In a galvanic anode installation, what happens to the buried bare wire between the structure and the anode?

In a galvanic anode installation, the key principle is that the galvanic anode is used to protect the cathodic structure, such as a pipeline, by providing a source of galvanic current. The buried bare wire that connects the structure to the anode serves as a conductive pathway for the protective current to flow from the anode to the structure.

Because the wire is part of a cathodic protection system, it is protected along with the structure, given that the potential difference established by the anode helps to shield it from corrosion. The protective current provided by the anode helps to reduce the corrosion potential of the connected structure and its connections. As long as the system is functioning properly, the buried wire itself should not undergo significant corrosion, since it is part of a protective circuit.

The other options involve scenarios that would not accurately reflect the operational principles of a correctly installed galvanic anode system. Therefore, the understanding of the protection mechanism highlights why the buried bare wire is effectively protected under these conditions.