One of the most common anodes malfunctions appearing after its set up is uneven anode’s profile relief modification and protrusion formation, called “spikes”, “mushrooms” “deformations” and “cones”. Spikes can provide short circuits between anode and cathode, increase current fluctuations, carbon dust volume and noise.

Another kind of anodes malfunctions is cracking due to thermal shock, which strikes “cold” anode during its setup. Pieces, formed as a result, fall into bath, make a technological malfunction, increase carbon consumption and make cell operating more difficult.

One of the dangers of spikes formation is decrease of current efficiency and aluminium production economical and technical indices.

An overview of Russian and foreign author’s anodes malfunctions causes researches are presented in the paper.

The paper was prepared using the results, taken during the project 02.G25.31.0181 “Development of high performance energy saving aluminium reduction technology RA-550” implementation as a part of complex projects realization program of high efficiency production development, approved by Russian Federation government regulation №218 from April the 9^th, 2010.