Category Archives: JA Electronics

Coke Column Guidelines for Deep Anode Systems

OH NO, My Anode Bed is Not Performing!

This article explores a deep anode system gone wrong and guidelines for properly sizing the system coke column.


Earlier this year, we received a call from a pipeline customer with whom we have a solid relationship.

Historically, they used graphite anodes for their deep anode installations. But over the past few years, they began trying the MATCOR Durammo® Deep anode System with success.

When one of their new Durammo anode installations started having strange operating data, it was time to get MATCOR on the phone pronto and figure things out.

MATCOR reviewed the RMU operating data on the wayward installation and found that the data was indeed strange.

The DC output oscillated from periods of robust DC current output to periods of no discernible DC output. We also looked at the deep anode system design and noted the rather short coke column height. The height was only 100 ft of active anode in an 8-inch column. We sent a technician to the site to investigate.

First, we checked the installation and operation of the remote monitoring unit (RMU). Was a poor RMU connection causing intermittent good/bad data? This was not the case.

Next, we checked the continuity of the two anode lead cables. The Durammo® system has a top lead cable and a bottom lead cable. These two cables should be electrically continuous. In this installation, they checked out properly.

Finally, we checked the vent pipe for obvious issues.

Having confirmed that the spurious data was not the result of a poor RMU connection and that the anode system cabling appeared to be intact, we began to suspect that the problem was in the coke column and its immediate environment.

The Culprit? A Small Coke Column.

When we investigated further, we determined that the on-again, off-again readings could be the result of excessive gas generation into a rather small coke column. Both phenomena are heavily impacted by the anode system’s coke column to earth current density.

When the anode system generates more gas than can be exhausted through the vent pipe and diffused through the surrounding earth, gas molecules begin to accumulate between the column particles and at the anode to coke and coke column to earth interfaces. Gas is not electrically conductive, and with enough trapped gas in the column, the system resistance can quickly rise to a point that the anode system cannot overcome this resistance, and the current output drops quickly.

A short-term solution is to turn off the anode system for a period, allowing the gas to disperse inside the coke column and the system should return to normal operation. At least until the gas molecules build up again to block the anode system.

Coke Column to Earth Interface Current Density: The Magic Number

The magic number often cited for anode coke column to earth interface current density is 150mA/ft2. Anything above this number might cause problems. Below this number, history shows that the impact of gas blockage and drying out are generally minimal.

In our example, a 100 ft coke column with an 8-inch diameter hole means that any current output above 31 amps would be pushing that 150mA/f2 threshold.

The 150mA/ft2 current density assumes a high-quality, properly installed coke. This forms a well-compacted column that promotes electronic conduction and limits electrolytic conduction. A well-formed coke column is critical for anode systems using mixed metal oxide anodes, since MMO anodes have an inherently smaller surface area available to be in contact with the column.

It is unclear why the cp system designer recommended a short anode active length for this anode system – other than perhaps the cost saving of using less coke backfill.

While a shorter column does have a positive cost impact, the performance can become an issue, as was the case with this installation. Ultimately, this customer is planning a new Durammo® anode installation for this location with a significantly longer active area.


Need information or a quote for MATCOR deep anode systems? Please contact us at the link below.

6 Things to Look for in a CP Rectifier

The AC/DC transformer cathodic protection rectifier is a relatively simple and highly reliable piece of equipment that is a proven workhorse in the cathodic protection industry.

In the short time since our parent company BrandSafway acquired JA Electronics, we’ve learned a lot from them about how they build the best CP rectifier in the corrosion industry.

Best CP Rectifier

A lot of little things add up to a big difference between a merely good CP rectifier or a best in class rectifier.

And these little things don’t really add to the unit’s cost. In some cases, they are both best in class and lower cost.

JA Electronics recently published an article entitled Building the Best Cathodic Protection Rectifier. Here are the top 6 things they recommend if you want the best cathodic protection rectifier at the best price:

  1. A marine grade aluminum case
  2. Color coded engraving and wiring
  3. Thoughtful layout for ease of use and long life
  4. Left side maintenance door for simplified access
  5. A modular bridge diode assembly for easy troubleshooting
  6. Brass solder lugs for reliability

To get in touch with our team of cathodic protection experts for more information, to ask a question or get a quote, please click below. We will respond by phone or email within 24 hours. For immediate assistance, please call +1-215-348-2974.

Contact a Corrosion Expert

JA Electronics Q&A

RUSTY interviews JA Electronics VP Michael Grace

RUSTY Talks to Michael Grace, Vice President of JA Electronics

MATCOR is excited to welcome JA Electronics to the BrandSafway family, bringing decades of expertise and a range of cathodic protection rectifiers and other CP accessories to MATCOR customers.

We recently sat down with JA Electronics’ VP Michael Grace for this informative interview.

RUSTY: Michael, first off, welcome to the BrandSafway family – what do you think of your new logo?

MICHAEL: JA Electronics has a long and proud history of servicing the Cathodic Protection industry dating back to 1980. BrandSafway’s acquisition of the company marks a new and exciting chapter in that history.

The new logo is a great way to reflect on our past and look forward to our future as part of BrandSafway’s growing set of Corrosion and Integrity businesses. We are very excited about the opportunities ahead of us.

RUSTY: Other than a new logo, what big changes do you see coming for JA Electronics?

MICHAEL: Let’s start by saying what is not going to change—we are going to continue to supply the highest quality rectifiers on the market and do so at very competitive rates. JA Electronics has earned its reputation of providing rectifiers that are built to perform for the long haul. We are not changing our manufacturing team—our rectifiers are proudly built in Stafford, Texas by a team of experienced and dedicated rectifier assembly professionals. Another thing that will not change is our customer service. We stand behind our products and provide world class technical support.

