Enhancing the Reliability of Coating Flaw Detection for Pipes Buried in Soil Using a Multi-Electrode Detector

External corrosion of buried pipes can be controlled using both coating and cathodic protection. However, deterioration of the coating can occur due to several reasons. The detection reliabilty of coating flaw detection methods is affected by interference such as metal objects connected to rectifiers and copper grids. When performing parallel direct current voltage gradient (DCVG) inspection, a sine wave form without potential reversal in voltage gradient appears in the area where the interference exists. However, this area may be not identified using existing methods. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of analyzing direction on the reliability of coating flaw detection of pipes buried in soil using a multi-electrode detector. DCVG on the buried pipe was measured along the buried pipe. This measurement parallel to the pipe was repeated. Measured data were analyzed for parallel, vertical, and diagonal directions. The reliability of coating flaw detection was improved by up to 46.4% compared to the conventional method.