Analysis of the cathodic protection process – electrochemical method of protecting reinforcement in concrete structures – state of the knowledge

This article presents a method for cathodic protection of reinforcement. We distinguish the cathodic protection method – CP, based on externally applied direct current, galvanic cathodic protection – GCP, based on the difference in potentials of the protected metal and the so-called lost anode, and a hybrid method – GHCP, which combines both systems. The CP method has the following advantages: (i) it can be used in high resistivity environments; (ii) it has an adjustable output potential size; (iii) some studies have shown that after 5 years of using a direct current, after it has been interrupted, the steel can be in a passive state for at least 24 months. It also has the following disadvantages: (i) higher costs compared to the GCP method; (ii) the need for continuous power supply from an external source; (iii) possibility of stray currents.