Hardness Tablets Yes/No

The Palintest Hardness Yes/No test provides a simple control test for industrial and domestic water softeners. The test will demonstrate whether the water has been properly softened or whether the softener bed requires regeneration or replacement. The test can be used with the control limit set
at a hardness of 4, 8 or 20 mg/l CaCO3.

Method
Calcium and magnesium ions are complexed by reaction with ethylene
diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Excess calcium and magnesium ions react
with a specific indicator to produce a distinctive coloration. The Palintest
Hardness Yes/No test uses a tablet reagent containing a standardised
amount of EDTA with screened eriochrome black as indicator. The test
produces a distinctive red/green colour indication depending on whether the
water is above or below a designated hardness control limit.

Reagents and Equipment
Palintest Hardness Yes/No Tablets
Palintest Sample Container (PT 506, PT 510 or PT 519) - Not supplied

Test Procedure
1 Take a sample of water from the softener in the sample container, filling
to the 50 ml mark.
2 Add two Hardness Yes/No tablets and shake the container until the
tablets have completely disintegrated.

If the sample turns RED the softener requires regeneration or
replacement.
If the sample turns GREEN softened water is being produced.