Analysis of low frequency electromagnetic fields and calculation of induced voltages to an underground pipeline

Various regulations, aimed at the protection of human beings and electrical equipment against possible adverse effects resulting from exposure to electromagnetic fields, have been issued in many countries. Most of them are based on safety guidelines published by international expert groups. In this paper, electric and magnetic fields are calculated in the vicinity of 25 kV traction line supplying railway traction system. Calculation results are compared to exposure limits specified by safety guidelines and regulations. Possible countermeasures for reduction of electromagnetic fields are proposed. Because of the continuous growth of energy consumption and the tendency to site power lines and pipelines along the same route, the close proximity of power lines and buried metallic pipelines has become more and more frequent. Therefore, there has been and still is a growing concern about possible hazards resulting from the influence of power lines on metallic pipelines. Buried gas pipelines are exposed to corrosion due to induced voltages from an electric traction overhead line. This paper presents a method for calculation of the induced voltages to an underground gas pipeline from a neighbouring 25 kV electric traction overhead line in case of short circuit. Calculations are performed with EMTP-ATP software. Possible countermeasures for reduction of induced voltages are proposed.