Education

Courses and Programs : Department of Defense

CP 1 - Cathodic Protection Tester Course and Certification

6-Day Classroom Course

1st day 1:00 to 6:30 p.m.
2nd - 5th days 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
6th day 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) 

Description
The CP 1–Cathodic Protection Tester Course is an intensive 6-day course that presents CP technology to prepare students for the NACE Cathodic Protection Tester Certification Examination. Course topics include basic electricity, electrochemistry and corrosion concepts, CP theory, CP systems, and CP field measurement techniques. This course provides theoretical knowledge and practical fundamentals for testing on both galvanic and impressed current CP systems. The course involves lectures and intensive hands-on training with equipment and instruments used in CP testing. It also includes hands-on training at outdoor facilities (weather- permitting). The course concludes with both a 2-hour written and a 2-hour practical (hands-on) examination.  

Who Should Attend
This program will benefit anyone who is responsible for supervising CP systems, measuring the effectiveness of CP systems and/or recording this data, including CP field personnel, technicians, and those desiring certification as a "NACE Cathodic Protection Tester."

Prerequisites
The following is strongly recommended, but not required:   

• High school diploma or GED 
• Six months CP work experience
• Ability to perform basic math calculations (simple algebra, fractions, and conversions)

Course Highlights (including but not limited to)  

• Basic Electricity
• Basic Chemistry and Corrosion Fundamentals
• CP Fundamentals
• Field Measurements
• Stray Current Identification
• Installing CP Components
• Monitoring CP Systems
• Recordkeeping
• Safety Specific to CP
• Troubleshooting  

Skill Assessment
Upon successful completion of the CP Tester Examination, a Certified NACE Cathodic Protection Tester will have passed both an open-book, written exam and a closed-book, practical exam each with a 70% or greater. The exams cover the following skill and knowledge factors:

• Understand the basics of electricity, electrical laws, electrochemistry, corrosion and CP theory
• Develop an understanding of polarity related to current flow and metal corrosion activity
• Conduct tests to identify shorts and continuity tests in CP systems
• Use test instruments to perform a variety of field tests such as structure-to-soil potentials, voltage and current measurements, soil resistivity, pipe/cable locating 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
• Gain knowledge of reference cells, their maintenance, use, and precautions
• Learn basic location mapping, report preparation, and recordkeeping
• Review safety issues specific to CP
• Understand code requirements related to CP
   

 Exam-Only Option
Candidates can sit for the CP Tester Examination without taking the class. The written exam is open book so that candidates can bring their own references, however the practical exam is closed book. Candidates will receive a copy of the course manual. Exams are scheduled to coincide with scheduled courses. Exam-only candidates may only attend the course on the day of the exam. Contact NACE First Service for more information. Registration fees for exam only candidates are nonrefundable.

Click here for more information about the exam-only option.

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