<p>A system for detecting degradation of a wire in a coated rope or belt includes a reference electrode in electrical communication with the rope or belt and a probe in electrical communication with a wire of the rope or belt. An electrochemical measurement device is connected to the reference electrode and the probe and is configured to measure an electrical potential across the wire. The measured potential indicates a level of degradation of the wire. A method of detecting degradation of a wire in a coated rope or belt includes providing a probe in electrical communication with a wire of a rope or belt and providing a reference electrode in electrical communication with the wire of the rope or belt. A corrosion potential across the wire is measured via the probe and the reference electrode. A level of degradation of the wire is determined based on the measured potential.</p>
