Certification Practice Exam Questions

Cathodic Protection Technician Level 2 Certification Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of cathodic protection?

a) To enhance coating adhesion

b) To reduce or eliminate corrosion on a metal surface

c) To increase conductivity of the structure

d) To improve coating life

Rationale: Cathodic protection prevents corrosion by making the

protected metal the cathode of an electrochemical cell.

• Which method uses an external DC power source to provide

protection?

a) Galvanic system

b) Impressed current system 1 / 4

c) Sacrificial anode system

d) Hybrid system

Rationale: Impressed current systems use a DC power source to drive

protective current to the structure.

3. In a galvanic CP system, current flows from:

a) The cathode to the anode through the electrolyte

b) The anode to the cathode through the electrolyte

c) The rectifier to the anode

d) The structure to the anode through cables

Rationale: Current always flows from anode to cathode through the

electrolyte in a corrosion cell.

• What is the typical potential range for a structure under cathodic

protection?

• -0.50 V to -0.60 V
• -0.85 V or more negative vs Cu/CuSO₄
• -0.70 V or more negative
• -1.5 V or more negative

Rationale: The NACE criterion specifies at least -0.85 V vs Cu/CuSO₄

for effective protection.

• Which of the following is a disadvantage of the impressed current

system?

a) Low maintenance

b) Simple installation 2 / 4

c) Requires external power and monitoring

d) Uses inexpensive materials

Rationale: Impressed current systems need continuous power and

more complex maintenance.

• What is the function of a reference electrode in CP systems?

a) To provide current

b) To act as a sacrificial anode

c) To measure structure-to-electrolyte potential

d) To reduce IR drop

Rationale: Reference electrodes provide a stable potential for

accurate CP measurements.

• Which anode material is commonly used in impressed current

systems?

a) Zinc

b) Magnesium

c) Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO)

d) Aluminum

Rationale: MMO anodes are durable and efficient for impressed

current CP applications.

• Which factor primarily affects current requirement in a CP system?

a) Coating color

b) Surface area of exposed metal

c) Type of reference electrode 3 / 4

d) Cable insulation

Rationale: The amount of exposed metal surface determines how

much current is needed for protection.

9. The term “polarization” in CP refers to:

a) Chemical reaction rate

b) Shift in potential due to applied current

c) Electrode corrosion

d) Soil resistivity change

Rationale: Polarization is the potential change caused by the

application of protective current.

• Which instrument measures structure-to-electrolyte potential?

a) Ammeter

b) Clamp meter

c) High impedance voltmeter

d) Ohmmeter

Rationale: A high impedance voltmeter ensures accurate readings

with minimal circuit disturbance.

• What is a typical current output range for a rectifier used in

pipeline CP systems?

• 0.1–1 mA
• 1–10 mA
• 1–50 A
• 100–1000 A
• / 4