corrosion protected pipe structure absorbs 2,500 amperes

[LouieB]

I have an instance where a pipe system with cathodic protection was the return path for a 2,500 ampere (estimated) surge. Is it usual to have over-voltage, lightning, or surge protection on CP generation transformers or rectifiers?

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[hacksaw]

only if you want to protect them, but the reality is that because you are dealing with such low dc volates about the only recourse is proper grounding and overvoltage protection

 

[LouieB]

Hacksaw,
Thanks for the feedback.

Is the overvoltage likely to be able to sink 2,500A? The agencies involved haven't located the low impedance return path for the current blast. The CP generator was not damaged in this instance and was reported to be in continuous operation.

Any clues about where 2,500A could be absorbed in 0.1 seconds in a natural gas pipe system?

 

[hacksaw]

Likely that the surge made it to ground before getting to your power supply. This is not surprising with impressed current designs; however, you should still design for over-voltage protection and proper equipment grounding.

 

[Lucre]

You might try contacting the people at the link below they produce an array of products for Corrosion control and Isolation up 100Kva if memory serves correctly.