Electrochemical Time Switch

Abstract

AN electrochemical time switch for a.c. current has been developed. It consists of a copper electrode, two tantalum electrodes with oxide films produced by heating1 and an electrolytic solution (see Fig. 1). The tantalum plate is 99.9 per cent pure tantalum heated for about 12 sec in an electric oven (enclosed heating element) at 670° C in air to form the oxide film. For convenience, the copper electrode is referred to as the control electrode and the tantalum electrodes are referred to as the main electrodes.