What is automatic temperature compensation?

Automatic temperature compensation, also known as ATC, helps to compensate for the variance that is introduced by temperature fluctuations when taking a pH measurement.

pH is a measurement of hydrogen ion activity, and temperature affects the ion activity. This relationship is explained by the Nernst equation.

Note: Nernst Equation: 0.03pH per 10°C per unit of pH away from pH 7. 

It is because of this relationship between pH and temperature that automatic temperature compensation (ATC) becomes more and more vital:

  1. The further away your measurement temperature is from 25°C.
  2. The further away your sample pH is from pH 7.