POTENTIOMETRIC SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD FOR MONITORING THE SENSOR FUNCTION OF A POTENTIOMETRIC SENSOR

摘要

A method for monitoring a sensor function of a potentiometric sensor that includes: an ion-sensitive electrode including an ion-sensitive glass bulb; a reference electrode assembly including a reference electrode; and an ion-sensing circuit having a first terminal connected to the ion-sensitive electrode and a second terminal connected to the reference electrode, the circuit measuring the potential difference that develops in the loop between the reference and the ion-sensitive electrode. The method includes the steps of: a) injecting a pre-defined electric test current from the ion-sensing circuit into the loop comprising the reference and the ion-sensitive electrode; b) monitoring an additional potential difference that develops in the loop between the reference and the ion-sensitive electrode in reaction to the injection of the test current; and c) determining if the additional potential difference is within an expected range characterizing healthy function of the sensor.