Bluelab EC Pen

Product detailed description

Bluelab EC Pen is a pocket conductivity metre (EC) for growers who monitor the strength of the nutrient solution. EC shows the total concentration of dissolved salts - in other words, how concentrated the solution is. You immerse the probe in the tank and immediately know whether you are giving too few nutrients or too many.

Why it pays off

• Factory calibrated - the pen measures straight out of the box; user calibration is possible, but not necessary.
• Range 0.0-10.0 EC (and PPM on the 500 and 700 scales) with an accuracy of ±0.1 EC covers both weak and strong solutions.
• Automatic temperature compensation keeps values accurate even when the solution temperature fluctuates.
• Automatic shut-off after 4 minutes and power from one AAA battery (battery life around 350 hours).
• Waterproof body and a one-year warranty.

Why measure EC

EC (electrical conductivity) is a measure of nutrient concentration in the solution - it does not tell you which nutrients are there, but how strong the solution is overall. The value naturally rises from germination to flowering as the plant needs more nutrients. Specific target EC values vary depending on the crop, stage and fertiliser used, so follow the dosing table for your fertiliser brand fertilisers. Measuring EC helps you avoid both overfeeding and underfeeding.

EC pen, or Truncheon?

Bluelab EC Pen is a pocket immersion metre for hand use. If you want a rod that you leave permanently in the tank, take a look at Bluelab EC Truncheon - it also does not require calibration at all. Both metres show solution strength in EC and PPM. You can verify the accuracy of both against the EC 2.77 standard.

Parameters

• EC conductivity: 0.0-10.0 mS/cm, resolution 0.1 EC, accuracy ±0.1 EC (at 25 °C)
• PPM: 500 scale (TDS) 0-5000, 700 scale 0-7000 (resolution 10 ppm, accuracy ±50 / ±70 ppm)
• Temperature: 0-50 °C, accuracy ±1 °C, automatic temperature compensation (ATC)
• Calibration: factory; user calibration optional
• Power: 1x AAA alkaline battery (battery life around 350 hours), automatic shut-off after 4 minutes
• Water resistance: fully waterproof body
• Display: backlit, Hold function, low battery indicator
• Warranty: 1 year

Frequently asked questions

What does EC actually measure?

EC is the electrical conductivity of the solution and corresponds to the total concentration of dissolved salts - in other words, the strength of the nutrient solution. It does not tell you which specific nutrients the solution contains or their quality, only how concentrated it is overall. It is a basic indicator that you use to dose fertilisers and prevent overfeeding.

What EC should plants have?

The target EC rises from germination to flowering and varies according to the crop and the fertiliser used, so it cannot be generalised with one number. Exact values can be found in the dosing table for the specific fertiliser brand (EC columns). An EC metre allows you to actually follow and check these values.