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An EC meter consists of two parts: a measuring cup and the meter itself. Performing an EC measurement is as follows:

1. For a correct measurement, it is important that the cup is clean. Therefore, first rinse it with demineralised water;
2. Add the liquid which you want to measure the EC to the measuring cup. Fill the cup to the edge;
3. Turn on the EC meter;
4. Leave the meter in the measuring jug for a few minutes. The electronics in the meter process the data and apply temperature correction to it.
5. If you have an EC-meter that does not perform a temperature correction, make sure that you first calibrate the EC-meter in calibration liquid at the same temperature as the sample from which you want to measure the EC. Rear our article about calibrating your EC meter;
6. Read the values;
7. Turn off the meter and rinse the measuring jug with demineralised water.

When preparing the fertilizer tank, you should consider the EC values of the water you use. Tap water, for example, has a much higher EC than osmosis water. Below you will find the EC values for several water types:

• Pure water: 0 μS/cm
• Distilled water: 1 μS/cm
• Osmosis water: 20 - 60 μS/cm
• Rainwater - industry: 30 - 60 μS/cm
• Drinking water: 300 to 700 μS/cm
• Seawater: 54 mS/cm = 54000 μS/cm

The best way to achieve EC values depends on the crop and the type of substrate or soil type on which you grow. To give a guideline, you can use the following values:

Irrigation water

EC	Judgement
< 0,75	Good
0,75 - 1,50	Useful
1,50 - 2,25	High
>2,25	Extremely high

Nutritional solution

EC	Judgement
< 0,80	Low
0,80 - 1,50	Moderate
1,50 - 2,50	Normal
2,50 - 3,50	High
> 3,50	Extremely high

Greenhouse soil

EC	Judgement
< 1,0	Low
1,00 - 2,00	Moderate
2,00 - 3,00	Normal
3,00 - 4,00	High
> 4,00	Extremely high

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