Abstract: A method of providing a secure, long-lasting electrical connection between the concentric neutral wires of a Underground Residential Distribution (URD) cable and a sacrificial anode. The invention provides for the prevention of corrosion of the neutral wires of the URD cable. The method comprises: securing a mold around the URD cable and the concentric neutral wires over the area of contact with the anode connecting wire; pouring a low-melt alloy into the mold to surround the URD cable so as to contact at least 50% of the surface area of each of the neutral wires and the anode connecting wire in the area of contact; and cooling the low-melt alloy to form a solid casting around the concentric neutral wires and the area of contact with the anode connecting wire, whereby a secure, long-lasting electrical connection is provided between the neutral wires and the anode.

Abstract: Fracturing of arcuate anode segments per se or of an anode section of a sacrificial anode during installation of bracelet-type anodes about a pipeline to be cathodically protected is minimized. Distortion of the anode segment during cooling of the metal after casting the segment is also minimized. The minimizing of the distortion and fracturing of the anode segments is attained in certain embodiments of the invention, for a given pipeline of a certain diameter, by the arcuate-shaped anode segments each being of an arc length which is not above a predetermined maximum arc length in the range of about 14 inches to about 27 inches.