How to Read RO TDS Meter?

A TDS meter is an essential tool for monitoring water quality in an RO plant. It measures the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water, which represents the quantity of minerals, salts, and other impurities in the water. By regulating TDS levels through periodic checks, you can ensure that your RO plant is running in top condition and delivering purified water of the desired quality.

We’ll discuss what a TDS meter is, why it’s important, how to use it properly, and how to interpret its readings for better maintenance of your RO plant.

What is a TDS Meter?

A TDS meter is either an analog or digital device used to measure the total concentration of dissolved solids in the given water sample. It reports the reading in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) for the purpose of determining the purity of water.

Why Measure TDS?

Monitoring the level of TDS is essential because of the following reasons:

· Maintenance of Water Purity: TDS meters help determine whether the water is drinkable and safe to use for industrial applications.

· Verification of RO Plant Effectiveness: An efficient RO plant would reduce TDS levels from feed water significantly.

· Prevention of System Malfunctions: High TDS in treated water is a sign of problems such as membrane fouling or filter failure.

· Providing Consistent Quality: Regular TDS testing helps to ensure the purified water quality as desired.

Types of RO TDS Meters

Two main types of TDS meters used for monitoring water purity:

Handheld TDS Meter

· Miniature, compact equipment requiring manual operation.

· Is able to be submerged in a water sample in order to instantaneously measure TDS.

· Used frequently for infrequent testing of RO water.

Inline TDS Meter

· Installed directly in the RO plant to read continuously.

· Reads feed water TDS and purified water TDS in real time.

· Does away with manual testing and provides accurate results.

Both meters are useful, but an inline TDS meter is most suitable for industrial and large-scale RO plants where continuous monitoring is required.

How to Use and Read a TDS Meter?

A portable TDS meter is easy to carry around and provides results immediately. Following is how one is used:

· Turn On the Meter: The power button needs to be pressed to switch the device on.

· Dip the Probe into Water: Dip the probe in the water sample while ensuring that the probe is immersed fully.

· Wait for the Reading: Allow the reading to stabilize (takes only a few seconds).

· Check the Display: The reading of TDS will appear on the screen in ppm or mg/L.

· Compare the Readings: Compare the reading to normal water purity levels to gauge purity.

After measurement, wash the probe with distilled water and dry the probe to prevent contamination during subsequent readings.

Using an Inline TDS Meter

An inline TDS meter is directly mounted in the RO plant and has live readings. It probably has two sensors:

· Feed Water TDS Sensor: Indicates the impurity level in raw water.

· RO Water TDS Sensor: Indicates the purity level of water after the RO process.

To read readings:

· Look at the digital display to record the feed water and purified water TDS levels.

· Verify that the RO-treated water has significantly lower TDS than the feed water.

· If the TDS reduction is poor, it may indicate a need for membrane cleaning or replacement.

What TDS Levels Indicate?

· For drinking water, TDS should be ideally below 150 ppm.

· For industrial uses, TDS levels depend on the application.

In case the RO plant fails to properly minimize TDS, maintenance of the system may be required.

Some common issues with TDS readings and how to fix them

High TDS Following RO Treatment

Potential Causes:

· Fouling or scaling of membranes.

· Pre-filters are clogged or damaged.

· Lack of sufficient operating pressure.

Solution:

· Clean or replace RO membranes.

· Inspect pre-filters and replace as required.

· Check correct pressure levels within the system.

Abrupt TDS Readings Changes

Potential Causes:

· Air bubbles in the TDS meter probe.

· Electrical interference close to the meter.

· Unstable feed water quality.

Solution:

· Eliminate bubbles from the probe prior to taking a reading.

· Avoid placing the meter close to electrical equipment.

· Monitor feed water quality on a regular basis.

TDS Meter Showing No Reading

Possible Causes:

· Weak or dead batteries.

· Faulty probe or wiring issues.

· Water temperature beyond the acceptable range.

Solution:

· Replace batteries if needed.

· Inspect the probe for damage.

· Ensure water is in the temperature range suitable for the meter.

How Frequently To Test TDS in an RO Plant?

For optimum RO plant operation, it is recommended to:

· Test TDS daily with an inline meter in industrial plants.

· Use a portable meter weekly for regular water quality testing.

· Compare readings before and after maintenance to ensure correct system operation.

If you notice a constant rise in TDS, it's a sign that the RO filters or membranes need to be serviced.

Conclusion

A TDS meter is a simple but efficient method for monitoring water purity and ensuring your RO plant is functioning as expected. Whether you have a handheld or inline TDS meter, knowing how to read and understand the reading maintains your system effective.

By regular checking and comparison of TDS levels, you can detect potential issues at an early stage, reduce maintenance expenditure, and have a constant supply of distilled water. If TDS levels are not reducing even after maintenance, renew the RO membranes or replace the filtration system for better efficiency.

Sustainable TDS monitoring is a major consideration in realizing the maximum possible life of an RO plant while ensuring maximum quality of water always.

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