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It is important that certain preliminary data be
obtained prior to final site selection so that
corrosion problems can be avoided or minimized.
This procedure ensures that design and/or
material selection will minimize possible corrosion
problems. The preliminary data should include the
following items.
Soil Resistivity Survey: A soil resistivity survey at each
proposed site is the necessary first step, since the economic
choices of materials and designs will vary with soil
resistivity. Once soil resistivities are known, decisions can
be made regarding overhead or underground feeder
construction, the use of jacketed cable, and anodes or
other cathodic protection against corrosion.
For soils of high resistivity (over 200 ohm-meter) where
both grounding and cathodic protection are
difficult to accomplish, semiconducting jacketed cable may
be the most effective.
pH Survey: A pH survey of each substation site should also be a
part of any corrosion evaluation. Soils seldom have a pH lower
than 5 (acid) or greater than 8 (alkaline), where 7.0 is neutral.
Soils with a pH of 5 and lower can contribute to severe corrosion
and rapid deterioration of exposed metals. Acid soil conditions
are usually limited to soils containing decomposed acidic plants
and needles from coniferous trees. Soils with a pH of 8 and above
can contain a high concentration of dissolved salts resulting in a
low soil resistivity. Soils of this type are referred to as alkaline or
calcareous. Alkaline soils are high in sodium and potassium,
while calcareous soils are high in magnesium and calcium.
Alkaline earth elements such as magnesium and calcium tend to
form protective layers on ferrous metal surfaces and are
considered favorable environments for metals.
Selection of Materials