Instruction manual
37 
to scroll through the setup options until you 
reach the combustible sensor screen. 
(2) Press the “+” or “-“ keys to change the 
combustible from reading in LEL to reading in 
CH4. 
(3) Press and hold the “CAL” key to save changes. 
Note: Once the combustible sensor reading has 
been changed to %CH4, it will appear as such in 
all modes until it is changed back to reading in 
LEL. 
4.3.9.1  Calibrating the combustible sensor in 
CH
4
 mode. 
With the PhD Ultra configured in the volume % 
methane (CH
4
) mode, the LEL sensor will also be 
calibrated to the actual volume percent methane 
used in Biosystems calibration gas cylinders, not the 
%LEL value given on the label. The actual volume 
% CH
4
 will be stamped on the side on the cylinder 
body with indelible ink. For example, Biosystems 
popular all-in-one mix of 54-9044E, with 50% LEL 
propane equivalent will list 1.62% CH
4
 on the 
cylinder body. For easy reference, the actual 
volume % CH
4
 for the following Biosystems LEL 
component mixtures is listed in the following table. 
LEL Component 
Description 
Volume % 
Methane (CH
4
) 
50% LEL Methane  2.50 
50% LEL Propane 
Equivalent 
1.62 
50% LEL Pentane 
Equivalent 
1.25 
Table 4.7.2.1 Percent LEL versus volume percent 
methane for Biosystems calibration gas cylinders. 
4.3.10  Calibration gas concentration 
Calibration gas concentration values may be viewed 
and adjusted through the instrument set up screens. 
 Calibration values shown in 
the calibration value table must match those 
appearing on the calibration gas cylinder(s) that 
will be used to calibrate the PhD Ultra. Non-
matching calibration gas and calibration gas 
value settings will lead to inaccurate and 
potentially dangerous readings. 
To adjust the calibration gas concentration: 
(1) Move to the “Instrument Setup” screen as 
described in section 4.3.1 and use the ‘CAL’ key 
to scroll through the setup options until you 
reach the “Calibration Gas” screen 
If an LEL combustible gas sensor has been 
installed, the LEL sensor’s calibration gas 
concentrations will be the first shown. 
This screen indicates the concentration and type 
of test gas that will be used to calibrate the 
instrument. In the example above the screen 
indicates that “50 % LEL span gas” will be used. 
(2) Use the “+” and “-” buttons to change the 
concentration of the gas that will be used. 
 Calibration values shown in 
the calibration value table must match those 
appearing on the calibration gas cylinder(s) that 
will be used to calibrate the PhD Ultra. Non-
matching calibration gas and calibration gas 
value settings will lead to inaccurate and 
potentially dangerous readings. 
(3) Press the “CAL” button to advance to the 
calibration gas that will be used for the next 
sensor currently installed. Once again, use the 
“+” and “-” buttons to make a change in the 
concentration of the calibration gas that will be 
used. 
(3) Press and hold the “CAL” key to save changes. 
4.3.10.1  “CO Plus” sensor calibration gas 
screen 
The “CO Plus” sensor may be calibrated to either 
hydrogen sulfide or carbon monoxide. 
Do not use multi-component 
calibration gas mixtures containing both carbon 
monoxide and hydrogen sulfide when 
calibrating a PhD Ultra with a CO Plus sensor 
installed. Calibration of the CO Plus sensor 
with multi-component calibration gas mixtures 
containing both CO and H
2
S may lead to 
inaccurate and potentially dangerous readings. 
Biosystems multi-component calibration gas 
mixtures containing both carbon monoxide and 
hydrogen sulfide are labeled as “Not for use 
with CO Plus sensors”. 
With the CO Plus sensor, the 
calibration gas setting determines whether the 
instrument is configured for the direct reading 
of CO, or for the direct reading of H
2
S. 
Calibration gas corresponding to the direct 
reading requirement must be used in the 
calibration of the instrument. If carbon 
monoxide is chosen in the calibration gas 
setting option, the display will show CO+ and 
carbon monoxide must be used to verify 
accuracy. Similarly, if hydrogen sulfide is 










