Research-grade EC/TDS/Salinity measurement with the integrated Apera TestBench workstation.
The Apera EC950 (AI5622) is a Value Series benchtop conductivity, TDS, and salinity meter that pairs a glass-body 2401T-F platinum black electrode with the integrated Apera TestBench — combining a flexible electrode holder, intelligent magnetic stirrer, and buffer organizers in one dedicated workstation. Built for licensed cultivation operations that need accurate, repeatable nutrient-solution data at the bench.
The Apera EC950 is a Value Series benchtop meter that measures conductivity (EC), TDS, and salinity from a single instrument. It is built around the 2401T-F glass-body conductivity electrode — Apera's platinum black sensor designed for research-level accuracy across a 0–200 mS/cm range, auto-ranging across five sub-ranges so you never have to manually switch scales during a measurement session.
The meter ships as a complete kit with the Apera TestBench: an integrated bench workstation that holds the flexible electrode, runs the intelligent magnetic stirrer, and organizes buffer solutions. Instead of hunting for a stir plate, a clamp stand, and somewhere to set your buffer bottles, everything is in one footprint. For a head grower or lab tech running multiple daily checks, that workflow consolidation matters.
Commercial cannabis and hemp cultivation facilities that need verifiable, repeatable EC and TDS data — for fertigation management, reverse osmosis verification, reservoir preparation, tissue-culture media, or post-harvest water quality checks — will find the EC950 fits at the bench without overcomplicating the workflow.
The meter's natural-language, graphic-driven interface and multi-language OS (English, German, Spanish, Mandarin) mean it works for mixed-language grow teams without additional training overhead. Automatic calibration with self-diagnosis and calibration instruction on-screen keeps calibration consistent across operators — critical in any facility where data integrity is required for compliance documentation or internal SOPs.
Operations that already run Apera handheld testers in the field will appreciate having a benchtop unit that uses the same calibration standard solutions (84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, 111.8 mS/cm) and familiar Apera navigation, reducing consumable SKU count and cross-training time.
The 2401T-F glass conductivity/temperature electrode measures from 0 to 200 mS/cm at ±1% F.S. accuracy. The electrode's platinum black cell construction minimizes polarization effects across the full range — important when measuring high-concentration nutrient solutions that can drift conventional electrodes. Automatic temperature compensation covers 0–50°C (auto or manual), so ambient fluctuations in the grow environment don't skew readings.
Calibration is 1–4 points, with automatic recognition of the four standard conductivity solutions. The self-diagnosis function flags calibration errors and electrode condition issues before they introduce bad data. A manual data logger stores up to 200 groups of readings directly on the meter — retrievable for batch review without connecting to a PC. Single-tap switching between EC, TDS, and salinity display modes eliminates navigating menus mid-measurement.
The large backlit LCD simultaneously displays EC (or TDS or salinity) and temperature, with icons indicating stable-reading status and completed calibrations — so an operator knows at a glance when a reading is settled and ready to record.
In a production environment, benchtop meters live at specific checkpoints: the fertigation mixing station, the RO output, the tissue-culture room, or the QC desk. The EC950's TestBench keeps the electrode stable and the stirrer running hands-free, which matters when an operator is pulling samples from multiple zones and logging results back-to-back.
The 200-group onboard data logger provides a lightweight audit trail for internal QC without requiring a PC connection at the bench — though USB output is available on higher-tier models if data export to a cultivation management platform is needed. The 3-year instrument warranty and 6-month electrode warranty are consistent with Apera's standard commercial terms, and replacement 2401T-F electrodes are available through HSC to keep the meter running without downtime.
If your facility is also monitoring pH — either separately or as part of a multi-parameter setup — the Apera PC950 (AI5623) adds simultaneous pH measurement in the same TestBench form factor. Request a quote for either unit and HSC can advise on which configuration fits your measurement program.
| Model | EC950 (SKU: AI5622) |
| EC Measuring Range | 0 – 200 mS/cm (5 auto-ranging sub-ranges) |
| EC Accuracy | ±1.0% F.S. ±1 digit |
| EC Resolution | 0.01 / 0.1 / 1 µS/cm; 0.01 / 0.1 mS/cm |
| TDS Range | 0 – 100 g/L |
| Salinity Range | 0 – 100 ppt |
| Temperature Compensation | 0 – 50°C, automatic or manual (ATC) |
| Electrode | 2401T-F glass-body platinum black conductivity/temp. electrode |
| Calibration Standards (auto-recognized) | 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, 111.8 mS/cm |
| Data Storage | 200 groups, manual data logger |
| Cell Constant | 0.1 / 1 / 10 cm⁻¹ |
| Calibration Points | 1 – 4 points, automatic with self-diagnosis |
The EC820 uses Apera's BPB (Brush-Resistant Platinum Black) glass electrode (also the 2401T-F) and offers ±0.5% F.S. accuracy — one step higher precision — along with 500-group GLP data storage and USB output. The EC950 is the Value Series offering with ±1% F.S. accuracy and 200-group manual logging, but adds the TestBench workstation (stirrer, electrode holder, buffer organizers) that the EC820 does not include in its kit. For most commercial cultivation applications, ±1% F.S. is more than sufficient for routine EC and TDS checks.
The EC950 (Value Series) measures conductivity, TDS, and salinity. Resistivity measurement is available on higher-tier Apera benchtop models (EC800, EC820). If resistivity is a required parameter for your operation, contact HSC and we can quote the appropriate model.
The EC950 automatically recognizes four standard conductivity solutions: 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, and 111.8 mS/cm. Apera calibration solutions are available through HSC — ask about bundling consumables with your meter order to simplify procurement.
The Apera TestBench includes an intelligent magnetic stirrer that agitates the sample during measurement. Gentle stirring ensures the solution around the electrode is representative of the bulk sample and eliminates localized concentration gradients, especially important with nutrient solutions that may have settling or stratification. It is not strictly required for every reading, but it improves repeatability and is particularly useful during calibration.
Yes — the 2401T-F is a replaceable electrode. Apera warrants electrodes for 6 months from delivery; in practice, electrode lifespan depends on solution chemistry, cleaning frequency, and storage practices. Replacement 2401T-F electrodes are available through HSC. Proper storage in the provided electrode cap with appropriate solution significantly extends usable life.
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