Anode Vs. Cathode???

admin

Hi i just want to get some clarification on the difference between an anode and a cathode. I watched a video about them and they saidGaining electrons which is referred to as reduction is called the cathodeLosing electrons which is referred to as oxidation is called the anodeAccording to this definition if we are talking about a tig welder the anode would be the the torch pluged into - on the welder. This is due to the electrons seperating from the atoms and flowing from the tip of the tungsten. Thus it is losing electrons.This means the ground cable plugged into + should be the cathode. The base metal is gaining the electrons that flow from the tungsten.This all makes sense to me but I have a book on welding that i was required to buy from the school and it states the opposite. It says the anode is the + pole and the - pole is the cathode. I am just hoping someone can help clear this up for me. I live in europe and the book is in Swedish so im not sure if it is opposite from the USA or if it is universal. Any help is appreciated
Reply:I have not seen the words anode or cathode used in the context of welding.   I have seen them in the context of batteries, corrosion, and vacuum tubes.    I believe that it is also used to refer to diodes.The common terms that I see in welding are work and electrode.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AnodeSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Yeah my book on welding refers to the anode and cathode, but i feel like they've made a mistake or something
Reply:Something doesn't sound right but it might be noting more then semantics.   As it relates to vacuum tubes, the cathode is negatively charged and is rich in electrons.  The anode is positive and attracts the electrons.   Electrons flow from cathode to anode (or negative to positive).     The diode symbol is somewhat confusing with the use of the arrow, electrons actually flow against the arrow.  (go figure).   With solid state devices the arrows are used to indicate "hole-flow".  I will leave this subject alone now, my head hurts.
Reply:People smarter than I refer to the cleaning action of electrons leaping from the aluminum work piece and its cleaning effect as cathodic etching.A fluorescent tube has at least one cathode that shoots electrons out ionizing the gas, initiating current flow.A boat or water heater has an anode which degrades to protect other metal from corrosion.I think the cathode is where the electrons come from.The anode must receive the electrons.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Originally Posted by TB-WeldingHi i just want to get some clarification on the difference between an anode and a cathode. I watched a video about them and they saidGaining electrons which is referred to as reduction is called the cathodeLosing electrons which is referred to as oxidation is called the anodeAccording to this definition if we are talking about a tig welder the anode would be the the torch pluged into - on the welder. This is due to the electrons seperating from the atoms and flowing from the tip of the tungsten. Thus it is losing electrons.This means the ground cable plugged into + should be the cathode. The base metal is gaining the electrons that flow from the tungsten.This all makes sense to me but I have a book on welding that i was required to buy from the school and it states the opposite. It says the anode is the + pole and the - pole is the cathode. I am just hoping someone can help clear this up for me. I live in europe and the book is in Swedish so im not sure if it is opposite from the USA or if it is universal. Any help is appreciated
Reply:Thanks for all the help. I figured it out. In a voltaic cell the anode is referred to as negative and  the cathode positive. In an electrolytic cell(welding) the anode is positive and the cathode negative. Link for anyone interested http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytic...s/Electrolysis
Reply:Much of the original confusion can be laid at the feet of Ben Franklin. He made a mistake in 1752. Why, when the error was discovered it was not corrected beats me.http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~tra..._vs_conv_I.pdfhttp://www.science-campus.com/engine...heory_2_1.html---Meltedmetal
Reply:Originally Posted by MeltedmetalMuch of the original confusion can be laid at the feet of Ben Franklin. He made a mistake in 1752. Why, when the error was discovered it was not corrected beats me.http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~tra..._vs_conv_I.pdfhttp://www.science-campus.com/engine...heory_2_1.html
Reply:Originally Posted by TB-WeldingHi i just want to get some clarification on the difference between an anode and a cathode. I watched a video about them and they saidGaining electrons which is referred to as reduction is called the cathodeLosing electrons which is referred to as oxidation is called the anodeAccording to this definition if we are talking about a tig welder the anode would be the the torch pluged into - on the welder. This is due to the electrons seperating from the atoms and flowing from the tip of the tungsten. Thus it is losing electrons.This means the ground cable plugged into + should be the cathode. The base metal is gaining the electrons that flow from the tungsten.This all makes sense to me but I have a book on welding that i was required to buy from the school and it states the opposite. It says the anode is the + pole and the - pole is the cathode. I am just hoping someone can help clear this up for me. I live in europe and the book is in Swedish so im not sure if it is opposite from the USA or if it is universal. Any help is appreciated
Reply:Originally Posted by MeltedmetalMuch of the original confusion can be laid at the feet of Ben Franklin. He made a mistake in 1752. Why, when the error was discovered it was not corrected beats me.http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~tra..._vs_conv_I.pdfhttp://www.science-campus.com/engine...heory_2_1.html
Reply:Originally Posted by MeltedmetalMuch of the original confusion can be laid at the feet of Ben Franklin. He made a mistake in 1752. Why, when the error was discovered it was not corrected beats me. ...
Reply:Originally Posted by Oscarthat is generally correct, but should read:"the part gaining electrons is called the cathode""the part losing electrons is called the anode""gaining"/"losing" are verbs, and "cathode" and "anode" are nouns.    Also, I'm no chemist, but oxidation/reduction are terms used to describe the losing/gaining of electrons in a chemical reaction to actual atoms, which tig welding is not, nor any kind of arc welding.  Arc welding involves the transfer of electrons, but the base metal (nor the tungsten in AC TIG) atoms do not permanently gain electrons into their orbital shells.  That is what would happen in oxidation/reduction reactions via chemical reactions.
Reply:Originally Posted by TB-WeldingYeah thanks for the help. This really clear's things up
Reply:Originally Posted by Oscaractually I have to back track, having missed the most crucial part:  you have cathode/anode backwards in your initial description.    Are you sure that's how the video you saw described them?  The cathode loses/emits/releases electrons, such as the CRT in older televisions (Cathode Ray Tube).  They will accelerate/move towards the anode that gains/receives/absorbs those electrons.
Reply:http://www.prest-o-sales.com/other_l...n%20Manual.pdfpage 6Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumBen Franklin worked for the Post Office.
Reply:I suppose now we have to decide when Franklin was out in a thunderstorm with a kite was he an anode or a cathode?(Or a postal worker)---Meltedmetal
Reply:Originally Posted by MeltedmetalMuch of the original confusion can be laid at the feet of Ben Franklin. He made a mistake in 1752. Why, when the error was discovered it was not corrected beats me.http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~tra..._vs_conv_I.pdfhttp://www.science-campus.com/engine...heory_2_1.html
Reply:Ive always thought of a cathode as being more negative than the anode. In a negative voltage system, the ground would be anode the negative voltage would be cathode.In TIG welding, we use straight polarity. The work is ground and the torch/tungsten is more negative. The torch would be considered cathode for TIG IMO.
Reply:From a marine perspective, where they use Zinc sacrificial anodes to prevent galvanic corrosion.  I would think a voltmeter would tell you which was which.  Although from there I'm lost, I'm not sure which one is a sacrificial anode.