Conductivity and TDS are often assumed to be interchangeable; However, they are not the same. The ability of a substance to conduct electricity is measured by its conductivity. Its measurement is the reciprocal of Ohm, so Mhos is a unit of conductivity. Thus, for purely dissolved inorganic materials, such as salts such as sodium chloride, conductivity measurements can be used to calculate TDS quite accurately.
Contents
|
In most cases, the behavior will be determined and converted to total dissolved solids to obtain an estimated TDS value. The TDS meter will perform this conversion automatically based on a conversion factor. This factor will be based on the sample to be tested and it is important to select the most appropriate meter. Generally, in drinking water, the total dissolved solids (TDS) is between 500 mg/L and 1000 mg/L and the electrical conductivity (EC) does not exceed 1500 μS/cm.
What is Electrical Conductivity (EC):
Conductivity is an estimate of the ability of an aqueous sample solution to carry an electric current. Conductivity is an important factor in water, conductivity is counted in units of Siemens/cm (S/cm) which means the conductance in a given path length. The units of microSiemens/cm (µS/cm) or milliSiemens/cm (mS/cm) are more useful for describing waters.
What is Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) determines the mass of dissolved solids in a sample solution and is usually reported in mg/L or parts per million (ppm). This is accomplished by reading the conductivity using a conversion factor. To obtain accurate TDS readings, the correct TDS factor must be used. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) are quality parameters for water and other sample solutions.
Difference between TDS and conductivity:
- The difference between TDS and conductivity is that the concentration of TDS explains the cantidades of dirty inorgánicas and organic materials in the water or in the muestras, mientras that the conductivity (EC) is determined by the capacity of the solution of the muestra de conductir el Electric power.
- The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) of the sample is determined by a TDS meter, while the conductance of the sample is determined by a conductivity meter. When determining TDS and conductivity, the TDS and conductivity meters pass electricity through a sample solution. Conductivity meters are used to calculate the TDS of a substance.
- The most common scale for measuring TDS (total dissolved solids) is ppm (parts per million), while the most common scale for measuring EC (electrical conductivity) is µS (micro-Siemens).
The most frequently asked questions about conductivity and total dissolved solids include the following.
Are TDS and conductivity the same?
TDS and conductivity have a close relationship; However, they are not the same. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) are two different parameters.
How is conductivity calculated in TDS?
Water quality parameters such as conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) are used to describe sample salinity levels. These two parameters are correlated and are usually specified by a simple equation: TDS = k EC
What is the difference between TDS and EC?
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and EC stands for Electrical Conductivity, the two are closely related, but completely different measurements.
