Significant AC interference was discovered on a new tape coated steel water transmission main which was tied into a concrete coated steel water transmission system. The AC interference was evidenced by shock
incidents during construction, and failure of dielectric isolation flanges within one year after construction. The safety concerns and cathodic protection system failures led to an investigation to determine the causes of the interference. Interim safety procedures were developed to minimize the safety hazard. The goal of the investigation is to define and implement mitigation measures which will maintain electrical isolation and cathodic
protection of the pipeline, and reduce the AC interference to acceptable levels.
Keywords: AC Interference, induced AC, stray current, pipeline
impedance, cathodic protection, electrical hazard mitigation, AC resistance, pipeline resistance calibration