A practical comparison of surface resistance test electrodes

Four surface resistance test electrodes are compared using a selection of materials under similar test conditions. The results vary considerably with some materials due to variation in surface resistivity. Using a relatively uniform material two concentric ring electrodes compliant with the same standard differed in results by a factor of 1.8. Silver stripe and copper tape electrodes gave results a factor 0.4 and 0.7 compared to the reference electrode. A 2-pin electrode gave results a factor 4.7 greater. The 2 pin probe cannot be expected to give similar results to the other electrodes for materials that have variable resistivity.