EDDY CURRENT TESTING
Eddy-current testing is used in addition to ultrasonic testing where suitable and necessary to detect and asses surface defects on rails.
A head check is a rail defect which develops as a result of rolling-contact fatigue. This defect has serious, safety-related implications for the entire route network. After an initial visual inspection during which head checks are detected, eddy-current testing with an eddy-current testing device is required. This test establishes the depth and prevalence of the damage, which is then classified in accordance with 821.2007A02 (DB guideline).
We use the following two different testing systems
- The eddy-current testing device WPG II from the company PLR.
- The eddy-current rail trolley D340 from the company Rohmann, which features 4-channel technology and true one-person operation.

Eddy-current testing at flexible areas
We use the flexible area set from PLR to test the weakened rail base section (flexible area) on switch blades. This test enables us to detect cracks on the outer and inner edges of the flexible area.

GEMET GmbH
Im Erlengrund 2
46149 Oberhausen
Telefon +49.208.94 10 39 41
www.gemet.de
Magdeburg office
Gutensweger Str. 6
39126 Magdeburg
Germany
Telefon +49.391.59 81 513
Fax +49.391.59 81 523