The object to be protected is electroconductively connected to what’s known as a sacrificial anode. The iron these anodes contain releases electrons into their environment, which causes the anode material to oxidize instead of the protected object. The sacrificial anode thus slowly dissolves and needs to be replaced after a while.
Galvanic anode bed applications:
• smaller, well insulated objects like storage tanks
Benefits of a galvanic anode bed:
• less complicated installation
• lower costs
• easier maintenance
• no mains power supply required
Diagrammatic representation of a galvanic anode bed: