HOW TO USE AND MAINTAIN MCM COPPER SULPHATE REFERENCE ELECTRODES

WARNING! MCM reference electrodes use Copper Sulphate. Copper Sulphate should be handled with care. Rubber gloves, safety glasses or face shields, waterproof apron and inhalant protection are highly recommended when working with copper sulphate (CuSo4). Single Preparation Steps: When rejuvenating or setting up a new electrode, follow these steps. NOTE: When rejuvenating or setting up more than one electrode, the bulk procedure is recommended. See page two. 1. It is important to inspect Copper Sulphate Reference Electrodes before use. Make sure the copper rod is fully burnished. Remove any and all contaminants by using a new, unused, non-metallic scouring pad or sandpaper. Green scouring pads are recommended for the procedure. When green scouring pads are unavailable, sandpaper can be used. Oxide type sandpaper must be avoided! Oxide sandpaper will introduce unwanted metals into the surface of the copper rod assembly. 2. Once the copper rod assembly has been fully burnished, avoid any contamination, which may occur before the rod assembly is reattached to the tube. The MCM copper rod assemblies are made with the purest copper obtainable. These copper rods can become contaminated by the pH from ungloved fingers, dirt, oil and any other foreign substance it may come in contact with before being reattached to the tube. Inspect the rubber o-ring and replace the o-ring if it appears to be damaged. Copper Sulphate is a corrosive mineral and should be handled with care. Leaking reference electrodes may cause damage to expensive test equipment. 3. Reattach the rod assembly to the tube. Hand tighten only as not to damage the rubber o-ring by over torquing. But, be sure to tighten well enough that the electrode does not leak. 4. Add Copper Sulphate to the tube (see cross-reference chart for amount) and then add water up to the bottom of the plug assembly threads. Use only High Purity Copper Sulphate (CuSo4 (available from MCM)) and Deionized or Distilled Water. Be sure to remove any crystals that may have stuck to the threads of the tube. If copper sulphate crystals are present on the threads when the plug assembly is reattached, the electrode may leak at this thread junction. 5. Screw the presaturated plug assembly onto the tube end, making sure again not to over torque the o-ring. 6. Shake the electrode until the CuSo4 and H2O solution becomes dark blue in color and completely saturated with the CuSo4. There should always be CuSo4 crystals at the bottom of the electrode to insure a saturated solution. 7. Allow the electrode to set for a 24-hour period before use. The electrode ceramic plug assemblies are presoaked at the factory with a solution of CuSo4 and H2O and allowed to dry. Before using the electrode this ceramic plug assembly must become moistened by the solution contained within the electrode. Failure to allow the ceramic plug assembly to moisten for at least 24 hours will cause the electrode to indicate false readings when used. Note: Under average conditions, the electrode should be emptied and cleaned out every two or three months. However, if the electrode is allowed to remain in prolonged contact with low resistivity soil or water, more frequent rejuvenation may be desirable. For consistent results, we recommend using the highest purity CuSo4 Crystals possible.

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Bulk Preparation Steps: NOTE: This procedure can be applied to the previous preparation steps in anticipation of upcoming jobs where a large amount of reference electrodes will be needed (apply above warning). 1. In a clean container completely mix CuSo4 and Deionized or Distilled Water. (2 lbs. CuSo4 to 3000 ml. H2O). 2. Place ceramic plug assemblies in a clean container and pour the CuSo4 solution over the top until the plug assemblies are completely submerged. Allow plug assemblies to remain in this solution for 24 hours. Cover this solution and plug assemblies, so contamination will not occur. Mark this mixture as hazardous, per the MSDS on CuSo4. 3. Check the rod assembly and make sure the copper rod is completely burnished. Attach the rod assembly to the tube. Do not over torque o-ring. 4. Fill 1/3 of the tube (approx. 5 grams) with CuSo4 crystals. Add CuSo4 solution (made in step 1) to the tube up to the bottom of the plug assembly threads. Adding extra CuSo4 crystals to the tube will insure the mixture within the tube will stay completely saturated. 5. Attach the presoaked ceramic plug assembly to the tube. Do not over torque the o-ring. 6. Put on the plug end cap. NOTE: wait 24 hours for best results.

