APERA INSTRUMENTS / EC700 / AI502

A focused conductivity bench.
Read, store and recall without a computer.

EC700 provides conductivity, calculated TDS and temperature measurement with a replaceable 2301T-F electrode. Its backlit display keeps the result, temperature and calibration indicators visible, while 50-set internal memory supports short bench sessions. Three conductivity standards and a detachable holder make this a practical starting point for routine aqueous measurements.

Choose AI502 for direct controls, recognized-standard calibration and on-meter records rather than computer export. EC700 is a dedicated conductivity instrument, not PH700 and not a pH combination kit. Its K=1 plastic-body electrode and adjustable temperature settings suit regular-range work when the sample and method are compatible.

Read the result and its context

The large LCD shows conductivity or TDS together with temperature. A smile symbol indicates a settled reading; L, M and H icons track the recognized calibration ranges. These are useful operator prompts, not automatic acceptance criteria for a sample. The original screen illustration is a manufacturer example, not a certificate or a result measured for this listing.

One electrode handles conductivity and temperature

The 2301T-F combines a platinum-black conductivity cell with a 30 kΩ thermistor in a POM body. BNC carries conductivity and RCA carries temperature. Current exact-probe documentation identifies POM, superseding the older EC700 manual's generic plastic description. The detachable holder can mount on either side of the meter to suit the available workspace.

Useful settings without a software workflow

Select K=0.1, 1 or 10, adjust reference temperature from 15 to 30°C, and set the compensation coefficient from 0.00 to 9.99%/°C. Defaults are K=1, 25°C and 2.00%/°C. The TDS factor adjusts from 0.40 to 1.00, default 0.71. Record these choices when comparing batches; a different conversion factor can change TDS without changing the sample.

Know what this configuration supplies.

General water-solution testing

Use EC700 for routine conductivity checks on compatible aqueous samples, preparation comparisons and rinse-water trends. Keep vessel cleanliness, immersion and temperature consistent. Conductivity is an aggregate response to ions, not identification of a particular dissolved substance or proof that water is safe to drink.

Education and practical training

Dedicated CAL, ENTER and memory controls make calibration, stabilization and recall visible steps. Students can compare conductivity with calculated TDS while learning why conversion factors matter. The instrument does not independently weigh dissolved solids, and neither pH nor salinity measurement is documented for this exact EC700 configuration.

Small batches with a written record

Fifty stored sets suit work where the operator reviews readings on the meter and transfers the required information to a worksheet. Max/min mode highlights the extremes recorded during a measurement session. It is not an unattended computer logger, and a maximum or minimum value alone does not preserve the sample identities or full sequence needed for an investigation.

Use fresh standards.
Confirm stability before accepting calibration.

Install the holder, connect the correctly rated adapter, and insert the electrode's BNC and RCA plugs into COND and TEMP. Remove the protective storage cap and confirm K=1 for the supplied cell. Rinse the electrode with distilled or deionized water, remove excess water gently, then rinse with a little standard when practical. Immerse and stir briefly to release bubbles.

EC700 recognizes 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm and 111.8 mS/cm for one- to four-point calibration. Press CAL, wait for the recognized value and stable symbol, then confirm with ENTER. The kit provides the first three standards in 50 mL bottles. The fourth is not included. Use clean portions and progress from low to high conductivity to reduce carryover.

The exact EC700 manual recommends at least two calibration points after a new electrode or factory reset; the exact probe guide recommends two or three. For routine work, verify a suitable standard and adjust calibration frequency to your accuracy needs and sample conditions. User-defined standard calibration is not documented for EC700. Do not import the custom-calibration instructions of a different model.

Clean water in the cap.
Gentle handling at the sensing tip.

Rinse the conductivity electrode before and after each sample and calibration. Gently blot away excess rinse water without rubbing the platinum-black surface. For the next sample, a small sample rinse can limit dilution. Brief stirring after immersion releases trapped bubbles; avoid contact between the sensing head and the vessel bottom.

Follow the exact 2301T-F guide for storage: keep the cap filled with clean distilled or deionized water and replace it when contaminated. The older meter manual includes generic dry-storage language, but the supplied probe's own instructions specifically require a water-filled cap. This is not a pH electrode and its cap should not be filled with KCl storage solution.

For organic residue, the probe guide describes warm detergent water and alcohol cleaning with a soft brush; mineral deposits require the guide's specified cleaning treatment. Do not polish or scrape the sensing surface. Rinse and recalibrate after cleaning. Keep connectors dry and clean. IP54 protects the meter against dust and splashes, not immersion or unrestricted chemical exposure.

Read the display. Check the measurement mode.

Use the physical controls for measurement, calibration and the documented record functions. Check units, temperature, calibration indicators and the selected parameter before assigning a result to a sample. Screen values in photographs are illustrative, not sample results. The model-specific record and output workflow is explained below.

Follow the exact parameter-specific calibration procedure, using the required standard, solution or calibration atmosphere. Temperature compensation does not make different sample temperatures, preparation methods or chemistry equivalent. Follow the model-specific meter and electrode instructions before extending the method to a new sample.

Store 50 sets.
Recall them locally, then preserve your worksheet.

A short press of the memory key saves the stable measurement and shows M+ with its storage number. A long press recalls the last saved result and shows RM; arrow keys browse saved records. Documented record content includes numbering, measurement, unit, temperature and temperature-compensation status. Date/time stamps are not listed for EC700.

When memory reaches 50 groups, the FUL indication tells you to clear storage before saving more. Copy needed records into your own worksheet first. The parameter table identifies P6 as clear stored data and P7 as factory reset; older narrative cross-references in the manual are inconsistent. Confirm the menu label rather than clearing data by a quoted parameter number alone.

No USB connector, software package or computer export workflow is documented in the exact EC700 manual or current US kit list. Plan for on-meter review and manual transcription. Do not transfer EC910 or EC800 software claims to this model. Neither internal memory nor the max/min function establishes a regulatory audit trail or a validated electronic laboratory record.