Reference Electrodes and their applications in different sectors Electrodes are understood as conductors that are used to complete a circuit by establishing its contact with a non-metallic part of the circuit. There are different types of other electrodes that are used in two or three electrodes’ systems. The counter and reference electrodes are the terms that are used in this context. The latter one is the electrode that has stable electrode potential. Some of the commonly used electrodes in this category are glass electrode, standard hydrogen electrode, calomel electrode and silver-silver chloride reference electrode.
The silver –silver chloride reference electrode is the most common of all the electrodes that are otherwise used as reference electrodes. This is because it is very stable, simple, non-toxic, and inexpensive. When used in laboratory, these electrodes are used with saturated potassium chloride electrolyte but can also be used with low concentrations and even with seawater. There are many areas where these electrodes are used. In an electrochemical cell, these electrodes function as cathode and anode to keep the current flowing at an applied voltage. In arc welding these are used to conduct the current for fusing two pieces of metals together. These are the tools that are very commonly used in the process of electrochemistry. Besides this, they are used in many portable instruments and an array of laboratory applications. These form a vital element of instruments that are used for impedance testing, conductivity testing, and other similar operations.