Measurement and Evaluation of the Stray Currents from the DC Electric Traction Systems

Abstract

The formation of stray currents is very closely related to the operation of the electrified railway and city lines. These ground currents may cause an electrochemical corrosion of the storage devices. The damages caused by the electrochemical corrosion may acquire high values and may also disable the storage device out of the operation. This article deals with the measurement and analysis of the stray currents caused by the electric traction on a 3 kV DC electrified railway track in the area of Puchov (Slovakia). Each examined locality was analyzed and evaluated in the term of the electrochemical corrosion. Subsequently, the class of possible damage of the storage devices by the stray currents was determined.