TRES, G.    SABORIO, E.. Corrosion Rate Evaluation of the Copper Cable Used in Grounding Systems at the ICE - Costa Rica. []. , 22, 4, pp.345-360. ISSN 0872-1904.

This research was made to determine the corrosion rate of the copper cable used in grounding and lightning systems, at the electrical generation plants from the Costarrican Electrical Institute. The methods used were linear polarization resistance (LPR), and the weight loss one. This report includes both, laboratory and field tests of corrosion rates, using as electrolytes two products commercially available. Moreover, some electrochemical experiments were developed at the laboratory, in order to know the reaction mechanisms. The goal of this study was to generate criteria for the maintenance and/or the substitution of copper cables according to their deterioration. The results showed that the corrosion rate in "A" is at least ten times higher than in "B". In addition, several samples in the "A" electrolyte had pitting corrosion. The study indicates that from the point of view of the corrosion it is preferable to use product "B" like filling, since the generalized corrosion of copper is lower and in addition localized damage does not appear.

: linear polarization resistance; generalized corrosion; pitting corrosion; polarization curves; cyclic voltammetric curves; grounding and lightning systems.

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