[max6333]

Sometimes, when the resistance of my electrolyte is too small my carbon electrodes explode at the part where they're trouching the water, is that because of overheating?If not how to prevent it?

[billnotgatez]

Out of curiosity
how did you acquire the carbon rods and what is the electrolyte ?

[Enthalpy]

Heat alone doesn't do much to carbon. It can get yellow hot without destruction.
What do you call "explode"? And how much current do you use: 100A? 10kA? Do you see sparks?

I could imagine that the electrolyte vaporizes brutally where the electrode touches it, and the bubble's pressure breaks the electrode. Or better, the sparks (if any) erode the electrodes.

Less obvious things happen with graphite, for instance soaking hydrogen over time. Back to normal state might release energy.

[max6333]

I meant graphite not carbon, it explodes in solution of sodium bicarbonate(super saturated). Also they explode if i just touch them with wires.I tryed some other electrode that I think was just carbon , it was less violent but still let of big sparks when touched with wires(it also set on fire somehow at one point)

[curiouscat]

Describe your voltage source.

[max6333]

19 V max 3 amps