Assure Reliable Reference Electrode Performance by Appointing a Lab Master

We've said it before and we'll say it again -- if you're going to have problems with your electrodes, it's almost always going to be with your Reference Electrode.  And if you have Reference Electrode problems, it's an annoying process to verify the problem.  See our App Note on Reference Electrodes.

The best way to avoid Reference Electrode Problems is to treat them very carefully.  The photo below is from Dr. Barbara Shaw's lab at Penn State.  The Reference Electrode in the container on the bench with the white top is the Lab Master; it's NEVER used in an actual experiment.  The only purpose of the Lab Master is to serve as a check for the other Reference Electrodes, which are on the shelf in the photo.

If a Reference Electrode is suspected to be bad, the potential is measured versus the Lab Master.  You can do that with a voltmeter, as in the photo, or with your Gamry Potentiostat.  If the potential difference is less than 2-3 mV, it's OK.  If it's higher than 5 mV, it needs to be refreshed or discarded.

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Last revised on Wednesday, August 22, 2007