Abstract. We have experimentally investigated the magnetic flux penetration through a Bi-2223 polycrystalline superconductor synthesized by a classical solid-state reaction method. Electrical resistance, AC susceptibility, the Campbell method and magnetic flux waveform recordings have been analysed and compared in order to separate clearly intergrain and intragrain contributions. The AC susceptibility frequency dependence has been also examined at T = 77 K in a broad field range (0.01 G< B AC < 100 G). The activation energy as a function of AC applied magnetic field is found to present a pronounced minimum for an induction (8 G) corresponding to full magnetic flux penetration through the intergranular matrix.