Work Instruction No.
:
Asset Protection
Cathodic Protection
Impressed Current Potential Measurement
Survey
1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this work instruction is to
describe the requirements for conducting an
Instantaneous ‘OFF’ Potential Survey on a
metallic distribution or transmission gas
pipeline. All works shall be carried out to
comply with all Apt O&MS Health, Safety and
Environmental Management Systems and
meet the requirements of all relevant statutory
gas supply legislation.
2 REFERENCES
9019 Cathodic Protection System
Maintenance and Testing Procedure
3 GENERAL INFORMATION
When the potential of a cathodically protected
pipeline is measured with the current on, the
measurement includes a component
originating from the passage of protective
current through the electrical resistance
between the pipeline and the reference
electrode. When the current is switched off
the resistive component of the potential will
collapse immediately while the polarised
component will decay. Therefore, if the
pipeline-to-soil potential is measured
immediately after the protective current is
interrupted, the reading will include the
polarized potential, excluding the resistive
component, and will indicate whether or not
protection has been achieved.
Periodic Instantaneous ‘OFF’ Potential
Surveys should be carried out on pipelines
with impressed current cathodic protection
systems. Generally, six monthly potential
surveys are required for pipelines located in
suburban areas and 12 monthly surveys are
required for pipelines located in rural areas.
4 PROCEDURE
• Using district plans, route maps and other
relevant documentation determine the
location of all Cathodic Protection Units
and associated test points on the pipeline
Issue 2 October 2007
6615
Approved by: Manager
Pipeline Standards
that will be subjected to the instantaneous
off potential survey.
• In areas effected by AC and DC stray
currents, testing may need to be
conducted overnight when traction
systems have reduced traction stray
current.
• Place current interrupters or time clocks
(where they are not permanently fitted) in
each Cathodic Protection Unit associated
with the pipeline.
• Set the interrupter or time clock to switch
the current ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ at intervals that
do not significantly reduce the pipeline
polarisation. Typically this would be 5
seconds ‘OFF’ and 25 seconds ‘ON’.
• Where there is more than one source of
cathodic protection current then all sources
that may influence the readings shall be
switched simultaneously using
synchronised switching.
• Visit and visually inspect each pipeline test
point and repair or report on any anomalies
found.
• Using a voltmeter measure the ‘ON’ and
‘OFF’ potentials of the pipeline at all test
points relative to a calibrated Cu/CuS04
reference cell.
• Record the pipeline ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’
potential measurements at each location
for analysis.
• Electronic Data Loggers can also be used
to record potentials.
• Once testing is complete the cathodic
protection system must be returned to
normal operation.
4.1 Analysis of Potential Survey
• Review all survey measurements
recorded. The ‘OFF’ potential
readings should be equal to or more
negative than -850mV with respect
to a saturated copper/copper
sulphate reference electrode.
• Coating defects can have different
levels of polarisation depending on
their size, orientation, the soil
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 Impressed Current Potential Work Instruction No.:
Measurement Survey 6615

resistivity and aeration. When the

current flow is interrupted there may
be a current flow between defects,
resulting in resistive voltage drop
when taking ‘OFF’ potential
readings. ‘OFF’ potential
measurements can also contain
errors due to the readings being
unduly influenced by potential on
defects in low resistivity soils, which
will tend to be more protected than
defects in high resistivity soils.
These errors are generally smaller
than those present when taking ‘ON’
potential readings, but still require
consideration when assessing
potential levels.
• If Cathodic Protection Unit’s output
requires adjustment, adjust the
Cathodic Protection Unit’s output as
required.

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