EC 2000

Measuring conductivity in a solution

Electrical conductivity determines the electrical current between two points (electrodes) of different voltage potentials in a liquid. The conductivity increases as the amount of salt, acid or base contained in a solution increases. Conductivity is measured in units of mS/cm. The scale for water-based solutions starts with pure water (conductivity equals 0.05 µS/cm at 25 °C) and ends with a basic solution of 1.0 mS/cm (e.g., potassium solutions). Potable or surface water has a conductivity value in a range from 0.1 to 1.0 mS/cm.

Conductivity is measured using a measuring cell which consists (in the simplest case) of two similar electrodes. An AC voltage is applied to an electrode and this causes the ions in the solution to move in relation to the electrode. More current flows between the electrodes when more ions are contained in the solution. Using this measured current, the meter calculates the conductance of the solution and then, based on the cell specification, the actual conductivity value.

Areas of applications:
For horticulture, the conductivity value is also referred to as the EC value. The EC value is an indicator for the quantity of dissolved salts. It is specified in mS/cm.

The EC 2000 is used in all areas of cultivation and irrigation systems, including classic floriculture, substrata production and soil-free cultivation. It enables you to monitor basis solutions and nutrient solutions during fertilization. You can also check the salt content in substrata mixtures.

This precise meter can be calibrated to quickly determine the mS/EC value in solutions ranging from  0 − 20 or 200 mS/cm. It features temperature compensation and can be used with carbon or glass/platinum electrodes.