EN ISO 12696:2012

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2012
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 12696:2000
.DWRGQD]DãþLWDMHNODYEHWRQX,62
Cathodic protection of steel in concrete (ISO 12696:2012)
Kathodischer Korrosionsschutz von Stahl in Beton (ISO 12696:2012)
Protection cathodique de l'acier dans le béton (ISO 12696:2012)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 12696:2012
ICS:
77.060 Korozija kovin Corrosion of metals
91.080.40 Betonske konstrukcije Concrete structures
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 12696
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
February 2012
ICS 77.140.15; 77.060 Supersedes EN 12696:2000
English Version
Cathodic protection of steel in concrete (ISO 12696:2012)
Protection cathodique de l'acier dans le béton (ISO Kathodischer Korrosionsschutz von Stahl in Beton (ISO
12696:2012) 12696:2012)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 31 January 2012.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 12696:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 12696:2012) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 219 "Cathodic
protection", the secretariat of which is held by BSI, in collaboration with Technical Committee ISO/TC 156
"Corrosion of metals and alloys".
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2012, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by August 2012.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 12696:2000.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12696
First edition
2012-02-01
Cathodic protection of steel in concrete
Protection cathodique de l’acier dans le béton
Reference number
ISO 12696:2012(E)
©
ISO 2012
ISO 12696:2012(E)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s
member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 12696:2012(E)
Contents Page
Foreword . v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General . 2
4.1 Quality management systems . 2
4.2 Personnel . 3
4.3 Design . 3
5 Structure assessment and repair . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 Records . 3
5.3 Visual inspection and delamination survey . 4
5.4 Chloride analysis . 4
5.5 Carbonation depth measurement . 4
5.6 Concrete cover and reinforcement location . 4
5.7 Reinforcement electrical continuity . 4
5.8 Steel/concrete potential . 5
5.9 Concrete electrical resistivity . 5
5.10 Repair . 5
5.11 Cementitious overlay . 6
5.12 New structures . 6
6 Cathodic protection system components . 7
6.1 General . 7
6.2 Anode systems . 7
6.3 Monitoring sensors .12
6.4 Monitoring instrumentation .14
6.5 Data management system .15
6.6 D.C. cables .16
6.7 Junction boxes .17
6.8 Power supplies .17
6.9 Transformer-rectifiers .17
7 Installation procedures .19
7.1 Electrical continuity .19
7.2 Performance monitoring system .19
7.3 Connections to steel in concrete .20
7.4 Concrete repairs associated with the cathodic protection components .20
7.5 Surface preparation for anode installation .20
7.6 Anode installation .21
7.7 Connections to the anode system .21
7.8 Anode overlay, surface sealant or decorative coating application .21
7.9 Electrical installation .22
7.10 Testing during installation .22
8 Commissioning .23
8.1 Visual inspection .23
8.2 Pre-energizing measurements .23
8.3 Initial energizing of impressed current systems .23
8.4 Initial adjustment of impressed current systems .24
8.5 Initial performance assessment .24
8.6 Criteria of protection: Interpretation of performance assessment data .25
8.7 Adjustment of protection current for impressed current systems .26
ISO 12696:2012(E)
9 System records and documentation .26
9.1 Quality and test records .26
9.2 Installation and commissioning report .27
9.3 Operation and maintenance manual .27
10 Operation and maintenance .28
10.1 Intervals and procedures .28
10.2 System review .29
10.3 System review report .29
Annex A (informative) Principles of cathodic protection and its application to steel in concrete .30
Annex B (informative) Design process .36
Annex C (informative) Notes on anode systems .39
Bibliography .44
iv © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 12696:2012(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12696 was prepared by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee
CEN/TC 219, Cathodic protection, in collaboration with Technical Committee ISO/TC 156, Corrosion of metals and
alloys in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This first edition cancels and replaces EN 12696:2000, which has been technically revised.
ISO 12696:2012(E)
Introduction
This International Standard applies to cathodic protection of steel in concrete, with the concrete atmospherically
exposed, buried or immersed.
