Self-detecting shunt bar

A self-detecting shunt bar for creating a short-circuit bridge between or across two rails of a section of a railway track, comprising:

• a first connection which is configured to be brought into electrical contact with a first of the two rails;
• a second connection which is configured to be brought into electrical contact with a second of the two rails;
• a signal generator for providing a test signal across the short-circuit bridge;
• a detection device which is configured to measure and monitor a short-circuit resistance of the short-circuit bridge created, during operation, by measuring the test signal;
• and
• signalling means which are configured to signal the measured short-circuit resistance to a user of the shunt bar, characterized in that the shunt bar is integrated into a railway switch, and the electrical power source, the detection device and the signalling means are connected to, and energized by, a power supply of a motor of a switch actuator of the railway switch.