Smelting requires extremely large DC currents, often in excess of 320 kA, to facilitate the production of commercial quantities of aluminium using the reduction process. The DC load consists of one or more potlines, which in turn are made up of many series-connected reduction cells, often in groups of 250 or more. Each cell has a nominal operating voltage which is controlled to around 4.0-4.5 V. The reduction cell is constructed with a movable carbon anode, electrolyte, aluminium cathode, cathode carbon and steel collector as shown in Figure 10.2. Figure 10.2 Simplified schematic of an aluminium reduction cell.