Auxiliary electrode Auxiliary electrode The auxiliary electrode, often also called the counter electrode, is an electrode used in a three electrode electrochemical cell for voltammetric analysis or other reactions in which an electric current is expected to flow. The auxiliary electrode is distinct from the reference electrode, which establishes the electrical potential against which other potentials may be measured, and the working electrode, at which the cell reaction takes place. In a two-electrode system, either a known current or potential is applied between the working and auxiliary electrodes and the other variable may be measured. The auxiliary electrode functions as a cathode
Plate electrode tube envelope and is cooled by radiation cooling, forced air or water. A problem in early vacuum tubes was "secondary emission"; electrons striking the plate could knock other electrons out of the metal surface. In some tubes such as tetrodes these "secondary electrons" could be absorbed by other electrods such as grids in the tube, resulting in a current out of the plate. This current could cause the plate circuit to have negative resistance, which could cause unwanted parasitic oscillations. To prevent this most plates in modern tubes are given a chemical coating which reduces secondary emission. Plate electrode A