A conductivity meter — also called an EC meter or electrical conductivity meter — measures how easily a solution conducts an electrical current. Because conductivity rises with the concentration of dissolved salts, minerals and ions, an EC reading is one of the fastest, most reliable indicators of water quality, nutrient strength and overall ionic content. Pacific Sensor Technologies supplies a complete range of conductivity and EC meters for Australian growers, laboratories, water-treatment operators and field technicians — from pocket EC pens to professional portable and benchtop conductivity meters.
Common Applications:
• EC Meters for Hydroponics & Horticulture: In hydroponics, EC tells you how concentrated your nutrient solution is to ensure optimal plant growth.
• Conductivity Meters for Soil & Agriculture: Soil EC indicates salinity and nutrient availability
• Aquaculture & aquariums: Measure salt and mineral content in fish tanks, ponds, and aquaculture systems to maintain healthy water conditions.
• Water & Wastewater testing: Conductivity is a core parameter for drinking water, RO/DI systems and wastewater.
• Environmental monitoring: Test freshwater, groundwater, and effluent quality for compliance with Australian water standards.
• Laboratory & industrial: Use benchtop or portable conductivity meters for precise water analysis in research, pharmaceutical, and food processing applications.
Readings are shown in microsiemens (μS/cm) or millisiemens (mS/cm) per centimetre, and most meters also display TDS (total dissolved solids) and temperature. Whether you are dialling in a hydroponic nutrient solution, checking soil salinity, validating treated water, or running QC in a lab, there is a meter below built for the job — all backed by calibration solutions, expert support and fast Australia-wide delivery.
A conductivity meter — also called an EC meter or electrical conductivity meter...
Range: 0 to 1999 uS/cm
Range: 0.00 to 10.00 mS/cm
Range: 0 to 1990 uS/cm
Range: 0 to 20000 µS/cm
Range: 0 to 1990 μS/cm
Range: 0.0 to 10.0 mS/cm
Range: 0.0 – 10.0 mS/cm
0 to 4000 µS/cm; 0.00 to 4.00 mS/cm (dS/m)
Nutrient meter designed for Hydroponics, hortic…
EC: 0 – 3999 uS/cm, TDS: 0 – 2000 ppm
EC: 0.00-20.00 mS/cm, TDS: 0.00-10.00 ppt
pH: 0.00 to 14.00 pH, EC: 0 3999 uS/cm, TDS: 0 to…
pH: 0.00 to 14.00 pH, EC: 20.00 mS/cm, TDS: 0 to …
Conductivity / TDS / NaCl / Temperature MAX Porta…
pH: 0.0 to 14.0 pH, EC: 0 to 1990 uS/cm, TDS: 0 t…
pH: 0.00 to 14.00 pH, EC: 0.00 to 6.00 mS/cm, TDS…
Not all conductivity meters are created equal. The right EC meter for you depends on the environment you’re working in, the accuracy you need, and whether you require a single-parameter reading or a multi-parameter instrument that also measures pH, TDS, salinity and temperature. Browse by application below to find the conductivity meter that best fits your needs — or contact our team for a free recommendation.
In hydroponics, getting your nutrient solution right is everything. An EC meter (electrical conductivity meter) lets you monitor the exact concentration of nutrients dissolved in your grow water, helping you avoid under- or over-feeding your plants. Our hydroponic EC meters are compact, waterproof and easy to calibrate — ideal for home growers and commercial operations alike. The Milwaukee EC40 Nutrient Meter is specifically designed for hydroponics, horticulture and agriculture, providing fast, accurate EC and TDS readings so your plants always get the right amount of feed. For growers who also need to track pH, our 4-in-1 combo meters measure EC, TDS, pH and temperature from a single probe.
Water quality is critical in aquaculture and aquarium management. Even small changes in dissolved salt or mineral content can stress or harm fish and other aquatic life. Our conductivity meters for aquaculture provide reliable, repeatable readings that help you maintain stable water conditions in tanks, ponds and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The Milwaukee CD601 and CD611 pocket testers are popular choices for aquarium hobbyists and small-scale aquaculture operations, offering fast results at an economical price point. For more demanding commercial environments, our portable EC meters with automatic temperature compensation (ATC) ensure accurate readings regardless of fluctuating water temperatures.
Monitoring conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) in pools, spas and water treatment systems helps ensure water is safe, comfortable and compliant with Australian guidelines. Elevated EC levels can indicate excessive salt build-up or chemical carry-over, while low readings may suggest insufficient treatment. Our portable conductivity testers are quick to use, easy to read in the field, and rugged enough for regular use in outdoor and industrial environments. Combine with one of our chlorine meters or pH meters for a complete pool water quality testing solution.
When you buy a conductivity meter from Pacific Sensor Technologies, you’re not just purchasing an instrument — you’re getting the support of an ISO 9001:2015 certified, Australian-owned company with decades of experience in measurement and instrumentation. We offer Australia-wide shipping, a NATA-accredited calibration laboratory for traceable calibration certificates, and a technical support team who can help you select the right meter for your application. Whether you’re a home hydroponic grower, a commercial aquaculture operator, or a laboratory technician, we have the EC meter to suit your needs and budget. Shop online 24/7, or call us on 1300 662 720 for expert advice.
Need help selecting the right instrument?
Contact our water quality specialists on 1300 662 720 or email sales@pacificsensortech.com.au.
A conductivity meter measures a solution’s ability to conduct electrical current, which directly reflects the concentration of dissolved salts and ions. It is used to check nutrient strength in hydroponics, soil salinity in agriculture, water purity in drinking-water, RO/DI and wastewater systems, and for quality control in laboratories.
They are the same instrument. ‘EC’ stands for electrical conductivity, so an EC meter is a conductivity meter. The term ‘EC meter’ is most common in hydroponics and horticulture, while ‘conductivity meter’ is used in water and laboratory settings.
Conductivity is measured in siemens per centimetre. Most natural and treated waters read in microsiemens per centimetre (μS/cm); stronger solutions such as hydroponic nutrients are read in millisiemens per centimetre (mS/cm), where 1 mS/cm = 1,000 μS/cm.
Dip the meter’s probe into the sample so the electrodes are fully submerged, stir gently, and wait for the reading to stabilise. For accurate results, calibrate the meter with a known standard solution and use automatic temperature compensation, as conductivity changes with temperature.
Most plants thrive between roughly 1.2 and 2.5 mS/cm (1,200–2,500 μS/cm), but the ideal range depends on the crop and growth stage — leafy greens prefer the lower end, fruiting plants the higher. A combined pH/EC meter lets you manage both key parameters with one instrument.
Yes. Because TDS and salinity are derived from conductivity, most modern meters convert and display EC, TDS (in ppm/mg·L) and salinity. Many meters in our range show all three plus temperature.
Yes — regular calibration with a fresh standard solution (for example 1413 μS/cm or 12.88 mS/cm) is essential for accuracy. We stock matched calibration and storage solutions for every meter we sell.
Choose an EC pen for quick, low-cost spot checks (ideal for growers and hobbyists), a portable meter for field work needing higher accuracy and durability, and a benchtop meter for laboratory precision, data logging and GLP reporting.
Not reliably. A multimeter measures resistance, not the temperature-compensated ionic conductivity of a solution, and lacks the calibrated probe and cell constant a conductivity meter uses. For meaningful water or nutrient readings, use a dedicated conductivity/EC meter.
