JayBee
International Toker
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EC meters measure directly so the figures recieved will be identical for solutions measured with different brands of meter. TDS meters use various algorithms to calculate PPM which is why its always a good idea to give the conversion factor your meter uses when giving your PPM. It is impossible to get a 100% accurate PPM reading unless you are in a lab as it's always calculated from EC when using a meter.
To answer the question though...people use different measurements simply because that's what they are used to much like inches and centimeters; PPM in the States, EC in Europe.
It's very simple...EC readings are universal. PPM's are based on a conversion formula/factor from EC. If you're talking EC with someone you're talking the same language. If you're talking PPM's then ya gotta know what the CF is.
Why does it really matter? You're only using a meter to get a rough idea of what your solution is. If you don't like ppm then simply buy a meter that doesn't display or measure in ppm. Break the definition of each term. Parts per million is exactly that, how many parts per million are present. That's all it tells you, period. But the electrical conductivity and conductivity factor are measures of how good of a conductor the solution is. The more dissolved solids, the higher its conductivity. Water does NOT conduct electricity. If you had 100% pure H2O it wouldn't conduct shit. So what does that even tell you? Doesn't tell you WHAT is in the water. Nor does it tell you the amount of non-dissolved solids either, so really the CF and EC are converted measurements in their own right.
PPM is based on EC. To convert from EC (or Conductivity Factor...which is not to be confused with Conversion Factor) to PPM you use a particular Conversion Factor of like .5 so an EC, which is a standard system of measure and not arbitrary like PPM which is based on a Conversion Factor, of say 1000 is the exact same thing as 500 PPM using a Conversion Factor of .5...ya dig?That is what I was trying to say earlier JBB. Parts per million is exactly that PARTS PER MILLION. no conversion factor involved.
Going back to the original question...once I learned about EC I dropped the PPM thing as it is confusing IMO. You can have 3 dif PPM meters and all will show a dif PPM reading yet the EC will be the same.SO why does anyone talk about ppm? Does this make sense to anyone? Cause it seems totally coo-coo bananas to me. Wouldn't it make sense fore everyone to just use ec or cf as standard for online discussions, or is there something I am missing?
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