The High Level QAC Test Strip (Quaternary Ammonium Compounds) measures the range of 1-1500 ppm in increments of 200, 400, 750, 1000 and 1500 ppm, and gives results in just seconds. Check for higher levels of QAC when testing stronger solutions that kill pathogenic organisms, as opposed to testing for residual QAC with our Low Level QAC test strip, or our standard QAC Quick Response Test Strip.
High Level QAC Test Strip, 1500ppm
High Level QAC Test Strip, 1500ppm
- Remove a High Level QAC test strip from the vial by holding it between your index finger and thumb. Do not touch the test pad with your fingers.
- Dip the strip into the solution to be tested and remove immediately.
- Compare the test strip to the included color chart immediately. It is very important for the accuracy of the results to read the strip immediately (the maximum wait time is 5 seconds).
Precision Laboratories quat test papers and strips utilize an effect commonly referred to as the “protein-error of indicators” to quantify the QAC ppm levels. While first observed with proteins (thus the name), the technique utilizes pH indicators and buffering systems to create an environment where the test paper or strip reacts (develops color) proportional to the amount of analyte (QAC) present. The PL quat test papers and strips have color charts calibrated to solutions prepared from OASIS 146, an industry standard quat product. The performance of the papers and strips with alternate quat products should always be verified. In addition, any additives should be evaluated to see if they contribute to the “protein-error” effect.
QRHL1500; QRGHL1500; QAC-1500; QAC-1500-1V-50; QAC-1500-1V-100; QAC-1500-1B-50; QAC-1500-1B-100
Product Specs
SKU 1: | QAC-1500-1V-50 (1 vial, 50 strips/vial) |
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SKU 2: | QAC-1500-1V-100 (1 vial, 100 strips/vial) |
Strip Quantity: | 100 strips, 50 strips |
Bag Dimensions: | 3" (W) x 5"(H) [76mm (W) x 127mm (H)] (Amber) |
Vial Dimensions: | 1.125″ (D) x 3.375″ (H) [29mm (D) x 86mm (H)] |
Strip Dimensions: | 2.5" (L) x .1875" (W) [64mm (L) x 5mm (W)] |
Weight: | 0.07 lbs [33.4 g] (50-strip vial), 0.09 lbs [42.5 g] (100-strip vial) |
Other: | Stored in a flip-top vial with built-in desiccant liner. |
Shelf-Life: | 2 Years |
Label: | Customizable water-resistant label |
Product Documentation
How are the ppm levels quantified on the QAC test strips?
Precision Laboratories QAC test papers and strips utilize an effect commonly referred to as the “protein-error of indicators” to quantify the QAC ppm levels. While first observed with proteins (thus the name), the technique utilizes pH indicators and buffering systems to create an environment where the test paper or strip reacts (develops color) proportional to the amount of analyte (QAC) present. The PL QAC test papers and strips have color charts calibrated to solutions prepared from OASIS 146, an industry standard QAC product. The performance of the papers and strips with alternate QAC products should always be verified. In addition, any additives should be evaluated to see if they contribute to the “protein-error” effect.
What are the dilution instructions for Quat (QAC) solutions?
Our test strips have been calibrated for use with all the commonly used hyamine and steramine quat (quaternary ammonium chloride) solutions. Some commercially available strips have errors as high as 50%. Use this guide to test your strips.
Oasis 146
To prepare a 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 0.530ml of Oasis 146 into 100ml of water.
Active Ingredients | Conc. | Active Ingredients | Conc. |
Alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride | 3.00% | Octyldecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride | 2.25% |
di-n-octyl dimethyl ammonium chloride | 0.90% | di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride | 1.35% |
Hyamine 3500-80%
Prepare a stock solution by dissolving 1.25g in 100ml of water to produce a 10,000ppm solution. To prepare a 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 4ml of the stock solution into 100ml of water.
