In order to study the metal corrosion characteristics of Sichuan power transmission and transformation equipment in typical industrial environment, so as to provide theoretical guidance for differentiated anti-corrosion measures for transmission and transformation equipment, carbon steel was selected as the research object and aimed at Zigong, a typical salt chemical city in Sichuan province. A one-year atmospheric corrosion test was carried out in rural environment and heavy industry polluted areas, respectively. Through macroscopic morphology observation, corrosion rate testing, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy spectrum analysis (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical testing, the atmospheric corrosion behavior of carbon steel in these two environments has been comprehensively studied. The results show that carbon steel suffers somewhat severe corrosion even in the rural environment, while the corrosion is significantly worse in the polluted environment of heavy industry. The atmospheric corrosion behavior of carbon steel in the two environments is significantly different. In heavy industry polluted environment with higher chloride ion content, the surface of carbon steel is more likely to generate needle-like corrosion products, and the rust layer has poor protection and corrosion will further accelerate. In order to improve the corrosion protection effect of power transmission and transformation equipment in Zigong area, differentiated anti-corrosion measures can be adopted to appropriately increase the protection level in heavy industry polluted areas.