Detection (& Calculators...)

The limits of observation

If, during a dive or a dry-docking, you notice excessive consumption of your anodes and/or the appearance of corrosion on your propulsion system, it is probably too late! Measuring the corrosion potential while afloat would have informed you about the effectiveness of your cathodic protection and about the possible presence of corrosive leakage currents, regardless of their origin.

The implementation of Galvatest sensors

By reading the corrosion potential of the measured equipment, Galvatest sensors and kits provide information on their sensitivity to corrosion as well as on the integrity of the electrical and ground circuits on board.

The interpretation of results

Measured value in mV must be in the green area. Yellow and red area involve over and under-protection status.

The search for corrosive electrical leaks

Corrosive electrical leaks make corrosion potential measurements go upwards or downwards, according to polarity. Successive switching of onboard electrical means and equipments thus allows instant detection of possible corresponding failures. Similarly, these measurements must not vary while shore power is plugged or unplugged. Note that the onboard leak detector gives no indication of the possibility of a corrosion phenomenon.

Anodes weight calculator

Find out how much anode's weight needs your boat...

Stray currents calculator

Find out intensity of stray current according to simple visual observations...

Too late!

Replacing corroded equipment without properly diagnosing and eliminating the causes of the problem exposes you to the same consequences in the very short term...

When and how to proceed?

Checking anodes during annual scrubbing off will not avoid past year damages. This is why cathodic protection control must be performed regularly, after each work on the boat's electricals, at winter mooring and, of course, upon suspicion. Evidence of stray currents, responsible for accelerated damages, will induce a noticeable shift of measurements during operations.

What do do in case of abnormal measurement?

If the measurements are outside the protection interval, your anodes are inoperative or unsuitable: it is then necessary to check their nature, their connection and their consumption. If the difference between successive measurements is significant, it is probably a harmful leakage current : disconnect the shore power and activate your circuit breakers while waiting for it to be neutralized soon. Then check by means of a new measurement that it is indeed within the protection range...