A self-adapting method for inhibiting corrosion of a component of a marine
vessel performs a monitoring step during which a signal from the electrode
is compared to a predetermined threshold magnitude. If the electrode is
not connected to the circuit, the measured voltage will be approximately 0
volts. If the electrode is connected to the circuit, but in an inoperable
condition, the voltage will also be lower than the threshold magnitude. In
either of these situations, the present invention operates as an open loop
control system. If, on the other hand, an appropriate signal is received
from the electrode, the control system is operated in a closed loop
manner. As a result, the circuit is able to adapt to the presence or
absence of an operable electrode in the system.
