Test stations routinely become damaged or missing over time, whether due to vandalism, landscapers, construction activities or even difficult location. In addition, the pipeline industry is responding to increased requirements on cathodic protection testing for annual surveys, Integrity Management Program (IMP) needs, and AC and DC interference monitoring.

Point Integrity offers two methods of test station installations. While we're confident in both methods of installation, demand has increased for the Vacuum Excavation method since it greatly reduces surface disturbance and often requires little to no permitting when performed beside or within a roadway.

• Conventional Method – traditional excavation to top of pipe and cad-welding or pin-brazing a "test" lead to the pipe
• Vacuum Excavation – vacuum excavation to the top of pipe, sealing the pipe with a unique system, removing the coating and making a welded-wire connection, and finally recoating all of the subject area

Whether it is on a casing, under a manicured lawn, or in a remote area, Point Integrity Solutions will help meet your test station and monitoring coupon needs. Our representative can join in your company's discussions regarding test stations and will help you develop a plan to meet your needs.

If you have abnormal test readings due to outside forces, Point Integrity Solutions can help solve your problem. It is also important to note that coupons are the primary method of ensuring you are not experiencing active AC corrosion near high voltage power lines.

Coupons are one of the best methods for determining actual polarized potential of a pipeline. The coupons exist for both AC and DC monitoring.

• AC Monitoring – AC coupons have become increasingly necessary as pipelines share, or are located in, close proximity to high voltage AC transmission power lines. The effects of AC interference on a pipeline can cause one of the most aggressive metal loss scenarios known to the industry. In order to test for the true AC current density on a pipeline, the fastest and most reliable measurement is taken from a calibrated AC coupon. The reading taken in the field is directly related to the current density (Amps/m^2- ) on the buried structure. Because AC interference is affected by not only magnitude of AC voltage but also localized soil resistivity on the pipeline, one must evaluate more than just voltage to determine if damaging interference is occurring. If you believe interference is an issue, the experts at Point Integrity are available for consultation regarding options in AC Interference Mitigation.
• DC Monitoring – A DC coupon installed at a cathodic protection test point offers two very important benefits. First, there is no need to interrupt all company cathodic protection current (which may affect the subject location) in order to test for a true polarized potential. Secondly, in areas where other DC current sources exist, such as rail stray currents, mining and welding stray currents, and other cathodic protection protected facilities, a CP coupon is the only method to acquire a true polarized (off) potential of the pipeline.

When you work with Point Integrity Solutions you can be assured that we have the knowledge and experience to install the right coupons for your company's needs.