Leitfähigkeitsmessgeräte

Leitfähigkeitsmessgeräte, often translated as conductivity meters, are instruments used to measure the electrical conductivity of a material. This property is a measure of how well a substance can conduct an electric current. In liquids, electrical conductivity is primarily determined by the concentration of dissolved ions. Therefore, conductivity meters are widely used to assess the purity of water, monitor the concentration of solutions in chemical processes, and analyze water quality in environmental monitoring.

The basic principle of operation for most conductivity meters involves passing an alternating current through the sample and measuring the resulting voltage. This allows for the determination of the sample's resistance, from which conductivity can be calculated. The relationship between conductivity (κ) and resistance (R) is given by the formula κ = G/R, where G is the cell constant of the conductivity cell used. The cell constant is a geometric factor specific to the electrode arrangement and spacing.

Modern conductivity meters come in various forms, including handheld portable devices for field use and benchtop models for laboratory applications. They often feature digital displays, automatic temperature compensation (as conductivity is highly temperature-dependent), and calibration functions. The choice of conductivity meter depends on the required accuracy, the range of conductivity to be measured, and the specific application. For highly pure water, specialized meters with very high sensitivity are necessary, while for general industrial applications, more robust and less sensitive devices may suffice.