Fall SemeSter 2025 | NaCe CP2 exam PreP
(CathodiC ProteCtioN teChNiCiaN level 2) |
veriFied PraCtiCe QueStioNS with aNSwerS &
detailed ratioNaleS | uPdated 2025/2026
editioN | ComPreheNSive Study Guide For
CorroSioN & PiPeliNe ProFeSSioNalS
QUESTION 1:
What is the primary purpose of cathodic protection?
A. To increase corrosion rates
B. To enhance electrical conductivity
C. To prevent corrosion of metal surfaces
D. To improve aesthetic appearance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To prevent corrosion of metal surfaces
RATIONALE: Cathodic protection is a method used to control the corrosion of a metal
surface by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell, thus preventing corrosion.
QUESTION 2:
Which of the following is a common method of cathodic protection?
A. Galvanization
B. Sacrificial anode system
C. Coating
D. Painting
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Sacrificial anode system
RATIONALE: A sacrificial anode system involves attaching a more reactive metal to the
structure being protected, which corrodes instead of the protected metal.
QUESTION 3:
What is the function of a reference electrode in cathodic protection systems?
A. To increase voltage
B. To provide insulation
C. To measure the potential of the protected structure
D. To supply current
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To measure the potential of the protected structure
RATIONALE: Reference electrodes provide a stable voltage reference to measure the
potential of the structure being protected, aiding in the effectiveness of cathodic
protection.
,QUESTION 4:
In a cathodic protection system, what is the purpose of the impressed current?
A. To enhance corrosion
B. To alter the material properties
C. To provide additional current to protect the structure
D. To reduce electrical resistance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To provide additional current to protect the structure
RATIONALE: Impressed current systems supply external current to the structure,
ensuring sufficient protection against corrosion.
QUESTION 5:
What is the primary advantage of using impressed current cathodic protection
(ICCP) systems?
A. Lower initial cost
B. Ability to protect larger structures
C. Simplicity of installation
D. No maintenance required
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ability to protect larger structures
RATIONALE: ICCP systems can provide protection for larger and more complex
structures by supplying controlled current levels over a wide area.
QUESTION 6:
Which factor can affect the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system?
A. Ambient temperature
B. Humidity levels
C. Soil resistivity
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
RATIONALE: Various environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, and soil
resistivity, can influence the performance of cathodic protection systems.
QUESTION 7:
What is the significance of the protective potential in cathodic protection?
A. It indicates a failure in the system
B. It defines the acceptable corrosion rate
,C. It establishes the voltage required for protection
D. It measures the thickness of the coating
CORRECT ANSWER: C. It establishes the voltage required for protection
RATIONALE: The protective potential is the voltage level that must be achieved to
effectively protect the metal from corrosion.
QUESTION 8:
What is the role of dielectric coatings in cathodic protection?
A. To insulate the metal from corrosive environments
B. To increase current flow
C. To enhance conductivity
D. To decrease resistance
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To insulate the metal from corrosive environments
RATIONALE: Dielectric coatings help prevent direct contact between the metal and
corrosive elements, thus supporting the effectiveness of cathodic protection.
QUESTION 9:
Which of the following is a disadvantage of sacrificial anode systems?
A. Low maintenance
B. Limited lifespan of anodes
C. Easy installation
D. Cost-effective
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Limited lifespan of anodes
RATIONALE: Sacrificial anodes can corrode over time, requiring regular replacement,
which can be a disadvantage compared to other methods.
QUESTION 10:
What is the purpose of monitoring in cathodic protection systems?
A. To increase power consumption
B. To validate initial installation
C. To ensure long-term effectiveness and adjust as needed
D. To reduce costs
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To ensure long-term effectiveness and adjust as needed
RATIONALE: Continuous monitoring allows for adjustments to be made to the system,
ensuring ongoing protection against corrosion.
, QUESTION 11:
What does the term 'polarization' refer to in cathodic protection?
A. The alignment of molecules
B. The shift in potential due to current flow
C. The chemical reaction at the anode
D. The resistance of the metal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The shift in potential due to current flow
RATIONALE: Polarization occurs when current flows through the cathodic protection
system, causing a shift in the potential of the protected structure.
QUESTION 12:
How can the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system be verified?
A. By visual inspection
B. By measuring temperature
C. By using a reference electrode to measure potential
D. By checking soil moisture
CORRECT ANSWER: C. By using a reference electrode to measure potential
RATIONALE: Measuring potential with a reference electrode provides a quantitative way
to assess the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system.
QUESTION 13:
What is a common type of reference electrode used in cathodic protection?
A. Zinc
B. Copper
C. Saturated calomel electrode (SCE)
D. Aluminum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Saturated calomel electrode (SCE)
RATIONALE: The saturated calomel electrode is frequently used in cathodic protection
systems due to its stable potential and reliability.
QUESTION 14:
What is the main disadvantage of impressed current systems?
