Abstract: By taking the effect of oxygen contents into account,a new set of formulae which represents the oxygen potentials of H_2O-H_2 and H_2O-H_2-inerts gas mixtures has been derived.Classi- cal representation is only a particular case of it.Some of the variables affecting equilibrium atmosphere when trace oxygen is present and optimum preparation of the gas mixtures to min- imize errors have been discussed.The reliability of some of previous equilibrium experiments under the oxygen potentials controlled by H_2O-H_2 or H_2O-H_2-inerts gas mixtures has also been criticized.

Key words: gas equilibration method, H_2O-H_2, H_2O-H_2-inerts, oxygen potential