PCM
+
Operation Manual 1
Section 1 – Introduction
1.1 About this manual
This manual provides pipeline surveyors with
comprehensive operating instructions for the PCM
+
Transmitter and Receiver system. Before operating the
PCM
+
system it is very important that you read this
manual, noting all safety warnings and procedures.
Note this manual introduces Radiodetection’s
PCM
+
SurveyCERT
™
PDA and PC software applications
but does not provide any installation or operating
instructions. The software manual is available to download
at
www.radiodetection.com/pcm+
.
Following is an overview of the PCM
+
system and a brief
introduction to the PCM
+
receiver and transmitter.
1.2 Manual outline
Sections 2 and 3 provide a detailed explanation of
the transmitter and receiver features.
Section 4 provides an overview to basic locating
using the PCM
+
system and includes several
procedures and examples.
Section 5 introduces the PCM
+
receiver’s
measurement and recording utilities.
Section 6 provides several real-world applications of
PCM
+
use in the field.
Section 7 introduces the PCM
+
A-Frame.
Section 8 explains how to interpret logged results.
Section 9 introduces the basic concept of the PCM
+
SurveyCERT
™
PC and PDA software.
Section 10 is an appendix that provides advanced
configurations and specification details.
1.3 Overview of the PCM
+
System
Radiodetection’s Pipeline Current Mapper (PCM
+
) system
enables the pipeline industry surveyor to overcome the
limitations of existing techniques used in evaluating the
effectiveness of cathodic protected pipes. This new
technology enables shorts caused by contact with other
metallic structures and coating defects to be identified.
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Traditional Cathodic Protection (CP) surveys measure
the voltage potential of the pipe with respect to the earth
around it to show that the pipe is protected against
corrosion. Some pipes, due to coating degradation or
damage have low protection voltages and are at risk of
increased corrosion damage. Simple Ohms law shows
that adding more current will cause more voltage, but
higher rectifier output voltages have been shown to
speed the degradation of coatings. Another side effect
is that more current flowing can cause embrittlement of
the pipeline metal leading to premature (and possibly
catastrophic) failures.
The PCM
+
provides a new method to locate faults and
poor coating that is draining the current, resulting in
improved potentials and minimising damaging side
effects. A PCM
+
with the addition of the new A-Frame can
perform a Close Interval Potential Survey (CIPS) as current
flow and voltage potentials are related but other factors
vary this relation.
PCM
+
System features
Consists of a portable transmitter and a handheld
receiver. The transmitter applies a special near DC
signal to the pipeline.
The receiver locates this unique signal on the
pipeline and displays the signal’s current magnitude
and direction without connection to the pipeline.
Accurately and easily locates and maps the pipeline
even in areas where there is contact with other
metallic structures, interference, or congestion.
Provides a current profile and current direction that is
virtually the same as the CP currents on the pipeline.
Provides an accurate evaluation of the condition of
the coating of a section of pipe.
Reduces false indications and thereby minimizes
unnecessary excavations.
Provides data logging and on-site review of readings
via Bluetooth
®
to a PDA or PC to enable graphs to
be generated.
Can be supplied with an accessory A-Frame, and
used to pinpoint coating defects.
Reduces operational and maintenance costs and
speeds up survey time.
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