MOTM

We have a winner! (see, I said *chemistry*, not *physics*)

Paul S.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Karavidas" <tony@...>
To: <motm@egroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2000 12:15 PM
Subject: RE: [motm] More OT: PS Question


>
> It has to do with electrolysis. In a huge system like this, there will be
> leakage current into the earth. The leakage is through wet phone wires. In
> the process of electrolysis, corrosive action is confined to the anode or
> positive side.  When the wires are at negative potential compared to the
> ground the metal ions go from the ground to the wire instead of the
> situation where positive voltage would cause metal from the wire to leave
> which causes quick corrosion.
>
> Do I win?
>
> Tony
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...]
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 9:41 PM
> > To: motm@egroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [motm] More OT: PS Question
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > We call ground ground.  But the return from the negative battery
> > > feed is called return, not ground.  Just like neutral is not called
> > > ground in a home electrical system even though it is connected
> > > to ground at the main breaker panel.  The returns from equipment
> > > in a CO are connected to ground at the main battery power
> > > distribution frame.  What really throws the new guys is that +
> > > goes to ground and - goes to battery.  Boy have I seen some good
> > > arc welding.
> >
> > HA! This begs the question (to all you EE-wannabes), "why is it done
this
> > way?"
> >
> > Hint: it has to do with *chemistry*, not "electronics".
> >
> > Paul S.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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