MILWAUKEE-EC60 PRO-TESTER EC-TDS-TEMP

MILWAUKEE-EC60 Pro

The Milwaukee EC60 PRO is a state-of-the-art variable speed nutrient meter with very advanced features. It has a combined pH and EC range of 0-14 pH and 0-20 EC. It is a real game changer for anyone accurately managing nutrients for plants, not only for those growing in hydro systems but also in soil systems. The EC60 PRO is a top-powered pen that comes with advanced features to allow it to manage nutrients for both the most advanced commercial hydroponic farms and the green-finger enthusiast with their home micro-green farm. It measures EC and checks if the nutrient temperature is between 5°C and 50°C. The pH pen has an operating temperature of 0°C to 50°C and an actual pH measurement range of 0 to 14 pH. Additionally, it is equipped with a realistic pH compensation range due to the temperature operating parameters of 23°C ±4°C. The pH pen is able to measure pH in solutions with a temperature ranging from 0 to 50°C, with an operating range of -2.0 to 16.0 executed in 0.1 increments. With pH calibration, this pH pen includes an offset and a slope calibration.

EC and TDS Measurements

Electrical conductivity of water is a measure of its ability to conduct electric current. Due to salts in the water being dissolved into cations and anions, when an electrode contacts the liquid and applies a voltage, these positive and negative ions form a loop, and then electrons are transferred to the electrode through the loop. The more dissolved ions in the water, the stronger the electric current, so the electrical conductivity of water is highly sensitive to the concentration of ions in the water. Conductivity can be used to determine the dissolved solid content of the water and can provide a simple and rapid means of on-site water quality testing.

Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)

The automatic temperature compensation, also abbreviated as ATC, is the measure of the ability of a particular property dependence to adjust under temperature variations. Most electronic devices applied in botanical laboratories for measuring autotrophic levels are affected by the ambient temperature. A factor of 0.02% per °C in EC meters or 0.3% per °C factor in pH meters becomes standardized in commercial settings for expressing system ATC reliance. The real ATC process performs an activity as described for any type of device, regardless of whether it is pH or EC control or TM measurement through unique evaluation approaches. Comprehensive compensation needs three simultaneous sensors capable of supplying the values °C, pH, and EC as fast as they shift – at any new temperature.

Benefits of MILWAUKEE-EC60 Pro

Proper nutrition is essential for plants to survive and flourish. Enzymes and chlorophyll, building blocks for plant growth and photosynthesis, nitrogen fixers, and other organisms, all vital for helping plants grow and resist disease, rely on the correct proportions of nutrients in the soil. When the availability of these nutrients falls below critical levels, the plants can suffocate. Measure electrical conductivity (EC) of soil or hydroponic media with an EC meter to help prevent such situations. The EC meter measures the ability of a solution to carry an electrical current. The EC meter functions on the principle that when dissolved in water, all fertilizers form ions of salts. These solutions then conduct an electrical charge, or ‘flow.’

One common metric used by hydroponic gardeners is the total dissolved solids (TDS) measurement, because it’s easy to relate to in PPMs. Most meters only measure TDS indirectly with EC, but the EC measurement is accurate across different fertilizers and solutes. Most EC meters can also calculate TDS using a bit of calculation that uses the EC output. PPM is the actual concentration of solutes, which can vary based on different volumes and ratios of materials. Nonetheless, both PPMs and EC are useful for maintaining healthy plants for the monitoring of nutrients.

This tester is perfect for hydroponics that use a closed or semi-closed cycle system, as the nutrient solution is administered by an automatic dispenser, which does not require too much maintenance for the grower, who can rest easy while the plants do their work, taking care simply of ventilation, trimming, and possibly monitoring the nutrient solution. To do this, it is very important to monitor the electrical conductivity (EC), which indicates the quantity of salt in the nutrient solution, and to use control tools, which are very useful devices designed for this specific task. The potential danger of growing with a hydroponic closed circuit is that the plants have limited pH and nutrient levels in the culture medium, and as they absorb these elements from the roots, this will lead to temporary elevations and a subsequent decrease in nutrients.

How to Convert EC to TDS

In hydroponics, EC readings are often converted to TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and expressed in parts per million (ppm). This is useful for growers who monitor nutrient concentration using ppm values. The EC60 PRO measures absolute conductivity, but approximate conversions can be made using the following examples:

• 2.00 mS/cm = 2000 uS/cm = 1000 ppm (on the 0.50 factor scale)
• 2.00 mS/cm = 2000 uS/cm = 1400 ppm (on the 442 scale or 0.70 factor scale)

Note: True ppm can only be determined through chemical analysis, but these conversions are widely used for practical purposes in hydroponic setups.