Hamilton Conducell Conductivity Sensors: UPW, 4UxF, 4US, 2DC-PG and Single-Use
Hamilton Conducell 2- and 4-electrode process sensors measure conductivity in hygienic and industrial fluids, from pharmaceutical WFI and pure water loops (0.01 µS/cm) to concentrated CIP chemical lines and chromatography buffers (500 mS/cm).
Conducell Model Selection and Comparison
For purified water, ultrapure water and pharmaceutical or biopharma processes, five model groups cover different line pressures, conductivity ranges and sterilization requirements.
| Model | Electrodes and material | Cell constant | Measuring range | Temperature / pressure | Process connection | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conducell UPW (Arc / conventional) | 2-electrode coaxial (DIN 1.4435, 316L steel) | below 0.1/cm | Arc: 0.01-1,500 µS/cm Analog: 0.02-2,000 µS/cm | 0-130 °C / 16 bar (100 °C), 10 bar (130 °C) | PG 13.5, 1.5" Tri-Clamp, Varivent N | WFI, PW, RO permeate, USP <645> pure water loops |
| Conducell 4UxF (Arc / conventional) | 4-electrode (1.4435 steel, Hastelloy C-22, titanium or platinum) | 0.36/cm | Arc: 1 µS/cm-300 mS/cm Analog: 1 µS/cm-500 mS/cm | -20 to 150 °C / 20 bar (135 °C), 10 bar (150 °C) | PG 13.5, G 1¼", Tri-Clamp, Varivent, BioConnect | Bioreactor, chromatography, TFF/UF, CIP phase separation (EHEDG certified) |
| Conducell 4US (conventional) | 4-electrode (DIN 1.4435, 316L steel) | 0.147/cm | 0.1 µS/cm-500 mS/cm | 0-135 °C / 0-20 bar (135 °C) | PG 13.5 (120-325 mm length) | Bioprocess and general industrial 4-electrode conductivity |
| Conducell 2DC-PG (REF 237610) | 2-electrode (special graphite electrode, epoxy body) | 1.0/cm | 10 µS/cm-20 mS/cm | -5 to 80 °C / 0-6 bar | PG 13.5 (120 mm, 5 m fixed cable) | Industrial water treatment, surface treatment, wastewater plants |
| Conducell-P SU (single-use) | 4-electrode (1.4435 steel, PEEK patch) | 0.36/cm | 1 µS/cm-300 mS/cm | 4-50 °C / 0-1 bar(g) | Single-use bag port (Arc Module Conducell-P SU) | Gamma-sterilized (45 kGy) single-use bioreactor, TFF and chromatography bags |
Conducell UPW and USP <645> Accuracy
In WFI and purified water distribution loops, conductivity is monitored in the 0.055-1.3 µS/cm band. Conducell UPW combines a cell constant below 0.1/cm with an integrated Pt1000 (IEC 60751 Class A) temperature sensor and gives ±1.5% (or ±0.02 µS/cm) accuracy from 0.01 to 100 µS/cm and ±2% from 100 to 1,500 µS/cm. Wetted surfaces are electropolished DIN 1.4435 stainless steel with Ra below 0.4 µm (or below 0.8 µm) and a PEEK insulator suitable for FDA / USP Class VI use; the hygienic design leaves no dead volume.
Conducell 4UxF: From Pure Water to Caustic CIP with One Sensor
2-electrode sensors lose accuracy at high conductivity (above 10 mS/cm) because of double-layer polarization at the electrode surface. Conducell 4UxF separates the two current-carrying electrodes from the two reference electrodes that measure the voltage drop without current, which removes the polarization error (4UxF manual).
- Flush front face: the electrodes sit flush in the PEEK insulator, so fibrous or particulate fluids do not clog the sensor, and the design is EHEDG certified for cleanability.
- Chromatography and CIP transitions: it measures 1 µS/cm rinse water as well as 100-300 mS/cm salt gradients or CIP caustic and acid solutions with ±3% accuracy, so rinse-out verification can be done from a single port. See CIP and SIP explained.
