An American National Standard

Designation: D 5391 – 99 (Reapproved 2005)

Standard Test Method for

Electrical Conductivity and Resistivity of a Flowing High
Purity Water Sample1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5391; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits

1.1 This test method covers the determination of electrical D 3864 Guide for Continual On-Line Monitoring Systems
conductivity and resistivity of high purity water samples below for Water Analysis
10 µS/cm (above 0.1 Mohm-cm). It is applicable to both D 4519 Test Method for On-Line Determination of Anions
continuous and periodic measurements but in all cases, the and Carbon Dioxide in High Purity Water by Cation
water must be flowing in order to provide representative Exchange and Degassed Cation Conductivity
sampling. Static grab sampling cannot be used for such high 3. Terminology
purity water. Continuous measurements are made directly in
pure water process lines, or in side stream sample lines to 3.1 Definitions:
enable measurements on high temperature or high pressure 3.1.1 electrical conductivity—refer to Test Methods D 1125.
samples, or both. 3.1.2 electrical resistivity—refer to Test Methods D 1125.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3.1.3 For definitions of other terms used in these test
standard. methods, refer to Terminology D 1129.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2.1 cell constant—the ratio of the length of the path, L
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- (cm) and the cross-sectional area of the solution, A (cm 2),
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- between the electrodes of a conductivity/resistivity cell, with
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. units of cm −1. In high purity water measurements, the cell
constant is normally between 0.001 and 0.1 cm −1 to prevent
2. Referenced Documents electrical interference. This is lower than the 1 cm −1 of the
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 standard centimetre cube and is taken into account by direct
D 1066 Practice for Sampling Steam reading instrument ranges that are matched with specific cell
D 1125 Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity and Re- constants.
sistivity of Water
4. Summary of Test Method
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1192 Specification for Equipment for Sampling Water 4.1 Conductivity or resistivity is measured with a cell and
and Steam in Closed Conduits3 temperature sensor or compensator in a flowing, closed system
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water to prevent trace contamination from wetted surfaces and from
D 2186 Test Methods for Deposit-Forming Impurities in the atmosphere. Specialized temperature compensation cor-
Steam rects the measurement to 25°C, taking into account the
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of temperature effects on the ionization of water, the contami-
Applicable Methods of Committee D19 on Water nants, and interactions between the two. In the absence of
specialized temperature compensation, the sample temperature
is controlled to 25 6 0.2°C.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water 4.2 To determine the cell constant of a high purity conduc-
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.03 on Sampling of Water and tivity cell with an instrument capable of accurate measurement
Water-Formed Deposits, Surveillance of Water, and Flow Measurement of Water.
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Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published April 2005. Originally

over the range of pure water to 150 µS/cm with a single cell
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 5391–99. constant, Test Methods D 1125 are used directly. Manufactur-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or ers’ certification of cell constant traceability by this means is an
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM acceptable alternative.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn.

