Sciencemadness Discussion Board

fail of a variable dc power for an electrolysis

plaming - 18-1-2014 at 07:49

Hello !
a few days ago i have earned an 5-15V 0-20A power supply
Problem : when i put this on my electrolysis cell, i have maybe 0.5A and no more,the power don't want to change the amperage but for the voltage its ok.
do you have an indea to have the 20A?
thanks !

papaya - 18-1-2014 at 07:50

Larger electrodes!

WGTR - 18-1-2014 at 08:45

...or they could be too large. Some power supplies have fold-back current limiting, actually providing much less current at
1V (for example) than they do at their rated output voltage. It's a safety feature.

BromicAcid - 18-1-2014 at 10:09

You don't say what you are trying to electrolyze. That could be the cause. If you were trying to electrolyze relatively pure water, non-aqueous solutions with limited ions those would be two immediate situations that would cause low current. So, need more information :)

plaming - 18-1-2014 at 11:21

i'm trying to electrolyse satured solution of sodium chloride for having sodium hydroxyde.After another try with bigger electrode,the amperage doesn't change so i think it's a safety feature as said.

WGTR - 18-1-2014 at 15:22

Can you measure the voltage at the output of the power supply while the cell is operating (i.e., at 0.5A)?

Edit: And also, what is the model number for the power supply? I can take a look at it.


[Edited on 1-19-2014 by WGTR]

Fantasma4500 - 19-1-2014 at 06:59

if its 5-15V then it shouldnt be the voltage messing it up..
perhaps move electrodes closer?
heating solution also makes it more conductive, or well at least my big power supply went +35A when it got really hot, starting at 12A approx