Analytical · Glossary

What is Conductivity Temperature Compensation?

reference to 25 °CAnalytical

Conductivity temperature compensation converts measured conductivity to the value at a reference temperature, usually 25 °C.

Conductivity Temperature Compensation Explained

Conductivity rises roughly 2 % per °C for many waters, so readings at different temperatures cannot be compared without correction.

Linear compensation with a coefficient α is common; pure water and some acids need non linear curves.

κ₂₅ = κ_T ÷ [1 + α (T − 25)]

κ_T	conductivity at temperature T
α	temperature coefficient, often about 0.02 per °C

Example: 1100 µS/cm at 35 °C with α = 0.02: κ₂₅ = 1100 ÷ 1.2 ≈ 917 µS/cm.

What is Conductivity Temperature Compensation?

Conductivity temperature compensation converts measured conductivity to the value at a reference temperature, usually 25 °C.

Is 2 % per °C always right?

No. Acids, bases and salts differ; use the coefficient for your solution.

Should compensation be off for calibration?

Follow the standard solution instructions, which state its value at a temperature.

Electrical conductivity explained

A practical guide on instrumentationblog.in with more detail on conductivity temperature compensation and how it is applied on real plants.

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