In many situations, a cathodic protection engineer, technician, or inspector needs to have general information and generic datasheets about CP materials. For example, as a CP engineer in the field or in the office, you may need data about anodes, cables, or internal components. Therefore, the CCPTools mobile application has a materials section to support you. While the first revision of CCPTools provides only generic information, the updated version will soon include technical sheets.
Sections of Cathodic Protection Materials
Categorizing cathodic protection materials from their application and production process is not simple. As a result, it is better to focus separately on each component. In the materials section of CCPTools, we have tried to cover all the main components of CP systems. The anodes subsection covers the most common anode types: Ti-MMO, High silicon cast iron, Mg, Al, Zn, and lead-silver. The transformer rectifier subsection presents different aspects of the TRs, in addition to some specific types like solar and thermoelectric power supplies. There are three main parts in the backfill section: coke and backfill for sacrificial anodes and reference electrodes. Coke is the main Impressed Current CP system (ICCP) anode backfill. Although there is some similarity between backfill for sacrificial anodes and reference electrodes, they are present in two separate sections.
As a CP engineer, some general information on cables is essential: for example, isolation materials and the resistivity of different sizes. Different countries use different box types and shapes, but some aspects are similar, so it is good to know about them. Likewise, monitoring is an integral part of modern CP systems. A specific subsection provides information about the applied technologies. The “other materials” subsection covers miscellaneous parts, including cable-to-structure technologies, splicing kits, coating repair materials, and markers.
In the first revision of CCPTools, all the information is generic, but updates will add more complete data over time.
Structure of CP Materials Section in CCPTools
- MATERIALS used in cathodic protection, such as
- Anodes (MMO, HSCI, Mg, Al, Zn, and lead-silver)
- Transformer rectifiers (controlling mode, cooling mode, enclosure, ripple, switching, solar, and thermoelectric)
- Backfill (Coke, sacrificial anode backfill, and reference electrode backfill)
- Cables (Types, applications, and datasheets)
- Boxes (Safe and Ex types, plus internal components like shunts and resistors)
- Monitoring (applicable for TRs and test points)
- Other materials (cable-to-structure instruments such as those used for thermite welding or pin brazing, cable-to-cable connections such as splicing kits, coating repair materials, and markers)