3-electrode system
The potentiostat measures and controls the voltage difference between a WE and a RE. Current flow between the WE and CE is measured. CS series Potentiostat works with three electrodes immersed in a conductive electrolyte.
Working Electrode(WE): a sample of the corroding metal being tested.
Reference Electrode (RE): an electrode with a constant electrochemical potential.
WE and RE constitute measuring circuit. There is no current flow on RE.
Counter Electrode (CE): a current-carrying electrode that completes the cell circuit.
WE and CE constitute polarization circuit. Current flows from WE to CE.
2-electrode system
There is no separate RE involved in the experiment in 2-electrode system. When using the CS potentiostat/galvanostat for 2-electrode system, the CE can be used as RE to provide reference potential. During the measurements, the user simply need to connect the RE&CE clamp to a same electrode.