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 D 5391 – 99 (2005)
4.3 To determine the cell constant of a high purity conduc- normally require longterm conditioning. Iron oxides and other
tivity cell with an instrument which does not accurately cover deposits accumulate in slow flowing horizontal sample lines
the range from pure water to 150 µS/cm with a single cell and can develop chromatograph-like retention of ionic species,
constant, a secondary standard cell is used that has an inter- resulting in very long delay times. Precautions are described in
mediate cell constant with precise value determined by Test Section 9.
Methods D 1125. That secondary standard cell is then used in 6.3 Cell and flow chamber surfaces will slowly leach trace
low conductivity water (not a standard) and readings are ionic contaminants, evidenced by increasing conductivity read-
compared with those of the low constant cell under test. In this ings with very low or zero flowrate. There must be sufficient
manner, the cell constant of the latter is determined. Manufac- flow to keep these contaminants from accumulating to the point
turers’ certification of cell constant traceability by this means is that they affect the measurement. The high and convoluted
an acceptable alternative. surface area of platinized cells precludes their use for high
purity measurements for this reason.
5. Significance and Use 6.4 Capacitance of the cell and extension leadwire, espe-
5.1 Conductivity measurements are typically made on cially in high purity ranges can add significant positive error to
samples of moderate to high ionic strength where contamina- conductance readings (negative error to resistance readings).
tion of open samples in routine laboratory handling is negli- The measuring instrument must be designed to accommodate
gible. Under those conditions, standard temperature compen- cell and leadwire characteristics in high purity water as
sation using coefficients of 1 to 3 % of reading per degree described in 7.1.1 and Annex A1. In addition, the instrument
Celsius over wide concentration ranges is appropriate. In manufacturers’ recommendations on cell leadwire must be
contrast, this test method requires special considerations to carefully followed.
reduce trace contamination and accommodates the high and 6.5 Conductivity and resistivity measurements are refer-
variable temperature coefficients of pure water samples that enced to 25°C. Either samples must be controlled to 25.0 6
can range as high as 7 % of reading per degree Celsius. In 0.2°C or specialized temperature compensation must be em-
addition, measuring instrument design performance must be ployed that accounts for the characteristics of high purity water
proven under high purity conditions. with specific contaminants, as described in 7.1.2.
5.2 This test method is applicable for detecting trace 6.6 Samples containing dissolved gases must have sufficient
amounts of ionic contaminants in water. It is the primary means flow through the cell that bubbles cannot accumulate and
of monitoring the performance of demineralization and other occupy sample volume within the cell, causing low conductiv-
high purity water treatment operations. It is also used to detect ity (high resistivity) readings. This problem is typical in
ionic contamination in boiler waters, microelectronics rinse makeup water treatment systems where water warms up, drops
waters, pharmaceutical process waters, etc., as well as to in pressure, and is acidified by cation exchange operations.
monitor and control the level of boiler and power plant cycle This releases dissolved air and converts carbonates to carbon
chemistry treatment chemicals. This test method supplements dioxide gas.
the basic measurement requirements for Test Methods D 1125, 6.7 High purity conductivity measurement must not be
D 2186, and D 4519. made on a sample downstream of pH sensors since they
5.3 At very low levels of alkaline contamination, for ex- invariably contaminate the sample with traces of reference
ample, 0–1 µg/L NaOH, conductivity is suppressed, and can electrolyte salts. Use a dedicated sample line or place the
actually be slightly below the theoretical value for pure water. conductivity cell upstream from the pH sensors.
(13,14)4 Alkaline materials suppress the highly conductive 6.8 Conductivity cells mounted downstream from ion ex-
hydrogen ion concentration while replacing it with less con- changers are vulnerable to catching resin particles between the
ductive sodium and hydroxide ions. This phenomenon is not an cell electrodes. Resin particles are sufficiently conductive to
interference with conductivity or resistivity measurement itself short the cell and cause high off-scale conductivity or ex-
but could give misleading indications of inferred water purity tremely low resistivity readings. Resin retainers must be
in this range if it is not recognized. effective and cells must be accessible for cleaning. Cell designs
with electrode spacing greater than 0.06 in. (1.5 mm) have --`,,`,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
6. Interferences
been found to be less likely to trap such particles.
6.1 Exposure of the sample to the atmosphere may cause 6.9 Conductivity cells, if subjected to demineralizer regen-
changes in conductivity/resistivity due to loss or gain of eration reagents, would require excessive rinse time to obtain
dissolved ionizable gases. Carbon dioxide, normally present in satisfactory results. Therefore, locate cells where they will be
the air, can reach an equilibrium concentration in water of isolated during regeneration cycles.
about 1 mg/L and add approximately 1 µS/cm to the conduc-
tivity due to formation of carbonic acid. Closed flow-through 7. Apparatus
or sealed in-line cell installation is required for this reason.
6.2 Power plant installations utilizing long sample lines can 7.1 Measuring Instrument:
experience significant sampling problems. New sample lines 7.1.1 The instrument shall be continuously reading in either
conductivity or resistivity units. It shall be specifically de-
signed to measure in high purity ranges, measuring with ac of
4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of appropriate voltage, frequency, wave shape, phase correction,
this test method. and wave sampling technique to minimize errors due to parallel

