What measurement is the most common criterion for ensuring adequate sacrificial anode protection for buried tanks and piping?

The most common criterion for ensuring adequate sacrificial anode protection for buried tanks and piping is the measurement of negative potential in surrounding soil. This is essential because sacrificial anode systems are designed to protect metal structures from corrosion by creating a more negative electrochemical potential on the surface of the protected metal.

When measuring the negative potential in the surrounding soil, it provides valuable data on the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system. A sufficient negative potential indicates that the anodes are adequately providing the necessary protective current to the tank or piping, thus minimizing corrosion risks. This measurement helps to ensure that the protection level is sufficient and to identify any areas where the anodes may not be functioning effectively.

Understanding soil resistivity is important as well, as it can affect the performance of the cathodic protection system, but the direct measurement of negative potential reflects the actual protective environment surrounding the infrastructure. This makes it the most relevant criterion for assessing sacrificial anode protection.