Signalleitern

Signalleitern is the plural form of Signalleiter, a German technical term used to denote signal conductors or signal lines—elements that carry signaling information rather than main power. The exact meaning depends on the field, but the common idea is a dedicated path for control or communication signals within a system.

In electrical engineering and automation, Signalleiter refers to wires, cables, or printed traces that convey control or status signals. These conductors are typically routed separately from power lines and may be shielded or grouped in harnesses to minimize interference and cross-talk. They form part of signaling networks within control panels, instrumentation, and data interfaces.

In railway signaling and related infrastructure, Signalleiter denotes the physical conductors or cables that transmit signaling commands, interlocking signals, or track-circuit information between equipment. Historically associated with relay-based signaling, the term continues to be used in discussions of signaling paths and safety-critical communication within railway systems, even as systems evolve toward digital networks.

In computing and electronics more broadly, the term can be used metaphorically to describe signal pathways between components or modules, emphasizing the distinction between control or data signals and primary power lines. The exact interpretation remains context-specific, and translations typically render Signalleiter as signal conductor or signal line.

See also: Signalleiter, signal line, signal transmission, electrical conductor.