Because the criteria of protection for steel in buried or immersed concrete are those applicable to cathodic
protection of steel in atmospherically exposed concrete, this revision of EN 12696:2000 incorporates cathodic
protection of steel in buried and immersed concrete. The provision of cathodic protection current can often
be more economically provided to steel in buried and immersed concrete by using buried or immersed anode
systems detailed in International Standards for buried and immersed steel structures, rather than the anode
systems that are suitable for applications to steel in atmospherically exposed concrete. Therefore reference
is made to other International Standards in this respect whilst the cathodic protection performance criteria for
steel in concrete are defined in this International Standard for all exposures.
There are other electrochemical treatments intended to provide corrosion control for steel in concrete. These
techniques include re-alkalisation and chloride extraction and are not incorporated into this International
[7] [27]
Standard. CEN/TS 14038-1:2004 and CEN/TS 14038-2:2011 have been published.
Cathodic protection of steel in concrete is a technique that has been demonstrated to be successful in appropriate
applications in providing cost effective long-term corrosion control for steel in concrete. It is a technique that
requires specific design calculations and definition of installation procedures in order to be successfully
implemented. This International Standard does not represent a design code for cathodic protection of steel in
concrete but represents a performance standard for which it is anticipated, in order to comply with this standard,
a detailed design and specification for materials, installation, commissioning and operation will be prepared.
vi © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12696:2012(E)
Cathodic protection of steel in concrete
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies performance requirements for cathodic protection of steel in cement-
based concrete, in both new and existing structures. It covers building and civil engineering structures, including
normal reinforcement and prestressed reinforcement embedded in the concrete. It is applicable to uncoated
steel reinforcement and to organic-coated steel reinforcement.
This International Standard applies to steel embedded in atmospherically exposed, buried, immersed and tidal
elements of buildings or structures.
NOTE 1 Annex A gives guidance on the principles of cathodic protection and its application to steel in concrete.
NOTE 2 This International Standard, whilst not specifically intended to address cathodic protection of steel in any
electrolyte except concrete, may be applied to cathodic protection of steel in other cementitious materials such as are
found, for example, in early 20th century steel-framed masonry, brick and terracotta clad buildings. In such applications,
additional considerations specific to these structures are required in respect of design, materials and installation of cathodic
protection; however, the requirements of this International Standard may be applied to these systems.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 8044, Corrosion of metals and alloys — Basic terms and definitions
ISO 13174, Cathodic protection for harbour installations
EN 1504 (all parts), Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures — Definitions,
requirements, quality control and evaluation of conformity
EN 12954, Cathodic protection of buried or immersed metallic structures — General principles and application
for pipelines
EN 14629, Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures — Test methods —
Determination of chloride content in hardened concrete
EN 14630, Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures — Test methods —
Determination of carbonation depth in hardened concrete by the phenolphthalein method
EN 15257, Cathodic protection — Competence levels and certification of cathodic protection personnel
IEC 60502-1, Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages from 1 kV (U = 1,2 kV)
m
to 30 kV (U = 36 kV) — Part 1: Cables for rated voltages of 1 kV (U = 1,2 kV) and 3 kV (U = 3,6 kV)
m m m
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock — Common aspects for installation and equipment
IEC 61558-1, Safety of power transformers, power supplies, reactors and similar products — Part 1: General
requirements and tests
IEC 61558-2-1, Safety of power transformers, power supplies, reactors and similar products — Part 2-1:
Particular requirements and tests for separating transformers and power supplies incorporating separating
transformers for general applications
ISO 12696:2012(E)
IEC 61558-2-2, Safety of power transformers, power supplies, reactors and similar products — Part 2-2:
Particular requirements and tests for control transformers and power supplies incorporating control transformers
IEC 61558-2-4, Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and similar products for supply voltages
up to 1 100 V — Part 2-4: Particular requirements and tests for isolating transformers and power supply units
incorporating isolating transformers
IEC 61558-2-13, Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and similar products for supply voltages
up to 1 100 V — Part 2-13: Particular requirements and tests for auto transformers and power supply units
incorporating auto transformers
IEC 61558-2-16, Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and similar products for voltages up to
1 100 V — Part 2-16: Particular requirements and tests for switch mode power supply units and transformers
for switch mode power supply units
IEC 62262, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical
impacts (IK code)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 8044 and EN 1504 and the following apply.
