- #1
theycallmevirgo
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Or is that an electrocution hazard?
Is it possible to use cathodic protection on metal kitchen sinks?
- Thread starter theycallmevirgo
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the feasibility and implications of using cathodic protection on metal kitchen sinks, exploring both theoretical and practical aspects of the method, including concerns about safety, effectiveness, and material compatibility.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question whether using cathodic protection poses an electrocution hazard.
- There is inquiry into the appropriate sacrificial anode material and the DC voltage required for effective cathodic protection.
- One participant notes that universal building codes assume plumbing is at a zero electrical potential, which may affect the application of cathodic protection.
- Another participant asserts that cathodic protection can be effective if galvanic corrosion is present, although they have not encountered it in practice.
- Concerns are raised about the practicality of cathodic protection, including the potential for the electrode to become insulated by detergent or sludge.
- It is suggested that if a kitchen sink shows corrosion, it may indicate underlying issues with the sink material or usage rather than being easily remedied by cathodic protection.
- Participants discuss the nature of "rust" on stainless steel and its sources, with some suggesting that it can be cleaned rather than requiring cathodic protection.
- One participant mentions that passive cathodic protection has been used effectively with enameled iron sinks, while modern stainless steel sinks may not require it.
- Another participant emphasizes the importance of using the correct protection for metal sinks and explains the mechanism of cathodic protection in converting anodic sites to cathodic sites.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the necessity and effectiveness of cathodic protection for kitchen sinks, with no consensus on its practicality or safety. Some participants believe it can be beneficial under certain conditions, while others suggest it may not be necessary or effective.
Contextual Notes
Participants mention various factors that could influence the effectiveness of cathodic protection, including the type of sink material, the presence of corrosion, and the potential for contamination of electrodes. There are also references to specific cleaning methods for stainless steel that may address issues without the need for cathodic protection.
- #2
berkeman
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What would be the sacraficial anode material? What DC voltage are you planning on using?theycallmevirgo said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathodic_protection
- #3
Bystander
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Aren't "universal building codes" written around an assumption/assertion that water supply/plumbing can be/is regarded as "universal ground/zero" electrical potential? Ground is tied to water supply in my house.
- #4
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Yes you can do it. But it helps only if you are getting galvanic corrosion in your sink. That's certainly possible, but I've never heard of it in real life.
What makes you think your sink suffers from galvanic corrosion?
Cathodic protection can be active or passive. Active protection uses a DC voltage, on the order of 1v (be sure to get the sign right, the sink must be more negative in voltage). Passive protection uses a sacrificial anode such as zinc, or aluminum, instead of a DC voltage. Passive protection can not be installed backward, and it has no battery that might die.
Read more about it here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathodic_protection
What makes you think your sink suffers from galvanic corrosion?
Cathodic protection can be active or passive. Active protection uses a DC voltage, on the order of 1v (be sure to get the sign right, the sink must be more negative in voltage). Passive protection uses a sacrificial anode such as zinc, or aluminum, instead of a DC voltage. Passive protection can not be installed backward, and it has no battery that might die.
Read more about it here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathodic_protection
Last edited:
- #5
Baluncore
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Cathodic protection on metal kitchen sinks?
The electrode would rapidly become coated with detergent or hydroxide sludge, which would insulate the sink surface.
If it worked, a sacrificial electrode would be consumed and need to be replaced.
The electrode would rapidly become coated with detergent or hydroxide sludge, which would insulate the sink surface.
If it worked, a sacrificial electrode would be consumed and need to be replaced.
- #6
Rive
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Any half-decent kitchen sink should be free of visible corrosion within its expected (average kitchen) usage. If there is corrosion, then something is not OK either with the material of the sink or with the usage. Neither of that can be patched up by such external means like cathodic protection: not easily, at least.
So while it is possible, I suggest to save the effort.
By the way, I had to read it thrice to get 'cathodic' right
Some quirks in my brain circuits went on 'catholic' instead 
Almost wrote something about 'prayers won't save sinks' or so
So while it is possible, I suggest to save the effort.
By the way, I had to read it thrice to get 'cathodic' right
Some quirks in my brain circuits went on 'catholic' instead Almost wrote something about 'prayers won't save sinks' or so
- #7
theycallmevirgo
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Yeah, thanks again, but Rive has it right - I didn't do enough digging. It seems that "rust" on stainless steel actually comes from other sources and can be cleaned.
- #8
Tom.G
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Yup. Cleansers with Oxalic Acid work fine. There are a couple here in the US available in the grocery stores, 'Barkeepers Friend' and 'Bon Ami' are the two I can remember.theycallmevirgo said:
- #9
trurle
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Passive cathodic protection (i.e. zinc-coated grounding rods) was sometimes used together with enameled iron kitchen sinks, with good results. Nowadays, kitchen sinks are usually made of SUS303 stainless alloy, and do not need cathodic protection at all.theycallmevirgo said:
- #10
Shubham5421
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Well, metal kitchen sinks are always critical and its very important to use the right protection for them.
If you are going to take my opinion, I would say Cathodic protection prevents corrosion by converting all of the anodic (active) sites on the metal surface( for ex- the metal kitchen sink just like you mentioned) to cathodic (passive) sites by supplying electrical current (or free electrons) from an alternate source which is dedicated too. Usually this takes the form of galvanic anodes, which are more active than steel. So the answer is yes it can be used however that depends on the preference of every individual, I do use it
If you are going to take my opinion, I would say Cathodic protection prevents corrosion by converting all of the anodic (active) sites on the metal surface( for ex- the metal kitchen sink just like you mentioned) to cathodic (passive) sites by supplying electrical current (or free electrons) from an alternate source which is dedicated too. Usually this takes the form of galvanic anodes, which are more active than steel. So the answer is yes it can be used however that depends on the preference of every individual, I do use it
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