The invention pertains to a procedure to control and/or monitor a machine or system using an automation system, whereby functions of the automation system are controlled by a computer. The control function is executed by programs which are executed on the computer, whereby the computer is equipped with a real-time-capable operating system, specifically, a real-time-capable Linux operating system. The programs include both real-time programs and non-real-time programs which are executed in a runtime environment that is superordinate to the operating system.

A method for changing an activation state of an interruption module for selectively interrupting at least one passive cathodic protection unit from a metallic structure. The method includes enabling a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in data communication with a controller of the interruption module, receiving GPS time via the GPS receiver from at least one global positioning system satellite in data communication therewith, synchronizing a real-time clock time of a real-time clock in data communication with the controller to GPS time, disabling the GPS receiver and changing the activation state of the interruption module if a predetermined activation state change time of the interruption module is between the local real-time clock time and the GPS time.

A cathodic protection (CP) interruption system includes a metallic structure and a plurality of passive CP units embedded in an electrolytic medium, a plurality of test units electrically coupled with the structure and each of the CP units, and a low-power consumption component arrangement. The arrangement includes a real-time clock (RTC) and a GPS receiver coupled with each test unit for receiving GPS time from a GPS satellite. A controller is communicatively coupled with each RTC and GPS receiver for activating the GPS receiver once the RTC reaches a predetermined time to synchronize a RTC time of each RTC with GPS time. Interruption modules are coupled in electrical and data communication with the controller. The controller selectively changes an activation state of each interruption module once the RTC time reaches a predetermined activation state change time to selectively electrically couple or decouple each CP unit from the structure.

A cathodic protection (CP) interruption system includes a metallic structure and a plurality of passive CP units embedded in an electrolytic medium, a plurality of test units electrically coupled with the structure and each of the CP units, and a low-power consumption component arrangement. The arrangement includes a real-time clock (RTC) and a GPS receiver coupled with each test unit for receiving GPS time from a GPS satellite. A controller is communicatively coupled with each RTC and GPS receiver for activating the GPS receiver once the RTC reaches a predetermined time to synchronize a RTC time of each RTC with GPS time. Interruption modules are coupled in electrical and data communication with the controller. The controller selectively changes an activation state of each interruption module once the RTC time reaches a predetermined activation state change time to selectively electrically couple or decouple each CP unit from the structure.