3.1
zone
part of a cathodic protection system
NOTE Anode systems may be divided into separate zones to supply current to a fully continuous reinforcement mesh.
Alternatively, a single anode zone may supply current to separate, electrically isolated, zones within the reinforcement
system. Zones may comprise an individual anode zone for each reinforcement zone or exposure condition. As the current
provision to each of the zones in each of these alternatives can be separately measured, all of them are generically called
“cathodic protection zones” and specifically “anode zones” or “cathode zones”.
3.2
humectant
hygroscopic material, i.e. a substance that promotes the retention of moisture
NOTE It may be applied to the surface of a galvanic anode to keep the concrete-anode interface moist.
4 General
4.1 Quality management systems
The design, the installation, the energizing, the commissioning, and the long-term operation of all of the
elements of cathodic protection systems for steel in concrete shall be fully documented.
NOTE ISO 9000 constitutes a suitable Quality Management Systems Standard which may be utilized.
Each element of the work shall be undertaken in accordance with a fully documented quality plan.
Each stage of the design shall be checked and the checking shall be documented.
Each stage of the installation, energizing, commissioning and operation shall be the subject of appropriate
visual, mechanical and/or electrical testing, and all testing shall be documented.
All test instrumentation shall have valid calibration certificates traceable to national or European Standards
concerning calibration.
The documentation shall constitute part of the permanent records for the works.
2 © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 12696:2012(E)
4.2 Personnel
Each aspect of the cathodic protection system design, installation, testing of the installation, energizing,
commissioning and long-term operational control shall be under the supervision of personnel with appropriate
qualifications, training, expertise and experience in the particular element of the work for which they are responsible.
NOTE Cathodic protection of steel in concrete is a specialist multidiscipline activity. Expertise is required in the fields
of electrochemistry, concrete technology, civil and/or structural engineering and cathodic protection engineering.
Personnel who undertake the design, supervision of installation, commissioning, supervision of operation,
measurements, monitoring and supervision of maintenance of cathodic protection systems shall have the
appropriate level of competence for the tasks undertaken. EN 15257 specifies a suitable method which may be
utilized for assessing the competence of cathodic protection personnel.
The competence of cathodic protection personnel to the appropriate level for tasks undertaken should be
demonstrated by certification in accordance with EN 15257 or by another equivalent prequalification procedure.
4.3 Design
This International Standard does not represent a design code but is a performance standard.
Cathodic protection systems for steel in concrete shall be the subject of detailed design.
The design shall, as a minimum, include the following:
a) detailed calculations;
b) detailed installation drawings;
c) detailed material and equipment specifications;
d) detailed method statements or specifications for installation, testing, energizing, commissioning and operation;
e) structures containing prestressing shall be assessed for their susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement and
for risk of stray currents.
NOTE Annex B lists items that should be considered in the detailed design.
5 Structure assessment and repair
5.1 General
For cathodic protection (or cathodic prevention) of new structures, see 5.12.
The assessment of an existing structure, including its material condition, its structural integrity, and whether
and how to repair it, shall be performed in accordance with EN 1504.
When cathodic protection is proposed as the repair/protection method, or part of it, for a structure, additional
investigation shall be undertaken in order to
a) confirm the suitability of cathodic protection, and
b) provide system-design input information. See Annex B.
These investigations shall include, but shall not be limited to, those in 5.2 to 5.10.
5.2 Records
All available drawings, specifications, records and notes shall be reviewed to assess the location, quantity,
nature (e.g. normal, galvanized, epoxy-coated, prestressed) and continuity of the reinforcement and any
additional steel, the constituents and quality of the concrete.
ISO 12696:2012(E)
The available information shall be confirmed and supplemented by site survey and laboratory tests, as specified
in 5.3 to 5.8.
