AMPP-CP3 Exam Format | AMPP-CP3 Course Contents | AMPP-CP3 Course Outline | AMPP-CP3 Exam Syllabus | AMPP-CP3 Exam Objectives

1. Instruments (1% - 4% Theory and 6% - 13% Case) - Understand the operation of a digital volt-ohm meter (multimeter) and how it is used to measure current, voltage, and resistance. - Use a volt-ohm meter (multimeter) to determine the voltage and current output of a rectifier. - Understand the operation of a soil resistivity meter. - Use a volt-ohm meter to determine the current output of sacrificial anodes installed on your system. - Conduct a soil resistivity test with a soil resistivity meter or equivalent instrument. - Conduct soil resistivity measurements by using a soil box. - Understand and be able to perform layer resistivity calculations. - Conduct single-point soil resistivity readings with a “Collins Rod”. - Install interrupters in rectifiers or bonds for the purpose of taking “on” and “instant-off structure-to-electrolyte potential readings. - Understand the various types of pipe locating instruments and be able to utilize them to locate pipelines or cables in all underground environments. 2. Shunts (1% - 3% Theory and 1% - 6% Case) - Understand how to determine the amount of current flowing through various size shunts by reading the milli-Volt (mV) drop across it with a Volt-Ohm meter and applying the correct conversion factor. - Understand how to determine the direction of current flow through a shunt by observing the polarity of the mV reading. - Read shunts in rectifiers to determine the output current. - Read shunts in bonds with foreign structures. - Read shunts for individual anodes associated with deep well ground beds. - Utilize an external shunt to determine the output current of a rectifier with a broken amp meter. - Read shunts that are installed in galvanic anodes to determine output current. 3. Field Tests (19% - 21% Theory and 22% to 28% Case) - Perform current requirement test. - Perform soil pH testing. - Perform IR-drop testing. - Conduct “shorted casing testing” on casings that are suspected of being shorted and interpret the results of the test. - Perform coating examinations on sections of pipeline that have been excavated. - Perform soil resistivity test to evaluate the area for a conventional ground bed site. - Conduct Person, DC voltage gradient (DCVG) and AC voltage gradient (ACVG) surveys to evaluate the coating condition of a section of pipeline. - Conduct computerized close interval surveys where needed and evaluate the graphs produced from the data. - Locate breaks in header cables with an “audio type” pipe and cable locator. - Investigate shorts on a pipeline or other structure. - Verify the results of shorted casing test. - Understand the factors that affect cathodic protection system performance at the anode, at the structure performance, in the electrolyte, in the metallic path, at the power supply, because of anode arrangement and interference. - Perform advanced cathodic protection testing using correct measurement techniques to monitor CP system performance and accurately interpret the data collected to ensure optimum CP system performance. - Based on data collected, determine if correction/modifications to system components are necessary. - Identify errors in data collection / CP measurements including contact resistance errors, voltage drop errors, and reference electrode errors. - Utilize the instruments required to accomplish advanced cathodic protection testing and collection of cathodic protection systems measurements. - Conduct cathodic protection surveys including close interval surveys and DCVG where needed or required and evaluate the graphs produced from the data collected during the surveys. - Troubleshoot rectifiers and make corrections or repair as necessary. - Perform efficiency test on rectifiers. - Install and commission new rectifier installations. - Understand in-line and direct inspection (understand and be able to implement ECDA). 4. DC Stray Current Interference (9% - 11% Theory and 6% - 13% Case) - Conduct and document interference tests where stray currents are suspected. - Once interference tests have been run, suggest a method of control that will mitigate the effects of the stray current. - Understand how IR-drop test stations can be used to evaluate stray current. - Understand how coupon test stations can be used to determine the presence of and the mitigation of stray current. - Calculate the resistance required to provide the amount of current drain desired at a resistance bond installation. - Understand the causes (sources) and the effects of interference. - Understand the methods available to mitigate interference. 5. AC Mitigation (6% - 9% Theory and 19% - 25% Case) - Understand the safety requirements when installing test stations under high voltage power lines. - Take appropriate steps to mitigate the effects of excessive AC voltage induced on underground structures. 6. Corrosion Theory (16% - 19% Theory and 1% - 6% Case) - Understand the composition of a basic galvanic cell and the electrochemical reactions that allow corrosion to occur at the anode rather than the cathode. - Describe the characteristics of anodic and cathodic reactions. - Understand and apply the principles of electricity and electrical circuits (series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits) (including the application of Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s Laws to electrical circuits.) - Perform calculations using Ohm’s Law and calculations related to series and parallel circuits. - Understand how corrosion cells are formed on metal objects that are underground or otherwise immersed in an electrolyte. - Understand Faraday’s Law and perform calculations using Faraday’s Law to determine required anode weight for cathodic protection. 7. Polarization (9% - 11% Theory and 1% - 6% Case) - Understand the cause and effect of polarization in a galvanic cell. - Understand activation, concentration, and resistance polarization and the mathematical expressions of these concepts. - Understand the factors that affect polarization (area, temperature, relative movement, ion concentration, oxygen concentration). 8. Cathodic Protection (17% - 20% Theory and 13% - 19% Case) - Understand the concept of cathodic protection and be knowledgeable of the components required for both galvanic and impressed current systems. - Be able to design and install simplistic forms of galvanic and impressed current cathodic protection facilities. - Understand the relationship between cathodic protection and other methods for the mitigation of corrosion. - Understand the factors that affect the amount of current required for a cathodic protection system. - Understand the NACE criteria for cathodic protection and be able to apply the criteria and adjust CP systems as necessary in order to comply with the criteria defined by the company where the technologist is employed. - Understand IR drop and be able to determine the IR drop and apply correction techniques as needed. - Understand and apply E-Log-I criteria and construct polarization curves. - Understand the concept of current distribution and be able to determine ideal current distribution for CP system considering the factors affecting current distribution (anode-to-cathode separation distance, electrolyte and structure resistivity variation, and current attenuation). - Understand the effects of current path geometry, protective coatings, and polarization on current distribution. 9. Design (11% - 14% Theory and 6% - 13% Case) - Utilize field data to accomplish the calculations required to design cathodic protection current sources. - Select site locations and implement the design of cathodic protection current sources for distribution or transmission pipeline systems. - Design cathodic protection systems for the inside of water tanks. - Design cathodic protection systems for tank bottoms of above-grade storage tanks (AST). - Design cathodic protection systems for underground storage tanks (UST). - Work with engineering in the proper use of electrical isolation for newly designed facilities. - Provide information on underground coating performance for those selecting coatings for new facilities.