The three-electrode system consists of a working electrode (WE/SE), a reference electrode (RE) and a counter electrode (CE). The WE and the CE form a polarization circuit, with the current flowing between WE and CE. The WE and the RE form the measurement circuit, and the RE only provides a potential reference without current flowing. Therefore, when conducting the electrochemical measurement, you should use the electrode cable' alligators to clamp the corresponding electrodes.

There is no independent RE in the two-electrode system. When using the CS potentiostat/galvanostat for 2-electrode system test, the CE can be regarded as RE to provide a potential reference. During the measurements, the user should connect the RE&CE alligators together to a same electrode.