Portable Conductivity Meters — HORIBA LAQUA EC210-K, EC220-K, PC210-K & PC220-K

Electrical conductivity is a measure of a water sample’s ability to conduct an electric current — an indicator of the total concentration of dissolved ions, salts, and other conductive substances. It is one of the most widely measured parameters in environmental monitoring, water treatment, industrial process control, and aquaculture.

Australian Scientific supplies two portable conductivity meters from HORIBA‘s LAQUA range — the EC210-K and the EC220-K. Both measure conductivity, TDS, resistivity, salinity, and temperature from a single probe. The EC220-K adds full data logging with date/time stamping and USB/RS232 connectivity for GLP-compliant record keeping.

Both meters are IP67 rated, include the 9383-10D titanium/platinum conductivity electrode (k=1.0), four conductivity calibration solutions, and a carrying case as standard. Australian Scientific is the authorised Australian agent for HORIBA water quality instruments. Contact us if you need help selecting the right model.

EC210-K vs EC220-K — Which Model Do You Need?

What Does a Portable Conductivity Meter Measure?

Both the EC210-K and EC220-K measure five parameters from a single probe:

Electrical Conductivity (EC)
Conductivity measures the ability of water to carry an electrical current, expressed in µS/cm or mS/cm. It reflects the total concentration of dissolved ions — including salts, minerals, and other conductive substances. The measurement range covers …µS/cm to 200.0 mS/cm (k=1.0 electrode), spanning ultra-pure water through to highly saline samples. Both meters support four calibration curves — EN27888, Linear, 442, and NaCl — covering the most common international standards for conductivity measurement.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
TDS is calculated from the conductivity reading using a user-selectable conversion factor. The EC210-K and EC220-K support four TDS calibration curves (Linear, EN27888, 442, NaCl) to accurately represent a wide range of water types. TDS is expressed in ppm (mg/L) or ppt (g/L).

Resistivity
Resistivity is the inverse of conductivity, expressed in Ω·cm or MΩ·cm. It is primarily used in ultra-pure water applications — semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical water systems, and power generation — where very low conductivity must be verified. Range: 0.000 Ω·cm to 20.0 MΩ·cm.

Salinity
Two salinity calibration curves are available: NaCl (for freshwater and industrial applications) and Seawater (for marine and estuarine monitoring). Range: 0.0 to 100.0 ppt / 0.00 to 10.00%.

Temperature
Integrated temperature sensor measures -30.0 to 130.0°C with ±0.5°C accuracy. All conductivity, TDS, resistivity, and salinity measurements include automatic temperature compensation (ATC), with the reference temperature adjustable from 15 to 30°C.

Key Features

IP67 Waterproof and Shock-Resistant Housing
Both meters are rated IP67 — fully dustproof and protected against temporary immersion. The polycarbonate housing is shock and scratch-resistant and non-slip, designed for field use in demanding environments including river banks, treatment plants, industrial facilities, and aquaculture sites.

Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)
Conductivity measurements are automatically compensated to a reference temperature (15–30°C, adjustable) using a user-defined temperature coefficient (0.00–10.00%/°C, adjustable). Manual temperature compensation is also available. Cell constant is selectable: 0.1, 1.0, or 10.0, allowing use with different electrode types.

Multiple Calibration Modes
Automatic calibration supports up to four points using the included conductivity standard solutions (84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, 111.8 mS/cm). Manual calibration supports up to five points. Calibration standards are NIST-traceable and referenced to APHA/AWWA/WEF Standard Methods.

Auto Stable, Auto Hold, and Real-Time Measurement Modes
Auto Stable mode waits for the reading to stabilise before displaying the result — useful in variable field conditions. Auto Hold freezes the displayed reading to allow recording. Real-time mode shows continuous live measurement. All three modes are selectable on both meters.

Data Logging — EC220-K
The EC220-K stores up to 1,000 data sets with a real-time clock and date/time stamp for full GLP-compliant data management. Data transfers to PC via USB cable and to printer via RS232. The EC210-K stores up to 500 data points but connects via phono jack for software upgrades only — not for data transfer. Choose the EC220-K where data export and GLP documentation are required.

3-Year Meter Warranty
Both the EC210-K and EC220-K carry a 3-year manufacturer warranty on the meter body, backed by Australian Scientific as the authorised Australian HORIBA agent.

Applications for Portable Conductivity Meters

Environmental Monitoring and Field Surveys
Conductivity is a standard parameter in river, lake, groundwater, and estuary assessments. It serves as a broad indicator of water quality — deviations from a site’s established conductivity baseline can indicate pollution events, agricultural run-off, or geological influence. Both the EC210-K and EC220-K log data on-site, reducing the need for laboratory sample transport.

Drinking Water Treatment
Conductivity provides a rapid proxy measurement for total dissolved solids in treated water. Operators use portable meters to verify water quality at points of interest throughout the treatment and distribution system — supplementing fixed online monitors with portable spot-checks. TDS measurement supports compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).

Aquaculture and Hatcheries
Salinity and conductivity are critical parameters for marine and estuarine aquaculture species. Both salinity calibration curves (NaCl and Seawater) are available on these meters, providing accurate salinity readings across freshwater, brackish, and marine environments. For a combined measurement of dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity from a single instrument, see the LAQUA WQ-300 Series multiparameter meters.

Industrial Process Water and Quality Control
Conductivity monitoring is standard practice across food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, semiconductor fabrication, power generation, and chemical processing. The EC220-K’s USB data export and GLP date/time stamping support the quality management and audit requirements common in these industries.

Wastewater and Effluent Monitoring
Conductivity is used as an indicator of total ionic load in industrial wastewater and municipal effluent. The wide measurement range (…µS/cm to 200 mS/cm) and four TDS conversion curves make these meters suitable for a range of effluent compositions. The EC220-K’s data logging with timestamp supports compliance documentation.

Groundwater Assessment
Conductivity is a standard parameter in contaminated site investigations, mining monitoring, and bore water assessment. It indicates the presence and approximate concentration of dissolved salts and minerals. The IP67 rating ensures reliable operation in field conditions encountered during groundwater sampling programmes.

Kit Contents and Accessories

Both the EC210-K and EC220-K are supplied as complete kits including:

• LAQUAact EC210 or EC220 meter
• 9383-10D plastic-body, Ti/Pt black conductivity electrode (k=1.0) with integrated temperature sensor
• Conductivity standard solutions: 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, 111.8 mS/cm (60ml each)
• 2 x AA batteries
• Carrying case
• Manual and quick guide

Replacement conductivity electrodes, calibration solutions, and conductivity standards are available separately. See our calibration solutions and standards range.

For multiparameter measurement of conductivity alongside pH and dissolved oxygen, see the LAQUA WQ-300 Series. For comprehensive field monitoring including turbidity, depth, and GPS, see the HORIBA U-50 Series.

Also available:

• All portable water quality meters
• Conductivity calibration standards
• LAQUA EC210/220 instruction manual and brochures
• Contact Australian Scientific for technical support or volume pricing