Electrolytes and non-electrolytes:

The ionic compounds, which furnish ions in solution and conduct electric current, are electrolytes e.g. NaCl, KCl many more. There are covalent compounds, that also conduct electric current in solutions. Those involve HCl, CH₃COOH, etc. All other substances which do not produce ions in solutions are called non-electrolytes, e.g. cane sugar, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, many more.

Sometimes electrolytes are also called as true electrolytes and potential electrolytes. In true electrolytes the cations and anions do exist even in the molten states, example for. NaCl, KCl. They are true electrolytes because they exist as Na⁺ Cl ^- and K⁺ Cl ^-    in their normal states and in the molten states. Also while they are dissolved in water they ionise and conduct current.

Na+ Cl ^-    → Na⁺ (aqueous) + Cl ^- (aqueous)

The potential electrolytes do not conduct electricity in the pure normal state rather they conduct electricity when dissolved in water, example for. HCl, CH₃COOH and NH₃.