Underground Corrosion Control
3:26
CP 1 – Cathodic Protection Tester Course Manual
©
NACE International, 2000
02/01/05
IR DROP
Since cathodic protection is a polarization phenomenon, the polarized
potential of a structure must be measured to determine the level of protection.
Polarized potential
can be defined as the potential across the structure-to-
electrolyte boundary (interface); this is the sum of the corrosion potential and
the cathodic polarization.
Thus, the potential of interest is the polarized potential across the structure-
to-electrolyte boundary. When a potential is measured, however, the result
is the algebraic sum of all the voltage drops in the measuring circuit, as
shown in Figure 3.9.
Resistances
Measuring Lead (+)
Contact Lead (+)/Ref. Cell
Reference Cell
Contact Reference Cell
to Electrolyte
Electrolyte
Polarization
Structure
Contact Test Lead/Structure
Test Lead
Contact Test/Measuring
Lead
Measuring Lead (-)
Internal Meter
−
.900 v
−
+
Polarization
Film
Structure
Electrolyte
Reference
Cell
Voltmeter
Measurement
& C.P. current
across
electrolyte
−
.900 v
−
+
Polarization
Film
Structure
Electrolyte
Reference
Cell
Voltmeter
Measurement
& C.P. current
across
electrolyte
Figure 3.9 Voltage Drops in a Measuring Circuit
For a measured potential to represent the polarized potential across the
structure-to-electrolyte interface, all other voltage drops in the measuring
circuit must be negligible. Since voltage (or IR drop) is a product of current
and resistance, voltage decreases when either current or resistance
decreases. Current usually refers to the applied cathodic protection current;
the measurement current (current required to operate the meter) or stray
currents can be significant, however. The measurement circuit current is
small if the input resistance of the meter is large. This is one reason why
Summary of Contents for CP 1
Page 1: ...CP 1 Cathodic Protection Tester Course Manual February 2005 NACE International 2000 ...
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