AMPP CP4 Specialist study plan
AMPP CP4 Specialist · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for galvanic systems & Theoretical concepts and considerations influencing design and calculations (including attenuation)
Define galvanic cathodic protection theory and the electrochemical basis for anode-to-structure current flow
Differentiate galvanic anode materials (zinc, aluminum, magnesium alloys) by driving potential, efficiency, and environment suitability
Explain how soil resistivity and electrolyte chemistry govern galvanic anode output and current distribution
Compute galvanic anode current output using Ohm's law and anode-to-electrolyte resistance relationships
Your checkpoint
One-page comparison table of galvanic anode alloys with driving potential, consumption rate, and application notes, plus three worked current-output calculations
Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for galvanic systems & Theoretical concepts and considerations influencing design and calculations (including attenuation)
Size galvanic anode banks for coated and uncoated buried pipelines using current demand and coating quality factors
Calculate required anode mass from current demand, design life, and anode consumption rate
Apply attenuation principles to predict potential and current distribution along a protected structure
Determine anode spacing and grounding requirements for uniform protection
Your checkpoint
Complete galvanic anode sizing calculation package for a buried pipeline case with mass, count, spacing, and attenuation check
Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for galvanic systems
Design galvanic CP for a buried tank bottom and explain why galvanic systems suit this geometry
Select and position anodes for a galvanic system on a marine hull or ballast tank
Identify interference risks and mitigation for galvanic systems near foreign structures
Specify test stations, reference electrodes, and monitoring points for a galvanic installation
Your checkpoint
Written galvanic design summary for one tank and one marine structure including anode layout sketch description and monitoring plan
Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for impressed current systems & Theoretical concepts and considerations influencing design and calculations (including attenuation)
Explain impressed current system components and how rectifier output drives protection over long distances
Calculate rectifier voltage and current requirements from anode bed resistance and back-EMF
Compare impressed current anode types (mixed metal oxide, graphite, high-silicon cast iron) by application and life
Apply attenuation to size impressed current systems for long pipelines and congested anode beds
Your checkpoint
Impressed current design calculation for a long pipeline including rectifier sizing, anode bed resistance, and attenuation curve
Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for impressed current systems
Design an impressed current anode bed for a buried tank farm including geometry and spacing
Select anode groundbed configuration (deep vertical, shallow horizontal, distributed) for given soil and site constraints
Specify rectifier ratings, taps, and electrical isolation for a multi-structure impressed current system
Identify stray current and interference sources from impressed current systems and propose mitigation
Your checkpoint
Impressed current groundbed design package with anode count, spacing, rectifier specification, and interference mitigation notes
Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for impressed current systems & Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for galvanic systems
Design impressed current CP for marine and offshore structures including hull, ballast tanks, and seawater systems
Compare galvanic versus impressed current selection criteria for a given structure and justify the choice
Calculate coating breakdown factors and current demand over the design life
Integrate reference electrode placement and remote monitoring into impressed current designs
Your checkpoint
Comparative design memo selecting galvanic or impressed current for two structures with current demand calculations and justification
Theoretical concepts and considerations influencing design and calculations (including attenuation)
Derive and apply attenuation equations for coated and uncoated structures
Calculate protection potential profiles along a pipeline for both system types
Explain how coating conductance, soil resistivity, and anode spacing affect attenuation length
Evaluate design sensitivity to changing resistivity and coating condition
Your checkpoint
Attenuation problem set with five solved profiles and a sensitivity analysis table
Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for galvanic systems & Principles and procedures for CP design on a variety of structures for impressed current systems & Theoretical concepts and considerations influencing design and calculations (including attenuation)
Integrate galvanic, impressed current, and theoretical concepts into a full design review checklist
Re-solve missed or weak calculation types from prior weeks under timed conditions
Explain criteria for protection (100 mV polarization, -850 mV, -1200 mV limits) and how they drive design decisions
Prepare concise design justification narratives for each system type
Your checkpoint
Full mock design review: one galvanic and one impressed current design scenario solved end-to-end with attenuation and criteria checks, scored against a self-built rubric
Milestones
Week 2: Can size a galvanic anode bank and compute anode mass for a stated design life without notes
Week 4: Can size a rectifier and anode bed resistance for a long pipeline and sketch the attenuation profile
Week 6: Can justify galvanic vs impressed current selection for two structures with supporting calculations
Week 8: Scores 80% or higher on the full mock design review covering all three domains