Chemical composition water varies due to various impurities in it. A TDS meter allows you to measure the concentration of these impurities. Most often, the liquid contains salts of inorganic origin, as well as a small amount of soluble organic matter. Due to the presence of these substances, the smell and taste qualities water. In addition, water of different composition has different effects on animals, people and equipment.
Operating principle
The operation of the measuring device is based on the ability of water to conduct electric current. The device produces electrons that create an electric field in the liquid. He then records the number of salt ions and other substances, since they are the ones that affect the strength of the current in the liquid. All study data is displayed on the display. Thanks to the research carried out, in seconds you receive accurate data on the composition of the water and the degree of its saturation with salts.
To understand how to interpret the measurement results, you need to know that the device shows the number of impurity molecules in a million water molecules. Thus, it turns out that the measuring device counts the number of impurities in one liter of water in milligrams.
However, you should not think that if the device shows a result of “0”, this is the purest water suitable for consumption. For example, after testing car oil, the result will be “0”, and after testing distilled water with several salt crystals, the device will show a large number. Although in the first case the liquid cannot be consumed, but in the second you can safely drink such water.
To carry out the measurement, you need to pour water into a small container and lower the salinity meter electrodes into it. After a second, the result will appear on the LCD display of the device.
Salinity meter characteristics
| Characteristic | Indicator | Unit of measurement |
| Salt pollution rating scale | 0-9990 molecules per 1 million water molecules | mg/l |
| Estimation of water hardness (by converting display data) | 1 dH = 17.8 ppm, 1 f = 10 ppm, 1 mEq/l = 50.05 ppm CaCO3 | dH |
| Temperature rating scale | 0-99 | °C |
| Scale unit | One particle per million water molecules | — |
| Error | +2 | % |
| Energy supply | Batteries included (2X1.5) | — |
| Service life | more than 1000 hours during continuous operation | — |
| Dimensions | 14.2x2.5x1.5 | cm |
| Weight | 36 | G |
Using the TDS meter and setting it up
The device does not require special care. If necessary, it is necessary to replace the batteries and wipe the electrodes with distillate or alcohol.
The purchased device has all factory settings. However, if you doubt the accuracy of the measurements it takes, you can use a solution of salt in water to adjust. To configure the device, you need to use the digital adjustment button or the manual adjustment wheel. As a rule, a newly purchased device does not require such a procedure, since it can retain the results of factory settings for a period of 1 to 2 years.
Scope of application
The salinity meter can be used for various purposes. Below we list the most common situations when using a TDS meter is necessary:
- In swimming pools, very hard water can cause pipes to rust. Therefore, it is also important here to control the concentration of salts, which cannot be done without a salt meter.
The modern world has enveloped itself in a huge number of goods that people use. The production of equipment and cars, you see, has a detrimental effect on environment, pollute the water. Therefore, very often you have to use water purifiers and buy water in stores. Are you sure that you can trust filters and bottled water? Perhaps this is just a marketing ploy to enrich someone’s pockets? This is just one side of the coin. There is another one that relates specifically to our topic - home gardening, hydroponics, flower beds. What kind of water do we water the plants with? Are we applying the fertilizer solution correctly? All these questions will be solved by a TDS salinity meter, which we have personally tested in practice and now we confidently recommend it to you. TDS meter: use at home.
Important!
Dear gardeners, flower growers and builders. Send us your stories about growing vegetables, flowers and other plants. We are waiting for your photos with you and your family against the background of the plantings. Photos will be posted on the website in the gallery section or in a thematic article e.To buy a TDS meter, go to.
How to use a TDS meter?
It is very easy to use it at home. The salinity meter has 3 buttons:
ON/OFF - on off
TEMP - turn on the thermometer to take water/air temperature readings in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit
HOLD - holding values when you remove the device from the liquid
- Remove the cap.
- Turn on the device and place it in the test liquid for a few seconds. The depth is approximately 1-2 cm. The liquid should reach the electrodes.
- If necessary, you can press hold and also find out the temperature of the water, but not boiling water. This is especially true when watering seedlings.
Description of the salinity meter TDS meter
Lightweight, compact, has a clip on the other side of the body. Thanks to this, it can be carried on a garden belt or in a pocket. It is similar in size to a regular ballpoint pen, only wider.
Powered by 2 AG13 batteries.
Has an electronic display.
