Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Sensors and measurement

Conductivity sensor

Also known as: Conductivity cell, Conductivity probe

German: Leitfähigkeitssensor

In process instrumentation, a conductivity sensor is a sensor that measures the electrical conductivity of a liquid, either with electrodes in contact with the medium or inductively with toroidal coils. Most conductivity sensors include a temperature sensor for compensation.

  • Sensors
  • Process industry

In one sentence

A conductivity sensor measures the electrical conductivity of a liquid with electrodes or toroidal coils, usually with built-in temperature compensation.

Example

An inductive conductivity sensor in the return line of a dairy cleaning system detects the transition between product, water and cleaning agent.

How it applies

  • Engineering: Select the sensor type by conductivity range, medium, temperature and hygiene requirements. Electrode sensors are specified by their cell constant; inductive sensors need enough free space around the toroid because nearby pipe walls influence the reading.
  • Installation: Air bubbles and deposits distort the reading. Mount the sensor so that it is always fully immersed and flow passes the measuring zone.
  • Maintenance: Electrode sensors can polarize or foul. Clean them and verify them with a reference solution at the documented interval.
  • Documentation: Record the cell constant, installation factor and temperature compensation for each sensor. Replacement instructions should say which of these must be re-entered in the Transmitter.

Conductivity sensor vs. conductivity measurement

The sensor is the device in the process. Conductivity measurement is the method around it, including temperature compensation and evaluation.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: AI TechDoc Knowledge editorial definition, based on process analytics practice

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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