ORP, 10228

Oxidation Reduction Potential

(ORP) DOC316.53.01244

Direct Measurement Method Method 10228

(–2000 mV to 2000 mV) ORP Electrode
Scope and Application: For drinking water, wastewater and process water applications

Test preparation

How to use instrument-specific information

The Instrument-specific information table displays requirements that may vary between
instruments. To use this table, select an instrument then read across to find the corresponding
information required to perform this test.

Table 472 Instrument-specific information

Meter Platinum-series ORP electrode Gel-filled ORP electrode

sension™ 1 5193700 5193900

sension™ 2 5193700 5193900

sension™ 3 5193700 5193900

sension™ 4 5193700 5193900

Collect the following items:

Description Quantity

sension pH/mV meter 1

Gel-filled or combination ORP electrode 1

Beaker, polypropylene (100-, 250-, 400- or 600-mL) 1

Deionized water

See Consumables and replacement items for reorder information.

Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

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Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

Oxidation reduction potential (ORP)

1. Connect the electrode 2. Turn on the meter. 3. Rinse the electrode in 4. Platinum-series
to the meter. Press PHMV to select mV. deionized water and electrodes only: Press
blot dry. the dispenser button on
top of the electrode until
the electrolyte get is visible
at the reference junction.

5. Put the electrode in 6. When the

the sample. measurement stabilizes,
store or record the mV and
temperature readings.

Standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) calculation

For some applications it is customary to report oxidation reduction (redox) potential measurements
relative to the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE).
1. Select the value that corresponds to the temperature of the solution measured. Refer to the
Reference electrode potentials table.

2. Substitute the electrode potential value (C) in the equation and solve for ESHE:

E SHE = E O + C

Where:

ESHE = oxidation reduction potential of the sample relative to the SHE, following the
international sign convention.

EO = potential developed by the ORP electrode

C = potential developed by the reference electrode relative to the SHE.

Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

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 Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

The Reference electrode potentials table shows the potentials, C, developed by the reference
electrode relative to the standard hydrogen electrode at various temperatures.

Table 473 Reference electrode potentials

Temperature (°C) Electrode potential in mV (C)
10 221
15 216
20 213
25 208
30 204
35 200
40 196

Interferences
Many factors limit the interpretation of ORP measurements in water. These factors include
irreversible reactions, electrode poisoning, the presence of multiple redox couples, very small
exchange currents and inert redox couples. ORP measurements in the field correlate poorly with
ORP values calculated from the redox couples present. Due to these factors, the interpretation of
ORP measurements will be specific to your particular application.

Sample collection, preservation, storage and cleaning

• Analyze samples immediately after collection.
• For best results, minimize contact with the environment and the time between collection
and measurement.
• If the electrode is not clean, remove inorganic deposits by immersing the electrode tip in room-
temperature 0.1 N HCl for 10 minutes. To remove grease, oil or other organic deposits,
immerse the tip in warm water and detergent and swirl gently. After cleaning, rinse with DI
water. Repeat Procedure A after cleaning.

Accuracy check
Checking the electrode is necessary only when there is evidence of malfunction that cannot be
traced to other causes.
Procedure A

1. Open an ampule of Light's Solution or ORP verification solution*. Pour the contents of the
ampule into a beaker.

2. Immediately place the ORP Electrode tip into the solution.

3. Verify that the potential is 475 ± 10 mV or the specified ORP value.
Note: This potential is the standard reduction potential for Fe2+/3+ with the reference electrode potential
subtracted. The solution is 0.01 M in both Fe2+ and Fe3+.

* See Optional apparatus.

Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

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Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

Procedure B

1. Prepare solution A (0.1 M potassium ferrocyanide and 0.05 M potassium ferricyanide) as

follows:

a. Weigh out 4.22 g reagent-grade K4Fe(CN)6•3H2O and 1.65 g reagent-grade K3Fe(CN)6.

Put the solids in a 100-mL volumetric flask.
b. Add about 50 mL deionized water and swirl to dissolve the solids.
c. Dilute to volume with deionized water.

2. Prepare solution B (0.01 M potassium ferrocyanide, 0.05 M potassium ferricyanide and 0.36 M
potassium fluoride) as follows:

a. Weigh out 0.42 g of reagent-grade K4Fe(CN)6? •3H2O, 1.65 g of reagent-grade

K3Fe(CN)6 and 3.39 g of reagent-grade KF•2H2O. Put the solids in a 100-mL volumetric
flask.
b. Add about 50 mL deionized water and swirl to dissolve the solids.
c. Dilute to volume with deionized water.
3. Transfer solution A to a 150-mL beaker. Place the electrode in the solution and wait until the
reading stabilizes. The potential should be about 234 mV.

4. Rinse the electrode and repeat the measurement with solution B. The potential should be
about 66 mV greater in solution B than in solution A.

Summary of method
Redox measurements are made by determining the electron activity of a solution using an inert
indicator electrode and a reference electrode. The potential difference between the indicator
electrode and the reference electrode equals the redox potential of the system. The Gel-filled ORP
and Platinum Series ORP electrodes use a platinum indicator electrode and a silver/silver chloride
reference electrode.

Consumables and replacement items

Required apparatus
Description Quantity/Test Unit Catalog number
Select one meter and probe combination: — — —
sension™ 1 Portable pH/mV Meter each 5170010
sension™ 2 Portable pH/ISE Meter each 5172510
sension™ 3 Benchtop pH/mV Meter each 5175010
sension™ 4 Benchtop pH/ISE Meter each 5177510
Gel-filled Combination ORP Electrode, 5-pin 1 5193900
OR
Platinum Series Combination ORP Electrode, 5-pin 1 5193700

Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

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Optional reagents
Description Unit Catalog number
Light's Solution, ampules 20/pkg 26125-20
200 mV ORP Solution 500 mL 25M2A1001-115
600 mV ORP Solution 500 mL 25M2A1002-115
Hydrochloric Acid Standard Solution 0.1 N 1L 1481253
Sodium Hydrochloride Standard Solution, 0.1 N 1L 19153

Optional apparatus
Description Unit Catalog number
Beaker, 100-mL, polypropylene each .108042
Beaker, 250-mL, polypropylene each 108046
Beaker, 400-mL, polypropylene each 108048
Beaker, 600-mL, polypropylene each 108052
Beaker, 1000-mL, polypropylene each 108053
Digital Titrator each 1690001
Flask, Erlenmeyer, 125-mL each 50543
Electrode Holder, with electromagnetic stirrer each 4530001
Electrode Holder each 4530000
Stir Bar, Magnetic, 22.2 x 7.9 mm each 2095350

Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

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