Is it possible to use cathodic protection on metal kitchen sinks?

[theycallmevirgo]

Or is that an electrocution hazard?

 

[berkeman]

Or is that an electrocution hazard?

What would be the sacraficial anode material? What DC voltage are you planning on using?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathodic_protection

 

[Bystander]

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.

 

[anorlunda]

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

 

[Baluncore]

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.

 

[Rive]

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

 

[theycallmevirgo]

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.

 

[Tom.G]

"rust" on stainless steel actually comes from other sources and can be cleaned.

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.

 

[trurle]

Or is that an electrocution hazard?

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.

 

[Shubham5421]

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