As in sacrificial anode systems, impressed current systems depend on a supply of high energy electrons to stifle anodic reactions on a metal surface. In the case of an impressed current system these high energy electrons are supplied by a rectifier.

As shown in Figure low energy electrons that are picked up at a non-reactive anode bed are given additional energy by the action of a rectifier to be more energetic than the electrons that would be produced in the corrosion reaction.

Impressed Current System

The energy for the “electron energy pump” action of the rectifier is provided by ordinary alternating current. The effect of these electrons at the structure being protected is the same as that derived from the sacrificial anode type of cathodic protection system. However, the anode material serves only as a source of electrons and need not be consumed in providing protective current.

The materials used for impressed current cathodic protection can the pass a current into the environment without being consumed at a high rate. Graphite and high silicon cast iron are the most commonly used impressed current cathodic protection anode materials, however, other materials (such as magnetite, platinum, and newly developed ceramic materials) have been successfully used.

For buried anodes, a backfill of carbonaceous material is used to surround the anode to decrease the electrical resistance of the anode, to provide a uniform, low resistivity environment surrounding the anode and to allow gasses produced at the anode surface to vent. In practice, materials such as graphite are used for impressed current cathodic protection system anodes that are slowly consumed.

Anodes in impressed current systems must be inspected and replaced if consumed or otherwise damaged. As is the case for any electrical equipment, rectifiers used for impressed current cathodic protection systems require preventative maintenance to insure proper operation.