Page 1 of 101
AMPP/NACE Cathodic Protection Tester (CP1) Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
AMPP/NACE Cathodic Protection Tester (CP1) Exam
ACTUAL EXAM COVERAGE (ALL CORE CONTENT)
1. Fundamentals of Cathodic Protection
• Corrosion basics (electrochemical corrosion cells)
• Anode vs cathode behavior
• Protective current concepts
• Soil and electrolyte conductivity
2. CP Systems Types
• Galvanic (sacrificial anode systems)
• Impressed current CP (ICCP systems)
• Applications in pipelines, tanks, marine structures
3. Electrical Measurements
• Pipe-to-soil potential (ON/OFF readings)
• Voltage, current, resistance (Ohm’s Law)
• IR drop considerations
• Use of reference electrodes (Cu/CuSO₄)
4. CP Testing Equipment
• Multimeters, data loggers
• Reference cells and probes
• Test stations and rectifiers
• Clamp-on ammeters
5. Interpretation of CP Data
• Protective potential criteria (e.g., -850 mV vs Cu/CuSO₄)
• Depolarization tests
• Current distribution analysis
• Interference effects
6. Field Procedures
• Structure-to-soil measurement techniques
• Close interval surveys (CIS)
• Holiday detection basics
• Soil resistivity testing
7. Safety and Standards
• NACE/AMPP SP0169 principles
• Electrical safety in field testing
• Confined space awareness
• Hazard identification
8. Troubleshooting CP Systems
• Underprotection vs overprotection
• Coating defects impact
• Faulty rectifiers
• Stray current interference
, Page 2 of 101
1.
What is the primary goal of cathodic protection systems in corrosion control?
A. Increase corrosion rate
B. Convert the protected structure into a cathode to reduce corrosion
C. Increase soil resistivity
D. Reduce electrical conductivity
Answer: B
2.
Which device is most commonly used to measure pipe-to-soil potential in the field?
A. Ohmmeter
B. Cu/CuSO₄ reference electrode and voltmeter
C. Clamp meter only
D. Hydrometer
Answer: B
, Page 3 of 101
3.
What is the typical criterion for adequate cathodic protection of steel in soil environments?
A. -100 mV
B. -850 mV or more negative vs Cu/CuSO₄
C. +850 mV
D. Zero volts
Answer: B
4.
What is the primary difference between galvanic and impressed current CP systems?
A. Galvanic uses external power
B. Impressed current uses external DC power source
C. Both use solar power
D. Neither uses electrodes
Answer: B
5.
, Page 4 of 101
What is the function of a sacrificial anode in a CP system?
A. To increase corrosion
B. To corrode in place of the protected structure
C. To insulate pipeline
D. To measure voltage
Answer: B
6.
What is the main purpose of a reference electrode in CP testing?
A. Supply current
B. Provide stable reference potential for measurements
C. Increase corrosion rate
D. Store energy
Answer: B
7.
AMPP/NACE Cathodic Protection Tester (CP1) Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
AMPP/NACE Cathodic Protection Tester (CP1) Exam
ACTUAL EXAM COVERAGE (ALL CORE CONTENT)
1. Fundamentals of Cathodic Protection
• Corrosion basics (electrochemical corrosion cells)
• Anode vs cathode behavior
• Protective current concepts
• Soil and electrolyte conductivity
2. CP Systems Types
• Galvanic (sacrificial anode systems)
• Impressed current CP (ICCP systems)
• Applications in pipelines, tanks, marine structures
3. Electrical Measurements
• Pipe-to-soil potential (ON/OFF readings)
• Voltage, current, resistance (Ohm’s Law)
• IR drop considerations
• Use of reference electrodes (Cu/CuSO₄)
4. CP Testing Equipment
• Multimeters, data loggers
• Reference cells and probes
• Test stations and rectifiers
• Clamp-on ammeters
5. Interpretation of CP Data
• Protective potential criteria (e.g., -850 mV vs Cu/CuSO₄)
• Depolarization tests
• Current distribution analysis
• Interference effects
6. Field Procedures
• Structure-to-soil measurement techniques
• Close interval surveys (CIS)
• Holiday detection basics
• Soil resistivity testing
7. Safety and Standards
• NACE/AMPP SP0169 principles
• Electrical safety in field testing
• Confined space awareness
• Hazard identification
8. Troubleshooting CP Systems
• Underprotection vs overprotection
• Coating defects impact
• Faulty rectifiers
• Stray current interference
, Page 2 of 101
1.
What is the primary goal of cathodic protection systems in corrosion control?
A. Increase corrosion rate
B. Convert the protected structure into a cathode to reduce corrosion
C. Increase soil resistivity
D. Reduce electrical conductivity
Answer: B
2.
Which device is most commonly used to measure pipe-to-soil potential in the field?
A. Ohmmeter
B. Cu/CuSO₄ reference electrode and voltmeter
C. Clamp meter only
D. Hydrometer
Answer: B
, Page 3 of 101
3.
What is the typical criterion for adequate cathodic protection of steel in soil environments?
A. -100 mV
B. -850 mV or more negative vs Cu/CuSO₄
C. +850 mV
D. Zero volts
Answer: B
4.
What is the primary difference between galvanic and impressed current CP systems?
A. Galvanic uses external power
B. Impressed current uses external DC power source
C. Both use solar power
D. Neither uses electrodes
Answer: B
5.
, Page 4 of 101
What is the function of a sacrificial anode in a CP system?
A. To increase corrosion
B. To corrode in place of the protected structure
C. To insulate pipeline
D. To measure voltage
Answer: B
6.
What is the main purpose of a reference electrode in CP testing?
A. Supply current
B. Provide stable reference potential for measurements
C. Increase corrosion rate
D. Store energy
Answer: B
7.