Precautions: STORAGE: CuSo4 will deteriorate over time. Electrodes, which are purchased in bulk and stored for later use, should always be checked before placing into service. Copper rods can become tarnished or pitted by deteriorating CuSo4 and the CuSo4 will become unusable. The copper in this condition will become contaminated, which will cause inaccurate readings. CuSo4 should have a rich, deep blue color. If the crystals appear to have become whitened or have the appearance of being dehydrated, discard in a safe manner and replace with fresh. Do not store the electrodes in a damp atmosphere. Some types of fungus or mold can contaminate the ceramic plug assemblies. Always rotate your stock using the FIFO (First In, First Out) method. Common Source of Error: The voltmeter used in conjunction with reference electrodes should be of sufficiently high impedance (10 megohms or greater) so that contact resistance, which can occur between electrode and soil, does not affect readings. Selectable impedance, which can be obtained by using the MCM model LC-4 meter, is recommended to verify that contact resistance (poor contact to soil, structure or test leads) is minimized or eliminated. The LC-4 voltmeter is specifically designed for this and contains the function of selecting proper testing impedance. Also available for this unit is a selectable input impedance adapter, which can be used with data loggers (also available from MCM). When taking readings, the ceramic plug must come in contact with soil. Vegetation such as grass should be moved out of the way. Grass or other items will add resistance and result in inaccurate readings. MCM reference electrodes are designed to be durable, but over time, the ceramic plug assembly will become contaminated by foreign materials and become worn or cracked. At this point, the replacement of the ceramic plug assembly is highly recommended. If the CuSo4 mixture within the electrode becomes cloudy white, reverse osmosis has occurred and rejuvenation is recommended. Low Temperature Precautions: When the temperature in which the electrodes are used or stored is below freezing, the CuSo4 solution within the electrode may freeze. Frozen CuSo4 solution will cause the internal resistance of the electrode to become very high. As a result, its virtually impossible to obtain a correct reading. Further, as this solution freezes, it is possible that the expansion of the solution may cause the ceramic plug assembly to split. MCMs Electrode Anti-Freeze Solution or Anti-freeze Leak Stop Gel should be used at freezing point. While this solution is basically designed for use in low temperature applications, it may be used throughout the year.

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Testing Electrodes for Accuracy: After prolonged use, the copper sulfate can become contaminated by outside elements (reverse osmosis). This will cause faulty readings to occur and generate errors. To check your electrode for this type of error the following is recommended. A new electrode should be prepared as a standard. This standard electrode should be a new reference electrode. One electrode should always be maintained as a standard and not used in the field. Using an LC-4 voltmeter set the DC voltage scale to 200mv and the input impedance to 200 as well. Attach the standard reference electrode to the negative (or common) side of the meter and the electrode to be tested to the positive DC side. Place the two electrodes end to end, making contact with each plug assembly. If you are unable to get a reading, apply a couple of drops of CuSo4 and H2O solution to the plug assemblies to increase the conductivity. Once contact is made, you will be checking the potential of the two electrodes. The difference between the standard and the electrode being tested should have a reading of no more than 5mv positive or 5mv negative. Since CuSo4 Electrodes are affected by temperature, it is necessary to allow the electrodes needing testing, as well as the standard electrode, to settle to the same room temperature. 72 degrees F is ideal. When it is found that an electrode has more than a + or 5mv reading, the electrode should be rejuvenated following the steps mentioned in the beginning of this informational sheet. The end-to-end method of testing on the RE-5C plug assemblies can sometimes be inaccurate. To test an electrode where the RE-5C type plug assemblies are used, you will need to use a CuSo4 solution in a cup or beaker. Instead of placing the electrodes end to end, dip both into the CuSo4 solution. The solution will act as a bridge and relatively produce the same result. Submerging Electrodes: When using a reference electrode completely submerged in water, the electrode tube should be kept completely filled with CuSo4 solution or gel. This will limit the possibility of outside water being forced into the electrode through the ceramic plug assembly. Even when the tube is completely filled, some reverse osmosis will occur. Submerging the electrode in areas where the water is highly contaminated, such as that found in manholes, lift stations or in seawater, the CuSo4 solution should be changed more frequently. The solution should be changed every other day depending on the amount of contaminants you are working in. You will be able to tell how contaminated your electrode has become by testing its potential against an unused standard electrode.

ELECTRODE RE-5 and 5Cs Re-7 Re-375 RE-3A

MIXTURES (CuSo4 to H2O) .042 lbs. / 20 grams CuSo 4 to H2O .024 lbs. / 11 grams CuSo 4 to H2O .004 lbs. / 1.5 grams CuSo 4 to H2O .413 lbs. / 187.5 grams CuSo 4 to H2O

Instruments and Equipment for the Corrosion Engineer 3020 Aviation Blvd. ~ Vero Beach, FL 32960 Tel: 772-794-9448 ~ Fax: 772-794-9908 sales@mcmiller.com ~ www.mcmiller.com

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