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 D 5391 – 99 (2005)
and series capacitance of cell and leadwire as well as minimiz- temperature effects on conductivity representative of neutral
ing electrode polarization errors and effects of small direct salts, ammonia, morpholine, and acids. Where specialized high
current (dc) potentials. A cell simulation technique to verify the purity temperature compensation algorithms are not provided
performance of an unproven measuring circuit design under to accurately compensate for these effects, sample temperature
high purity conditions is provided in Annex A1. shall be controlled to 25.06 0.2°C. (Note that conductivity
7.1.2 The measurement shall include algorithms to tempera- temperature coefficients exceed 7 % of reading per degree
ture compensate conductivity or resistivity values to 25.0°C. Celsius in the temperature range of 0 to 10°C.)
The algorithm shall compensate for changes in water ionization 7.1.4 Output signal(s) from the instrument, if provided,
as well as for solute ion mobility for neutral salt contaminants. shall be electrically isolated from the cell and from the earth
The conductivity of pure water has been documented with high ground to prevent ground loop problems when the instrument
accuracy (15,1). is connected to grounded external devices.
7.1.3 In the case of samples containing acidic or basic 7.2 Cell:
solutes (such as power plant treatment using ammonia, mor- 7.2.1 Flow-through or in-line conductivity/resistivity cells
pholine, etc., or acidic cation conductivity samples or micro- shall be used to prevent contamination from the atmosphere
electronics acid etch rinse monitoring), special algorithms shall and wetted surfaces as described in 6.1 and 6.3. Flowrates shall
be employed that account for the interaction of acids and bases be maintained within the manufacturer’s recommendations.
with the ionization of water (2, 3, 4). The user is cautioned that The cell shall retain its constant calibration under the condi-
accuracy of temperature compensation algorithms for these tions of flowrate, temperature, and pressure of the installation.
solutes may vary significantly. The user must determine the The cell shall incorporate an integral precision temperature
applicability and accuracy for a particular sample in the sensor to ensure that it accurately senses the sample tempera-
anticipated temperature range. Fig. 1 illustrates the variation in ture where the conductivity/resistivity is being detected to
ensure accurate temperature compensation.
7.2.2 The cell for high purity water measurements shall not
be used for measuring higher ionic content samples (greater
than 20 µS/cm, less than 0.05 Mohm-cm) since it would retain
ionic contaminants and require excessive rinse-down time for
valid measurements in high purity ranges. A high purity cell in
a demineralizer system shall not be located where it can be
exposed to regeneration reagents.
7.2.3 Electrodes of the cell shall not be platinized for pure
water measurements since the microscopically rough, porous
surface would retain ionic contaminants and produce excessive
downscale response times. Only a trace or flash of platinum
black is permissible on electrode surfaces. Electrodes of
titanium, nickel, monel, stainless steel, or platinum are suitable
for high purity measurement. However, extra care must be
taken using platinum cells not to exceed manufacturers’
recommended flowrate and not to permit rough handling that
could bend the electrodes and change the cell constant.
7.2.4 If the cell constant as checked does not fall within
acceptable limits of its nominal value, it is necessary to clean
or replace the cell. Even in pure water samples, coatings such
as iron oxide crud in power plant installations, resin fines, and
other solids and films can develop. Insulating coatings over
electrode surfaces can cause negative conductivity errors.
Conductive accumulations between electrodes can short them
and cause positive errors. Mechanical cleaning must not be

