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Corrosion Institute Training - NACE CP Course
NACE CATHODIC PROTECTION (CP) TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME
“The most comprehensive CP training available to industry” - Steve Nelson, Team Leader, Corrosion Services, Columbia Gas Transmission/Columbia Gulf Transmission.
The NACE Cathodic Protection Training and Certification Programme (CP) is a comprehensive programme for professionals in any industry, including pipelines, bridges, tanks, well casings, the maritime and offshore industries, coated steel and concrete, and water and wastewater systems. The programme is designed to give students a path for continued career-long professional development.
The programme includes four certification courses and moves from entry level (CP 1) to the most knowledgeable and experienced specialist level (CP 4). When students successfully complete the corresponding examinations they are eligible to apply for the related certification. Each CP course is an independent component of the programme and has a different skill and education level for entry, taking into account the student’s work experience, and mathematics and science background.
Whether you want to improve your career path through CP certification or enhance your skills and knowledge related to on-the-job performance through CP training, NACE CP courses ensure the in-depth understanding of cathodic protection that is critical to extending the operating life and integrity of your assets.
NACE CP Level 1 - Cathodic Protection Tester
The CP 1 – Cathodic Protection Tester course is an intensive six-day course presenting CP technology, which prepares students for the NACE Cathodic Protection Tester Certification examination. This course provides theoretical knowledge and practical fundamentals for testing of both galvanic and impressed current CP systems. Students receive the CP 1 - Cathodic Protection Tester manual on CD prior to the start of the course. A printed course manual and “Corrosion Control of Pipeline Corrosion” by Peabody are provided at the start of the course. Classroom instruction is comprised of instruction and hands-on training using equipment and instruments for CP testing. Course highlights include:
- Basic electricity
- Basic electrochemistry and corrosion fundamentals
- CP fundamentals
- Field measurements
- Identification of stray currents
- Installing CP components
- Monitoring CP systems
- Recordkeeping
- Safety specific to CP systems
- Troubleshooting
The course concludes with an open book written examination and a closed book practical examination. To receive the Cathodic Protection Tester certification, a student must pass each examination with 70% or greater.
Upon completion of the examinations, a Certified NACE Cathodic Protection Tester will possess (but not limited to) the following skills and knowledge:
- Understand the basics of electricity, electrochemistry, corrosion, and CP theory.
- Understand polarity related to current flow and metallic corrosion.
- Conduct tests to identify shorts and continuity tests in CP systems,
- Use test instruments to perform field tests, such as structure-to-soil potentials, voltage and current measurements, soil resistivity, pipe and cable location, and rectifier readings.
- Understand CP components including impressed current systems, galvanic anodes and test stations.
- Read shunts and understand their use in rectifiers, bonds and anodes.
- Perform periodic surveys to confirm the effectiveness of a CP system.
- Achieve knowledge of reference cells, their maintenance, use and required precautions.
- Learn basic location mapping, recordkeeping, and preparation of reports.
- Review safety factors specific to CP systems.
- Understand code requirements relevant to CP systems.
This course qualifies for five Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points through the Engineering Council of South Africa.
Who Should Attend
This course benefits anyone responsible for supervising CP systems, measuring the effectiveness of CP systems, and/or recording this data, including CP field personnel and technicians. Individuals pursuing certification as a NACE Cathodic Protection Tester should attend.
Prerequisites
The following prerequisites are recommended but not essential:
- Matriculation
- Six months of CP work experience
- Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations (simple algebra, fractions and conversions)
What You Need to Know to Succeed in this Course
Students with little CP experience may be successful in this course if they can grasp scientific concepts, can perform Mathematical calculations, and possess an understanding of electrical measurements. Ideally students should have at least six months of solid work experience in handling CP instruments under the supervision of an experienced CP Tester or CP Technician. If you are not sure if you possess the basic knowledge to pass CP 1, you access on-line a short introduction on Basic Mathematic assessment and Ohm’s Law at www.nace.org.
