Periodic measurements at specified intervals are essential to confirm correct cathodic protection operation. Oil, gas and other pipelines cross extensive geographical areas and different climates, including mountains, forests, deserts and marine environments, where other metal structures are also present. Visiting cathodic protection stations for adjustments and measurements therefore presents many difficulties and substantial costs.
Remote monitoring and control systems allow continuous assessment of cathodic protection performance without an on-site presence. Operators can supervise several stations simultaneously from one location and identify and resolve problems quickly.
Remote monitoring
Various transformer rectifier and cathodic protection parameters can be measured and transmitted to the control centre. Examples include:
- Vac: transformer rectifier input voltage
- Iac: transformer rectifier input current
- Vdc: transformer rectifier output voltage
- Idc: transformer rectifier output current
- Vref: potential of the protected equipment relative to the reference electrode
- Oil Temp.: oil temperature
- Oil Level: alarm when oil falls below the specified minimum level
Monitoring systems can generally be installed on different transformer rectifiers regardless of type or manufacturer, without significant limitations.
Remote Control
Remote control is possible for equipment fitted with remote monitoring. This is important because control without monitoring can put the system at risk. Remotely controllable parameters include:
- Switching the system on and off remotely
- Adjusting and controlling transformer rectifier output voltage or current
- Setting the reference-electrode voltage to provide intelligent control of transformer rectifier output voltage or current
Benefits of Remote Monitoring and Control
- Measuring, controlling, storing and comparing transformer rectifier parameters and potentials
- Automatic adjustment of transformer rectifier voltage or current
- Simultaneous switching of multiple transformer rectifiers
- Prevention of human error
- Time and cost savings by eliminating periodic visits
- Displaying station locations on a map using GPS/GPRS hardware
Borna Electronic can design and manufacture remote monitoring and control systems to meet customer requirements or project needs.