Flinn Safe Student Conductivity Apparatus

Testing the conductivity of solutions gives important insight into the nature of the solutions and the particles in the solution. Traditionally, devices used to test the conductivity of a solution or solid usually consist of expensive devices such as volt-ohm meters or specific conductivity meters. Less expensive devices using one or several 120-volt lightbulbs can be constructed that use the brightness of the bulb(s) to indicate the conductivity. These latter devices present a danger in that they usually utilize exposed electrodes presenting a possibility of electric shock or electrocution at 110 volts and up to 15 amps current. Although commercial versions use shielded electrodes, the high voltage and current remain.