- Electrode material: DIN 1.4435 stainless steel is the standard for bioprocess, food and CIP. For high-chloride, aggressive acidic or oxidizing chemistry, Hastelloy C-22 (DIN 2.4602), titanium or platinum electrodes are selected according to corrosion resistance.
Calibration, Arc Digital Output and Housing Compatibility
- Arc digital models: a built-in micro-transmitter provides two configurable 4-20 mA outputs and RS485 Modbus RTU. Calibration is checked with Hamilton DuraCal conductivity standards (1.3 µS/cm REF 238973, 5 µS/cm REF 238926, 15 µS/cm REF 238927, 147 µS/cm REF 238985, 1413 µS/cm REF 238928). Calibration data and cell constant are stored in the sensor, and ArcAir software can generate a GMP-compliant calibration certificate.
- Housing integration: Conducell models with 12 mm diameter and PG 13.5 thread (120, 160, 225, 325 and 425 mm lengths) work directly with Hamilton Retractex retractable housings and FlexiFit static housings.
Technical Documents
How Mikron Proses Helps
Mikron Proses is one of the distributors in Turkey for Hamilton process analytics. The team supports model and electrode material selection at the measuring point, hygienic process connection, ArcAir calibration and technical service. For plants using Mettler Toledo process conductivity sensors, Mikron supplies Hamilton Conducell as an equivalent or alternative product, with spare parts. For general sensor selection, see conductivity measurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical answers from Mikron Proses.
What is the difference between Hamilton Conducell UPW (2-electrode) and Conducell 4UxF (4-electrode)?
Conducell UPW has a coaxial 2-electrode design and a cell constant below 0.1/cm; it works from 0.01 to 1,500 µS/cm (Arc) and gives high accuracy in WFI and ultrapure water loops. Conducell 4UxF has a 4-electrode architecture that removes the polarization effect and measures with one sensor from 1 µS/cm up to 300 mS/cm (Arc) or 500 mS/cm (analog), covering both pure water and highly concentrated CIP acid and caustic solutions.
Does Conducell UPW meet USP <645> and EP requirements in pharmaceutical WFI lines?
Conducell UPW provides ±1.5% (or ±0.02 µS/cm) accuracy up to 100 µS/cm, an integrated Pt1000 (Class A) temperature sensor, electropolished DIN 1.4435 stainless steel surfaces with Ra below 0.4 µm or below 0.8 µm, and EN 10204 3.1 / USP Class VI certificates, in line with the conductivity monitoring requirements of USP <645> and the European Pharmacopoeia for WFI and PW. System-level compliance is shown through the qualification of the whole installation.
Which electrode material should be chosen for Conducell 4UxF?
DIN 1.4435 stainless steel electrodes are used in standard bioprocess, food and CIP applications. In processes with high chloride, aggressive acidic or oxidizing chemicals, Conducell 4UxF models with Hastelloy C-22 (DIN 2.4602), titanium or platinum electrodes are selected according to corrosion resistance.
How are Hamilton Conducell conductivity sensors calibrated?
Calibration uses Hamilton DuraCal conductivity standards, DFM certified and NIST traceable, from 1.3 µS/cm up to 100 mS/cm. In Arc models, calibration data and cell constant are saved in the micro-transmitter inside the sensor, and ArcAir software generates a GMP-compliant calibration certificate.
Who supplies Hamilton Conducell conductivity sensors in Turkey?
Mikron Proses (Üsküdar, Istanbul) is one of the Hamilton distributors in Turkey and supplies Conducell UPW, 4UxF, 4US and 2DC-PG sensors, integration into WFI/PW pure water and CIP lines, commissioning with DuraCal standards and periodic calibration support.
Which Conducell models withstand CIP and SIP?
In Hamilton product documentation, Conducell UPW (0-130 °C, 10 bar), Conducell 4UxF (-20 to 150 °C; 20 bar at 135 °C) and Conducell 4US (0-135 °C) are specified for CIP and SIP duty; temperature and pressure limits vary by model, so check the values in the table above. For SIP context see CIP and SIP explained.
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