DIGITAL CONDUCTIVITY METER
The information contained in the accompanying document is proprietary and confidential, and
may not be copied in any manner whatsoever without prior written consent of Emcee
Electronics, Inc. The document and the material therein may not be used for any purpose other
than that intended by Emcee Electronics, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 EMCEE ELECTRONICS, INC.
REVISION DATE: October 23, 2014
Page 4 of 11
1. SCOPE
The Emcee Model 1153 Digital Conductivity Meter is a reliable, convenient and
inexpensive instrument for measuring the electrical conductivity of fuels and other
products that have very low electrical conductivities. The unit of measure is
picosiemens per meter (pS/m) commonly referred to as Conductivity Units (CU). The
Meter incorporates all solid-state components and is completely self-contained.
2. SIGNIFICANCE and USE
The ability of a fuel to dissipate charge that has been generated during pumping and
filtering operations is controlled by its electrical conductivity, which depends upon its
content of ion species. If the conductivity is sufficiently high, charges dissipate fast
enough to prevent their accumulation thus decreasing the build up of dangerously
high electrical potentials that could spark and cause a fire and/or explosion. This
problem can be mitigated by increasing the electrical conductivity of the product by
the addition of certain additives. The Emcee Conductivity Meter is typically used to
measure the conductivity before and after the addition of the additives. If it is
necessary to measure conductivities below 1 pS/m, for example in the case of clay
treated fuels or refined hydrocarbon solvents, the Emcee Model 1154 Precision
Conductivity Meter listed in ASTM Test Method D 4308 should be used.
3. DEFINITION
3.1 picosiemens per meter (pS/m), n-the unit of electrical conductivity is also called a
conductivity unit (CU). A siemen is the Standard International (SI) definition of
reciprocal ohm sometimes called mho.
1pS/m = 1 X 10-12 ohms-1 = 1 CU = 1 picomho/m
The Emcee Conductivity Meter displays electrical conductivity in picosiemens/meter
(pS/m) or picosiemens/centimeter (pS/cm).
4. THEORY OF OPERATION
The Emcee Conductivity Meter uses a probe consisting of two concentric stainless
steel electrodes. When the probe is immersed in fuel, and the pressure sensitive
switch is pressed twice, a constant voltage is applied to the electrodes. This results in
an electrical current which is amplified and is shown on the meter display.
