Intelligent test stations, also known as GPRS intelligent potential collectors, can be used for remote real-time monitoring of cathodic protection data. Their convenient networking methods and precise measurements make them widely applicable. With the rise of mobile internet, measurement data can be remotely viewed or analyzed via mobile devices or computers.
The GPRS intelligent potential collector series adopts a new modular design concept, offering better compatibility and expandability, facilitating future product upgrades.
Product Features
1. Automatically collects the protective potential of the protected pipeline or pipeline network, utilizing the communication transmission platform of mobile companies.
2. Allows instant reception of the protective potential of pipelines or pipeline networks in the office via computer terminals.
3. Solar energy is used to address the lack of municipal electricity along the route. Solar energy is converted into electricity to power the test station, enabling instant automatic reception of protective potential without worrying about the availability of municipal electricity.
4. This solar-powered intelligent test station eliminates decades of field hardships, saving time and effort, and achieves automation and intelligence in potential detection work.
The test station consists of inner and outer galvanized pipes, detection wires, and detection connectors. Detection connectors are available in three types: six, eight, or ten connectors, and can be customized according to user requirements. Test stations come in two full heights: 3 meters or 2 meters, with a diameter of 0.1 meters.
Cathodic protection test devices should be installed simultaneously with the cathodic protection system. Test devices should be deployed along the pipeline route, with intervals between adjacent test devices not exceeding 3 km. In urban or industrial areas, intervals should not exceed 1 km; in areas affected by stray current interference, test devices may be appropriately denser. Test devices should be installed above the pipeline and marked. Intelligent test stations should monitor the following parameters: pipe-to-soil DC potential, coupon interruption potential, coupon current; AC voltage, AC current. The area of the DC potential coupon should be 6.5–10 cm2, and the area of the AC coupon should be 1.0 cm2.
For regional cathodic protection at stations, it is not recommended to install test stations. Instead, reference tubes should be buried at locations where pipe-to-soil potential measurements are needed to facilitate the placement of portable reference electrodes. Any metal exposed above ground can serve as a contact point for the red probe during measurements. Since all pipelines within the station are interconnected and form an equipotential body, connecting to the station structure at any location will not affect the potential reading.
(1) Test devices should be installed at the following locations:
① Insulating joints;
② Metal casing locations;
③ Connection points of coupons and drainage grounding devices;
④ Locations of auxiliary anodes and sacrificial anodes;
⑤ Pipeline directional drilling crossing points.
(2) Intelligent test stations should be installed at the following locations:
① Locations with discontinuous pipeline features (elbows, high-voltage line phase changes, turning points);
② Locations with low soil resistivity;
③ Cathodic protection station convergence points and midpoints;
④ Locations with DC interference.
(3) Other considerations:
① Install potential coupons along the pipeline every 5–10 km;
② When metal casings have high-quality coatings, leave 2 m of exposed sections at both ends of the casing;
③ Ensure electrical continuity between valve room instruments and the valve body, with the valve body connected to the ground grid via lightning arresters or DC decouplers;
④ Install surge protection devices at all insulating isolation points.