Development of Devices to Prevent Vandalism of Cathodic Protection Components in Socially Conflicted Regions

Vandalized rectifiers, anode beds, wirings, and power transformers are significant causes of CP failure and corrosion problems for Mexican pipelines. The cost of replacing vandalized rectifiers, ground beds, cables and transformers, and the corrosion damage to pipelines has a serious economic impact. Vandalism has recently risen.  Hammer and chisel are the main tools employed by vandals. We present a novel approach for the protection against vandalism for CP systems. Concealing, dissuading, alerting, and strength resisting are the key conceptual basis of a set of devices we developed to protect the CP components in socially hostile environments. We present a design to protect the top of a deep anode, consisting of a double reinforced concrete bunker, provided by multiple vents for anodic reaction products, alarm wiring, and a protected anode current metering cavity. A device was developed to conceal and protect a rectifier under the floor level, where it can only be drawn employing a magnetic handle, not readily available to vandals, and a pneumatic lock. We also developed a hydrodynamic stable concrete cover to protect a set of marine anodes from divers and other parties.