5.3 Visual inspection and delamination survey
Visual survey data shall be collected to ascertain the type, causes and extent of defects, and any features
of the structure or its surrounding environment, which could influence the application and effectiveness of
cathodic protection. Areas which have been previously repaired, and the repair methods and materials, shall
be identified.
All areas of the structure which require to be cathodically protected shall be checked for delamination of the
concrete cover.
Defects, such as cracks, honeycombing, or poor construction joints, which could permit significant water
penetration, and which could in turn impair the effectiveness or durability of the cathodic protection system,
shall be recorded.
Where necessary, the inspection and survey of buried or immersed elements will be facilitated by excavation
and or cofferdams.
5.4 Chloride analysis
If required, values and distributions of the chloride content of the concrete shall be determined in accordance
with EN 14629.
5.5 Carbonation depth measurement
If required, distribution of carbonation depths shall be measured in accordance with EN 14630.
5.6 Concrete cover and reinforcement location
Concrete cover distribution and embedded steel and reinforcement size and position measurements shall be
carried out in order to assess whether the anode/cathode spacing will be adequate for the particular anode
system envisaged, and to identify dense regions of steel or reinforcement which may require high current density.
Shielding of the steel to be protected, caused by embedded metal meshes, metal fibres or plates, plastic sheets
or non-conductive repair materials, which could impair the efficiency of cathodic protection, shall be assessed.
Possible short-circuits between reinforcing steel and impressed current anodes shall be assessed.
For buried or immersed structures or zones, the concrete cover may be less significant if the anode system is
to comprise anodes buried or immersed and located some distance from the structure.
5.7 Reinforcement electrical continuity
Drawings of reinforcement and other steel elements shall be checked for continuity which shall then be proven
on site by measuring the electrical resistance and/or potential difference between bars in locations remote
from each other across the structure. Testing shall be as specified in 7.1 for the purpose of confirming cathodic
protection feasibility and providing design information. This shall include at least an assessment of the following
on a representative basis:
a) electrical continuity between elements of the structure within each zone of the cathodic protection system;
b) electrical continuity of reinforcement within elements of the structure;
c) electrical continuity of metallic items, other than reinforcement, to the reinforcement itself.
At the subsequent repair and installation stage, reinforcement and other steel electrical continuity shall be
further checked in accordance with the methods, and to the extent specified in 7.1.
4 © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 12696:2012(E)
5.8 Steel/concrete potential
Representative areas, both damaged and apparently undamaged, shall be surveyed for reinforcement/steel
corrosion activity, using portable reference electrodes conforming to 6.3.2. Measurements shall be taken,
preferably on an orthogonal grid, at a maximum spacing of 500 mm.
NOTE 1 It is not necessary to carry out a steel/concrete potential survey of the entire structure. It is appropriate to
survey, in more detail, those areas where reference electrodes are planned to be permanently installed, in order to place
them in most anodic and other suitable locations.
Continuity of the reinforcement and steel within any steel/concrete potential survey area is essential and shall
be checked, using the method in 7.1 before the steel/concrete potential survey.
Measurements in any areas identified as delaminated, in the survey specified in 5.3, should be interpreted
with caution, because delamination can produce readings inconsistent with the level of corrosion of the
reinforcement or other embedded steel.
[8] [9] [10]
NOTE 2 ASTM C876 , RILEM TC 154 report (2003) and Concrete Society Technical Report 60 provide guidance
with respect to steel/concrete potential measurements and interpretation.
5.9 Concrete electrical resistivity
The impact of variations in concrete resistivity on the cathodic protection system shall be considered. There
is no firm guidance on limits of electrical resistivity with respect to cathodic protection, but the designer shall
consider whether full protection can be achieved where required for the ranges and absolute values of concrete
resistivity found on the structure.
[11] [10]
NOTE RILEM TC 154 Report (2000) and Concrete Society Technical Report 60 provide guidance with respect
to concrete electrical resistivity measurements and interpretation.
