A continuous monitoring device for detecting defects in a section of piping and a monitoring system that includes at least two monitoring devices. The monitoring device includes injection means that are capable of generating an electric current at a first end of the section of piping, at least one withdrawal point at the second end of the section of piping, allowing the injected current to be removed via grounding, and a control housing with means for measuring at least one component of the current received by the withdrawal point and analysis means for detecting, on the basis of the measurements obtained by the measurement means, a variation in the received component corresponding to a type of defect in the piping.