You are here: HomeResourcesElectrical Waterbath Stunning of PoultryOperating an electrical waterbathMaintaining an electrical circuit & optimising current flow

Maintaining an uninterrupted electrical circuit and optimising current flow

A conventional electrical waterbath stunner allows current to flow between two electrodes, from the submerged electrode to the earthed rubbing bar.

Electricity will only flow through a closed electrical circuit. Therefore, all electrical contacts within a circuit must be continuously, physically maintained, ie the bird’s head with the electrode/electrified water, the bird’s legs with the shackle and the shackle with the earthed rubbing bar.

Even when all objects within an electrical circuit are physically connected, the flow of current between them can be compromised by the inherent characteristics and the quality of the electrical contact(s). If a waterbath has inadequate electrical contact, the problem cannot be solved by simply increasing the voltage supplied, because this may not necessarily improve stunning and may instead affect meat quality and increase the risk to human health and safety.

It is possible to reduce the resistance of a circuit, at the points of electrical contact. Indeed, this is an essential basic procedure in the operation of any electrical system.

Any damaged (eg rusted, distorted or broken) equipment (including the submerged electrode, shackles and the earthed rubbing bar) may not conduct the current properly and must be replaced.

 

 

Next: The live electrode-water-bird interface

Back to top

Our cookies

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website.
You can allow or reject non essential cookies or manage them individually.

Reject allAllow all

More options  •  Cookie policy

Our cookies

Allow all

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website. You can allow all or manage them individually.

You can find out more on our cookie page at any time.

EssentialThese cookies are needed for essential functions such as logging in and making payments. Standard cookies can't be switched off and they don't store any of your information.
AnalyticsThese cookies help us collect information such as how many people are using our site or which pages are popular to help us improve customer experience. Switching off these cookies will reduce our ability to gather information to improve the experience.
FunctionalThese cookies are related to features that make your experience better. They enable basic functions such as social media sharing. Switching off these cookies will mean that areas of our website can't work properly.

Save preferences