TECHNICAL STANDARD
NACE SP0188-2024
Discontinuity (Holiday) Testing of New Protective Coatings on Conductive Substrates
AMPP / NACE
2024
Current
WHAT DOES THIS STANDARD COVER?
Addresses electrical methods for detecting discontinuities in new protective coatings applied to conductive substrates.
WHY IS IT RELEVANT?
Helps frame holiday-testing discussions where the method and product conditions must suit the coating system.
KEY INSPECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Confirm that the selected electrical test method is appropriate for the installed coating and the manufacturer’s guidance.
WHAT THE STANDARD SHOULD NOT BE USED TO ASSUME
Holiday testing is not a universal substitute for broader coating inspection or for product-specific instructions.
PRACTICAL INSPECTION APPLICATION
Use as a reference when planning discontinuity testing for new protective coatings on conductive substrates.
RELATED TECHNICAL STANDARDS
RELATED TECHNICAL TOPICS
holiday testing, discontinuities, conductive substrates, protective coatings
RELATED PIL GUIDANCE
Water-soluble salts can remain on steel even after apparently thorough surface preparation. If they are not identified and adequately controlled before coating application, they can contribute to corrosion, osmotic blistering and premature coating failure.
A structured approach to investigating protective coating failure through evidence, testing, sampling and project-record review.
RELATED EXPERTISE
Inspection; Testing & Analysis
ABOUT THIS TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Paint Inspection Ltd provides this information to help inspectors, engineers, asset owners and contractors understand the practical relevance of commonly referenced protective coatings standards. This page is PIL technical guidance and does not reproduce or replace the published standard. Users should refer to the current published standard, project specification, coating manufacturer requirements and other applicable contract documents when establishing project requirements or acceptance criteria.
PIL TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
Ask the PIL Technical Assistant about this standard and related coating inspection topics.
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OFFICIAL STANDARD
PIL technical summaries are intended to explain the inspection relevance of industry standards and do not replace the published document.
STATUS AND SOURCE VERIFICATION
Publisher metadata checked on 4 Nov 2026; scope recorded from the official publisher reference. PIL technical review pending.