Experiments on wireless measurement of anode currents in Hall cells

The currents of individual anodes provide information on Hall cells, e.g. the occurrence of "metal roll". These currents are usually measured by voltage drops along anode rods but this is inconvenient for routine monitoring of pots because of the need to change anodes, plus the hazards of draping signal wires around. Experiments have been carried out on wireless measurement of anode currents. Hall effect probes measured magnetic fields, reflecting mostly the current in the nearby rod. Signals were relayed wirelessly to a laptop some distance from the pot. measurements have been carried out on both pots with pair-controlled anodes and pots with anodes on a fixed bridge. For the former, comparison with independent measurement is easily possible (from voltage drop along the anode flex). Although at the experimental stage, this investigation has served to show that wireless measurements agree roughly with other measurements; wireless measurements reveal metal roll and incipient anode effects.