Liquid Conductivity Testing

What is Liquid Conductivity Testing

Liquid conductivity is the measurement of a fuel’s electrical resistance at the moment a DC voltage is applied between electrodes. Specifically, it measures the rest electrical conductivity—the conductivity at the initial instant of current flow—before ionic depletion or polarization occurs.

This test determines conductivity in the range of 0.1 to 2,000 picoSiemens per meter (pS/m) and is critical for evaluating electrostatic hazards. Since electrostatic charge generation and dissipation during handling depend on ionic species in the liquid, knowing the rest conductivity helps assess safety risks.

Testing Principle and Methodology

This test applies to fuel liquids. Because conductivity depends on temperature, the liquid’s temperature is measured before the test begins.

A DC voltage is applied to the outer cylindrical electrode, and a pico-ammeter measures the resulting current flowing through the sample to the inner electrode. The system records conductivity 3 seconds after applying the voltage to ensure it captures equilibrium values.

Before testing, the operator thoroughly cleans the cell with a low-conductivity liquid and flushes it several times with the test sample. To avoid contamination, they discard all wash liquids between rinses.

Liquid Conductivity Test Cell manufactured by Anko

Applicable Standard

The test follows ASTM D4308 – Standard Test Method for Electrical Conductivity of Liquid Hydrocarbons.

Data Interpretation

Materials are classified by conductivity into three groups:

• Low Conductivity (< 100 pS/m): Examples include Toluene and Xylene. These insulating liquids do not easily dissipate electrostatic charges, increasing the risk of charge accumulation and potential ignition in flammable environments.

• Medium Conductivity (100–10,000 pS/m): Includes substances like Hydrogen Sulfide. These materials allow moderate charge dissipation, reducing hazard potential.

• High Conductivity (> 10,000 pS/m): Includes Isopropyl Alcohol and Acetone. These materials dissipate charge quickly and are less likely to accumulate hazardous static electricity.

Knowing a liquid’s conductivity class supports safe handling practices—such as grounding conductive and static-dissipative containers—based on the material’s ability to retain or dissipate charge.

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When to Perform Liquid Conductivity Testing

This test is recommended when there’s a risk of a process liquid becoming electrostatically charged. It helps evaluate a liquid’s ability to accumulate and retain charge, supporting safe storage, handling, and quality control.

Conductivity testing is also used to assess a liquid’s purity, quality, and suitability for specific industrial applications.

Why Choose Prime Process Safety Center

Prime Process Safety Center offers trusted expertise in liquid conductivity testing:

• Highly experienced laboratory staff deliver accurate, reliable, and defensible results.

• State-of-the-art equipment ensures precise, sensitive measurements.

• Strict testing protocols and quality controls guarantee consistency and compliance with industry standards.

• Our experts interpret and analyze results, offering insights and recommendations tailored to your application.

We are committed to delivering data you can rely on—for compliance, safety, and peace of mind.

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