Automatic anode rod-drop measurement for aluminium potrooms
The Smart Anode Meter is a lightweight instrument that measures the voltage drop across a short section of anode rod, from which the current flowing through the rod is calculated.
It replaces the heavy analog meters used in potrooms for decades — and is in service at smelters on four continents.
The meter normally sits on its USB connection to the host PC, which charges the battery and automatically downloads the current shift's measurement schedule; operators can also select pots manually.
In the potroom, the probes are pushed against each anode rod in turn and the voltage drop is determined automatically. Reconnected after the round, readings upload automatically to the site database for viewing and reporting.
The analogue input is sampled continuously; the input floats to ≈1.4 V when disconnected, letting the firmware detect when the meter is in use. The measurement algorithm operates as follows:
The meter is available directly from C-Born. Build options include custom shaft lengths and site-customised software; other probe spacings and head types are considered on a cost/volume basis.
Every meter is backed by manufacturer-direct support, the C-Born Meter Portal, and optional Annual Support Agreements covering repairs, upgrades, and software updates.
C-Born developed its first lightweight electronic anode meter over 30 years ago, replacing the heavy and inaccurate analog meters that preceded it. The current generation is a significant leap forward in productivity, accuracy, and ease of use.
Enquiries and quotes:
info@cborn.com
www.cborn.com
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Shaft | 1 m × 15 mm square carbon fibre (custom lengths on request) |
| Weight | ≈500 g including battery |
| Probe spacing | 95 mm or 100 mm |
| Probe material | Tungsten carbide |
| Head | Pivoting fibreglass PCB |
| Panels | Laser-engraved front & back, customisable per site |
| Electrical | |
| Controller | GHI SC20260N |
| ADC — Ch 1 | 16-bit (62 µV) · 14 readings/sec · 15 ppm/°C drift · 0.05% gain error · 20 V protection |
| ADC — Ch 2 | Optional, as Ch 1 |
| Battery | 3.7 V Li-Ion, 3000 mAh, rechargeable |
| Display | 16×2 backlit LCD |
| Indicators | Hi-intensity red & green LEDs |
| Real-time clock | Yes |
| Power supply | Inductorless design for potroom magnetic fields |
| Connections | |
| USB | Data I/O + charging |
| WiFi | Standard (on main board) |
| Serial | 2× RS232 (3.3 V) |
| UEXT | Optional extended I/O |
| Storage | |
| MicroSD | 8 GB |
| Software | |
| Firmware | C# on TinyCLR · field-upgradeable · site-customisable |
| Host (PC) | Schedule download · reading upload · database interface |
| Updates | Via the C-Born Meter Portal |