Portable reference electrode

Portable reference electrode: overview

The RE-series portable reference electrodes bring three improvements over previous electrodes: a Lexan tube, a ceramic tip and a solid top plug with a high-purity copper rod.

The ceramic tip offers uniform, controlled porosity and fast wetting: the electrode is usable within minutes of filling (versus several hours for a wooden tip). Its electrical resistance stays low as long as it is wetted by the saturated copper sulphate solution, and it can dry out completely then be re-wetted within minutes. A protective cap is supplied. The bright orange colour of the Lexan tube makes the electrode easy to spot in grass or at a distance.

The role of the reference electrode

A pipeline's potential cannot be measured in absolute terms: it is measured against a reference electrode placed on the ground above the structure. The copper/copper sulphate electrode is the standard reference for soil measurements. Its stability determines the accuracy of the entire survey: a poorly maintained electrode shifts every reading.

Good practice

Fill the electrode with saturated copper sulphate solution, keep the tip moist and protected by its cap between measurements, and check it periodically against a control electrode. The verification certificate, available on request, documents this accuracy for survey reports.

Portable reference electrode: technical specifications

Portable reference electrode: documentation