Oakton CON 150 Waterproof Portable Conductivity Meter

Overview

The Oakton CON 150 Waterproof Portable Conductivity Meter is an engineered solution for field and laboratory professionals requiring reliable, real-time measurement of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and temperature in aqueous samples. Based on two-electrode conductometric principle—where conductivity is derived from the measured current across a known cell geometry under applied AC voltage—the CON 150 delivers stable, reproducible results across a broad dynamic range (0–200 mS/cm). Its robust IP67-rated housing ensures operational integrity in humid, splash-prone, or outdoor environments, including wastewater monitoring, environmental sampling, aquaculture, and industrial process checks. The instrument employs automatic temperature compensation (ATC) using a built-in thermistor probe, correcting conductivity values to a reference temperature (typically 25 °C) per ASTM D1125 and ISO 7888 standards. Designed for traceability and routine compliance, it supports optional NIST-traceable calibration documentation—critical for GLP-regulated workflows and quality assurance protocols.

Key Features

• IP67 waterproof enclosure—fully sealed against dust ingress and immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes
• Three-line custom LCD display showing conductivity (or TDS), temperature, and status icons simultaneously
• Auto-ranging conductivity measurement with dual resolution modes (0.01 µS/cm below 100 µS/cm; 0.1 µS/cm above)
• Adjustable temperature coefficient (β) from 0.0 to 10.0 %/°C and TDS conversion factor (0.4–1.0), enabling application-specific calibration per USP , EPA Method 120.1, or internal SOPs
• Grip-Clip™ probe holder for hands-free measurement in beakers, flasks, or open containers—mechanically stable without clamps or stands
• Intelligent averaging algorithm reduces noise from turbulent or heterogeneous samples; “Ready” indicator confirms signal stability before capture
• Battery life up to 700 hours on two standard AA alkaline cells; optional universal AC adapter (35420-72) enables continuous benchtop use
• Integrated battery level indicator, probe status icon (e.g., electrode fouling warning), and visual calibration alert

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CON 150 accommodates a wide variety of aqueous matrices—including freshwater, seawater dilutions, nutrient solutions, cooling tower water, boiler feedwater, and pharmaceutical rinse water—provided sample conductivity remains within its 0–200 mS/cm range. It accepts interchangeable dual-electrode probes with standardized cell constants (K = 0.1, 1.0, or 10 cm⁻¹), each equipped with integrated ATC. Probe selection follows ISO 7888 guidance: K = 0.1 for ultrapure water (e.g., Type I reagent water); K = 1.0 for general-purpose applications (tap water, surface water); K = 10 for high-salinity brines or concentrated process streams. All measurements comply with fundamental electrochemical metrology principles outlined in IUPAC Technical Report on Conductivity Measurements. Optional NIST-traceable calibration certificate (17090-30) satisfies audit requirements under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with documented calibration procedures and logbook entries.

Software & Data Management

While the CON 150 operates as a standalone meter without PC connectivity, its embedded data management system supports full traceability for regulated environments. Users may manually store up to 150 measurement records—including conductivity, TDS, temperature, date/time stamp, and probe ID—directly on-device memory. Each stored entry retains metadata such as measurement mode, selected cell constant, and ATC setting. The instrument also archives the most recent calibration event (date, standard used, slope, offset) for immediate recall. Data retrieval is via on-screen scrolling only; no proprietary software or drivers are required. For laboratories implementing electronic lab notebooks (ELN) or LIMS integration, manual transcription of CON 150 readings remains compatible with 21 CFR Part 11-compliant documentation practices when combined with controlled access and audit trail policies.

Applications

• Environmental field testing: stream, lake, and groundwater conductivity profiling per EPA Region 10 protocols
• Aquaculture and hydroponics: real-time monitoring of nutrient solution strength and salinity drift
• Pharmaceutical water systems: periodic verification of purified water (PW) and water-for-injection (WFI) conductivity per USP
• Industrial cooling water management: detecting scaling potential and corrosion inhibitor depletion
• Educational laboratories: teaching core concepts of ionic strength, electrolyte dissociation, and temperature dependence of conductivity
• Food & beverage QC: checking brine concentration in pickling tanks or rinse water purity post-CIP

FAQ

What probe types are compatible with the CON 150?
The meter supports Oakton’s standardized dual-electrode conductivity probes: 35608-55 (K = 0.1 cm⁻¹), 35608-50 (K = 1.0 cm⁻¹), and 35608-51 (K = 10 cm⁻¹), all featuring integrated ATC.
Does the CON 150 meet GLP or GMP requirements?
Yes—when used with documented calibration procedures, NIST-traceable standards, and the optional 17090-30 calibration report, it fulfills foundational GLP/GMP instrumentation qualification criteria for non-automated analytical devices.
Can I change the temperature unit between °C and °F?
Yes—the unit is configurable via the setup menu and applies consistently across all temperature-dependent calculations (ATC, TDS conversion).
How does auto-ranging work during conductivity measurement?
The instrument automatically selects optimal resolution (0.01 µS/cm or 0.1 µS/cm) and full-scale range based on real-time signal magnitude, eliminating manual range switching while preserving accuracy across orders of magnitude.
Is the Grip-Clip™ bracket included with every unit?
Yes—the Grip-Clip™ probe holder (35614-50) is supplied standard with each CON 150 kit to enable rapid, stable positioning on vessel walls without external fixtures.