Operation of the Prototype Device for Induction Heating of Railway Turnouts at Various Operating Frequencies

Devices for electric heating of railroad turnouts are elements the railway infrastructure protecting against blocking them by snow and ice in winter. They often operate based on principle resistance but other solutions also emerging. In this paper, one such new using phenomenon electromagnetic induction was presented tested under various conditions. comparison with traditional resistive heaters, inductive ones offer heat distribution directly to without intermediation rails. Moreover, they can use a wide range spectrum frequency shorten melting time. The devices were respect time, temperatures energy consumption. It follows that induction-based device offers much lower consumption at level 30%–60% heater. details depend used, initial temperature number action assumed equivalent one. Inductive shorter times operation, which obtained frequencies 40–70 kHz. magnetic field levels around it assess its possible influence nearby infrastructure.