Understanding API ICP653 Reading 7-Worksheet-04 Part1

API651: 11.3.2 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Cathodic
Protection Facilities
11.3.2.1 Inspection and tests of cathodic protection facilities should be made
to ensure their proper operation and maintenance.
11.3.2.2 All sources of impressed current should be checked at intervals not
exceeding two months unless specified otherwise by regulation. Evidence of
proper function may be current output, normal power consumption, a signal
indicating normal operation, or satisfactory electrical state of the protected
structure. A satisfactory comparison between the rectifier operation on a
bimonthly basis and the rectifier operation during the annual survey implies
the protected status of affected structures is similar. This does not take into
account possible effects of foreign current sources.
11.3.2.3 All impressed current protective facilities should be inspected
annually as part of a preventive maintenance program to minimize in-service
failure. Inspections should include a check of the general condition, including
electrical shorts, ground connections, rectifier meter accuracy, efficiency, and
circuit resistance.
11.3.2.4 The effectiveness of isolating devices and continuity bonds should
be evaluated during the periodic surveys. This can be accomplished by onsite
inspection or by evaluating cathodic protection test data.
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang