A Redox electrode is an electro-chemical sensor which measures the ability of an aqueous solutions capacity to either donate or receive an electron. An oxidising solution will tend to accept electrons and a reducing solution will tend to donate them. As the concentration of a chemical changes or a new chemical is introduced the oxidising or reducing potential of the solution will change.
The Redox electrode works in a similar way to a pH electrode. Effectively they are a two electrode system which makes a potentiometric measurement. The Redox electrode acts as an electron donor or electron acceptor depending upon the solution within which it is immersed. This is then compares against a constant stable output of the reference electrode which is in contact with the measured solution via a polymerised derivative of potassium chloride solution. In our electrodes we use a platinum sensor and a silver silver chloride reference electrode (gold and calomel are available for specialised processes - please get in touch to discuss).
The output from our Redox electrode is in mV and sometimes it becomes necessary to simulate the output of the Redox electrode.
The way in which we do this is by using a Redox simulator which outputs a mV signal identical to that of a Redox sensor. This is then amplified by a suitable Redox instrument.
Water Treatment Engineers
Our AWE Instruments Redox simulator is often purchased by engineering professionals working in water treatment applications. As Redox measurements are used to control disinfection with Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide or other oxidising biocides in cooling towers and other potable water applications, a Redox simulator is an invaluable tool. When commissioning or testing an instrument, the Redox simulator is simply connected to the Redox instrument where it electronically simulates the Redox electrode signal to ensure that the instrument is functioning correctly.
The Redox simulator also forms part of the tool kit for system builders, PLC programmers and system integrators who have a Redox controller integrated within a control panel or PLC system. The Redox simulator is then used during testing to ensure that the system is responding to a change in Redox value as intended by the system designer.
One of the main attractions of a Redox simulator for any Water Treatment, Effluent Treatment or Process Control professional is that it is a significant tool in fault finding and isolation. The most delicate part of any electrochemical monitoring system is the wet end - the part in contact with the process measuring our values of concern. With Redox this is invariably the Redox electrode - which is a consumable item.
The Redox simulator can simulate ideal operating conditions to ensure that the instrument is working as intended. It can also simulate a scratched or coated Redox electrode / a Redox electrode near its end of life - when response time and offset are most often compromised.
Redox Simulator Range