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SOP 52

Standard Operating Procedure

for 

Verification and Adjustment of Digital Conductivity Meter and Measuring Water 

Conductivity 

1 Introduction

Purpose. This specification covers the procedure for testing the conductivity 

and resistivity of the water stored and used in the laboratory for gravimetric 

calibrations. This specification also covers the procedure for adjustment of a 

digital conductivity meter used for conductivity and resistivity testing. The 

conductivity meter may have a probe to dip into the water or may have an 

integrated cell to receive the sample. Note: conductivity is a relative indicator 

of purity and is not specific for density measurements of water. An in-line 

conductivity sensor with a suitable probe may be evaluated with this procedure 

with appropriate modifications. 

Applicable References:

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) 10, Purity of Water.

Operation manual and instructions for conductivity meter.

Prerequisites

Ensure staff have suitable on-the-job training and have demonstrated 

proficiency with this procedure. 

Standard Reference Material (SRM) or Certified Reference Material 

(CRM) for conductivity or resistivity reference measurements that have 

suitable calibration or test certificates and that solutions are up to date 

(have not expired). 

Adequate supply of distilled, deionized, or reverse-osmosis/deionized 

water per GLP 10. 

Maintain environmental conditions within the limits noted in Table 1. 

Table 1. Environmental limits for calibrations (as used for Gravimetric 

Volume Calibrations).

Temperature Relative Humidity

18 °C to 23 °C

Stable to ± 1 °C / 1 h

40 % to 60 %

Stable to ± 10 % / 4 h
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2 Methodology

Summary

This procedure is used as a verification step for water quality indications as a part of 

gravimetric volume calibrations. The procedure includes testing the digital 

conductivity meter, applicable adjustments based on standard/certified reference 

materials, and use of the conductivity meter to verify acceptable water quality per GLP 

10. 

Equipment / Apparatus

Conductivity/Resistivity meter. Conductivity units1 are siemens, 

symbol S, usually represented as mS/cm or μS/cm. Resistivity is usually 

in Ohm-cm units, such as MΩ-cm or μΩ-cm, with ohms represented by 

Ω. The values are reciprocals of each other, S = Ω-1.

Calibrated thermometer with resolution and uncertainty less than 0.1 °C 

to determine liquid temperatures.

Appropriately sized beakers or flasks for pure water (distilled, 

deionized). E.g., 1 000 mL, 100 mL.

Small tools for adjusting conductivity meter (e.g., flat head screw 

driver).

Procedure for Conductivity Meter with Probe, Verification and Adjustment

Turn on the water system in the volume laboratory.

Retrieve the conductivity meter, a 100 mL glass flask, and an up to date 

SRM/CRM.

Connect the conductivity meter probe to the meter.

Rinse the 100 mL flask with pure water. Open the water system valve 

and let the water run for approximately 5 to 10 seconds. Rinse the 100 

mL flask several times.

Pour approximately 30 mL of SRM/CRM into the 100 mL flask. Dip 

the probe into the flask so that the SRM/CRM covers the probe and then 

remove the probe from the flask (this is to coat and condition the probe 

and sensors). Rinse the probe in the SRM/CRM. 

 1 The SI unit of conductivity is siemens per meter (S/m). The 14th General Conference on Weights and Measures approved the addition of 

the siemens as a derived unit in 1971. In the case of direct current (DC), conductance units in siemens is the reciprocal of the resistance in 

ohms (S = amperes per volts); in the case of alternating current (AC), it is the reciprocal of the impedance in ohms. A former term for the 

reciprocal of the ohm is the mho (ohm spelled backward).
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Rinse the 100 mL flask with the SRM/CRM. Cover with a suitable 

lid/thumb and shake the flask so the SRM/CRM coats the inside of the 

flask.

Pour the SRM/CRM in the flask into the sink.

Take note of the Conductivity Reference value in μΩ-cm from the 

certificate or original container to use later. 

Pour approximately 30 mL of the SRM/CRM into the 100 mL flask. Dip 

the probe into the flask so that the Conductivity Standard covers the 

probe.

Push the conductivity meter switch to the 0.1 μΩ to 199.9 μΩ position. 

Check the conductivity meter reading against the value obtained in step

2.3.8.

Adjust the conductivity meter if possible and needed. This may be done 

by turning a small screw on the conductivity meter, using a suitable tool, 

until the value on the conductivity meter matches the value obtained in 

step 2.3.8.

Remove the probe and place back into the solution several times 

verifying that the reading on the conductivity meter matches the value 

obtained in step 2.3.8. If it does not then repeat step 2.3.11.

When the readings are repeatable the meter is ready for use to evaluate 

water quality. 

When finished, turn off the conductivity meter. Empty the 100 mL flask 

and rinse with pure water. Dry the flask. Use extreme care to dry the 

conductivity meter probe by gently dabbing with a paper towel. Remove 

the probe from the conductivity meter.

Turn off the pump for the water system and put all items away.

Make a note in the Control Chart in the “Notes” column that the 

reference was set and which reference standard material was used.

Record this information with the Gravimetric Calibration data sheet as 

well.

Procedure for Verification of Conductivity Meter with Integrated Conductivity 

Cell

Turn on the water system in the volume laboratory.

