading falls outside acceptable limits, the meter guides you through a recalibration process. This allows labs to maintain GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) compliance without needing to send the meter away for servicing.
If you are unsure which photometer fits your needs, consider these questions:
Need help deciding? Contact our team in Singapore and we will recommend the right instrument for your application.
Accuracy varies by model and parameter, but most Hanna photometers deliver readings within ±2% to ±5% of the displayed value at the calibration point. The advanced optical system with a reference detector and narrow-band filter reduces measurement drift, and CAL Check verification helps maintain accuracy over time.
Yes, in most cases. Hanna’s reagent system is designed so that the same reagent kits work across portable and benchtop models that share the same measurement method. Each meter displays the correct reagent product code for the selected test, so you can reorder directly.
Hanna photometers are factory-calibrated and do not require routine user calibration under normal conditions. However, running a CAL Check verification at least once a month (or whenever you suspect drift) is good practice. If the CAL Check result is outside tolerance, the meter walks you through the recalibration steps.
Many Hanna photometer methods are based on accepted references from Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, USEPA methods, and other international standards. The GLP data feature logs calibration history with date, time, and standard values for traceability. Check the specific method references in each product’s manual to confirm alignment with your regulatory requirements.
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