Periodically (annually or a few times per annum) Cathodic protection checks are performed on underground pipes. This method can provide insight in the extent of protection against corrosion of piping.
The process of this periodic check is a laborious procedure with a high degree of error proneness, while measuring is not carried out frequently enough to be able to immediately respond in case of a calamity.

A sensor that could be placed in every KB-flux tower to almost instantly send data to a platform for analysis and, if required, a subsequent alarm, would be very helpful.

 

Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN)

Gemba has found the solution, making use of a so-called Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) and a sensor that lasts 5 to 10 years.

This sensor can be placed cost-effectively in the KB-towers and will submit measurement results periodically, over a 5 to 10 year period (at one or two measurements per day). Furthermore the sensor is capable of sending a signal, in case of calamities, such as extreme value changes or collapse-detection of a flux tower, so that line managers can act immediately, to find out about the cause more rapidly.

For more information read our blogs regarding the implementation of Cathodic protection.