TechData Sheet

Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center

Port Hueneme, California 93043-4328

TDS-2021-SHR June 1995

CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEM

DESIGN II-
Electrolyte Resistivity Measurement
Electrolyte resistivity is an important parameter in the the material in the soil box is calculated by dividing the
design of cathodic protection systems. As cathodic protec- measured voltage by the current flow in accordance with
tion systems are essentially direct current electrical circuits, ohms law:
the currents that flow in the circuits depend on the electrical
resistance between the circuit elements. For determining the Formula 1
current flow between anodes and the structure to be pro-
tected, this resistance value depends on the resistivity of the V V
I = _ or R = -
environment and the geometry of the current flow paths. R I
Electrolyte resistivity differs from resistance in that resistiv-
ity is a characteristic of a material whereas the actual resist- The geometry of the soil box, particularly the area of the
ance depends on both resistivity of the material and the metallic end plates, the cross sectional area of the box, and
geometry of the current flow. Tue commonly used unit of
resistivity is the ohm-centimeter (ohm-cm). The unit can be
1 cm cube
defined as the resistance of a cube of the environment that is of material
one centimeter long on each edge where the resistance is 1 cm
measured across opposite faces as shown in Figure 1. In
actuality, the true units of measurement are:

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The closest that people in the corrosion field actually

come to measuring material resistivity in this manner is the
use of the soil box. A soil box and the resistivity measuring
circuit are shown in Figure 2. A measured current (I) is
passed through the box between the metallic end plates. The
Resistance measured between two opposite faces
voltage (V) between the pins is then measured. This method (crosshatched) gives resistivity of material in ohm-cm.
eliminates possible errors that might occur due to surface
resistance of the end plates. The measured resistance (R) of Figure 1. Concept of resistivity measurement and units.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

 Metal End Plates rent is passed through the outer set of pins and the resulting
VoltagePins
voltage difference between the inner set of pins is measured.
The resistivity is computed using the formula:

Formula 2
I (amperes)
Resistivity (ohm-cm) = 191.5 x pin spacing in feet x
E (volts)

Some instruments that are specifically designed for measuring

-- soil resistivity using the Wenner 4-pin method read directly in
ohms. The formula for calculating resistivity then becomes:

-y#- H'l H <z> Formula 3

Resistivity (ohm-cm) = 191.5 x pin spacing in feet x R (ohms)

Figure 2. Soil box and resistivity measuring circuit.
the spacing of the voltage pins is designed so that one As electrical currents can flow in the soil independent of the
ohm of measured resistance is equivalent to a resistivity current that is passed between the outer pins, there could be
of the material in the box of one ohm-cm. some error in the measurement of the voltage between the inner
A combination meter having internal batteries, current pins. When using a direct current source, this error can be
control through variable resistors, and dual meters for minimized by measuring the change in voltage when the cur-
simultaneous measurement of the current is the most con- rent is applied between the outer pins. The formula for calcu-
venient instrument for making the voltage and current lating resistivity then becomes:
measurements in the soil box resistivity measurement, but
any accurately measured current source in combination
with any high impedance voltmeter can be used.
Using the soil box to measure soil resistivity is not a
reliable method. The soil is disturbed during sampling,
the moisture content can change from its in-situ
moisture content and packing of the soil in the Metal pins at equal spacing
soil box prior to measurement may not reflect _^~ (D) and in a straight line.

actual in-situ compaction.

The primary use of the soil box is to measure
me resistivity of water samples. In measuring wa-
ter resistivity, the problems usually encountered
are with getting the box completely full and con-
tamination of die water sample. Filling problems Voltage Connections
and Current Connections
can be handled by careful leveling and filling of Lead Wires and
Lead Wires
the soil box. Water sample contamination can be
minimized by thoroughly rinsing the box with
demineralized or distilled water, then rinsing the Plan View
soil box with a portion of the sample before fill-
ing the box with the sample water. If two subse-
quent fillings of the soil box with the sample
Metal pins at equal spacing
water then give the same resistance, minimal im- (D) and In a straight line.
pact of contamination on the resistivity measure-
ment is indicated.
Soil resistivity is most reliably measured using
in-situ measurement techniques. In these measure-
ments, problems with sampling, moisture content Measures average
soil resistivity to
variations during handling and shipping and soil Current
Pins a depth equal to
pin spacing (D).
compaction are eliminated. The most commonly
used and most reliable method of measuring soil
resistivity for cathodic protection system design is
the Wenner 4-pin method. In this method, as Section
shown in Figure 3, four metal pins are driven
into the soil at regular intervals. A measured cur- Figure 3. Wenner 4-pin soil resistivity measurement setup.
Formula 4 In the Wenner 4-pin method, the average resistivity of
the soil to a depth equal to the spacing of the pins is
I (amperes) measured. As long as good electrical contact with the soil
Resistivity (ohm-cm) = 191.5 x pin spacing in feet x
AE (volts) is obtained, the measurement does not depend on the size
of the pins or the depth to which they are driven. The
where AE = change in voltage that occurs when the current is resistivity of the soil is different at different depths due
applied between the outer pins. primarily to variations in soil composition and moisture
When using a direct current source, this error can also be content. The resistivity at a depth equal to the burial
minimized by making two measurements, reversing the current depth of the structure and at a depth equal to the burial
flow between the outer pins between measurements, and aver- depth of the anodes is important in the design of cathodic
aging the results. protection systems. In practice, the soil resistivity is usu-
The most convenient method for measuring the current and ally measured using several pin spacings and the varia-
voltage between the pins is to use a specially built instrument. tion in resistivity with depth is determined using one of
These commercially available instruments apply an alternat- several numerical calculation methods. The Barnes Method
ing current to the outer pins (different from the 60 Hertz cur- is used for determining the variation of soil resistivity
rent that flows in the ground and would cause measurement with depth based on Wenner 4-pin measurements made
errors). The voltage between the inner pins at that frequency is with several different pin spacings.
measured and an internal circuit converts the current/voltage
measurements to a direct reading in ohms. The soil resistivity
is then calculated using Formula 3.

NFESC CONTACTS

Mr. Jim Jenkins, Code ESC63

Waterfront Materials Division
Comm: (805) 982-4797, DSN: 551-4797
FAX: (805)981-1197
or
Answering Machine: Comm (805) 982-4070, DSN: 551-4070

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June 1995
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CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEM DESIGN II - Electrolyte

Resistivity Measurement
6. AUTHORIS)

Jim Jenkins

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESSEISI 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPT

NUMBER
Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center
Port Hueneme, CA 93043-4328 TDS-2021-SHR

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11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)

Electrolyte resistivity is an important parameter in the design of cathodic protection systems. As

cathodic protection systems are essentially direct current electrical circuits, the currents that flow in the
circuits depend on the electrical resistance between the circuit elements. Electrolyte resistivity differs
from resistance in that resistivity is a characteristic of a material whereas the actual resistance depends
on both resistivity of the material and the geometry of the current flow.

^WAunmsmvim 9

14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES

Cathodic protection system design, electrolyte resistivity measurement, soil resistivity, water 3
resistivity 16. PRICE CODE

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 20. LIMITATION OF
OF REPORT OF THIS PAGE OF ABSTRACT ABSTRACT

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