5.10 Repair
5.10.1 General
All operations comprising repair shall be performed in accordance with EN 1504, except where stated otherwise
in this subclause.
NOTE Installation of cathodic protection to an existing structure may be associated with other forms of repair work,
such as strengthening, patching or coating, as determined in accordance with EN 1504. In this subclause, the term “repair”
signifies reinstatement of the damaged/deteriorated concrete to provide an uninterrupted path for the flow of cathodic
protection current prior to the installation of cathodic protection, as well as reinstatement at locations where concrete has
been removed to provide access to reinforcement and other steel, to install cable connections and monitoring sensors, etc.
5.10.2 Concrete removal
All repair materials from previous installations with significantly different electrical resistivity from the parent
concrete shall be broken out.
NOTE 1 Typically, these repair materials with an electrical resistivity outside the range of approximately half to twice
that of the parent concrete, when measured under the same conditions as the parent concrete, should be removed in order
to allow relatively uniform current distribution to reinforcement. For example, predominantly epoxy-based repair materials
will have very high resistivity values and may shield reinforcement within or behind them from cathodic protection. Concrete
reinforced with metallic fibres may have very low electrical resistivity and the fibres may form an electrical short-circuit
path between the anode and the steel.
For impressed-current cathodic protection systems, any tying wire, nails or other metal components visible on
the concrete, that might contact the anode system or might be too close to the anode for optimum anode/cathode
spacing, shall be cut back and the concrete shall be repaired.
NOTE 2 Any metallic objects electrically isolated from the cathodic protection cathode circuit may corrode and may
require to be electrically bonded to the reinforcement or removed.
ISO 12696:2012(E)
The removal of physically sound chloride-contaminated or carbonated concrete prior to applying cathodic
protection is not necessary.
5.10.3 Reinforcement preparation
Any loose corrosion product particles shall be removed from the exposed reinforcement or other steel to
ensure good contact between the steel and the repair material, but there is no need to clean the reinforcement
or other steel, to be embedded in concrete, to bright metal.
Neither insulating nor resistive primers or coatings shall be used.
5.10.4 Concrete reinstatement
Concrete reinstatement shall be in accordance with EN 1504, except where stated in this subclause.
Concrete shall be reinstated using cementitious materials. Repair materials containing metal (either fibre
or powder) shall not be used, especially in the case of impressed current systems. The electrical resistivity
characteristics and mechanical properties of the repair materials shall be compatible with the original concrete.
Proprietary curing membranes shall not be used prior to subsequent anode installation over the repair area.
Alternative curing methods shall be used.
The electrical resistivity of concrete repair materials shall be similar to that of the parent concrete.
NOTE Typically, these repair materials will have an electrical resistivity within the range approximately half to twice
that of the parent concrete when measured under the same conditions as the parent concrete. However, the electrical
resistivity of the parent concrete will be that of an aged material (age > 20 years), whereas the electrical resistivity of the
repair material will reflect the properties at a relatively young age; it is anticipated that there will be a significant ageing
effect over time. Also, measurements made in the laboratory on prisms will not represent the conditions of the structure.
A good quality repair made with materials known to be compatible with cathodic protection installations has been found to
be more important than arbitrary resistivity limits.
5.11 Cementitious overlay
For cathodic protection systems employing anode systems as outlined in 6.2.2.2, following repair as specified
in 5.10, and anode installation in accordance with 7.5, 7.6 and 7.7, a cementitious overlay shall be applied
over appropriate types of installed anode. All materials and application methods shall be in accordance with
EN 1504. The average bond strength between the existing concrete and overlay shall be greater than 1,5 MPa
and the minimum shall be greater than 1,0 MPa.
NOTE If the substrate concrete cohesive strength fails at lower values than 1,5 MPa average and 1,0 MPa minimum,
the use of a cementitious overlay may be inappropriate.
Overlay application may be combined with concrete repair.
The electrical resistivity of anode overlays may exceed twice that of parent concrete subject to the anode within
the overlay being able to pass its design current at the design voltage, in an overlay of this resistivity, in all
atmospheric and exposure conditions applicable to the structure.
