Stray Current Corrosion and Mitigation: A synopsis of the technical methods used in dc transit systems

Stray-current corrosion has been a source of concern for the transit authorities and utility companies since the inception of the electrified rail transit system. The corrosion problem caused by stray current was noticed within ten years of the first dc-powered rail line in the United States in 1888 [1] in Richmond, Virginia, and ever since, the control of stray current has been a critical issue. Similarly, the effects of rail and utility-pipe corrosion caused by stray current had been observed in Europe.