Systems and methods for impressed current cathodic protection
In some embodiments, an ICCP system includes an AC-DC rectifier receiving AC power from an AC power source and providing a DC output having a constant voltage or a constant current, a cathode connection electrically coupling the AC-DC rectifier to a structure to be protected by the ICCP system, current-emitting anodes arranged in parallel and receiving the DC output from the AC-DC rectifier, and a controller communicating with the AC-DC rectifier to set a maximum value for the constant voltage or constant current of the DC output. In other embodiments, an ICCP system includes a converter assembly including an AC-DC rectifier and a rectifier chassis enclosing and environmentally sealing the AC-DC rectifier. The ICCP system also includes an environmentally-sealed controller communicating with the AC-DC rectifier and an environmentally-protected Input-Output connection assembly. Junctions electrically connect the converter assembly, the environmentally-sealed controller, and the environmentally-protected connection assembly.
1. An impressed current cathodic protection system comprising:
a converter assembly comprising:
an AC-DC rectifier receiving an AC input on an AC input line from an AC power source and providing a DC output on a DC output line, the DC output having a constant voltage or a constant current; and
a rectifier chassis enclosing and environmentally sealing the AC-DC rectifier;
an environmentally-sealed controller communicating with the AC-DC rectifier to set a maximum value for the constant voltage or the constant current of the DC output; and
an environmentally-protected Input-Output connection assembly comprising a first high current lightning surge arrestor on the AC input line and a second high current lightning surge arrestor on the DC output line;
wherein a plurality of junctions electrically connect the converter assembly, the environmentally-sealed controller, and the environmentally-protected connection assembly.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a control box enclosure enclosing and environmentally sealing the environmentally-sealed controller;
an Input-Output connection enclosure enclosing and environmentally protecting the environmentally-protected Input-Output connection assembly; and
a cabinet enclosing the converter assembly, the control box enclosure, and the Input-Output connection enclosure and providing solar shielding, resistance to tampering, and resistance to vermin.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the cabinet comprises a gasket-lined access panel providing a user with local access to the environmentally-sealed controller.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the cabinet comprises a ventilation screen.
5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the converter assembly comprises external quick-disconnect electrical fittings and slides into the cabinet for mounting.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising oil filling the space between the AC-DC rectifier and the rectifier chassis.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rectifier chassis fully encloses the AC-DC rectifier with a contiguous metal surface to provide a Faraday cage to contain electromagnetic signals from the AC-DC rectifier.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rectifier chassis is made of extruded aluminum.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the AC-DC rectifier is a switch-mode type AC-DC rectifier.
10. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one first high-frequency blocking choke on the AC input line and at least one second high-frequency blocking choke on the DC output line.