Abstract:Generally, there are reasons to believe that the experimental technique has been inadequate in some works on anodic overvoltage measurements in aluminium electrolysis, therefore, the overvoltage data are not quite correct. Several causes affecting the precision of measurements were analyzed, a cell configuration (vertical carbon anodes, insulated bottom and inner wall of graphite crucible as cathode) was used for overvoltage studies. An improved current interruption technique was used with current interrupted in less than 2μs and a simulation was applied to the oscillating potential decay curve.

Key words: anodic overvoltage　current interruption method　aluminium electrolysis