Electric traction and electrolytic corrosion: a software tool for stray currents calculation

The stray currents represent a serious problem for each electric system for transportation where the rails are the return conductor of traction circuit. Especially for dc traction systems, the stray currents create or accelerate the electrolytic corrosion of metallic structures located in the proximity. In particular the presence of structures in reinforced concrete requires a careful monitoring of the scaffolds that in presence of stray currents can be damaged by corrosion phenomena. The present paper deals with a software program that permits to determine the stray current values in different structures for the different conditions of the traction system. Some examples are reported at the end with relevant comments and with a discussion that underlines the parameters that mainly affect the electrolytic corrosion risk.