This practice is intended to describe the performance of a conductivity detector independent of the chromatographic system in terms that the analyst can use to predict overall system performance when the detector is coupled to the column and other chromatography system components.

Although it is possible to observe each of the several characteristics of a detector under different and unique conditions, it is the intent of this practice that a complete set of detector specifications should be obtained at the same operating conditions, including the setup used for testing, flow rates, and temperatures. It should be noted that to specify a detector's capability completely, its performance should be measured at several sets of conditions within the useful range of the detector. The terms and tests described in this practice are sufficiently general so that they may be used at whatever conditions may be chosen for other reasons.