Pipeline Interference Studies
It is increasingly difficult to secure routes for proposed transmission and distribution lines required for the connection of new substations. windfarms or railway installations. Frequently, the proposed routes come into relatively close proximity to existing services. Pipeline operators and other parties often require confirmation that the new circuits will not cause hazardous voltages or ac corrosion effects on their equipment.
ERM have the capability to carry out computer simulations of new transmission line or underground circuits in proximity to other metallic objects, whether they be pipelines, fences or other cable systems. The industry-recognised software ERM use provides the facility to calculate both inductive and conductive voltage transfers due to the new circuits and determine whether any voltage rise will be hazardous or damaging to the pipeline or structure and any cathodic protection systems. ERM also carry out the field tests (soil resistivity and groundbed resistance measurements) necessary to gain input data for this type of study.
The industry-recognised software that ERM enables calculation of both the inductive and conductive voltage transfers due to current flows in the new circuits. The results are then used to determine whether any voltage rise will be hazardous or sufficient to cause damage to the pipeline / structure or cathodic protection systems.