NACE CP Level 2 - Cathodic Protection Technician
The CP 2 – Cathodic Protection Technician course is an intensive six-day course presenting CP technology, which prepares students for the NACE Cathodic Protection Technician Certification examination. Course topics include intermediate-level corrosion theory and CP concepts, types of CP systems, AC and DC stray current interference, and advanced field measurement methods. This course provides both theoretical knowledge and practical techniques for testing and evaluating data to determine the effectiveness of both galvanic and impressed current CP systems and to gather design data. Students receive the CP 2 - Cathodic Protection Technician manual on CD prior to the start of the course. A printed course manual and “Corrosion Protection Survey Procedures” by W.B Holtsbaum are provided at the start of the course. Classroom instruction comprises lectures and hands-on training using equipment and instruments for CP testing. Course highlights include:
- Corrosion theory
- CP fundamentals
- Field measurements and instrumentation
- DC power sources
- CP recordkeeping
- Safety specific to CP systems
The course concludes with an open book written examination and a closed book practical examination. To receive the Cathodic Protection Tester certification, a student must pass each examination with 70% or greater.
Upon completion of the examinations, a Certified NACE Cathodic Protection Tester will possess (but not limited to) the following skills and knowledge:
- Perform advanced field tests, including current requirement, shorted casing, IR drop, soil resistivity, and interference, and evaluate the results.
- Perform tests to verify the presence of stray current interference and recommend methods of mitigation.
- Understand AC voltage and its mitigation.
- Maintenance of documentation and records, including data plotting and analysis.
- Conduct and understand the importance of periodic surveys, including IR-free readings, polarisation decay tests, and current measurements.
- Test and troubleshoot rectifier components.
- Understand corrosion coupon test stations.
- Understand code requirements relevant to CP systems.
This course qualifies for five Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points through the Engineering Council of South Africa.
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for individuals with either a working knowledge of CP or possessing extensive years of CP field experience with a technical background. Knowledge of the following subjects is necessary to understand the material in this course:
- Science and mathematics matriculation.
- Corrosion education (e.g. CorrISA Corrosion Engineering course).
- CP 1 – Cathodic Protection Tester course or equivalent i.e. comprehensive knowledge of electrochemistry, electricity, electrical laws, series and parallel circuits, meter operation, and CP fundamentals.
Prerequisites
There are various options that the student can meet in order to register for this course:
Option 1.
- One year of CP work experience.
- Four-year physical science or engineering degree.
- CP Tester Certification or equivalent training (strongly recommended).
Option 2.
- Two years CP work experience.
- Two-year post matriculation training in science, engineering or mathematics.
- CP Tester Certification or equivalent training (strongly recommended).
Option 3.
- Three years CP work experience.
- Matriculation including science and mathematics.
- CP Tester Certification or equivalent training (strongly recommended).
NACE CP 3 – Cathodic Protection Technologist
The CP 3-CP Technologist Course is an intensive six-day course that presents CP technology to prepare students for the NACE CP Technologist Certification Examination.
The CP 3-CP Technologist Course builds on the technology presented in the CP 2-CP Technician Course covering both theoretical concepts and practical application of CP with a strong focus on interpretation of CP data, CP troubleshooting and mitigation of problems that might arise in both galvanic and impressed current systems. The course is presented in a format of lecture, discussion and hands-on, in-class experiments and group exercises. There is a written examination at the conclusion of the course.
Requirements
There are different prerequisites to be met in order to apply for the CP 3 course; these include a combination of CP work experience and educational qualifications. The different paths can be viewed on the NACE website.
NACE CP Level 4 - Cathodic Protection Specialist
This is an intensive six-day course that focuses on the principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for both galvanic and impressed current systems. The course discusses the theoretical concepts behind the design and considerations that influence the design (environment, structure type/materials of construction, coatings etc.), design factors, and calculations (including attenuation). The course involves lectures and in-class discussions and practice with design examples on various structures (e.g. pipelines, tanks, well casings, offshore applications, and steel reinforcing in concrete structures). The course concludes with the written NACE CP Specialist examination.
This course is intended for those involved in the design, installation, and maintenance of CP systems. Students must have a significant amount of practical experience in CP Design, and the CP Specialist examination is challenging.
Requirements
There are different prerequisites to be met in order to apply for the CP 4 course; these include a combination of CP work experience and educational qualifications. The different paths can be viewed on the NACE website. Attendance on the CP 3 - CP Technologist course is strongly recommended before sitting for the CP 4 course. The examination is open book and students are welcome to bring any reference material they would like to the examination.
Further details of the NACE CP Programmes, including course content, certification, and requirements are available on the NACE website.