Which code addresses Cathodic Protection?

Which code addresses Cathodic Protection?

• A. API 651
• B. API 510
• C. API 578
• D. ASME Section IX

Answer: (A)

Cathodic protection is a corrosion-control approach used for steel buried piping and tanks, where the structure is made more electronegative so it becomes the cathode and corrosion at the surface is suppressed. API 651 specifically addresses cathodic protection for buried steel piping and tanks, and it lays out how to design, install, test, and maintain CP systems, including how to establish proper electrical isolation, choose and place anode beds or impressed-current systems, and verify effectiveness with potential measurements. This makes it the most relevant standard for CP among the options. The other codes govern different aspects of piping integrity. API 510 focuses on in-service inspection of piping and related equipment; API 578 deals with corrosion risk assessment and mitigation more broadly but not the detailed CP system design and testing; ASME Section IX covers welding and brazing qualifications, not corrosion protection methods.

Cathodic protection is a corrosion-control approach used for steel buried piping and tanks, where the structure is made more electronegative so it becomes the cathode and corrosion at the surface is suppressed. API 651 specifically addresses cathodic protection for buried steel piping and tanks, and it lays out how to design, install, test, and maintain CP systems, including how to establish proper electrical isolation, choose and place anode beds or impressed-current systems, and verify effectiveness with potential measurements. This makes it the most relevant standard for CP among the options.

The other codes govern different aspects of piping integrity. API 510 focuses on in-service inspection of piping and related equipment; API 578 deals with corrosion risk assessment and mitigation more broadly but not the detailed CP system design and testing; ASME Section IX covers welding and brazing qualifications, not corrosion protection methods.