National foreword

This British Standard is the official English language version of EN 13509:2003.

Attention is drawn to the fact that BS 7361‑1:1991, Cathodic protection — Part 1: Code of practice for land and marine applications, provides general information on cathodic protection. Note that BS 7361‑1:1991 will eventually be withdrawn when all the CEN standards relating to cathodic protection currently being prepared are published.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee GEL/603, Cathodic protection, which has the responsibility to:

aid enquirers to understand the text;
present to the responsible international/European committee any enquiries on the interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the UK interests informed;
monitor related international and European developments and promulgate them in the UK.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

Cross-references

The British Standards which implement international or European publications referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Catalogue under the section entitled “International Standards Correspondence Index”, or by using the “Search” facility of the BSI Electronic Catalogue or of British Standards Online.

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard, was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 23 June 2003

Summary of pages

This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page, pages 2 to 38, an inside back cover and a back cover.

The BSI copyright date displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Foreword

This document (EN 13509:2003) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 219 “Cathodic protection“, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2003, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2003.

This European Standard should be considered as a basic document developing general measurement techniques applicable for the protection of buried or immersed metallic structures.

Annexes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, J and K are informative.

Annex H is normative.

This document includes a Bibliography.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Introduction

This European Standard describes the principles of the different methods of measurement used to assist in the design of the cathodic protection system of a buried or immersed metallic structure, for the verification of its effectiveness and finally for its optimum operational conditions.

It deals in particular with the measurement of the structure to electrolyte potential, which indicates whether or not the cathodic protection criterion for the structure is met.

Apart from specifying the factors, which may influence the measurement of the potential, this European Standard describes the different techniques possible and their suitability in various situations.

Further, this European Standard provides parameters to be controlled and measurements to be carried out (potential, potential gradient, current and resistance measurements) to ensure the correct functioning of the cathodic protection system and its effectiveness for the entire structure.

Several measurement methods described in general terms in the body of the standard are explained in more detail in annexes. These methods differ from one another to account for differences in type or state of the structure, the local environment and the degree of accuracy selected.

Measurements on buried structures that are not easily accessible e.g. pipe networks in urban areas are difficult to implement and interpret. To take measurements without the full knowledge of the problems associated with the measurement technique renders the interpretation of the measurements difficult and leads to incorrect decisions.

One of the clauses of this European Standard therefore outlines the difficulties encountered when measuring structure to electrolyte potentials, and suggests several methods of measurement that take into account, or avoid, these difficulties.

Based on knowledge and experience, the most suitable measurement techniques can be selected as described in this European Standard.

In order to achieve effective and efficient cathodic protection, measurements should be performed by trained, experienced and responsible personnel.

Instrumentation used for measurement should be kept in good working order and should be subjected to periodical calibration and safety checks.

1 Scope

This European Standard deals with the cathodic protection against corrosion of buried or immersed metallic structures, detailing the measuring methods to be used for assessing the effectiveness of cathodic protection as well as the measurements and measures taken to monitor cathodic protection during operation.

Throughout the text, the measurement techniques are described primarily for pipelines.

However, they are sufficiently general to apply to other kinds of buried or immersed (except offshore) structures.

General principles with regard to cathodic protection are described in EN 12954. Other measurement methods specific to particular cases are described in other European Standards e.g. prEN 50162.

2 Normative references

3 Terms, definitions and symbols

3.1 Terms and definitions

3.2 Symbols

4 Buried structure to electrolyte potential

4.1 Electrical equipment

4.2 Potential measurement

4.3 Factors influencing the potential measurement

4.4 Potential measurement techniques

5 Immersed structure to electrolyte potential

5.1 Electrical equipment

5.2 Potential measurements

6 Other measurements

6.1 Current measurements (d.c.)

6.2 Isolating joints

6.3 Foreign structures

6.4 Coating

Bibliography

BS EN 13509:2003

Cathodic protection measurement techniques

Current

Published:

23 Jun 2003