Maanvirtauksien

Maanvirtauksien, often translated as earth currents, refer to electrical currents that flow through the ground. These currents can originate from various sources, including natural phenomena and human activities. Natural earth currents are primarily caused by geomagnetic storms, which are disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field, often triggered by solar flares. These storms can induce currents in the Earth's crust and oceans. Another natural source is atmospheric electricity, such as lightning strikes, which can inject charge into the ground.

Man-made earth currents are also significant. The most common cause is the flow of direct current (DC) electricity from railway systems. Electric trains draw power from overhead lines or a third rail, and the return current often flows through the rails and into the ground. Power transmission lines, especially those with grounding systems, can also contribute to earth currents. Additionally, buried metallic structures like pipelines can experience currents induced by external sources or electrochemical reactions.

The presence of earth currents can have several practical implications. They can interfere with sensitive electronic equipment, including telecommunications systems and navigation aids. For buried pipelines, earth currents can accelerate corrosion, leading to potential structural damage. Understanding and mitigating the effects of earth currents is therefore important in various engineering and infrastructure contexts, requiring careful design and monitoring of electrical systems and buried assets.