Stray Current
Prepared by: Shahriyar Kabir
Assistant Engineer (Electrical),
CP-03 & CP-04
Stray Current
Stray current is the current which is flowing through unintended paths
other than the intended circuit.
Rail track (running rail) is used for negative current return path.
Some part of return current intends to leak through reinforcement bar to the
ground or to the substations. This leakage current is stray current.
Low resistance of unintended path allows stray current to flow.
Fig: Current is leaking from running rail Fig: Current is leaking through the piller
Stray Current Corrosion
The DC stray current cause metal detraction in watery electrolytes as per
the following chemical reactions:-
Stray current enters in reinforcement bar-
2H2O + 2e- → H2 +2OH-
Stray current leaves reinforcement bar-
Fe → Fe2+ + 2e-
This chemical reaction cause rusting and detraction in metal/steel. Rate
of detraction can be calculated by faraday law:
M=c*i*t
Where, M=mass(kg), i=current(Amp) , t=time (year)
C=coefficient of detraction(kg/Amp.year)
C=9.13 for iron
If 4000A current flowing through the rail and 0.025% of this current(=1A)
enters rebar reinforcement, it will eat away 0.9kg steel per year.
How Stray Current Occurs?
• Rail potential (rail to earth voltage) cause stray current
here, Rail potential= 𝑰 × 𝑹 =
𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 × 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
× 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓
• In MRT line-6 rail potential will not be exceed 120V
• Low resistance between rail to earth will cause to flow stray current
Fig: A simple demonstration of
return current and stray current
by a circuit diagram
Protection from Stray Current Corrosion
To mitigate stray current 4 measures are needed to be considered for MRT
Line-6
• Decreasing resistance of rail return circuit
➢ Decreasing distance between two traction substation→2-2.5km
➢ Continuously welded track
➢ Install stray current collection mesh under track plinth and stray
current collector cable along the viaduct to create alternative low
resistance path
• Increasing the resistance of rail to earth resistance
➢ Providing insulating pad under rail (between rail and rail plinth)
➢ Providing insulation in shear connector to insulate between track
slab and box girder reinforcement
➢ Providing insulation in rail fastening system
• Limit Rail Potential
➢ Install voltage limiting device at different location. If it detects rail
potential>120V, it connect earth to rail at that point.
This is according to EN 50122-2 standard
Insulating Material
Protection from Stray Current Corrosion
Fig: Stray current collection mesh will done by CP-07
Why shear connector is needed and why it
needs to be insulated
Purpose of shear connector is to hold rail plinth in correct position and
taking the shear force of the rail plinth
According to EN 50122-2, In order to reduce stray currents, no part of the
return circuit shall have a direct conductive connection to installations,
components or metallic structures which are not insulated from earth. If a
connection to the return circuit is unavoidable for reasons of protection
against electric shock, provisions shall be taken to reduce the stray current
effects. Electrical separation of the metal reinforcement of the structure
from earth
Stray Current Insulation Material
Fig: Epoxy Coating Paint
Fig: Yongli Heat shrinkable tube
Stray Current Insulating
Material
Applying
Asian
paints on
shear
connectors
Damage of Shear Connectors
Damage of Shear Connectors
Damage of Shear connectors
Shear Connector Insulation Test
Shear Connector Insulation Test
Fixing Defected Shear Connector &
Reinstalling
Final Modification
Final Modification
Thank You Q&A
