1. What is Conductivity to TDS Conversion?

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and conductivity are related water quality parameters. TDS represents the total amount of mobile charged ions in water, while conductivity measures water's ability to conduct electrical current. The two are related through a conversion factor.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic conversion formula:

Where:

• \( Conductivity \) — Measured in microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm)
• \( Factor \) — Typically between 0.5 and 0.7 depending on water composition
• \( TDS \) — Total dissolved solids in parts per million (ppm)

Explanation: The factor varies based on the ionic composition of the water. Different types of dissolved solids contribute differently to conductivity.

3. Importance of TDS Measurement

Details: TDS is important for assessing water quality in drinking water, aquariums, hydroponics, pools, and industrial processes. High TDS can affect taste, equipment scaling, and plant/animal health.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter conductivity in μS/cm and select an appropriate conversion factor based on your water type. For unknown water, 0.55-0.65 are good starting points.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does the conversion factor vary?
A: Different ions have different conductivities. For example, NaCl solutions use ~0.5 while CaSO4 solutions use ~0.7.

Q2: What's the difference between TDS and conductivity?
A: Conductivity measures electrical conductance while TDS measures mass concentration of dissolved substances.

Q3: When should I use a higher conversion factor?
A: Use higher factors (0.6-0.7) for waters with more divalent ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄²⁻) and lower factors (0.5-0.55) for waters dominated by NaCl.

Q4: Can I use this for seawater?
A: No, seawater has very different ionic composition and requires specialized conversion methods.

Q5: How accurate is this estimation?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate (±10-20%) but lab analysis is needed for precise TDS measurement.