A. Low protection efficiency
B. Simplicity of design
C. Higher installation and maintenance costs
D. Limited to small structures
(CathodiC ProteCtioN teChNiCiaN level 2) |
veriFied PraCtiCe QueStioNS with aNSwerS &
detailed ratioNaleS | uPdated 2025/2026
editioN | ComPreheNSive Study Guide For
CorroSioN & PiPeliNe ProFeSSioNalS
QUESTION 1:
What is the primary purpose of cathodic protection?
A. To increase corrosion rates
B. To enhance electrical conductivity
C. To prevent corrosion of metal surfaces
D. To improve aesthetic appearance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To prevent corrosion of metal surfaces
RATIONALE: Cathodic protection is a method used to control the corrosion of a metal
surface by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell, thus preventing corrosion.
QUESTION 2:
Which of the following is a common method of cathodic protection?
A. Galvanization
B. Sacrificial anode system
C. Coating
D. Painting
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Sacrificial anode system
RATIONALE: A sacrificial anode system involves attaching a more reactive metal to the
structure being protected, which corrodes instead of the protected metal.
QUESTION 3:
What is the function of a reference electrode in cathodic protection systems?
A. To increase voltage
B. To provide insulation
C. To measure the potential of the protected structure
D. To supply current
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To measure the potential of the protected structure
RATIONALE: Reference electrodes provide a stable voltage reference to measure the
potential of the structure being protected, aiding in the effectiveness of cathodic
protection.
,QUESTION 4:
In a cathodic protection system, what is the purpose of the impressed current?
A. To enhance corrosion
B. To alter the material properties
C. To provide additional current to protect the structure
D. To reduce electrical resistance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To provide additional current to protect the structure
RATIONALE: Impressed current systems supply external current to the structure,
ensuring sufficient protection against corrosion.
QUESTION 5:
What is the primary advantage of using impressed current cathodic protection
(ICCP) systems?
A. Lower initial cost
B. Ability to protect larger structures
C. Simplicity of installation
D. No maintenance required
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ability to protect larger structures
RATIONALE: ICCP systems can provide protection for larger and more complex
structures by supplying controlled current levels over a wide area.
QUESTION 6:
Which factor can affect the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system?
A. Ambient temperature
B. Humidity levels
C. Soil resistivity
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
RATIONALE: Various environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, and soil
resistivity, can influence the performance of cathodic protection systems.
QUESTION 7:
What is the significance of the protective potential in cathodic protection?
A. It indicates a failure in the system
B. It defines the acceptable corrosion rate
,C. It establishes the voltage required for protection
D. It measures the thickness of the coating
CORRECT ANSWER: C. It establishes the voltage required for protection
RATIONALE: The protective potential is the voltage level that must be achieved to
effectively protect the metal from corrosion.
QUESTION 8:
What is the role of dielectric coatings in cathodic protection?
A. To insulate the metal from corrosive environments
B. To increase current flow
C. To enhance conductivity
D. To decrease resistance
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To insulate the metal from corrosive environments
RATIONALE: Dielectric coatings help prevent direct contact between the metal and
corrosive elements, thus supporting the effectiveness of cathodic protection.
QUESTION 9:
Which of the following is a disadvantage of sacrificial anode systems?
A. Low maintenance
B. Limited lifespan of anodes
C. Easy installation
D. Cost-effective
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Limited lifespan of anodes
RATIONALE: Sacrificial anodes can corrode over time, requiring regular replacement,
which can be a disadvantage compared to other methods.
QUESTION 10:
What is the purpose of monitoring in cathodic protection systems?
A. To increase power consumption
B. To validate initial installation
C. To ensure long-term effectiveness and adjust as needed
D. To reduce costs
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To ensure long-term effectiveness and adjust as needed
RATIONALE: Continuous monitoring allows for adjustments to be made to the system,
ensuring ongoing protection against corrosion.
, QUESTION 11:
What does the term 'polarization' refer to in cathodic protection?
A. The alignment of molecules
B. The shift in potential due to current flow
C. The chemical reaction at the anode
D. The resistance of the metal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The shift in potential due to current flow
RATIONALE: Polarization occurs when current flows through the cathodic protection
system, causing a shift in the potential of the protected structure.
QUESTION 12:
How can the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system be verified?
A. By visual inspection
B. By measuring temperature
C. By using a reference electrode to measure potential
D. By checking soil moisture
CORRECT ANSWER: C. By using a reference electrode to measure potential
RATIONALE: Measuring potential with a reference electrode provides a quantitative way
to assess the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system.
QUESTION 13:
What is a common type of reference electrode used in cathodic protection?
A. Zinc
B. Copper
C. Saturated calomel electrode (SCE)
D. Aluminum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Saturated calomel electrode (SCE)
RATIONALE: The saturated calomel electrode is frequently used in cathodic protection
systems due to its stable potential and reliability.
QUESTION 14:
What is the main disadvantage of impressed current systems?
A. Low protection efficiency
B. Simplicity of design
C. Higher installation and maintenance costs
D. Limited to small structures
