NOVELTY - The electro-chemical gas generator for combustible gases e.g. ethane, comprises an electrolysis cell (1) having a housing, which is closed by a gas-permeable membrane (2) for discharging the test gas or calibrating gas, a cathode (5) and an anode (4) directly contacting with an electrolyte, a control unit (6) serving as a power source and connected with the electrodes, and a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte in the electrolysis cell. The control unit comprises a potentiostat. Both the cathode and the anode consist of platinum and the anode is embodied as a mesh.    USE - Electro-chemical gas generator for combustible gases e.g. ethane and combustible hydrocarbons such as alkanes or alkenes.    ADVANTAGE - The electro-chemical gas generator has long-term stability, is capable of producing sufficient quantity of test gas in direct vicinity to the sensor and is cost-effective and easy to handle.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The electro-chemical gas generator for combustible gases e.g. ethane, comprises an electrolysis cell (1) having a housing, which is closed by a gas-permeable membrane (2) for discharging the test gas or calibrating gas, a cathode (5) and an anode (4) directly contacting with an electrolyte, a control unit (6) serving as a power source and connected with the electrodes, and a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte in the electrolysis cell. The control unit comprises a potentiostat. Both the cathode and the anode consist of platinum and the anode is embodied as a mesh. The cathode and anode are made of a noble metal, a mixture of noble metals or a material containing carbon. The substance transferred to the anode is used in the form of a green compact applied on the anode or in the form of a structure compressed around the anode. The carbonic acid compound is richly soluble in the electrolyte. A liquid salt is used as the electrolyte at ambient temperature. The test gas or calibrating gas develops ethane by decarboxylating the carboxylic acid compound at the anode. The green compact directly adjoins at the membrane with the platinum mesh that is switched as anode. The membrane consists of a microporous perfluorinated polymer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a schematic representation of an electro-chemical gas generator.    Electrolysis cell (1)    Gas-permeable membrane (2)    Anode (4)    Cathode (5)    Control unit. (6)