Active Ingredients |
n-Alkyl (C14=50%, C12=40%, C16=10%) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride-80% |
Bardac 2280
Prepare a stock solution by dissolving 1.25g Bardac 2280 in 100ml of water to produce a 10,000ppm solution. To prepare a 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 4ml of the stock solution into 100ml of water.
Active Ingredients |
Didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride-80% |
Bardac 2250
Prepare a stock solution by dissolving 2g Bardac 2250 in 100ml of water to produce a 10,000ppm solution. To prepare a 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 4ml of the stock solution into 100ml of water.
Active Ingredients |
Didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride-50% |
Sysco QAC Tablets
To prepare a 400ppm QAC solution, place 1 tablet into 2.82L (1 US Gal.) of water.
Active Ingredients |
Alkyl (C14=95%, C12=3%, C16=2%) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride-50% |
Does the accuracy of QAC test strips depend on the pH of the solution?
The accuracy of QAC tests strips does not depend on the pH value of solutions to be tested in the range of 1.86 – 9.2 pH, but rather it depends on buffering capacity. When the pH of a solution to be tested is a result of acidic or alkaline compounds without buffering capacity, then the accuracy of the test is not influenced. In the case that the pH of a solution to be tested is a result of a buffer, then the measure of influence depends on the buffering capacity of the solution.
Test:
Sets of control solutions with QAC concentrations 0 – 50 – 100 – 200 – 400 ppm were prepared in following solutions:
- Hydrochloric acid /0.1 M/, pH 1.1
- Tartaric acid /0.1M/ , pH 1.86
- McIlvaine buffers (0.1M citric acid, 0.2 M disodium hydrogen phosphate), pH 2.2 – 3.0 – 4.0 – 5.0 – 6.0 – 7.0 – 8.0 – 9.0
- Sodium tetraborate /0.01M/ , 9.20
The table below contains readings according to the regular color chart:
pH buffer /b/ | 0 ppm QAC | 50 ppm QAC | 100 ppm QAC | 200 ppm QAC | 400ppm QAC |
1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ≤50 | 50 |
1.86 | 0 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 |
2.2 /b/ | 0 | 0-50 | 50 | 100 | 200 |
3.0 /b/ | 0 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 |
4.0 /b/ | 0 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 |
5.0 /b/ | ≤ 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 | ≥400 |
6.0 /b/ | 50 | 200 | 400 | higher | higher |
7.0 /b/ | 100 | 400 | ≥400 | higher | higher |
8.0 /b/ | 200 | 400 | higher | higher | higher |
9.0 /b/ | 400 | higher | higher | higher | higher |
9.2 | 0 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 |
Does temperature affect QAC test strip results?
Higher temps:
Testing was run on set of control solutions 0 – 50 – 100 – 200 – 400 ppm Hyamine 1622 (Fluka) warmed up to temperatures in the range 35 – 60oC.
T (oC) | QAC strips reading in control solutions 0 – 50 – 100 – 200 – 400 ppm |
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35 | reading OK in the whole concentration range |
40 | reading OK in the whole concentration range |
45 | 0 – 50 - 100 ppm OK, 200 and 400 ppm reading cca half color square higher |
50 | 50 – 100 ppm reading cca half color square higher, 200 – 400 ppm reading 1 color square higher |
55 | reading 1 color square higher in the whole range |
60 | reading 1 color square higher in the whole range |
Lower temps:
Testing was run on a set of control solutions at 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm QAC using Oasis 146 stock.
The samples were split, so that one set was kept at room temp (76F) and one set was placed into the refrigerator (38F). Both the paper strips (SKU: 106) and the plastic backed test pads (SKU: QAC-400) were tested. The test papers showed no visual difference at any of the concentrations. The plastic backed strips did not show any visual difference, with the exception of the 100 ppm standard. The refrigerated standard read slightly lower (maybe ¼-½ a color unit, read as 50-75 ppm). The test was repeated several times and these results were confirmed.