Category: Conductivity

Electrical conductivity-related units for measuring material conductivity

Electrical conductivity measures how well a material allows electric current to flow. This unit is pivotal in industries like electronics and energy, where knowing the conductivity of a material determines its suitability for different applications. Whether it’s the high conductivity of copper or the near-zero conductivity of rubber, understanding how materials behave in the presence of electricity allows engineers to design better circuits, power systems, and devices. The broader understanding of conductivity ensures that we optimize energy use in both small and large systems.

Common conductivity units

Siemens-per-meter (S/m): The SI unit of electrical conductivity, indicating how easily a material can conduct electricity.
Millisiemens-per-meter (mS/m): One thousandth of a siemens-per-meter (1 mS/m = 10⁻³ S/m).
Microsiemens-per-meter (µS/m): One millionth of a siemens-per-meter (1 µS/m = 10⁻⁶ S/m).
Kilosiemens-per-meter (kS/m): One thousand siemens-per-meter (1 kS/m = 10³ S/m).
Decisiemens-per-meter (dS/m): One-tenth of a siemens-per-meter (1 dS/m = 0.1 S/m), used in some practical applications.