Lab-grade EC/TDS/Salinity/Resistivity measurement with ±0.5% F.S. accuracy for production-scale nutrient programs.
The Apera EC820 (SKU AI532) is a precision benchtop conductivity meter that simultaneously measures EC, TDS, Salinity, Resistivity, and Temperature across a wide 0–2000 mS/cm range. Designed for rigorous, repeatable nutrient solution verification at the bench — where a pocket tester doesn't cut it.
The Apera EC820 is a high-precision benchtop instrument that measures five parameters from a single electrode: Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Salinity, Resistivity, and Temperature. It ships as a complete kit (AI532) including the EC820 meter unit, Apera's BPB (Brush-Resistant Platinum Black) glass conductivity/temperature electrode (2401T-F), a flexible electrode arm and holder, USB cable, PC-Link software flash drive, power adapter (120V AC / 60Hz input, 9V DC output), and three pre-mixed calibration solutions (84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm).
Measurements are displayed in real time on a large backlit LCD that shows EC/TDS/Salinity/Resistivity and temperature simultaneously, alongside stability-confirmed and calibration-complete icons. The housing carries an IP54 water-resistant rating — splash-tolerant for a bench environment without being submersible. CE and RoHS certified; manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 quality system.
Commercial cannabis and hemp cultivation teams that manage nutrient programs at scale need a reference-grade benchtop instrument — not a pocket tester — at the mix station, the reservoir room, or the QC bench. The EC820 is built for exactly that use case: recurring, high-volume solution checks where repeatability and audit-ready data logging matter as much as the reading itself.
It's also the right tool for operations running multiple nutrient lines or custom formulations where TDS factor adjustments and multi-point calibration against known standards are part of the SOP. Tissue culture labs, water treatment verification, and foliar prep validation are equally appropriate applications. If your team is tracking EC across multiple reservoir zones or doing intake QC on source water, the 500-record GLP data log and USB export to PC software keep that data traceable and off sticky notes.
Accuracy is the headline: ±0.5% of Full Scale across a 0–2000 mS/cm conductivity range — one of the tightest specifications available at this price tier for a benchtop instrument. The BPB (Brush-Resistant Platinum Black) glass electrode design is engineered to minimize fouling and maintain consistent cell constant performance over time, which matters in a production setting where the probe sees daily use.
Calibration is 1-to-4 point auto-recognition against four standard solution concentrations: 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, and 111.8 mS/cm. The Smart Self-Diagnosis function monitors electrode condition and slope data, catching probe drift before it corrupts production measurements. A calibration reminder function prompts recalibration on schedule, and calibration records can be reviewed on-device. Auto Timing Data Logger mode enables interval-based automated recording — useful for stability monitoring over time.
In a licensed production facility, nutrient EC is a critical process control point — not just a grow tip. The EC820 sits at the bench where solutions are mixed, verified, and logged before they enter the irrigation system. GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) data management stores up to 500 measurement records on-device, and USB output to PC software (Windows) creates an exportable data trail that supports internal QA records and state compliance documentation.
The kit format means you're ready to measure out of the box — no sourcing electrodes separately, no scrambling for calibration solutions. Calibration solutions for the most common grow-range verification points (84 µS/cm and 1413 µS/cm) are included. The flexible electrode arm and holder keep the probe positioned correctly without a second set of hands. For operations looking to standardize benchtop QC across multiple sites or departments, the EC820's consistent calibration workflow and on-device data storage make it practical to replicate at scale.
| Model | Apera EC820 |
| SKU | AI532 |
| Parameters Measured | Conductivity (EC), TDS, Salinity, Resistivity, Temperature |
| EC Range | 0–2000 mS/cm |
| EC Accuracy | ±0.5% F.S. ±1 digit |
| Calibration Points | 1–4 point auto-calibration (84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, 111.8 mS/cm) |
| Display | Large backlit LCD — simultaneous EC/TDS/Salinity/Resistivity + Temperature |
| Data Storage | 500 GLP records; USB data output; PC-Link software (Windows) |
| IP Rating | IP54 (splash/dust resistant) |
| Power | 120V AC 60Hz input / 9V DC 300mA output (adapter included) |
| Certifications | CE, RoHS; manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 |
| Kit Includes | EC820 meter, 2401T-F BPB glass electrode, electrode arm/holder, USB cable, PC-Link software, power adapter, 3× calibration solutions |
The AI532 is the complete kit: meter, BPB glass conductivity/temperature electrode (2401T-F), flexible electrode arm and holder, USB cable, PC-Link software flash drive, power adapter, and three pre-mixed calibration solutions. The AI532-M is the meter body only — no electrode included. For most operations starting fresh, the AI532 kit is the practical choice since you get everything needed to calibrate and measure out of the box.
Yes — ±0.5% of Full Scale is the highest accuracy tier available in this class of benchtop conductivity meter. For context, most nutrient programs flag action thresholds at EC variances of 0.2–0.5 mS/cm or more, well within the instrument's resolution. The 4-point auto-calibration against certified standard solutions keeps that accuracy traceable over time.
The EC820 stores up to 500 measurement records on-device in GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) format, including reading value, date, time, and calibration status. Records are exported via USB to Apera's PC-Link software (Windows-compatible). Auto Timing Data Logger mode can capture interval measurements automatically. This creates a reviewable, exportable data trail appropriate for internal QA documentation.
The kit ships with three pre-mixed calibration solutions: 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, and 12.88 mS/cm. A fourth standard (111.8 mS/cm) is supported but not included in the kit. Recalibration frequency depends on use intensity and solution chemistry, but the meter includes a built-in calibration reminder function and self-diagnosis to flag when the electrode slope indicates drift — so the instrument tells you when it's time.
The 0–2000 mS/cm range covers virtually any solution a cultivation operation will encounter — standard nutrient reservoirs typically run 1–5 mS/cm (1–5 EC), well within the low end of the meter's range. The upper range supports high-salinity or specialty chemistry applications. The BPB platinum black glass electrode is designed to maintain accuracy across the full span without fouling at typical grow-room solution concentrations.
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