NACE Cathodic Protection Technician – CP2 Preparation Course

This program is intended for personnel involved in testing the effectiveness of CP systems, troubleshooting and/or recording this data, including: 

• CP field personnel 
• CP Testers or 
• Personnel supervising CP Testers 

Required 
A knowledge of the following is required for understanding the material in this course: 

• Algebra and geometry 
• Electrochemistry: theory including electrochemical and galvanic series; 
• Corrosion theory including polarization under different conditions; 
• Electricity: basic electrical laws, series and parallel circuits; 
• Cathodic protection: fundamentals, criteria, sacrificial and impressed current equipment including troubleshooting; 
• Stray current interference, primarily related to underground pipelines. 
• Testing: including voltmeters, ammeters, shunts (and calculations), ohmmeters, reference electrodes (and conversions), isolation and soil resistivity. 

Recommended 
Applicants not having the below knowledge and training are encouraged to attend the applicable course(s) before registering for this course. 
In-depth high school chemistry and mathematics courses including algebra and geometry 

• Cathodic Protection 1 – Tester 
• Cathodic Protection Fundamentals: Math and Electricity eCourse 
  or equivalent knowledge and training

Please take the preassessment quiz listed below, to gauge your cathodic protection knowledge and experience before registering for the CP2 Technician course. 

• CP2 PreAssessment Quiz - English 

Review of CP Fundamentals (CP1 Concepts)

• Recap of basic corrosion and CP principles
• Review of CP system types (galvanic and impressed current)
• Review of potential measurements and field instruments

Advanced CP Testing Techniques

• Instant-off potential measurements
• Current requirement testing (depolarization and polarization curves)
• Soil resistivity testing (2-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin methods)
• DCVG (Direct Current Voltage Gradient)
• ACVG (Alternating Current Voltage Gradient)

Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

• Recognizing and correcting measurement errors
• Testing for shorts, continuity, and isolation
• Analyzing abnormal potential readings
• Troubleshooting rectifiers and anodes

Stray Current and Interference Testing

• Sources of stray current (DC and AC)
• Impact on CP systems and structures
• Detection techniques
• Mitigation methods (drainage, bonding, isolation)

CP System Evaluation and Maintenance

• Performance assessment for galvanic and impressed current systems
• Monitoring and adjustment of rectifiers
• Anode life and performance
• Maintenance scheduling and documentation

Advanced CP Equipment and Instrumentation

• Use of data loggers, interrupters, clamp meters
• Reference electrode placement techniques
• Advanced multimeter and high impedance voltmeter applications

Isolation and Bonding Techniques

• Testing and installation of isolation devices
• Purpose and types of bonds (diode, resistor, solid-state)
• Measuring bond current and potential

CP Design Concepts (Introductory)

• CP design parameters (current density, coating efficiency)
• Anode selection and placement
• Understanding circuit resistance and voltage drops
• Overview of CP design tools and documentation

Safety in CP Field Work

• Electrical and arc flash hazards
• Field safety procedures and PPE
• Confined space and excavation awareness
• Safety around pipelines, tanks, and energized equipment

Hands-On Practical Training

• Complex field measurement simulations
• CP test station readings and analysis
• Troubleshooting CP system faults
• Use of interrupters and advanced instrumentation