Conductivity Meters (EC)

There are various conductivity meter brands available at Cannon Water Technology, such as HM Digital and Myron L. We are well-known suppliers of good-quality conductivity meters and experts in supplying various types of water treatment equipment made by reputed brands.

Working Principle of Electrical Conductivity Meters

Electrical conductivity testers work based on the electrical conductance of ions in a solution or fluid and how this factor impacts the flow and other features of electric current. The ions or charged atoms carry the electric current through the solution. A high density of ions leads to high conductivity and hence a high transmission rate of electric current. There are some applications that may require high conductance, while others may require low conductance that can be converted to resistivity. Water treatment is one such application, where electrical conductance must be in normal and acceptable ranges. By and large, electrical conductivity measurement is important with regards to quality control of industrial processes.

Types of Conductivity Meters Available at Cannon Water Technology

Although most meters have all the options of measuring various parameters such as TDS, pH, and so on, here are a few generic types of conductivity meters that we offer:

• EC Conductivity Meters: EC is nothing but a simple electrical conductivity meter. These are commonly used to check the amount of nutrients, contaminants, and salts in water usually for agricultural applications.
• pH Conductivity Meters: These are either electronic or analog probes with both pH and conductivity measurement capabilities. The digital ones are modern sleek devices with a display and are water proof. Most of our pH hydrotesters are economical and with advanced microprocessor technology. They have one-point calibration and a wide temperature range.
• Handheld Conductivity Meters: These are easy-to-handle almost pen like devices. In fact, Cannon Water offers an extremely handy pen-like device for this. It has advanced features including a microprocessor-based circuitry.
• TDS Conductivity Meters: TDS stands for total dissolved solids in a solution or a liquid. Conductivity of a solution depends upon the amount of dissolved solids including salts present in it. It is measured with a TDS conductivity meter in parts per million. Most of them come with in-built temperature sensors and are chemical resistant.

Essential Components of an Electrical Conductivity Meter

These are the components that form an electrical conductivity tester.

• Sensors: These comprise probes and temperature sensors. Most of the times, they are inbuilt. These temperature sensors not only sense the changes but auto adjust temperature and other settings as required. Auto adjustment of temperature compensates variations and enhances the accuracy in readings. Probes are sensors that are in direct contact with the solution. They have electrodes made of robust and conductive metals or alloys such as stainless steel.
• Calibration and navigation controls: These controls are in form of push buttons. For navigation, the user interface may also be in the form of touch screen.
• Circuit: The circuit applies voltage and actually measures the electrical conductivity of a solution.
• Display screen:  A conductivity meter features a LCD display screen. They have multiple units for each parameter the meter measures. You can select the unit as per your preference.
• Data storage options: Some models have data storage capabilities, which means they have internal memory to store the readings. Other models can be connected via USBs or Bluetooth to a computer or smartphone for data upload.
• Housing or enclosure: Meters come with enclosures to prevent dust or contaminants from entering inside.
• Power supplies and cables: You can connect these meters to an external electric socket via a cable. They can be powered by batteries as well. Cables are also needed to dip the probe into the solution, depending on the application.

Importance of Calibration in Ensuring Accurate Measurements

Calibrating any device after each or every few use is essential to maintain accuracy in measurements. The probes dipped in various solutions containing corrosive chemicals need cleaning. A fixed standard set point must be adjusted in any device to avoid errors and variations in readings, regardless of the parameter. Here are some pointers that depict why calibration and recalibration are important.

• As mentioned, devices and equipment after continued use undergo wear and tear. This also happens due to environmental parameters, exposure to corrosive solutions, and more. Calibrating the instrument restores accuracy and extends the operational life.
• Calibration is a crucial part of quality control as well as complying with industry standards and regulation.
• Calibration of conductivity meters enhances the safety aspect in industrial environments, especially in applications where there is zero tolerance for errors due to inaccurate measurements. This prevents mishaps such as electrical hazards, shorting, and more.
• Calibrating a conductivity meter leads to accurate measurements which saves costs, time, and energy consumption. Regular calibration as per the manufacturer’s guidelines reduces downtime and production processes.
• Our digital electrical conductivity meters are quite easy to calibrate. They have a user-friendly menu to navigate after following the manufacturer’s calibration guidelines.

Maintenance of Digital Electrical Conductivity Meters

We offer digital electrical conductivity meters which are easy to maintain. However, a basic, periodic maintenance is crucial for any electrical or electronic instrument. Here are some tips to maintain digital ECs and extend their operating life.

• First, the probes must be cleaned with distilled water after each use to avoid wear due to corrosive chemicals and prevent inaccuracies. If the sensor probe is heavily contaminated, you can consider using a mild soap solution for cleaning.
• Use the right pH and buffer solution for calibration, and ensure the meter is recalibrated after each use.
• Check the quality of electrodes and replace them if necessary. This is because they undergo wear over time. Ensure they are moist even when not in use.
• Store the meter safely and away from direct heat and light when not in use.
• If the electrical conductivity meter is battery powered, remove the batteries when not in use for an extended period.
• Check for software updates and ensure the meter is upgraded.
• Follow documentation process after each maintenance schedule.

