Ground line corrosion damage activity and damage assessment for direct embedded steel structures and guy anchors

A major challenge faced by transmission line operations and maintenance departments is the detection, prevention, and repair of corrosion on steel components at or below the ground line. Affected components include guy anchor rods, tower legs, and direct embedded poles. If such damage remains undetected and not repaired, it can result in catastrophic failures of transmission lines. Whenever corrosion occurs at or below the ground line, the most reliable known detection method, to date, is the excavation of the surrounding soil to facilitate the visual inspection of these components. While this method of inspection is very reliable, the technique proves to be cost prohibitive if used on each embedded steel structure and component. In response to this need, EPRIsolutions Inc., developed and field tested a suitable inspection tool capable of identifying the level of corrosion activity, the rate of corrosion and the expected remaining service life without requiring the excavation of the direct embedded steel components. The inspection tool utilizes 'half cell' measurement technology and integrated software combined in a field hardened, battery powered case weighing less than five pounds.