Electrolysis

Aidan (UK)

Check the pH, 7 is neutral, anything less is acidic. It should be 8 or 9. If it is less, you need to add water treatment chemicals. This will effectively turn the water (electrolyte) into a pretty good insulator and stop any significant electrolytic corrosion.

zibob

Electrolysis

Looking for causes and solutions for electrolysis on copper to copper fittings on boiler piping. Reading voltages from .2 to 1.2 volts, voltage goes up as the flourscent lights are turned up. Any way to track the leaky ballast? We removed all ground to water pipes and still read .2 volts with lights off. Any insights are welcome.
zibob

Mark Eatherton1

In order to have electrolysis..

You need two disimilar metals in an electrolyte solution. Disimilar metals would be on opposing ends of the electromotive charts, like steel and copper.

An electrolytic solution would be highly oxygenated water.

In order to have a strong electrolytic battery, you'd have to have all three.

Usually, in good tight "closed loop" heatng systems, there is not enough oxygen to support the strong electrolytic charge, hence disimilar metal mixes are acceptable.

It sounds as though someone has hooked something (a stero ground, or telephone) up the heating lines someplace in the home. One way to confirm it would be to shut of ALL electrical power in the home and see if the electrical charge disipates. If it does, it's not electrolysis.

Also remember that the neutral is essentially the same thing as the ground in older homes.

You might also try completely disconnecting the hot and neutral for the heating system and see what happens.

Disimilar metal mixes don't usually generate whole volts, usually more in the millivolt range. I suspect that you have something else going on. Let us know what you find.

ME

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"