TABLE 1 Concentrations of Trace Contaminants Plotted in Fig. 1

Conductivity Concentration (µg/L)
µS/cm at 25°C
NaCl HCl NH3 Morpholine

5.00 2295 430 638 13 755

2.00 903 172 177 2632
1.00 439 86 76 837
0.500 207 42.6 34.4 298
0.250 91 20.7 16.1 117
NOTE—Curves represent concentrations of impurities given in Table 1. 0.100 21.0 6.5 5.4 34.6
FIG. 1 Temperature Effects on the Conductivity of High Purity 0.055 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Water
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 D 5391 – 99 (2005)
attempted with platinum electrodes since this would change the equilibrium with sample conditions. Do not make measure-
cell constant. Cleaning must either follow manufacturer’s ments following changes to the sample flowrate for the period
recommendations or that given in Test Methods D 1125. of time required to recover from transient effects on the
Ultrasonic cleaners have also been found effective in some particular sampling system.
cases. 9.2.5 Control the sample temperature within the capabilities
7.3 Extension leadwire type, size, and length shall be of the temperature compensation algorithms used in the mea-
according to manufacturers’ recommendations, primarily to suring instrument. The sample temperature shall be sufficiently
prevent parallel leadwire capacitance errors with this high stable to maintain reasonable equilibrium with the sample line
resistance ac measurement. In particular, the length shall not wetted surfaces.
exceed the measuring instrument’s ability to minimize capaci- 9.2.6 Do not locate the cell where it would be exposed to
tance errors. demineralizer reagents as noted in 6.9.
9.2.7 Additional sampling precautions are provided in Prac-
8. Reagents
tices D 1066, D 3370, Specification D 1192, and Practice
8.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be D 3864.
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit- 10. Calibration
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society.5
10.1 Measuring Instrument—Evaluate instrumentation of
Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that
unproven performance in high purity samples using the proce-
the reagent is of sufficiently high purity to permit its use
dure in Annex A1. Thereafter, use calibrating resistors with
without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
60.1 % tolerance in place of the measuring cell and tempera-
8.2 Purity of Water— Unless otherwise indicated, refer-
ture compensator. The conductivity check resistance in ohms
ences to water shall be understood to mean reagent water
equals the cell constant (cm −1) divided by the conductivity to
conforming to Type I of Specification D 1193. In making up
be indicated (S/cm). Resistivity check resistance equals the cell
the potassium chloride comparison solution for cell constant
constant (cm −1) times the resistivity to be indicated (ohm-cm).
determinations, use water of conductivity not greater than 1
The temperature compensator resistance as defined by the
µS/cm. If necessary, stabilize to the laboratory atmosphere by
manufacturer must simulate a sample temperature of 25.0°C,
aspirating air through the water from a fritted glass or stainless
the reference temperature, that eliminates any compensation in
steel gas dispersion tube. The equilibrium point is reached
order to follow the relationships given above.
when the conductivity remains constant but not greater than 1.5
µS/cm. NOTE 1—It should be understood that the use of a precision resistor in
8.3 Conductivity Standard Reference Solutions—See Test place of the cell checks only the ability of the instrument to measure a pure
Methods D 1125. resistance, whereas the cell and leadwire characteristics include parallel
and series capacitance. The manufacturer’s circuit design must have the
9. Sampling capability to measure with installed cell and leadwire characteristics,
verified by the test in Annex A1.
9.1 Direct measurements in the process shall have the cell
located in an active flowing part of the piping. Stagnant areas 10.2 Leadwire Effects— When leadwire length between the
or dead legs must be avoided to ensure a representative sample instrument and cell is greater than 7 m, check calibration of the
and prevent any bubbles from adhering to cell surfaces. instrument a second time by connecting the calibrating resis-
9.2 Design and operate side stream sample lines to maintain tors at the far end of the leadwire and noting the difference, if
sample integrity. any, in readings with the long leadwire in the circuit. Check
9.2.1 Do not expose the sample to the atmosphere to prevent both temperature and conductivity/resistivity readings.
absorption or loss of gases, particularly carbon dioxide, that Leadwire-induced errors in high purity measurements are
affect conductivity. typically caused by parallel capacitance of the cell leads and
9.2.2 The sample line shall not have pH electrodes upstream resistance of the temperature compensator leads. Leadwire
of the conductivity cell as noted in 6.7. capacitance is minimized on some instruments by isolating one
9.2.3 In power plant installations where iron oxide and other cell lead within a driven shield. With other instruments, the use
solids occur in pure water samples, flowrates must be con- of fluorocarbon insulated or shortened leadwire, or both, may
trolled to minimize accumulation of deposits that could greatly be necessary. (Fluorocarbon provides the best available dielec-
delay transport of ionic materials. A sample flow velocity of 2 tric properties and can reduce capacitance to about half that of
m/s in horizontal sample lines has been found optimum. cable using other insulating material.) Do not use long shielded
Additional sample line design criteria have been documented leadwire unless the instrument is specifically designed for it
(5, 6, 7). since the shield can increase capacitance and associated errors
9.2.4 The sample shall be continuously flowing at a stable with conventional measuring circuits. Follow manufacturer’s
flowrate to enable sample line wetted surfaces to reach wiring recommendations closely.
10.3 Temperature Measurement Circuit—Some temperature
5
measurement circuits require precise temperature calibration
“Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications,” Am. Chemi-
after installation to compensate for leadwire resistance and
cal Soc., Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not listed by
the American Chemical Society, see “Analar Standards for Laboratory Chemicals,” ensure accurate temperature compensation. Where necessary,
BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the “United States Pharmacopeia.” perform this according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

