Conductivity and salinity readings are often used to understand water composition, seawater influence, freshwater inflow, process concentration or general water stability. Before blaming the sensor, customers should first check contact, bubbles, cleanliness and installation distance.

Short Answer

During calibration and testing, keep the electrode probe fully in contact with the standard solution, with no bubbles, and at least 2 cm away from the bottom and side walls. Graphite electrodes should be soaked in tap water for 1 hour before use and kept moist when not in use.

Why Bubbles Matter

Conductivity measurement depends on stable contact between the electrode and the solution. Bubbles reduce the effective contact area and can cause readings to jump or drift. Before calibration, gently move the probe and visually confirm that no bubbles remain on the electrode area.

Graphite Electrode Preparation

For electrochemical conductivity sensors with graphite electrodes, soak the graphite electrode in tap water for 1 hour before first use. When the sensor is not being used, keeping the graphite moist helps maintain a stable response.

If the sensor has been stored dry for a long time, allow enough conditioning time before judging its accuracy.

Cleaning Contact and Inductive Electrodes

Contact electrodes require periodic cleaning. Use a soft brush to remove attachments on the electrode probe and rinse with distilled water. Avoid scratching the electrode surface.

Inductive electrodes are generally low maintenance. Slight contamination or slight scaling of the probe and housing usually does not stop normal operation. If cleaning is needed, use a soft brush. For difficult dirt, moderate force can be used, but do not penetrate or damage the housing.

When to Recalibrate

If the sensor has been used for a long time and measurement error appears, calibrate it together with the instrument. Calibration is also recommended after heavy cleaning, after long storage, or when the sensor is moved to a new water type or measurement range.

Related YexSensor PDF Guides

For calibration commands and model-specific handling notes, see the Water Quality Sensor Calibration and Usage Precautions PDF and the Water Quality Sensor Usage and Maintenance Instructions PDF.

Need Help Selecting or Maintaining a Sensor?

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