Electrical hazards lead to more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries among U.S. workers every year. Currently, electrocution is the sixth leading cause of workplace deaths in America. That being said, it’s important for all electrical and rail industry employees to take the proper precautions, which first and foremost include understanding mechanical operations. Electromagnetic interference, or EMI, is known to impact the rail industry and set certain standards. Here’s what you need to know about EMI in regards to the rail industry.

What Is EMI?

EMI is a result of the rail moving along the electrified track:

“The movement of rolling stock along an electrified track produces certain EMI events. Transient electromagnetic fields are produced in the signalling system when the train leaves the neutral section of the overhead power line and enters the powered section. These transient EM fields are mainly produced by the engine…The infrastructure is designed so that the return current from locomotives should go through the running rails, but occasionally the ground acts as a conductor, transmitting current to areas that are distant from the rail,” says IEEE Explore.

You should also be aware that this phenomenon typically affects the environment surrounding the rail system — up to an average of 10 meters from the track.

EMI Helps With Interference on Trains

First, it’s important to understand that EMI can help with certain types of interference on trains, like pacemakers. This makes sense when you consider the fact that we have become increasingly reliant on satellites for global communication since the 1990s. In 1998, the failure of the Galaxy 4 satellite affected about 80% of all pager users on Earth.

EMI Makes Rail More Efficient

Heat treatment and EMI can help to make rail more efficient using products like Roundit V0 EMI and Roundit EMI FMJ. ROUNDIT 2000 FR is a wrap-around cable sleeving manufactured from flame retardant polyester monofilaments and multifilaments. Designed for mechanical protection and maintenance of wires and cables, it can withstand temperatures between -50 degrees Celsius to 125 degrees Celsius. Not only do these products help with heat treatment, but they can also speed up the installation process.

Ultimately, understanding a bit about how EMI affects the rail industry can help you make the right protective equipment purchasing decisions. For more information about heat treatment products, contact us today.