Why Do Railroad Tracks Experience Voltage and Current from Nearby Power Lines?

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In summary, there is a static on top of the parallel 69KV and 12KV line that runs parallel to a railroad track. We are getting 20 plus volts and 4 amps on each track in an isolated section of track. We have deenergized the 12 kv and the volts and amps went away. The volts and amps returned no matter which 7200 volt phase that I reenergized first. I have jumpered out all of the static connections and the volts and amps remain. I have deenergized every single phase lateral that is in this section one at a time and the volts and amps remain.
  • #1
jburgess56
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I have a parallel 69KV and 12KV line that runs parallel to a railroad track. Also, this system has a static on top for the system neutral. We are getting 20 plus volts and 4 amps on each track in an isolated section of track. We have deenergized the 12 kv and the volts and amps went away. The volts and amps returned no matter which 7200 volt phase that I reenergized first. I have jumpered out all of the static connections and the volts and amps remain. I have deenergized every single phase lateral that is in this section one at a time and the volts and amps remain. (Both circuits are on the same pole as well.)The isolated section of track is part of the signal circuit for the railroad. The railroad uses fiberglass connections to isolate from the rest of the track. Any ideas on how to figure out and to fix this problem would be greatly appreciated...Jburgess56
 
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  • #2
lol, i'd say either run the current perpendicular to the track, increase its distance from the track, or cut the track. that cut would stop your signal, of course. maybe you could put in a fiber optic transceiver, tho.
 
  • #3
Exactly how are you measuring the 20 volts and 4 amps? Between tracks or from each track to ground? What do you measure between tracks?

You may want to contact the railroad and work with them to correct the problem. If you give me the lat and lon of that section of track I can tell you which railroad it is and possibly who to contact. The railroads share engines and cars so just looking at the markings on the engines or cars is not a reliable indicator of which railroad it is.

The railroads maintain a potential across the tracks in sections. When a train enters that section, the axles complete a circuit that turns the signal light from green to red, warning any trains ahead or behind it not to enter that section. Is it possible this is what you were seeing? If not, is it possible the potential you're seeing could be changing the lights?
 
  • #4
I am measuring across the isolated section of track with a fluke 187 volt meter. I am using a jumper across the isolated section and using a clamp on amp probe to check current flow. The voltage and amps are on both tracks and only in the isolated section of the signal area. Checking to ground drops the voltage approximately 2 volts. I have contacted the RR and we have deenergized all of their equipment and the voltage and amps do not go away. The RR uses some kind of coupler hooked across at the isolated points of each track to handle the voltage difference, but they are only designed to handle miilivolts. With the amount of voltage, they fail.
 
  • #5
I'm glad you're working with the railroad. It's amazing you get that much power coupling to the tracks. For how far are the transmission lines parallel to the tracks?
 
  • #6
Would having a better impedance matching of your power lines to the load make a difference in the coupling to the rails? I'm not an expert here and would refer you to one of our members, m.s.j , who seems to have knowledge of power line problems. You could PM (personal message) him and see if he might have experienced such a problem. Here's his member profile page: https://www.physicsforums.com/member.php?u=84682"

Welcome to PF
 
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  • #7
They run parallel for about 5 miles or so...

skeptic2 said:
I'm glad you're working with the railroad. It's amazing you get that much power coupling to the tracks. For how far are the transmission lines parallel to the tracks?
 
  • #8
We use capacitor banks for our impedance matching and we have a power factor of .98 lagging to 1.00 unity between the 3 phases of 12 KV. Hard to get much closer...
dlgoff said:
Would having a better impedance matching of your power lines to the load make a difference in the coupling to the rails? I'm not an expert here and would refer you to one of our members, m.s.j , who seems to have knowledge of power line problems. You could PM (personal message) him and see if he might have experienced such a problem. Here's his member profile page: https://www.physicsforums.com/member.php?u=84682"

Welcome to PF
 
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FAQ: Why Do Railroad Tracks Experience Voltage and Current from Nearby Power Lines?

What is a neutral return on RR tracks?

A neutral return on RR tracks refers to a situation where the railway tracks are at the same potential as the surrounding area, which means there is no electrical current flowing through them.

Why is a neutral return important for RR tracks?

A neutral return is important for RR tracks because it ensures the safety of the railway system. Without a neutral return, there is a risk of electrical shocks or fires, which can be dangerous for both passengers and the surrounding environment.

How is a neutral return achieved on RR tracks?

A neutral return is achieved by connecting the rails to a grounding system, which allows any electrical currents to safely dissipate into the ground. This grounding system is typically composed of copper rods or wires buried in the ground near the tracks.

What factors can affect the neutral return on RR tracks?

Several factors can affect the neutral return on RR tracks, including the condition of the grounding system, weather conditions, and the presence of nearby electrical sources. It is important to regularly inspect and maintain the grounding system to ensure its effectiveness.

How does a neutral return benefit the environment?

A neutral return on RR tracks helps to protect the environment by preventing electrical currents from flowing into the ground and potentially contaminating soil or water sources. It also reduces the risk of fires, which can have a harmful impact on wildlife and natural habitats.

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