Conductivity/TDS Troubleshooting Guide
Troubleshooting guide for Equipment, Meter/Controller, Conductivity Electrode, and
Conductivity Cell Ranges. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please Contact Us.
Troubleshooting Equipment
The following tools are recommended to assist you in problem identification:
• A DVM (Digital Volt Meter)
A DVM will help to check for electrical continuity from the measuring electrode to its
connector and to measure resistance between the conductive pins to see if a short circuit
is present. It will also verify that the temperature sensor in the electrode is working
based on resistance reading at room temperature.
• Conductivity Simulator or resistor and loop of wire
Simulators (not available from Sensorex) will help test the ability of the conductivity
system (electrode + meter/controller) to read properly. A resistor connected via wires to
the conductivity instrument in place of conductivity sensor inputs can also help simulate
measurement of conductivity if no conductivity standards are available. Use the following
formula to figure out which resistor(s) to choose:
Resistor (R) = Cell constant x 1,000,000 / conductivity value to simulate
(uS)Example: R = 1.00 x 1,000,000 / 2000us = 500 Ohms
• Conductivity Standards
A wide range of conductivity standards/calibration solutions are available. Use at
least two standards that are at the high and low end of the range in which you need to
measure.
Meter/Controller Troubleshooting
The meter or controller is the easiest component to eliminate as a possible cause of your
problem. Disconnect conductivity sensor from meter/controller and connect conductivity
simulator in its place. Input conductivity readings and make sure controller/meter display
matches the reading from the simulator. Use fixed resistor if a simulator is not available. If
readings do not match, the problem is in the meter or controller. Contact meter/controller
supplier for help or refer to meter/controller troubleshooting section. If simulator inputs are
correctly displayed on the meter/controller, then the electrode is the most likely cause of the
problem.
DESIGNED AND ASSEMBLED IN CALIFORNIA, USA
11751 MARKON DRIVE • GARDEN GROVE, CA 92841 • 714.895.4344 • WWW.SENSOREX.COM
© Sensorex Corporation. All rights reserved. In the interest of improving and updating its equipment, Sensorex reserves the right to alter specifications to equipment at any time.
Conductivity Electrode Troubleshooting
Check electrode in conductivity calibration/standard solutions as recommended above.
Compare results to those on the following table:
Conductivity standard
Possible Cause Corrective Action
solution output
a) Conductivity sensor
a) Check all connections from
not connected to
electrode to instrument
instrument
b) Check for electrical continuity from
b) Bad connection at
No output conductivity pin to connector using
connector
Ohms setting on DVM (should be <1
c) Break in cable or
Ohm)
internal connection
c) Contact Sensorex
broken in sensor
a) Use fresh solutions or new lost of
a) Solution is not fresh,
solution
contaminated, or
Output in standard solution is b) Clean electrode per instruction
labeled wrong
more than 10% different than manual. Do not abrade measuring
b) Electrode is dirty
value of solution surface.
c) Standard solution is
c) Pick standards based on ranges
outside of cell range**
shown below**
a) Shake or stir electrode to remove
bubbles if testing solution in beaker.
Bubbles in electrode or
Unstable or drifting reading b) Mount electrode horizontally so
flow cell
bubbles rise up and away from
electrode.
a) Electrode not
a) Check installation fittings and
Readings in line do not change completely immersed in
make sure sensor is completely
but electrode calibrates in process fluid
installed.
conductivity standard solutions b) Electrode not
b) Check wiring to instrument
connected to controller
Conductivity Cell Ranges**
Cell Constant (k) Conductivity Range(uS)
1.0 10,000 uS
0.1 1,000 uS
0.01 100 uS
If you are still having problems after trying the above diagnostics, fill out our Application
Questionnaire and e-mail it to us for assistance.
DESIGNED AND ASSEMBLED IN CALIFORNIA, USA
11751 MARKON DRIVE • GARDEN GROVE, CA 92841 • 714.895.4344 • WWW.SENSOREX.COM
© Sensorex Corporation. All rights reserved. In the interest of improving and updating its equipment, Sensorex reserves the right to alter specifications to equipment at any time.
