Voltage and/or current in an electrical system that prevents it from functioning correctly through interference.

A parameter indicating the resistance of a material to restrict the passage of an electric current through it. Expressed as ohms (units of resistance) per mil ft or as microhms (millionth of an ohm) per centimeter cube at a specified temperature.

The flow or presence of charged particles; a fundamental physical force or energy.

A substance that has a tendency to unite electrons in electrolysis, leaving it with a positive charge.

See Anode.

The movement of fluids through diaphragms because of electric current.

Electrolytic process of tinning wire using pure tin.

Electrolytic process of tinning wire using commercially pure tin.

Corrosion that is accompanied by a flow of electrons between cathodic and anodic areas on metallic surfaces.

A conductor through which a current enters or leaves an electronic conductor.

The difference of potential between an electrode and the electrolyte with which it is in contact. The standard electrode potential is that developed by a metal immersed into a solu­tion of its ions of unit ionic activity. The electrochemical series is a list of elements in order of their standard electrode poten­tials.

That part of an electric con­ductor which in a resistance welding machine conveys current to, and exerts pressure on, the components to be welded. Also known as the contact point.

Wire used in many arc-welding processes that serves as the electrode and is consumed to fill the joint. The arc is struck between the electrode and the work piece, simultaneously heating the work and melting the electrode.

An electrolytic-deposition zinc-plating process whereby the molecules on the positively charged zinc anode attach to negatively charged steel. The thickness of the zinc coating is readily controlled by varying the electric charge or slowing the speed of the steel through the plating area.

The production of chemical changes by passage of current through an electrolyte.

A solution that dissociates into ions in solution or when fused, thereby becoming electrically conducting. See Electroplating.

A vessel equipped with electrodes and used for the conduction of electrolysis.

This process, either cathodic or anodic, is often used for treatment of metals prior to electroplating, using current to disintegrate surface film. It uses an electronic power supply and an electrically conducting solution (such as dilute acid, dilute caustic or salt water). If the work piece is connected to the negative polarity of the electronic power supply, the work-piece is considered to be the cathode and cleaning is achieved via the generation of hydrogen gas (caused by the electrochemical hydrolysis of water). If the work-piece is connected to the positive polarity, the work piece is considered to be the anode and cleaning is achieved via the generation of oxygen gas (caused by the electrochemical hydrolysis of water). For steel, anodic cleaning is preferred to avoid hydrogen embrittlement. The solutions used do not differ substantially from those employed in non-electrolytic cleaning.

Copper that has been refined by electrolysis. Crude impure copper is made the anode in a bath containing copper sulfate and is deposited on the pure copper sheets known as starting sheets which act as cathodes. The refined metal contains upwards of 99.9% copper.

Corrosion by means of electrochemical erosion caused by current leakage. Such leakage can be caused by improper grounding in the circuit.