M. C. Miller manufactures a wide range of portable copper/copper sulphate and
silver/silver chloride reference electrodes, as well as
copper/copper sulphate and silver/silver chloride reference
electrodes designed for permanent installation applications.
Information on the nature of structure-to-electrolyte readings taken using different reference electrode types is
provided in an article published in NACE's Materials Performance magazine titled, "A Guide to Understanding Reference Electrode Readings".
Our reference electrodes are state-of-the-art with regard to materials
selection, fabrication techniques and performance and we provide a
variety of designs to satisfy numerous applications in the corrosion
and cathodic protection areas.
Copper-Sulfate Reference Electrodes & Accessories
(often referred to as "Half Cells")
The M.C. Miller Co.,
Inc. "RE-" series of electrodes provides three areas of
improvement over other electrodes formerly available. These are: a
Lexan Tube, a CPT ceramic plug, and a strong top cap with a 1/4"
high-purity copper rod with 1/4 x 20 external thread and brass
knurled nut. The CPT ceramic plugs offer numerous advantages,
including:
- The porosity of
the CPT ceramic plug is uniform and controlled.
All ceramic plugs are alike.
- The CPT ceramic
plug is fast wetting, and the electrode can be used within
minutes after filling. (It often takes many hours to wet up a
wood plug).
- The CPT ceramic
plug is pre-treated to provide lower electrical resistance which
remains low as long as the plug is moist with saturated
copper-sulfate solution.
- A CPT ceramic plug
can become thoroughly dried out, and it will re-wet in a few
minutes with the same low resistance. It is not necessary to
keep the electrode in a position where the solution will be in
contact with the plug.
- Tests indicate
that it is not necessary to keep the CPT plug covered to prevent
drying when not in use. However, it is desirable to do so, a
protective cap is provided for this purpose.
- The CPT ceramic
plug is housed in a high-density polyethylene fitting,
which helps protect it against chipping or breaking in the event
it is accidentally dropped.
The brilliant orange
color of the Lexan tube was selected to provide an electrode which
can be readily seen in grass, and to help locate it when it is
placed remotely or when it breaks loose from the "pull-in" lead.
Some of its other advantages include:
- The Lexan tube
used in the Model RE-5, RE-5C and RE-7 electrodes is extruded in
two colors, orange and clear. The orange is opaque and provides
a sun shield to eliminate the small potentials which sometimes
occur with full transparent tubes. A clear transparent section
extending the length of the electrode provides a window for
visual inspection to observe the condition and level of the
copper-sulfate solution. We believe this window is essential to
maintain the electrode in good condition. Lexan is also used in
the body of the Model RE-3A Electrode, but the color is painted
on the inside rather than extruded. An inspection window is
provided.
- The Lexan tube is
highly resistant to damage. It can be misused, pushed into soft
ground, dropped, and carried in a tool kit without breaking.
The top caps of the
Model RE-5, RE-5C and RE-7 are heavy and strong. They are machined
out of high-density polyethylene rod, and are extra thick where
the copper rod is threaded through. A neoprene gasket provides a
liquid and air tight seal. The top cap of the Model RE-3A is
molded Cycolac, as is the plug receptacle.