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 D 5391 – 99 (2005)
10.4 Conductivity Cells—The cell constant calibration of determination of the contribution of the background water conductivity,
conductivity/resistivity cells is ultimately referenced to stan- which represents about 7 % of the total measurement if performed in open
dard solutions of potassium chloride of known conductivity air, was not addressed (11).
NOTE 3—The lowest conductivity NIST Standard Reference Material
from Test Methods D 1125 or NIST standards (8). However, has a nominal conductivity of 5 µS/cm at 25.0°C. However, the typical
due to the high uncertainties of atmospheric and container uncertainty is greater than that expected by other methods.
surface contamination, direct cell calibration with standard
solutions below 100 µS/cm is not recommended. Although 11. Procedure
these solutions are available, their successful use for calibra- 11.1 Set up the flow type conductivity/resistivity cell, lead-
tion is beyond the scope of this test method. See Note 2 and wire and instrument with calibration verified as in Section 10.
Note 3. Where severe fouling is anticipated at startup, divert the
10.4.1 To determine the cell constant of a high purity sample initially to prevent an accumulation of contaminants in
conductivity cell with an instrument capable of accurate the cell. If using a sample line, establish a flowrate through the
measurement over the range of pure water to 150 µS/cm with cell of 200 cc/min or according to manufacturer’s recommen-
a single cell constant, use Test Methods D 1125, Solution D, dations and allow several hours of rinse time if using new
146.93 µS/cm or NIST Standard Reference Material 3191, sample components, flow chamber, or cell to ensure complete
nominal value 100 µS/cm directly. This calibration with removal of air and trace contaminants.
documented certification can be provided by some cell manu- 11.2 If specialized temperature compensation is not avail-
facturers. able, verify that the sample temperature is stabilized at 25.0 6
10.4.2 To determine the cell constant of a high purity 0.2°C.
conductivity cell with an instrument which does not accurately 11.3 Read the conductivity or resistivity.
cover the range from pure water to 150 µS/cm with a single cell 12. Precision and Bias
constant, accomplish calibration using an intermediate higher
constant cell as a secondary standard. Calibrate in a higher 12.1 Neither precision nor bias data can be obtained for this
conductivity standard solution from Test Methods D 1125, test method from a collaborative study designed in accordance
Reference Solution C, 1408.8 µS/cm, or Reference Solution D, with the requirements of Practice D 2777 since this test method
146.93 µS/cm or NIST Standard Reference Materials 3192, is a continuous determination. This inability of Practice D 2777
nominal value 500.0 µS/cm or 3193, nominal value 1000.0 procedures to obtain precision and bias data for continuous
µS/cm (8). This cell then becomes the secondary standard for determinations is recognized and stated in the scope of Practice
comparison with low constant cells in lower conductivity D 2777. (Some experience approximating single-operator pre-
solutions that need not be standards (9, 10). This calibration cision on high purity specific and cation conductivity measure-
with documented certification can be provided by cell manu- ments in power plants has been reported as a part of EPRI
facturers. Refer to Annex A2 for details of cell constant project RP2712-3 (12).)
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calibration. 13. Keywords

NOTE 2—Direct cell calibration in a low conductivity standard near 15 13.1 cation; conductivity; high purity water measurements;
µS/cm has been proposed under highly controlled conditions. However, resistivity; specific conductance; specific resistance

ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)

A1. EVALUATION OF INSTRUMENT HIGH PURITY MEASUREMENT CAPABILITY

A1.1 The performance of a conductivity/resistivity measur-

ing instrument design is evaluated using an electrical circuit
model. This is necessary because measurement of a conduc-
tivity cell in high purity water is more complex than measuring
a simple resistance. Not all instrument designs are capable of
accurate measurements under these conditions. Fig. A1.1
shows the schematic of a simple network that electrically
simulates a conductivity cell immersed in high purity water.
The instrument must be able to measure the solution resistance,
Rc, accurately in this network.

A1.2 From Table A1.1 select measurement conditions

FIG. A1.1 Circuit Model of Conductivity Cell in High Purity Water
closest to those in which the equipment will be installed and
find the appropriate circuit component values.

