ANODIC AND CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEM

A metallic structure in contact with an electrolyte (typically soil or water) usually includes anodic sites, where oxidation (corrosion) occurs, and cathodic sites, where reduction (protection) occurs. Cathodic protection (CP) is a technique to reduce the corrosion of a metal surface by making that entire structure the cathode of an electrochemical cell—that is the derivation of the term. This is typically accomplished by discharging current from an external anode so that current will flow through the electrolyte to, instead of away from, the original anodic sites on the structure surface.