Measurement of the internal impedance of traction rails at 50 Hz

The electrical behaviour of sample steel traction rails is analysed considering the resistance and inductance (both external and internal). Measurements are performed on two rails arrangements at different current levels (up to nearly 2 kA) at 50 Hz and over an extended frequency range (50 Hz to 100 kHz) at low currents, so that skin effect and saturation phenomena are clearly visible. Great accordance with the results obtained using Carson's formulae is experienced.