How to Select the Right Electrical Conductivity Tester?

Here are some tips to select the right electrical conductivity meter based on your application.

• Check your application requirements in terms of the upper and lower limits for temperature, pressure, type of solutions or water samples, such as with TDS, salinity, and so on, digital features, and more. Weigh these against the EC features.
• If you need an EC tester for water, look for specific aspects of water sample or the water bodies from where it is collected. This gives an idea about the hardness, pH, salinity, TDS, turbidity, presence of chemicals and microorganisms, and other aspects. The measurement range can be defined based on all these parameters because this range would vary with each application.
• Choosing the right sensor type or probe is important. Most probes have two to four electrodes. The latter offers a better level of accuracy.
• There are meters designed to achieve tight tolerances and highly accurate output. If your application requires a high level of accuracy and precision, opt for these meters. Basically one needs to find out how much difference in accuracy of values is tolerable.
• Look for a meter that has auto adjustment features to reduce temperature variations. This enhances accuracy of readings.
• Check for data storage options, remote connectivity, inbuilt memory, and more. This is crucial in data analysis.
• The display must be clear with a user-friendly interface. We offer digital displays with easy-to-navigate and intuitive controls.

Beneficial Features of Conductivity Meters at Cannon Water Technology

There are many benefits of buying conductivity meters at Cannon Water. Here are a few of them:

• We offer a wide range of conductivity meters with vivid features and of various brands in one place.
• We have a wide range from the most basic analog meters to the most advanced digital meters with multiple functionalities and features.
• There is a one-year warranty on many of our meters.
• We offer handheld conductivity meters, which are easy to carry and highly accurate.
• We offer meters with multiple functionalities such as TDS measurement and pH measurement.

Applications of Conductivity Meters

Most industries including the government sector which require to test fluid conductivity and make strategic plans use conductivity meters. Here are a few application areas of conductivity meters:

• Water purification systems
• Sewage treatment plants
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Government projects to test the conductivity of water bodies such as lakes and rivers
• Groundwater suction and purification systems
• Chemical plants
• Oil & gas
• Food & beverage
• Pulp & paper
• Power
• Agriculture
• Salinity of seawater

If you are looking for conductivity meters of good brands, you can totally rely on Cannon Water Technology. We are very particular about quality and have the ability to understand your requirements and then make the best offer to you. We have an excellent team who can offer technical assistance, and will be more than happy to help in case of any queries about our conductivity meters. You can reach us on email or phone if you are interested in knowing any specific details.

FAQ

• What is conductivity meter used for?

Conductivity meters are used to measure the capacity of a solution to conduct electricity. They are generally used in water quality testing, chemical analysis, and other applications where the measurement of ionic concentration or total dissolved solids is important.

• How often should conductivity meters be calibrated?

Conductivity meters should be calibrated at least once every six months, but the frequency of calibration may vary depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, frequency of use, and environmental factors.

• How do you measure conductivity accurately?

To measure conductivity accurately, you need to ensure that the measurement cell is properly calibrated, the electrodes are clean and free of contaminants, the sample is homogeneous, and the temperature is constant. It's also important to use the appropriate calibration solutions and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific conductivity meter being used.

• Do conductivity meter need to be calibrated?

Yes, conductivity meters do need to be calibrated periodically to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.

• What are the standards for conductivity meter?

The most commonly used standards for conductivity calibration are the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable solutions. These solutions have known and consistent values that can be used to calibrate conductivity meters and ensure accurate and reliable measurements.

• How to Select a Conductivity Meter?

When selecting a conductivity meter, consider the range of conductivity values you need to measure, the accuracy and precision required for your application, the sample type and size, the temperature range, and any additional features you may need, such as data logging or calibration alerts. It's also important to consider the reputation and support of the manufacturer and to choose a meter that is compatible with your laboratory or field setup.

• Can your conductivity meters measure solutions with extreme high and low conductivity?

Yes, most conductivity meters offered by us can be used to measure wide range of conductivities from extreme high (e.g., concentrated salt solutions) to extreme low conductivities (e.g. pure water). The instrument's range may vary depending on the model.

• Do temperature variations affect the conductivity of the solution?

Yes, because the conductivity is temperature-dependent. The conductivity meters feature built-in temperature compensation that allows correcting temperature variations. It is essential to adjust the temperature while analyzing the conductivity.

• Are single-range and multi-range conductivity meters different?

Yes, there are differences between the single –range and multi-range conductivity meters. Single range conductivity meters are designed for measuring within a specific range of conductivity, whereas multi-range conductivity meters allow users to switch between measurement ranges.

• Can I use these conductivity meters for laboratory and field settings?

It would depend on the model of conductivity meter you choose. Some of these meters are suited for only field settings, whereas some are suited for both. Feel free to contact our experts to learn about their suitability.