If 120 x10 appears on the display, this is +1200
And now the most important thing:
Application of salinity meter TDS meter in practice
- We use a salinity meter when we dilute fertilizers. As a rule, there are instructions on the banks. However, not all packages contain measuring spoons. Salinometer allows you to evaluate the solution required for irrigation. Usually this figure is from 990 to 1000. Or when diluting fertilizers for indoor flowers by 2-3 liters, when the instructions indicate that you need to dilute the package by 25 and only then add 25 liters to the water for irrigation. Agree that this is not at all convenient. Where to store these 25 liters?
- We measure salt readings in drinking water, rainwater, lakes, rivers, and wells. Because of its compact size, we take it with us everywhere. It is very interesting to know which water contains what. Especially when for decades people have been claiming that this source of spring water is the purest.
- measured an infusion of mullein. It showed only 360. So mullein is not that nutritious.
- for solutions in hydroponics. Especially in situations like this, when water is poured into two unlabeled containers, and after a while you forget which water is which, with fertilizer or not. Very practical.
Cold water
Hot water
Water indicators
from 0 to 50 ppm – ideal water for drinking
from 50 to 170 ppm – satisfactory water condition (after cleaning with a filter)
from 170 to 300 ppm – untreated tap water
from 300 to 400 ppm – hard, untreated water from a source or natural reservoir
from 400 to 500 ppm and above – constant consumption of water is dangerous to health
Having given such a salinity meter to his parents, my father was delighted. The fact is that on their site there is a well, which was considered to be simple water and was used for irrigation, washing, and bathing. After measuring all the water sources in the village with a salinity meter, this particular well turned out to have the cleanest water.
When purchasing, you receive: a salinity meter, a leatherette case, and batteries (may not be present).
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- Operating principle TDS-3 is based on the direct dependence of the electrical water content of the solution (current strength in a constant electric field created by the electrodes of the device) on the amount of compounds dissolved in water (parts per million, ppm; 1 ppm=1 mg/l).
Peculiarities:
The lightest and smallest device on the market
- Ease of use, improved design
- Improved microprocessor technology measurements
- Hold function: save measurement results for easy reading and writing
- Auto power off function: if the device is not in use, it turns off automatically after 10 minutes
- Measuring range: 0 to 9990 parts per million (mg/l). The indicator on the display x10 means that the measurement readings need to be multiplied by 10
- Easy to read numbers on LCD display
- The device is factory calibrated using a 342ppm NaCl solution. Recalibration is possible using a clock screwdriver and a calibration screw located in the hole in the device body.
- Especially recommended for taking measurements in aquariums, swimming pools, cooling systems.
- 1 year warranty.
Specifications:
- Measuring range of mineralization (salinity) 0 - 9990 ppm (mg/l)
- Estimation of total water hardness by converting mineralization into a unit of hardness: 1 dH = 17.8 ppm, 1 f = 10 ppm, 1 mEq/l = 50.05 ppm CaCO3
- Temperature measurement range 0-80C
- Graduation value 1 ppm for TDS, 1 degree C for temperature
- Accuracy ±2%
- Built-in sensor for automatic temperature compensation ATC (from 1 to 50C)
- Power: 2x1.5 batteries included
- Battery life - over 1000 hours of continuous use
- Dimensions 14x2.3x1.5 cm
- Weight 34 g
Table of correspondence between impurities (TDS) and water quality:
Table of TDS values for standard water types:
| Distilled water | Highly purified drinking water |
Mineral water | Tap water | Water of rivers, lakes |
| 0 - 30 | 31 - 100 | 40 - 120 | 50 - 300 | 200 - 600 |
Attention!
1. Some types of high-quality mineral water contain insoluble salt residues. The test result for this water may give a strongly negative result. This is not a contraindication for use, but you must be sure that this mineral water- genuine, not artificially mineralized.
2. The device does not provide chemical, toxicological and radiation assessment of water! To control such water, use appropriate devices.
In what cases do you need a TDS meter?
1. If you often buy water for drinking or cooking, this device is for you! Drinking water from different manufacturers can vary greatly. The model will help you choose the cleanest one!
2. If you use a household filter for water purification, this device will tell you when it is necessary to replace the cartridge. In practice, the service life of the filter element may be less than the period declared by the manufacturer. As a result, the water from the filter is similar to tap water, and you think that you are drinking clean water.
3. Is there a cooler at work? Check the water in it! Perhaps the cooler has been in need of maintenance for a long time.
4. The TDS meter can be taken with you on trips: it is very lightweight, takes up very little space, and has a protective cap for easy storage and transportation. Battery life - 1000 measurements!