The selected material, thickness and placement method shall be compatible with each other, with the anode
material and the exposure of the structure.
The potential between the anode and reinforcement/steel (cathode) shall be monitored to detect short-circuits.
Curing membranes shall be removed from the parent concrete/substrate or shall have sufficiently degraded to
avoid adversely influencing the performance of the cathodic protection system.
5.12 New structures
In the case of a new structure, if cathodic protection as a preventive system is to be included in the original
construction, the following issues shall be assessed in the design, specification and construction procedures,
6 © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 12696:2012(E)
in addition to the requirements of the remainder of this International Standard and of the standards governing
the design and construction of the new structure:
a) provision and checking of reinforcement/steel electrical continuity, in accordance with 7.1;
b) adequate securing and protection of monitoring sensors and all cables and their connections, to avoid
damage or disturbance during concrete placement and vibration;
c) connection, location or insulation of other metallic fixtures, fixings, or other items, so as to avoid undesirable
influences from the cathodic protection system;
d) in the case of impressed current anodes cast into the concrete structure, provision of sufficient rigid
insulating spacers and attachments to secure the anodes in position and prevent the creation of
short-circuits during concrete placement and vibration. The potential monitoring between anode and
reinforcement/steel (cathode) shall be used to detect short-circuits during concrete placement.
6 Cathodic protection system components
6.1 General
The cathodic protection system shall include an anode system intended to distribute the cathodic protection
current to the surfaces of the embedded steel to be protected. Impressed current cathodic protection systems
shall further incorporate positive and negative d.c. cables between the anode and the steel, respectively, and
the d.c. power supply, which is the source of the cathodic protection current.
For galvanic anode systems, direct permanent metallic connections shall be provided between the anode and
the steel, except where monitoring that requires current interruption is installed.
Reference electrodes, other electrodes and other sensors are key elements of cathodic protection systems
and constitute the performance monitoring system within cathodic protection systems. The data from the
electrodes and sensors may be interrogated and displayed by portable instrumentation or permanently installed
instrumentation of either the automatic or manual type.
The entire cathodic protection system shall be designed, installed and tested to be suitable for its intended life
in its intended environment.
Both impressed current and galvanic anode cathodic protection systems require monitoring provisions in order
to determine the performance and comply with this International Standard.
NOTE Galvanic anode systems may be used without monitoring systems or methods to measure their performance.
Such systems do not comply with this International Standard.
6.2 Anode systems
See Annex C.
The anode system shall be capable of supplying the performance required by the cathodic protection design
(see 4.3). The anode system’s calculated or anticipated life shall be sufficient for the design life incorporated
into the design, with, where necessary, planned maintenance or replacement of the anode system or parts of
the system at periods designated in the design.
For anodes embedded into or applied to the surface of the concrete, the anode current density shall conform
to the design and shall not exceed such values resulting in a performance reduction of either
a) the concrete at the anode/concrete interface, or
b) the anode,
during the design life of the anode.
ISO 12696:2012(E)
The design and/or the selection of the anode material shall consider likely variations in cathode current density
requirements, steel distribution, concrete electrical resistivity and any other factors likely to result in uneven
distribution of current demand or current discharge from the anode and the possibility of this resulting in an
early failure of isolated parts of the anode system.
NOTE 1 A variety of anode systems have been developed, tested and demonstrated in long-term field applications to be
suitable for use embedded in concrete or applied to the concrete primarily (but not exclusively) in the cathodic protection of
steel in atmospherically exposed concrete. The requirements for such anodes are unique for usage of cathodic protection
in concrete, as the anodes have to be installed or applied and distributed across the concrete surface or within the
concrete, as required, to meet the design distribution and magnitude of current. The anode is therefore in close contact
with the highly alkaline concrete pore water. In operation, the anodic electrochemical reactions at the anode/concrete
interface are oxidizing, producing acidity.
NOTE 2 The anode systems described in this International Standard are in two categories. Anode systems which have
been in use for a minimum of 5 years and which hav
...