How 'vagrant current' became impressed current cathodic protection - Part 1

Some of the significant problems associated with vagrant current, being used to operate early railway networks are discussed. It has been found that most of the early railway networks operated on DC-powered generators that created significant problems. Leakage current from faulty rail bonds and low rail-to-ground resistance, caused considerable interference with serious effects on other metallic utilities, when combined conductive soil paths and high operating current. A large number of utilities, pipeline owners, railways, and governments have undertaken significant studies of electrolysis, to investigate and find solutions to these problems. Germany implemented regulatory measures, in an effort to find legal solutions to these problems. The US Bureau of Standards also made efforts to publish technology papers that focused on testing electrolysis mitigation methods.