ASME 831.8:2003, APPENDIX K CRITERIA FOR CATHODIC PROTECTION Reprinted with permission fom the National Association of Corosion Engneets’ RACE Standaré RPOI6, Section 6, ‘Asterisk () denetes wore change Hom NACE tex 6.4 Introduction 6.1.1. ‘The puxpose ofthis Appendix" is to list criteria for cathodic protection which, when complied with either separately or collectively, will indicate that ade- quate cathodic protection of a metalic system in its electrolyte has been achieved. 6.2 General 6.2.4 The objective of using cathodic protection is, to control the corrosion of metallic surfaces in contact with electrolyte. 62.2 The selection of a particular criterion for achieving the objective in 62.1 depends, in part, upon past experience with similar structures and environ- ments wherein the eriterion has been used successfully 6.2.3 Thecriteria in Section 6.3 have been developed through laboratory experiment or empirically deter- mined by evaluating data obtained from successfully ‘operated cathodic protection systems. It is not intended that the operating company” be limited to these criteria ifitcan be demonstrated by other means that the control of corrosion has been achieved. 6.2.4 Voltage measurements on pipelines are to be made with the reference electrode located on the electro- lyte surface as close as feasible to the structure surface being investigated. Consideration shall be given to volt- age (IR) drops other than those across the structure electrolyte boundary, the presence of dissimilar metals, and the influence of other structures for vali interpreta- tion of voltage measurements.* 6.2.5 No one criterion for evaluating the effective ness of cathodic protection has proven to be satisfactory for all conditions. Often a combination of criteria is needed for a single structure. 6.3 Criteria 63.1 Steel and Cast Iron Structures 6.3.1.1 A negative (cathodic) voltage of at least 1085 volt as measured between the structure suzface and. a saturated copper-copper sulfate reference electrode contacting the electrolyte. Determination ofthis voltage is to be made with the protective current applied. ui ‘Copyright © 2004 bythe American Sociey of Mechanical Eagineas 63.1.2 A minimum negative (cathodic) voltage shift of 300 millivolts, produced by the application of protective current. The voltage shift is measured between the structure surface and a saturated copper- copper sulfate reference electrode contacting the electro lyte. This criterion of voltage shift applies to structures rot in contact with dissimilar metals 6.3.1.3 A minimum negative (cathodic) polariza- tion voltage shift of 100 millivolts measured betsveen the structure surface and a saturated copper-copper sulfate reference electrode contacting the electrolyte. This polar ization voltage shift isto be determined by interrupting the protective current and measuring the polarization decay. When the current is initially interrupted, an immediate voltage shift will occur. The voltage reading, after the immediate shift, shall be used as the base reac ing from which to measure polarization decay. 63.1.4 A structureto-electrolyte voltage at least as negative (cathodic) as that originally established at the beginning of the Tafel segment of the E-log-1 curve, ‘This structure-to-electrolyte voltage shall be measured between the structure surface and a saturated copper- copper sulfate reference electrode contacting the electro Iyte at the same location where voltage measurements were taken to obtain the E-loge-l-cusve, 6.3.1.5 A net protective current from the electro: lyte into the structure surface as measuired by an earth current technique applied at predetermined cusrent dis- charge (anodic) points of the structure, 6.3.2 Aluminum Structures 6.3.2.1 A minimum negative (cathodic) voltage shift of 150 millivolts, produced by the application of protective current. The voltage shift is measured between the structure surface and a saturated copper: copper sulfate reference electzode contacting the electro lyte. See precautionary notes in 6.32.3 and 63.2.4 6.3.2.2 A minimum negative (cathodic) polariza- tion voltage shift of 100 millivolts, measured between the structure surface and a saturated copper-copper sulfate reference electrode contacting the electrolyte. This polar- ization voltage shift is to be determined by interrupting, the protective current and measuring polarization decay:‘ASME 831.8-2002 When the current is initially interrupted, an immediate voltage shift will occur. The voltage reading, after the immediate shift shall be used as the base reading from which to measure polarization decay. See precautionary notes in 6.323 and 632.4. 63.2.3 PRECAUTIONARY NOTE — Excessive Voltages: Notwithstanding the alternative minimum cri- teria in 632.1 and 6322, aluminum, if cathodically protected at voltages in excess of 1.20 volts measured between the structure surface and a saturated copper- copper sulfate reference electrode contacting the electro- lyte ancl compensated for the voltage (IK) drops other than those actoss the structure-electrolyte boundary, ‘may suffer corrosion resulting from the buildup of alkali ‘on the metal surface. A voltage in excess of 1.20 volts should not be used unless previous test results indicate ro appreciable corrosion will occur in the particular environment. 6.3.2.4 PRECAUTIONARY NOTE — Alkaline Soil Conditions: Since aluminum may suffer from corrosion under high pH conditions and since application of cathodic protection tends to increase the pHT at the metal surface, careful investigation or testing should be made before applying cathodic protection to stop pitting attack on aluminum structures in environments with a natural pH in excess of 80. 6.3.3 Copper Structures 6.3.3.1 A minimum negative (cathodic) polariza- tion voltage shift of 100 millivolts measured between the structure surface and saturated copper-copper sulfate reference electrode in the electrolyte. This polarization voltage shift is to be determined by interrupting the protective current and measuring the polarization decay. When the current is initially interrupted, immediate voltage shift will occur, The voltage reading after the immediate shift shall be used as the base reading from ‘which to measure polarization decay. ‘Copyright © 2008 by the Am APPENDIX K 6.3.4 Dissimilar Metal Structure 6.3.44 A negative (cathodic) voltage, between all structure surfaces and a saturated copper-copper sulfate reference electrode contacting. the electrolyte, equal to that required for the most anodic metal should be main- tained. If amphoteric structures are involved that could. ‘be damaged by high alkalinity (see precautionary notes in6.3.23 and 6324), they should be electrically isolated vith insulating flanges or the equivalent. 6.44 Alternative Reference Electrodes 6.4.1 Other standard reference electrodes may be substituted for the saturated copper-copper sulfate ret- erence electrodes. Two commonly used electrodes are listed below along with their voltage equivalent to -0.85 volt referred to saturated copper-copper sulfate refer- ence electrode: 6.4.1.4. Saturated! KCI calomel reference electrode: -078 volt. 6.4.1.2. Silversilver chloride reference electrode used in sea water: -0.80 volt. 6.4.2 In addition to these standard reference elec- trocles, an alternative metallic material or structure may bbe used in place of the saturated copper-copper sulfate reference electrode ifthe stability of its electrode poten- tial is assured and if its voltage equivalent referred to a saturated copper-copper sulfate reference electrode is established, 65. Spe 6.5.4 Special cases, such as stray currents and stray electrical gradients, may exist which require the use of criteria different from those listed above. Measurements of current loss and gain on the structure and. current ‘racing in the electrolyte have been useful in such cases. Considerations 6.5.2 Abnormal conditions sometimes exist where protection is ineffective or only partially effective. Such conditions may include elevated temperatures, ise bonded coatings, shielding, bacterial attack, and unusual contaminants in the electrolyte, rou