Stray currents
What are stray currents?
The stray currents (stray voltage, en English), are instances of electrical potential between two objects, between which there should be no potential difference.
Usually there are potential differences between two objects connected to the Earth in different locations, due to the current flow of the energy supply system.
What are the main situations where stray currents can arise?
Examples of situations in which may be generated stray currents are:
1-metal objects without earthing and upcoming sources of alternating current.
2-induced Voltages in metal fences near power transmission lines.
3-loss of power conductors insulation.
4-consumption Imbalance between the phases of a three-phase installation.
5-metal Facilities buried in land resistant to electrical current, with the consequent oxidation corrosion of these facilities (through the process of electrolysis in the moisture of the Earth serves as the electrolyte, being buried metal parts equivalent to the poles of a galvanic cell).
The stray currents can affect the health of people and animals?
May occur if significant stray currents near equipment with problems of isolation, with the risk of transmitting the contact zones of human beings and animals, and disturbance of health .
What solutions exist to correct the stray currents?