Unique Features of BORIN STELTH Solid-State Reference Electrodes

by BORIN

Just a few reasons BORIN STELTH solid-state reference electrodes are unique:

Solid-State Electrolyte ~ Never Needs Recharging/Recalibrating

Our active and passive electrolyte chemical components inside our STELTH reference electrodes utilize our unique “solid-state chemical form”. This continuously stabilizes the potency of your STELTH electrolyte chemistry when you’re not using it, or when it’s in a dormant state, therefore it never needs recharging or recalibrating. Other manufacturers are still using the more common “gel” or “liquid” state for their electrolytes that leeches chemicals – unfortunately into the environment – continually draining the electrolyte, leaving the reference electrode in need of both recharging and recalibrating.

Moisture Retention Membrane MRM™ ~ Impregnated in Ceramic, Protects Electrolytes

The first line of defense against contaminants from the soil is the STELTH reference electrode’s ceramic impregnated with our proprietary Moisture Retention Membrane ~ MRM^™. The MRM acts as a filter as contaminated water tries to penetrate the ceramic into the reference electrode’s electrolyte – all the while capturing moisture, which is critical in dry soil conditions. Also, the MRM keeps the electrode’s internal electrolyte from leeching out, therefore it is never in need of recharging or recalibrating, unlike competitor products without the MRM.

Hydrogen Sulfide Ion-Trapping Chemistry ~ Integral to Electrolytes

We put ion-trapping chemistry into the electrolyte of all STELTH reference electrodes that neutralizes hydrogen sulfide ions that may penetrate through the ceramic before these ions can cause damage to the electrode (up to 1,000 parts per million).

Chloride Ion-Trapping Chemistry ~ Membrane Impregnated

The single largest enemy of sulfate-based reference electrodes (copper and zinc) are chlorides. More reference electrodes are destroyed by chloride contamination than any other factor. As an extra layer of protection, we impregnate trapping material into the ceramic of the copper (Cu-CuSO₄) and zinc (Zn-ZnSO₄) BORIN STELTH reference electrodes that traps chloride plus bromide ions before they reach the chemistry inside.

AC Mitigation Monitoring with Coupons

The STELTH 7 IR-Free Solid-State AC Mitigation-Monitoring reference electrodes feature a 1 cm² coupon that acts as a sensing source for AC interference and allows calculations to be made of current density on the structure – therefore learning when AC corrosion is possibly occurring. This method is as defined in NACE Standard SP0177-2014: Mitigation of Alternating Current and Lightning Effects on Metallic Structures and Corrosion Control Systems.

Hydrocarbon-Proof (HCP™) Chemistry ~ Can Be Used in All Environments

Our NEW industry-changing STELTH reference electrode chemistry using palladium as its reference element is Hydrocarbon-Proof (HCP^™), and has completed extensive field testing and is now available for you to buy. If you have facilities that are affected by hydrocarbons and contaminated by gasoline, crude oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, et cetera and are unable to get a reference cell reading, our STELTH HCP stationary or portable reference electrode will solve your reference-electrode contamination problem. Patent applied for.

Can Be Taken Out of Service without Affecting Accuracy

You can take BORIN’s reference electrodes out of service for extended periods of time – and reintroduce them into your CP system – without affecting reference electrode accuracy or ability to reactivate. (It takes less than 5 minutes for your electrode to come back to life.)

Chemistry That Can Be FROZEN

When your soil surrounding your CP system is frozen, your STELTH reference electrodes become safely inactive. Once the environment thaws, the cell reactivates and can be used again – without maintenance of any kind. Thousands of BORIN STELTH reference electrodes have been used in frozen soils such as Russia, Sweden, Alaska, et cetera, with successful results.

100% Testing of Every STELTH

Each BORIN STELTH reference electrode is individually calibrated against a Calomel reference electrode. (This calibration method is impossible to do with the old-fashioned plaster backfilled reference electrodes.) The STELTH reference electrodes are then tested for internal impedance, continuity, sensitivity, stability, and finally, each half-cell is uniquely serialized – allowing for traceability of any single cell throughout its lifetime. Certificates are provided for each reference electrode to the end user.
Our manufacturing procedures include the following tests:

Continuity of wire
Continuity of wire insulation
Resistance of lead wire and sensing element connection (has to be a dead short)
Internal resistance of the STELTH reference electrode (lowest of any reference electrode on the market – insuring a significant reduction in IR drop)
Calibration of reference electrodes are done at 25˚ Celsius
Final test is for response time from activation to stable reading without hysteresis.

Trackable/Traceable for Life

Each STELTH has its own calibration certificate on file linked to your reference electrodes by its unique traceable serial number.

Calibrated for Life

Every STELTH reference electrode is guaranteed to stay calibrated and never need recharging for the lifetime of the electrode. If, for any reason, you need an updated calibration certificate, simply call us or email us and we’ll get it right to you. We also offer complimentary re-calibration services for all of our reference electrodes that you have previously purchased. STELTH 30-year Service Life Warranty Most of the BORIN STELTH solid-state stationary reference electrodes sold^* come with a 30-year service life warranty, by far outlasting competitor reference electrodes – which may need servicing bi-monthly to – at the longest – every year.
*The portable STELTH 3 and STELTH 4 and submerged STELTH 5 have a 10-year service life warranty, and the thru-hull tank STELTH 8 and deep-sea STELTH 9 have a 20-year service life warranty.

Adheres to NACE Standards for Long Term Stability Range and Certified Potential Range

All of our BORIN STELTH reference electrodes adhere to NACE Standard TM0211-2011, Item No. 21257, Section 2.3.1 and 2.3.2, and have:

Long Term Stability Range: ±5 mV with a minimum test duration of 3,000 hours
Certified Potential Range: ±5 mV vs. standard.

**Maximum Continuous Current for STELTH Reference Electrodes**

The maximum continuous current recommended for STELTH reference electrodes is 0.3 microamps.