Overview
ISO 16674:2025 - Corrosion control engineering life cycle of power transmission and transformation systems specifies general requirements for managing corrosion across the entire life cycle of equipment and devices used in power transmission and transformation systems. It covers stages from target setting, design and material selection through manufacturing, installation, operation, maintenance, life extension and final disposal. The standard aims to ensure safe, economical, long‑lasting and environmentally responsible power infrastructure.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Life‑cycle approach: Addresses corrosion control at every stage - design, development, manufacturing, transportation, storage, construction, commissioning, testing, operation, maintenance, repair, life extension and scrap.
- Corrosion source identification: Requires procedures and dynamic monitoring to identify atmospheric, soil/groundwater and operational sources (e.g., stray currents, thermal effects, electromagnetic influences).
- Corrosivity mapping and databases: Recommends corrosivity classification maps (atmospheric, soil) and a corrosion source database to support design and decision making.
- Materials selection: Sets principles and steps for selecting materials based on corrosion resistance, mechanical and electrical properties, manufacturability, maintenance suitability, cost and environmental impact. Supports lab or field verification where needed.
- Design and protection measures: Promotes coordinated design choices and protective strategies (coatings, metallic coatings, cathodic protection, hot‑dip galvanizing, concrete protection) tailored to accessibility and inspectability.
- Management system and organization: Advises establishing a corrosion control management system and defined responsibilities for owners, technical teams, operations and maintenance.
- Monitoring, testing and records: Emphasizes automatic/intelligent data acquisition, regular inspection/testing, and comprehensive documentation for continuous improvement and assessment.
- Principles: Integrity, systematicity, mutual coordination and optimization across all factors.
Applications and practical value
- Helps utilities, transmission system operators and substation owners reduce downtime, extend asset life and optimize maintenance costs.
- Guides design engineers and material specialists in choosing corrosion‑resistant conductors, fittings, towers, grounding electrodes and substation equipment.
- Supports maintenance teams in implementing inspection regimes, cathodic protection and repair/retrofit strategies.
- Enables project managers and asset owners to build corrosion databases, corrosivity maps and lifecycle cost/benefit assessments.
Who should use this standard
- Power utilities, grid operators and asset managers
- Design and consulting engineers for transmission lines and substations
- Materials engineers, corrosion specialists and maintenance planners
- Contractors involved in manufacturing, installation and commissioning
Related standards
ISO 16674:2025 provides a structured, life‑cycle framework for corrosion control engineering tailored to power transmission and transformation systems, improving reliability, safety and cost‑effectiveness.