MOTM

It has to do with electrolysis. In a huge system like this, there will be
leakage current into the earth. The leakage is through wet phone wires. In
the process of electrolysis, corrosive action is confined to the anode or
positive side.  When the wires are at negative potential compared to the
ground the metal ions go from the ground to the wire instead of the
situation where positive voltage would cause metal from the wire to leave
which causes quick corrosion.

Do I win?

Tony


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 9:41 PM
> To: motm@egroups.com
> Subject: Re: [motm] More OT: PS Question
>
>
>
> >
> > We call ground ground.  But the return from the negative battery
> > feed is called return, not ground.  Just like neutral is not called
> > ground in a home electrical system even though it is connected
> > to ground at the main breaker panel.  The returns from equipment
> > in a CO are connected to ground at the main battery power
> > distribution frame.  What really throws the new guys is that +
> > goes to ground and - goes to battery.  Boy have I seen some good
> > arc welding.
>
> HA! This begs the question (to all you EE-wannabes), "why is it done this
> way?"
>
> Hint: it has to do with *chemistry*, not "electronics".
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>
>
>
>