What will change is our relationship with MATCOR. As a fellow BrandSafway company, MATCOR and JA Electronics will be actively looking at ways to partner our products and services. MATCOR, like JA Electronics, is an established name in the cathodic protection industry with a reputation for outstanding products and a long history of innovation. We expect to see collaboration with MATCOR on marketing efforts, shared R&D initiatives, and a closer pairing of our offerings to our customers to add greater value.

RUSTY: What makes JA Electronics a great value proposition?

MICHAEL: JA Electronics’ rectifiers are highly respected in the marketplace for their quality and reliability, a reputation that we have earned over the past 40 years.

Our conservative design basis sets us apart from other rectifier manufacturers. Our transformers, bridge stacks and wiring assemblies are all designed with a 20% safety factor. There are other features and material selection choices that we make to further enhance the reliability of our rectifiers. These design choices result in a higher quality product and allow us to offer a 2 year standard warranty, when most of our competitors limit their warranty to 1 year.

RUSTY: Are JA Rectifiers priced at a premium relative to other rectifiers in the market?

MICHAEL: There is a perception with some in our industry that JA Rectifiers are higher-end rectifiers and cost more than other brands. But the reality is that our rectifiers are cost-competitive with other suppliers even with the great value that we offer. Give JA Electronics a shot—we think you will be surprised at our competitiveness with other rectifier suppliers.

RUSTY: Why are aluminum enclosures better for cathodic protection rectifiers? What’s wrong with galvanized steel?

MICHAEL: Well, there is nothing wrong with galvanized steel enclosures. They’re just not as good as the aluminum enclosures that JA Electronics supplies. We prefer aluminum for its lightweight, anti-corrosive and thermal conductivity properties; whereas galvanized steel is significantly heavier, typically more expensive and does not provide the same level of corrosion resistance in outdoor installations that aluminum offers. The weight savings translates into reduced shipping costs and easier handling during installation. The aluminum enclosures we provide will never rust as aluminum will naturally react with the environment to create a thin oxidizing layer that protects the enclosure. We consider aluminum to be the superior enclosure material.

RUSTY: Is there anything we did not cover that the MATCOR customers might find useful to know about JA Electronics?

MICHAEL: We have a QuickTurn program that covers some of our most common sizes of rectifiers, and we will be looking to expand on this program working with MATCOR to better serve our customers’ needs.

BrandSafway Acquires JA Electronics Manufacturing Company

Together MATCOR® by BrandSafway and JA Electronics will provide full range of cathodic protection and corrosion control solutions.

KENNESAW, Ga., April 9, 2021 — BrandSafway has acquired JA Electronics Manufacturing Company, a privately owned business, specializing in providing the corrosion control industry with cathodic protection equipment, custom engineered using the latest technology.

“By bringing JA Electronics Manufacturing products and solutions to MATCOR and BrandSafway, we will be able to more effectively grow our cathodic protection and corrosion control business,” said Dave Witsken, president of Industrial, Energy and Commercial for BrandSafway. “We’re also excited that JA Electronics’ solar-powered rectifiers will enhance BrandSafway’s ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) efforts.”

Cathodic Protection Rectifier
Oil Cooled Rectifier

MATCOR by BrandSafway delivers cathodic protection and corrosion control solutions for major infrastructure assets, including oil, gas, and water pipelines, above-ground storage tanks, power plants, energy facilities, deep wells, and steel-in-concrete structures worldwide. JA Electronics’ industry-leading corrosion protection rectifiers, controllers, boxes, anodes, testing equipment, and additional grounded materials are an ideal complement to MATCOR’s business. JA Electronics and MATCOR’s combined customers will benefit from a broader range of solutions and greater depth of expertise in cathodic protection and corrosion control.

Founded in 1984 and located in Stafford, Texas, JA Electronics has a proven leadership team, committed to the highest industry safety and quality standards. “This is a great opportunity for JA Electronics
and our employees,” said Jesse R. Marion, JA Electronics president and CEO. “JA Electronics has an experienced team with a great depth of knowledge in manufacturing cathodic protection and corrosion control equipment, which will complement the expertise that BrandSafway has in access, scaffolding, forming, shoring, and related industrial services.”

About MATCOR

In business since 1975, MATCOR by BrandSafway provides services and products that solve corrosion problems globally for major infrastructure assets such as oil, gas, and water pipelines, above-ground storage tanks, power plants, energy facilities, well casings, and steel-in-concrete structures. MATCOR is a turnkey ISO 9001:2015 certified provider of customized cathodic protection products and systems combined with high-quality corrosion engineering, installation, and maintenance. The company maintains specialized CIS (close interval survey) teams and a large fleet of construction equipment. MATCOR’s manufacturing plant is located in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, and the company maintains field service and sales offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Wyoming and Western Pennsylvania, in addition to a growing list of international distributors. For more information about MATCOR, visit www.matcor.com.

About BrandSafway

With a commitment to safety as its foremost value, BrandSafway provides the broadest range of solutions with the greatest depth of expertise to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets. Through a network of 340 strategic locations across 30 countries and more than 38,000 employees, BrandSafway delivers a full range of forming, shoring, scaffolding, work access and industrial service solutions. BrandSafway supports maintenance and refurbishment projects as well as new construction and expansion plans with unmatched service from expert local labor and management. Today’s BrandSafway is At Work For You™ — leveraging innovation and economies of scale to increase safety and productivity, while remaining nimble and responsive. For more information about BrandSafway, visit www.brandsafway.com.

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