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TABLE A1.1 Conductivity Cell Model Component Nominal Values A1.3 Connect the network to the cell input of the instru-
Simulated Conditions Cw (pF) Ce (µF) Rc (ohms) ment. Connect a resistor to the temperature compensator input
0.055 µS/cm, 18.2 MV-cm 330 1 182 k of the instrument with value to simulate 25.0 6 0.1°C, as
0.01 cm −1 cell specified by the instrument manufacturer. Alternatively, read
2 m cable
0.055 µS/cm, 18.2 MV-cm 8200 1 182 k uncompensated conductivity, if available on the instrument.
0.01 cm −1 cell
50 m cable A1.4 Remove any trims, cell calibrations, etc., from instru-
0.055 µS/cm, 18.2 MV-cm 330 0.47 1.82 M
0.1 cm −1 cell ment memory that would prevent it from indicating absolute,
2 m cable uncorrected conductivity or resistivity.
0.055 µS/cm, 18.2 MV-cm 8200 0.47 1.82 M
0.1 cm −1 cell
50 m cable A1.5 Take readings with the instrument measuring the
0.1 µS/cm, 10 MV-cm 330 5 100 k network and again measuring only the resistor. The difference
0.01 cm −1 cell
2 m cable between these readings represents an approximation of the
0.1 µS/cm, 10 MV-cm 8200 5 100 k error that can be anticipated in actual cell measurements due to
0.01 cm −1 cell
50 m cable
instrument signal handling limitations. (This does not include
0.1 µS/cm, 10 MV-cm 330 0.1 1M errors from temperature compensation or cell constant uncer-
0.1 cm −1 cell tainties.) This test will identify most signal handling deficien-
2 m cable
0.1 µS/cm, 10 MV-cm 8200 0.1 1M
cies but is not intended to quantify errors. Also, note that more
0.1 cm −1 cell complex models are needed to represent higher ranges of
50 m cable conductivity measurement. This model is appropriate only for
the ranges given.

A2. HIGH PURITY CONDUCTIVITY CELL CONSTANT CALIBRATION WITH LIMITED-RANGE INSTRUMENTS

A2.1 The conductivity cell constant is the greatest uncer- used for the comparison in A2.4.
tainty in the measurement once the requirements for tempera-
A2.3 Rinse the secondary standard cell and the high purity
ture compensation, measuring instrument capability, leadwire,
cell to be tested for at least an hour with flowing Type I water
sampling, etc., are satisfied. Therefore, it must be determined
prior to measurement to fully wet electrode surfaces and to
with precision, whether in the laboratory or by the cell
wash away any residual contaminants accumulated in storage.
manufacturer.
A2.4 Immerse the two cells in stirred Type I water to which
A2.2 Using Test Methods D 1125 prepare a Standard
dilute KCl solution has been added dropwise to raise the
Reference Solution C, 1408.8 µS/cm, or Reference Solution D,
conductivity to 5 to 10µ S/cm. Allow time for the cells and
146.93 µS/cm. Alternatively, obtain NIST Standard Reference
solution to reach temperature equilibrium and tap the cells to
Material 3191, nominal value 100.0 µS/cm, 3192, nominal
remove any bubbles adhering to the cell surfaces. Using the
value 500.0 µS/cm or 3193,nominal value 1000.0 1µ S/cm, or
same type of instrument as in A2.2, measure the conductivity/
from a traceable source (8). Using one of the standard solutions
resistivity of each cell as quickly as possible.
above, determine the precise cell constant of a nominal 0.5 to
5 cm −1 cell using Test Methods D 1125, with the standard A2.5 Calculate the cell constant of the low constant cell as
solution temperature controlled and cell equilibrated to 25.0 6 follows:
0.2°C. This cell is used as the secondary standard. The type of cell constant 5 nominal test cell constant
instrument used for this determination must meet the perfor- standard cell conductivity
mance requirements of Annex A1, since the same instrument is 3 test cell conductivity

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 D 5391 – 99 (2005)
REFERENCES

(1) Light, T. S., and Licht, S. L., “Conductivity and Resistivity of Water International Conference on Measuring Waterborne Trace Substances,
from the Melting to Critical Points,” Analytical Chemistry, Vol 59, No. EPRI and NIST, Baltimore, Aug. 1990.
19, Oct. 1987, pp. 2327–2330. (10) Scheerer, C. C., Cluzel, J., and Lane, R. W.,“ Monitoring Condensate
(2) Hunt, R. C., “Conductivity and pH Measurements in High Purity Polisher Operation Using Conductivity (Specific, Cation, and De-
Water,” Ultrapure Water, Vol 3, No. 4, March/April 1986, pp. 39–46. gassed Cation) and Sodium Analysis,” International Water Confer-
(3) Hunt, R. C., “Combined Conductivity and pH Temperature Compen- ence Proceedings, 1989, pp. 321–334.
sation in High Purity Water,” Ultrapure Water, Vol 3, No. 2, July/ (11) Light, T. S., and Thornton, R. D., “Conductivity Cell Standard for
August 1986, pp. 31–39. Low Ionic Strength Solutions,” Ultrapure Water, Vol 8, No. 3, April
(4) Gray, D., and Tenney, A., “Improved Conductivity/Resistivity Tem- 1991, pp. 59–66.
perature Compensation for High Purity Water,” Ultrapure Water, Vol
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