Close Interval Potential Survey (CIPS)

Close Interval Potential Survey (CIPS) is a survey technique that provides a detailed continuous pipe-to-soil potential profile. In normal operation, Pipe to Soil Potentials measured only at test points. When measuring a potential at one location (the test point), the amount of pipe sampled in the measurement is considered the length of the pipe encompassed by a 120° angle entered on the reference electrode. To determine the potential over the entire pipeline surface, it is required that the reference electrode be moved along the centerline of the pipe route and placed at regular intervals (@ every 2 m).

The purpose of a Close Interval Potential Survey (CIPS) is to evaluate the criteria of cathodic protection, identify local deficiencies in a cathodic protection system, assist in identifying the causes of such deficiencies, and aid in determining the requirements to enhance the level of cathodic protection in the structure.
• Assess adequacy of Cathodic Protection System
• Stray Current identification
• Above ground survey
• Able to detect interference from foreign structure
• Pipe-to-soil potential readings between test station does not accurately reflect the pipe potential between test station.
• CIPS takes potential readings at interval of 2 meters.
• There are measurement error when taking potential with current flowing, known as IR error.
• To overcome IR error, TRs are interrupted using GPS Current
• Interrupter, true pipeline potential is taken when current stops flowing.