What is Cathode

The cathode and anode can be distinguished based on their potential. The electrode with a higher potential is the positive electrode. When the battery is being discharged, the positive electrode functions as the cathode, while the negative electrode functions as the anode. Conversely, during the charging process, the positive electrode acts as the anode, and the negative electrode acts as the cathode.

Most Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) circuits typically need an input voltage ranging from 5V to 30V. These circuits are designed to work best with bulb currents of 5mA or higher. Consequently, they are not suitable for lower power operation using 2- or 3-cell batteries commonly found in palmtop computers and portable devices.

Cathodes are named after cations, which are positively charged ions, while anodes are named after anions, which are negatively charged ions. In an electrical device, the cathode is the electrode that carries a negative charge.

Cold-cathode lamps, such as cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) and neon lamps, fall under the category of cold-cathode lamps. Neon lamps emit light by exciting gas molecules, while CCFLs generate ultraviolet light through a discharge in mercury vapor, which then triggers the emission of visible light from a fluorescent coating inside the lamp.

Cold cathode lamps, such as neon lamps, neon sign tubes, and sodium vapor lamps, are examples of lamps with a hot cathode. Additionally, hot cathode lamps include medium pressure mercury vapor lamps and low-pressure mercury-vapor lamps, like fluorescent tubes.