Handbook of Electrical Installation Practice - BeKnowledge

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 8
Cathodic Protection
J.D. Thirkettle, MICorr, MNACE
G. Clapp, MA, MSc
Revised by J.D. Thirkettle, MICorr, MNACE
(Senior Corrosion Technologist, ACEL/NECE)
Cathodic protection is a dynamic electrochemical process for the prevention of
metallic structures which are buried, immersed or otherwise in contact with an electrolyte.
Structures to which cathodic protection may be typically applied include
pipelines, tank farms, plant pipework, steel work, well casings, sheet and tubular pile
systems, jetties, piers, offshore facilities, production platforms, and ships. In addition
to the above, cathodic protection is now commonly used for corrosion prevention
of above ground structural steel and reinforcing steel in concrete.
Standards and normative documentation
Cathodic protection in the UK is generally carried out in accordance with the appropriate
British Standards. These are:
•
•
BS 7361, Cathodic protection: Part I: Code of practice for land and marine
applications
BS 5493: Code of practice for the coating of iron and steel structures against
corrosion.
Other normative documentation is available from:
•
•
•
•
•
Institute of Corrosion (UK)
National Association of Corrosion Engineers (USA)
Society for the Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete (UK)
European Standards
Corporate standards issued by operating organisations.
European Standards are currently in draft or more advanced stages of preparation.
These are likely, in some cases, to replace or supplement British Standards. The
British Standards Institute will advise whether European standards will replace
British Standards or Codes of Practice.
180