Patent ID: 7027957

Claim:
A current interrupter assembly for a pipeline having a plurality of test stations, the assembly comprising: a first current interrupter connected to a first cathodic protection circuit having a first rectifier; a second current interrupter connected to a second cathodic protection circuit having a second rectifier; a third current interrupter connected to a third cathodic protection circuit having a third rectifier; each of said current interrupters having internal clocks that are synchronized together; said internal clocks of said current interrupters being programmed to produce a consecutive switching cycle; said consecutive switching cycle including during a time period (a), all of said rectifiers are switched off and an instant off potential is recorded; during a time period (b), second and third rectifiers are on and said first rectifier is off and an influence of said first rectifier is recorded; during a time period (c), all of said rectifiers are on for a stabilizing time; during a time period (d), first and third rectifiers are on and said second rectifier is off and an influence of said second rectifier is recorded; during a time period (e), all of said rectifiers are on for a stabilizing time; during a time period (f), first and second rectifiers are on and said third rectifier is off and an influence of said third rectifier is recorded; and during a time period (g), all rectifiers are on.