Response to R SEDLAK's Message of 12/24 In the ideal sense one would only "RIP OFF" electrons from the anode thereby solubilizing copper to be used/plated at the cathode. That's a simplistic definition of an electrochemical cell (i.e, operating with DC current). I would add that the current and the voltage give rise to plating POWER. In order to achieve this POWER, AC current is converted by capacitor, diode, SRC, filter to provide DC power to the plating tank. AC current differs from DC in that a polarity shift occurs with given frequency with AC but not DC. THIS IS THE RUDAMENTARY DEFINITION OF A RECTIFIER (A device converting AC to DC power). BOTH AC AND DC SOURCES COULD BE CONSIDERED "ELECTRON PUMPS." R SEDLAK has described ideal palting conditions of the electrochemical cell. The SOURCE of electrons as described has to be DC which is generated by a RECTIFIER. Herein lies the problem with RECTIFIERS. The power source is never purely DC, and in time hardware deteriorates (filters, SRCs, capacitors, diodes) generating more and more AC current passage until the plating tank only sees AC. This means that over a period of time the anode is the cathode, the cathode is the anode, and SO ON IN A CYCLIC FASHION. ################################ What I would like to know is what actually is observed with older rectifiers? Probably most shops are not operating at manufacter's AC/DC levels so what's the first sign observed of a bad filter, SRC, or diode? How often do plating shops check their rectifiers; or as seen by some responses in the last couple weeks, does anyone really know what the AC/DC ratio means to copper plating? I'm not out to flame the group or R Sedlak for a response which might be needed, but it seems these issues are being regurgitated. IS THERE A COPPER PLATING/RECTIFIER GURU OUT THERE? THANK YOU. [log in to unmask] *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * *************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * ***************************************************************************