Procedure for Testing Conductivity of Fountain Solutions

1. Calibrate conductivity meter

• Confirm that the battery in the conductivity meter is operational.
• Rinse the conductivity meter cell with calibration solution twice. Discard used solution. Rinsing the cell will keep any residual contaminants from altering the reading.
• Measure the temperature of the calibration solution.
• Using this temperature reading check for the corresponding conductivity reading, by utilizing the chart on the side of the calibration solution bottle.
• Fill the conductivity meter with calibration solution.
• Check the conductivity.
• If the conductivity meters reading, matches the number on the side of the calibration solution bottle, the meter is in calibration.
• If the conductivity meters reading, does not match the conductivity number on the side of the calibration solution bottle; calibrate the meter so that the reading does match the conductivity number.

2. Make a controlled sample

• Add five ounces of fountain solution to a one gallon container.
• Rinse the device used for measuring the five ounces of Fountain Solution with RO water into the one gallon container.
• Fill the one gallon container with RO water.
• Check the temperature and conductivity reading.
• Use this controlled standard to check ounces and percentage of fountain solution per gallon of water.
• Temperature changes will cause a fluctuation in conductivity readings. It is important to check temperature and conductivity at the same time.

3. Take press sample readings.

• When testing the conductivity of the premixed tank
  1. Check the temperature of the mixed fountain solution.
  2. Refer to the controlled sample for actual ounces per gallon.
• When testing sample directly from press side re-circulating tank
  1. Check the temperature of the mixed fountain solution.
  2. Refer to the controlled sample for actual ounces per gallon.
  3. The press side sample may be contaminated and the conductivity may not be a true measurement of fountain solution percentage.
• To get a pure sample from the re-circulating tank
  1. Use the float valve to fill a one-gallon container.
  2. To make sure the readings are accurate you need to fill a one-gallon container. The proportioner on these presses injects fountain solution into the RO water. A small sample may give an inaccurate reading, use a one gallon sample. Always test temperature and conductivity.