Understanding ORP Sensors

In industrial applications, ORP sensors—also referred to as Redox sensors—are used to gauge the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of a liquid or chemical. Redox, commonly referred to as ORP, is a measurement of a chemical species’ capacity to either accept or donate electrons. It is frequently expressed in millivolts (mV) and used to assess the potency, concentration, or purity of a liquid or chemical.

A working electrode plus a reference electrode make up an ORP sensor in most cases. The reference electrode is put in a different compartment, while the working electrode is put in contact with the liquid or chemical. The voltage between the electrodes is measured while a tiny current is conducted between them. This voltage is used to calculate the ORP of the liquid or chemical because it is directly related to ORP.

Water, wastewater, and different kinds of chemicals used in industrial operations are just a few of the liquids and compounds that can be measured with ORP sensors. They are frequently employed in processes including water treatment, electroplating, and the processing of food and beverages.

To endure the demanding circumstances of industrial applications, such as high temperatures and pressures, vibration, and corrosive or abrasive liquids and chemicals, ORP sensors are often composed of sturdy materials like stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials. There are numerous communication protocols that can be used to connect them to a control system, including 4-20 mA, HART, Modbus, Profibus, etc.

The ability to measure the ORP of the liquid or chemical with greater accuracy is one of the key advantages of employing an ORP sensor. This is due to the fact that the ORP measurement remains unaffected.

Learn more about analytical sensors

Please contact us to discuss your application