Safety in chemistry, but also in terms of functionality?

AI Thread Summary
A user inquired about the suitability of a 12v 120a switching power supply for electrolysis, expressing concern that it may be overkill for hobby-scale projects. While switching power supplies can be used for electrolysis, the high current rating of 120 amps is excessive for typical applications. It is advised to implement a current-limiting device to prevent potential damage or hazards, as a constant-voltage power supply adjusts amperage based on load. The discussion also raised questions about the specific type of electrolysis intended, such as splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen or performing electrolytic deposition, highlighting the need for clarity on the project's scale and requirements. Overall, the consensus is that this power supply may be more suited for industrial applications rather than casual experimentation.
naodorime
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TL;DR Summary
Asking if a 12v 120a is to much overkill
So, I bought a 12v 120a switching power supply, and the problem is that I don't know if a switching power supply is suitable for doing electrolysis, and now, in a moment of lucidity (I can still cancel the purchase) I came here to ask, so what does you guys say? Im not know much about it, sorry if I said something dumb, but this is like a gift from my parents cuz they know I like chemistry, but I dont wanna toooo much, hope you understand that I dont wanna something that will be to overkill
 
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Seems high for any hobby scale electrochemistry.
 
naodorime said:
12v 120a
Nothing inherently wrong with a switching power supply but.... 120 amps is a lot.

Don't use this for electrolysis without some current-limiting device in place. If you don't know what that means, spend some time understanding how a constant-voltage power supply varies the amperage according to the load.
 
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naodorime said:
TL;DR Summary: Asking if a 12v 120a is to much overkill

So, I bought a 12v 120a switching power supply, and the problem is that I don't know if a switching power supply is suitable for doing electrolysis, and now, in a moment of lucidity (I can still cancel the purchase) I came here to ask, so what does you guys say? Im not know much about it, sorry if I said something dumb, but this is like a gift from my parents cuz they know I like chemistry, but I dont wanna toooo much, hope you understand that I dont wanna something that will be to overkill
What kind of electrolysis? Do you want to split ##H_2O## into Hydrogen and Oxygen for some reason, or do you want to perform electrolytic deposition of some metal on a surface?

Why do you need almost 1.5kW to do this? Is this some small industrial scale operation? The maximum current draw from the 120Vrms AC Mains is close to a full breaker's worth of current. Do you have a spare breaker in your breaker box that you can dedicate to this?
 
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