Retrieve the conductivity meter, a small glass flask, and an up to date 

Conductivity Reference Standard. 
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Rinse the small flask with pure water. Open the water system valve and 

let the water run for approximately 5 to 10 seconds. Rinse the flask 

several times.

Fill the receiving cell of the conductivity meter with the SRM/CRM and

rinse. Repeat at least two more times, using the last fill as the reference 

reading. This conditions the temperature sensing network and prepares 

the cell.

Pour the SRM/CRM from the meter into the sink.

Take note of the Conductivity Reference value in μΩ-cm from the 

certificate or original container for comparison with 2.4.4. Record 

observations from the conductivity meter and the SRM/CRM and note 

any differences.

Adjust the conductivity meter with the SRM/CRM in the cell if the 

meter has an adjustment feature following the manufacturer’s 

instructions (often using a “Cal” button to adjust the integrated 

electronic sensor readings).

When the readings are repeatable the meter is ready for use to evaluate 

water quality. 

When finished, turn off the conductivity meter and rinse several times 

with pure water. Empty flasks and rinse with pure water. Dry the flasks. 

Do not scrub the integrated cell or sensors. 

Turn off the pump for the water system and put all items away.

Make a note in the Control Chart in the “Notes” column that the 

reference was set and which reference standard material was used.

Record this information with the Gravimetric Calibration data sheet as 

well.

Procedure for Water Quality Evaluation, Using a Meter with a Probe

Turn on the water system in the volume laboratory.

Obtain the conductivity meter, the 1 000 mL flask, and the thermometer. 

Connect the conductivity meter probe to the meter (unless integrated in 

the unit) and turn on the unit.

Push the conductivity meter switch to the 2.00 MΩ to 19.99 MΩ 

position. The meter should read 1.
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Push the conductivity meter switch to the 0.1 MΩ to 199.9 MΩ position. 

The meter should read 0.00.

Rinse the 1 000 mL flask. Open the pure water system valve and let it 

run for approximately 5 to 10 seconds, rinse out the 1 000 mL flask 

several times and then fill it to approximately 1 000 mL. Turn off the 

water.

Place the probe from the conductivity meter into the 1 000 mL flask.

Push the conductivity meter switch to the 0.1 MΩ to 199.9 MΩ position 

and record the value on the observation sheet for the calibration. 

Monitor water quality on a control chart as well. 

Push the conductivity meter switch to the 2.00 MΩ to 19.99 MΩ

position and record the value on the observation sheet for the 

calibration. Monitor water quality on a control chart as well.

Take the temperature of the water that was just tested using the digital 

thermometer and record it on the observation sheet and the control chart 

data sheet. 

Enter the observations readings into the appropriate control chart.

Empty the flask and dry it off with a paper towel. Dry off the 

thermometer probe. Use extreme care to dry the conductivity meter 

probe by gently dabbing with a paper towel. Disconnect the probe from 

the conductivity meter.

Turn off the water system (if calibration is complete) and put all items 

away.

Procedure for Water Quality Evaluation, Using a Meter with Integrated 

Conductivity Cell

Turn on the water system in the volume laboratory.

Obtain the conductivity meter, a 1 000 mL flask, and the thermometer. 

Rinse the 1 000 mL flask. Open the pure water system valve and let it 

run for approximately 5 to 10 seconds, rinse out the 1 000 mL flask 

several times and then fill it to approximately 1 000 mL. Turn off the 

water.

Place a sample in the conductivity meter from the flask.

Record the value of the conductivity meter on the observation sheet for 

the calibration. Monitor the water quality on a control chart as well. 
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Take the temperature of the water that was just tested using the digital 

thermometer and record it on the observation sheet and the control chart 

data sheet. 

Enter the observations readings into the appropriate control chart.

Empty and dry the flask and thermometer probe. 

Turn off the water system (if calibration is complete) and put all items 

away.

3 Calculations (Measurement Equations)

There are no calculations in this SOP. See GLP 10 for calculations of water density. 

4 Measurement Assurance

This procedure is part of the measurement assurance required for GLP 10, Water Purity 

evaluation and SOP 14, Gravimetric Volume Calibrations to ensure suitable water quality for 

use in calibrations. 

Monitor laboratory water quality over time on a control chart if desired. This will help track 

maintenance or service requirements for the water purification system. 

5 Assignment of Uncertainty

No uncertainties are assigned for this procedure.

6 Certificate

Documentation of conductivity meter evaluation and water quality assessments are included 

with the recorded measurement data for volume calibrations as appropriate. No calibration or 

test certificates are issued. Temperature of the water at the time of verification and the relevant 

information from the SRM/CRM should be recorded as well (e.g., brand, serial or sample 

number, certificate reference, date of test/certification, and status of the laboratory providing 

conductivity certification). 

7 Acknowledgements and Validation

The original SOP for this procedure was submitted by the State of Pennsylvania and 

modified by Georgia Harris to make the procedure generic, incorporate the SRM/CRM 

terminology, to incorporate a conductivity/resistivity meter with integrated sensor/cell that is 

in use within OWM, and to review the instruction manuals for the meters referenced in this 

SOP.