Lab-grade EC/TDS accuracy for nutrient QC, feed-water verification, and daily grow-room bench use.
The Apera EC700 (AI502) is a benchtop conductivity and TDS meter built around Apera's proprietary BPB (Brush-Resistant Platinum Black) 2301T-F electrode — delivering fast, stable EC and temperature readings across a wide 0–200.00 mS/cm range at ±1% F.S. accuracy. The complete starter kit ships ready to calibrate and measure on day one, making it a practical bench instrument for licensed cannabis and hemp operations that need repeatable nutrient and feed-water data without a full analytical-lab budget.
The Apera EC700 is a benchtop-class conductivity and TDS meter designed for routine water-solution testing in laboratory and controlled-environment agriculture settings. The AI502 kit pairs the EC700 meter body with Apera's 2301T-F combination conductivity/temperature electrode — a firm platinum-black (BPB) cell that resists brush damage and maintains high accuracy across the full 0 to 200.00 mS/cm measuring range. The simultaneous EC and temperature display, combined with built-in 0–50 °C automatic temperature compensation (ATC), means readings reflect true solution conductivity regardless of ambient fluctuations on the bench.
Calibration uses a 1–4 point auto routine that automatically recognizes the most common conductivity standards: 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, and 111.8 mS/cm. A built-in calibration guide and self-diagnosis step walk operators through the process and flag any probe or solution issues before a reading is locked. The unit stores up to 50 data sets and supports Max/Min measuring mode for quick high-low range checks across a sample batch.
Consistent EC management is foundational to commercial cannabis and hemp production — whether you're running coco, rockwool, recirculating DWC, or any other substrate. Feed water, reservoir targets, and leachate EC all need documented, repeatable measurements across every cultivation bay and every shift. A pocket tester works for quick spot-checks in the field, but a benchtop unit with ATC, data storage, and a stable electrode holder is what a head grower or cultivation manager reaches for when verifying a nutrient recipe, diagnosing a drift problem, or logging quality-control data for compliance records.
The EC700's 0–200 mS/cm range covers every practical nutrient concentration you'll encounter in cannabis cultivation — from RO source water near 0 µS/cm through heavy bloom-phase feeding at 3–4 mS/cm and beyond into ultra-high-strength concentrate verification. The IP54 splash-proof and dust-proof housing keeps the unit functional in the humid, chemical-adjacent conditions of an active grow room or mixing station without requiring the ruggedization cost of a field instrument.
The 2301T-F BPB electrode is the core of the EC700's reliability. Platinum-black coatings increase effective surface area for better low-concentration sensitivity, and Apera's firm-cell construction resists the mechanical wear that degrades graphite or open-cell platinum electrodes over time. The electrode connects to the minimalist side-mounted holder, which attaches to either side of the meter body and holds two electrodes simultaneously — useful if you're alternating between EC and a separate probe.
Max/Min mode lets a technician dip into a series of samples and capture the spread without manually logging each read — practical when spot-checking multiple reservoir tanks or runoff samples across a large canopy. The 50-record data storage with recall supports basic batch documentation between system exports. The unit is CE and RoHS certified and is manufactured under an ISO 9001 quality program, which satisfies third-party audit requirements for many state-licensed operators.
The AI502 kit ships as a complete, ready-to-use package: EC700 meter body, 2301T-F combination conductivity/temperature electrode, electrode holder, three bottles of premixed conductivity calibration solutions (84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm), power adapter, and documentation. Nothing additional needs to be sourced before first use — calibrate, immerse the electrode, and you're taking readings.
Apera backs the instrument with a two-year warranty on the meter body and a six-month warranty on the probe. Replacement electrodes and calibration standards are stocked in Apera's catalog and can be coordinated through HSC when it's time to reorder consumables or swap a worn probe. For operations that already have the EC700 meter body and only need the electrode plus accessories, the probe-only AI502-M configuration is also available.
| SKU | AI502 |
| Meter Model | EC700 |
| Brand | Apera Instruments |
| Electrode | 2301T-F BPB (Brush-Resistant Platinum Black) Combination Conductivity/Temp. |
| EC Measuring Range | 0 to 200.00 mS/cm |
| EC Accuracy | ±1% F.S. |
| Temperature Range (ATC) | 0–50 °C (simultaneous display) |
| Temperature Compensation Range | 0–100 °C auto |
| Calibration | 1–4 point auto; recognizes 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, 111.8 mS/cm |
| Data Storage | 50 groups with Max/Min mode |
| Ingress Protection | IP54 (splash-proof, dust-proof) |
| Certifications | CE, RoHS; manufactured under ISO 9001 |
The AI502 is the complete starter kit: it includes the EC700 meter body, the 2301T-F combination conductivity/temperature electrode, the electrode holder, three premixed calibration solutions, and the power adapter — everything you need to start measuring on day one. The AI502-M is the meter body only, with no electrode or accessories included. If you already have a compatible probe or are replacing just the meter, the -M variant avoids paying for duplicate accessories.
Yes. The EC700 measures both EC (conductivity) and TDS simultaneously. The TDS conversion factor is configurable, which matters for cannabis cultivation because different nutrient lines use different conversion factors (commonly 0.5 or 0.7). Confirm your nutrient manufacturer's recommended factor and set it accordingly so TDS readings align with the ppm scale your feeding program references.
The EC700 auto-recognizes four standard conductivity solutions: 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, and 111.8 mS/cm. For most cannabis operations, a two-point calibration using 84 µS/cm and 1413 µS/cm covers the range of interest. The kit includes premixed solutions at 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, and 12.88 mS/cm.
The IP54 rating means the meter is protected against dust ingress and water splashes from any direction — which covers incidental splash and high-humidity ambient conditions typical of a commercial grow room or mixing station. It is not submersible, so it should not be submerged or exposed to sustained direct water spray. For mobile use across multiple rooms or reservoirs, consider a fully waterproof portable meter instead; the EC700 is optimized for a fixed bench position.
Apera warrants the 2301T-F probe for six months from delivery. In practice, probe lifespan in a grow environment depends on cleaning frequency, storage conditions, and exposure to aggressive nutrient solutions. Proper storage — keeping the electrode tip moist and clean — extends usable life significantly beyond the warranty period. When calibration starts drifting or stable readings slow down noticeably, it's time to replace the probe. Replacement 2301T-F electrodes are available through HSC.
Get operator-direct pricing and availability. We supply licensed commercial cultivators nationwide.
Request a Quote