In the present paper, local electrochemical impedance spectra were obtained on a 316L stainless steel from two configurations: a dual microelectrode (bi-electrode) and microcapillaries. With the bi-electrode, the local impedance measurements were made from the ratio of the applied voltage to the local current density calculated from the application of the ohm's law. With the use of microelectrochemical cells, the specimen surface area in contact with the electrolyte is limited by the use of glass microcapillaries and the local impedance was defined from the ratio of the local potential to the local current restricted to the analysed surface area. Differences and similarities observed in local impedance spectra obtained with the two configurations were described. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.