CABLE INSTALLATION OF CATHODIC PROTECTION
Underground cables
- Cathodic protection cables shall be handled and laid with extreme care as damage to the insulation and/or sheathing may result in premature cable failure. During installation the cable reel shall be supported so that cable may be pulled from the reel without causing kinking or twisting.
- The cable type and size shall be checked for compliance with the design. Underground cables shall be identified by colour or tags.
- Cables shall be installed at the specified depth in sand padding and cable warning tape and/or cable tiles shall be used.
- Cable runs shall be of one continuous length. Joints shall not be acceptable except with the written permission of the Principal.
- Cable joints shall be made using an approved splice and sealed using splice encapsulation kits.
- Any damage to the cable insulation or sheathing of all cables, including anode connection cables, shall be reported.
- All proposed repairs shall be implemented only after approval.
Underwater cables
Underwater cables for anodes, permanent reference cells or other test facilities should be double insulated and armoured and be run in one continuous length. Underwater cable splices are not allowed.
Cables running to the surface along the structure shall be supported by strapping to the structure or be run in protective conduit. In the tidal and wave zone, cables shall always be run in conduit.
On the structure’s deck, from the point of suspension to the current source or junction box, anode cables shall be run in protective conduit or in cable trays.
Cables running on the sea bed shall preferably be buried. Cables running from the sea bottom onto the shore shall be protected from wave action. In the beach/shore area they shall be run inside a continuous length of protective conduit and be buried at sufficient depth to prevent being washed out. At the end of the conduit the cable shall be protected from wear caused by rubbing against the conduit.
Cable to structure connection
The method of attachment to the structure may vary according to circumstances.
Whichever method is selected, care should be taken to ensure that a sound electrical connection is made.
The cable to structure connection shall be checked for mechanical strength prior to final backfilling.
All below-ground electrical connections shall be fully encapsulated to comply with the original coating standards before backfilling.