In an energy environment where infrastructure integrity is critical, electrical decoupling has become an essential factor to ensure safe and efficient operations. During a recent interview with Tony Castillo, Senior International Account Manager NACE CP2 at Dairyland Electrical Industries, Inc. during the LatinCORR 2025 event, the main challenges faced by cathodic protection systems and the solutions offered by this specialized company were discussed.
Understanding electrical decoupling in cathodic protection
Electrical decoupling is a strategy to isolate electrical system components without compromising their functionality, especially in applications where alternating current (AC) can be induced in metallic structures such as pipes or tanks. This type of interference jeopardizes the effectiveness of the cathodic protection and can lead to costly or dangerous failures.
It also allows cathodic protection systems to operate efficiently by maintaining the electrical continuity necessary for corrosion protection, while avoiding electrical hazards that could compromise operational safety and the integrity of pipelines, tanks and other metallic infrastructure.
Solid-state decouplers – maintenance-free technology
Dairyland Electrical Industries has established itself as a leader in electrical decoupling solutions thanks to its specialization in solid state devices. These decouplers are electronic devices that operate using semiconductor components such as diodes and thyristors, which gives them high reliability, long life and the advantage of requiring no maintenance.
In addition, Castillo explains that these products are designed to operate in extreme conditions, including energy-dense areas or complex infrastructure junctions, while requiring no external power, which significantly reduces operating costs and improves system reliability.
The failure rate of our company’s products is 0.01%. Therefore, if chosen correctly for the application, it will work for many years.
Tony Castillo.
Working together with international specialists
Castillo also highlighted the importance of Dairyland’s collaborations with AC interference modeling experts worldwide and how, thanks to these partnerships, the company can specify precisely which device to use in each technical scenario, ensuring optimal integration in large-scale projects.
This collaborative approach allows the company to adapt to the specific conditions of each customer, offering tailor-made solutions that maximize the security and performance of the systems.
A peculiar origin: cows and the need for isolation
Beyond the technology, Dairyland’s history has a curious origin. More than 40 years ago, the company was born in response to a problem on dairy farms where cows were exposed to ground currents that caused stress and reduced milk production. The first product, a neutral isolator, was designed to eliminate these currents by decoupling the farm transformer.
The role of electric decoupling in the future of energy
As power grids and industrial systems become more complex, electrical decoupling will continue to gain prominence, with technologies such as solid-state decouplers offering a reliable and efficient solution to industry challenges.
Tony Castillo, with his international experience and technical vision, represents the commitment of Dairyland for a safer industry that is prepared for emerging risks. His work and that of his team are an example of how innovation can be integrated with responsibility, from farms to energy megastructures.
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Source: Inspenet.