Lab Manager | Run Your Lab Like a Business

Lab Trends

2016 Titrator Product Survey Results

Find out the most popular features and more from our latest titrator product survey results. 

by
Trevor Henderson, PhD

Trevor Henderson BSc (HK), MSc, PhD (c), is the creative services director at Lab Manager.  He has more than two decades of experience in the fields of scientific...

ViewFull Profile.
Learn about ourEditorial Policies.

Modern titrators can be simply classified as one of two types: potentiometric and Karl Fischer, with the latter available in both coulometric and volumetric versions. While titration may be considered a basic analytical method, modern titrators are far from simplistic. Many titrators offer a variety of automation options and can perform titrations with great accuracy with minimal operator intervention. According to this year’s survey results, over 82 percent of survey respondents use automated titration in their labs, with fully half of respondents also using an autosampler.

Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Titrator

  1. How precise is the titrant delivery system? Is the titrant delivery system certified for accuracy?
  2. Can additional titrants be used without having to purge burettes?
  3. What information is included in the titrator’s display and reports?
  4. Is the titrator limited to proprietary electrodes? What is the replacement cost for electrodes?
  5. Is the software field upgradeable?
  6. What is the service and repair policy?
    • Is on-site support offered?
    • If something goes wrong with the meter, can it be fixed locally?
    • What is the general turnaround time for repair?

Types of titrator used by survey respondents:

Potentiometric 75%
Karl Fischer Coulometric 29%
Karl Fischer Volumetric 33%
Other 10%

Titrator components used by survey respondents:

Autosampler 71%
Karl Fischer oven 26%
Evaporators 11%
Homogenizer 11%
Other 8%

Nearly 48% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new titrator. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:

Replacement of an aging system
49%
First time purchase
15%
Addition to existing systems, increase capacity
19%
Setting up a new lab
8%

Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a titrator:

Accuracy 86%
Reliability 85%
Ease-of-use 70%
Service and support 62%
Price 56%
Low maintenance 55%
Operating cost 54%
Ease of installation 44%
Warranty 44%
Data management 39%

For more information on titrators, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/titrators

See the most recent survey results here