Evaluation of Interference Effect of Impressed Current Anode Depth on an Underground Metallic Utility

Abstract

In order to clarify the relationship between the anode buried depth and the interference effect in a cathodic protection of impressed current system, evaluation by field tests and the finite element analysis were carried out. Evaluation parameters of the interference effect were the ground surface potential distribution formed by an anode and a cathode, and the internal current in a simulated underground metallic utility. Changes of these parameters were measured and observed by change of the buried depth of the anode. As a result, when protection current was small and the distance between the underground metallic utility and the cathode was 1 m, it showed that interference effect did not depend on anode buried depth.