TDS meter is a salinity meter, reliable, easy to use and very well made device. Shows the amount of dissolved impurities, water hardness, and temperature. Supplied in a soft, protective case made of thick leatherette.
It is very important to know the condition of the filter in your water supply system; measure the quality of the water before and after the filter; the difference in readings will show whether it is purifying your water or already clogging it.
Standards for measuring water:
From 0 to 50 excellent
from 50 to 100 is good
from 100 to 200 satisfactory
If the salinity meter readings are more than 500 mg/l, the water is considered “technical”.
The higher the TDS value, the more impurities in the water (the greater its hardness) and the worse the water is absorbed by the human body. Constant use of the TDS meter will give you confidence in the quality of your drinking water.
Instructions for use:
Take about 100 grams of water into a clean glass. Remove the protective cap from the device. Press the "ON" button to turn on the display. Immerse the TDS sensor of the salinity meter into 2-3 cm of water and wait approximately 10 seconds. See the readings on the display.
The higher the TDS value, the more impurities in the water (the higher its hardness) and the worse the water is absorbed by the human body.
Specifications:
Model: TDS 3
TDS Range: 0 - 9990 ppm (mg/L)
Temperature Range: 0 - 80 degrees Celsius
Resolution: 1 ppm, per 1 degree Celsius (also available in 10 ppm)
Accuracy: - 2%
ATC: Built-in sensor for automatic temperature compensation from 1 to 50 degrees Celsius (33 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit)
Power supply: 2 x 1.5 batteries (included)
Battery life: 1000 hours of operation
Dimensions: 15.5 x 3.1 x 2.3cm (6.1 x 1.25 x 1 inches)
Weight with container: 76.5g (2.7 oz)
Device:
Device housings with indicator (3x digital display)
- has on/off buttons
- record the “hold” readings;
-temperature "temp"
- electrodes under a protective cover;
- batteries (2x354 A)
- TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) - “the number of dissolved particles in water.”
The TDS-3 salinity meter is easy to use and is designed to measure total hardness (TDS), which is a key indicator for determining the purity of drinking water, aqueous solutions, and aquarium water. A compact device for measuring mineralization will help you quickly check the quality of drinking or tap water, and also determine the need to replace cleaning filters. To control the accuracy of the TDS meter readings, a TDS calibration solution (1382ppm) is used.
Peculiarities:
The device turns off after 10 minutes to save battery power
- HOLD function: to fix measurement results on the device display
- Built-in temperature sensor: liquid temperature detection
Scope of application:
Monitoring of water filtration systems
- to check the level of electrical conductivity of drinking water
- checking nutrient solutions for feeding fish and plants 
- Wide measuring range suitable for most applications
Specifications:
TDS Measuring Range: 0~9990 ppm (mg/L)
- Water temperature measurement range: 0-80 °C
- Automatic temperature compensation (ATC): 0-80 °C
- Graduation value: 1 ppm, 1°C
- Accuracy: +/- 2%
- Calibration: factory with NaCl solution 342 ppm
- Batteries: 2 x 1.5V (type 357A)
- Battery life: from 1,000 hours of use
- Dimensions: 155 x 31 x 23 mm.
- Weight: 57 gr.
Equipment:
1. TDS meter salinity meter TDS-3 
2. Case for carrying and storage
3. Instructions
Total Hardness (TDS) Measurement
1. Remove the protective cap
2. Turn on the device by pressing the ON/OFF button
3. Dip the electrode into the liquid (5 cm.)
4. Stir lightly to remove any air bubbles.
5. Wait for the readings to stabilize (approx. 10 seconds)
6. To fix the results, press the HOLD button
7. A flashing "x10" signal means you need to multiply by 10
8. After use, shake off any remaining liquid and close the protective cap.
Temperature measurement
1. When the device is turned on, it always displays the temperature.
2. Press the TEMP button to select °C/°F units.
3. To return to TDS measurement mode, press the TEMP button.
Replacing batteries
1. Open the battery compartment.
2. Install new batteries, taking into account the polarity order.
3. Close the compartment. The device will turn on automatically.
Precautions
1. The device body is NOT moisture resistant. Do not immerse the device in water below the maximum level.
2. Damage to the device due to moisture getting inside is not a warranty case.
3. Do not store the device in high temperatures or direct sunlight.
4. Do not try to open the device housing, as this may lead to mechanical damage.
5. Despite the durability of TDS-3, as an electronic measuring device, it requires careful use and appropriate care and storage.