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Rail News: C&S
Take it to the (signal) house: A sampling of products, software and enclosures to protect signal-related technology
Compiled by Michael Popke
Dairyland Electrical Industries
Dairyland Electrical Industries manufactures products that deal with a variety of applications across multiple industries (including rail) that require simultaneous isolation and safety grounding. Dairyland products are designed to isolate DC current, ground AC fault current and lightning, and protect equipment and personnel.
Railroads increasingly are required to operate in common corridors with power transmission and distribution lines, which can present signaling equipment protection challenges. Damaging AC faults caused by upsets on power utility equipment on overhead power lines present high-energy, long-duration events that typical lightning surge protective devices are not capable of withstanding, Dairyland officials said in an email. These events pose a risk to track-connected signaling and crossing warning systems, as well as other protective equipment.
To address those concerns, Dairyland created the Overwatch HEFPD. It features solid-state technology that can withstand long-duration events caused by AC faults to keep sensitive track-connected equipment — such as signaling circuits — safe and protected, company officials said.
Overwatch has been tested extensively and is rated up to 4,000 amps for a 12-cycle (0.2 second) duration AC fault event as defined in AREMA 11.3.7, while meeting the applicable requirements of primary surge protection as defined in AREMA 11.3.1, they added. While track connected, Overwatch can minimize the probability of a low impedance rail-to-ground or rail-to-rail voltage rise.
Semaphore Software
Semaphore Software’s Signal Scout is designed to help signal personnel properly identify and resolve signaling issues. The software combines logged or live status information with application program logic and displays it on a straightforward, easy-to-use screen, company officials said.
Signal Scout can simplify the learning process so new signal workers can start learning to complete signal trouble log reviews on their own; it also can assist with understanding signal system nomenclature and draw attention to changing events, company officials said.
The software can be used during ongoing issues with LiveView, and it can assist investigating past or recurring issues with LogView. Signal Scout combines existing information and infers information not provided in the logs to facilitate the troubleshooting process, company officials said.
Signal Scout also can be customized to provide railroad-specific nomenclature information to ease the transition and learning process for new employees. A training-mode feature allows users to take control of application programs for self-led or group-training opportunities.
Signal Scout is currently used by maintenance groups at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Regional Transportation District of Denver, North County Transit District, Charlotte Area Transit System and other transit agencies, as well as short lines, engineering groups such as X-Rail and contractors such as Herzog Technologies.
The Okonite Co.
Founded in 1878, The Okonite Co. is “one of the original insulators of electrical wire and cable in the United States,” company officials said. The company serves a multitude of markets, from the electric utility and oil and gas sectors to the freight and passenger railroad segments.
With today’s focus on renewable energy, Okonite cables can be found at wind and solar farms and biofuel generating facilities, as well
For decades, Okonite has partnered with Class Is via alliance agreements for inventory and customer service, company officials said. “This commitment extends to the entire railroad industry — including short lines, commuter lines and mass transit systems,” they added.
Serrmi Products LLC
Serrmi Products LLC specializes in manufacturing high-quality, durable signal houses and components designed to meet the rail industry’s evolving needs, company officials said. Serrmi’s custom relay houses, instrument enclosures, pole mount cases and electrical layout systems are built to ensure long-term protection for critical signaling infrastructure, they added.
The signal relay houses are designed to provide a secure, weather-resistant environment for essential railroad signaling equipment. Available in standard and custom configurations, the enclosures are built to withstand extreme environmental conditions while offering optimized layouts for efficient system integration, whether for a high-traffic rail corridor or a remote installation.
Serrmi also offers pole mount cases, instrument enclosures and shunt boxes. With options for powder-coated finishes, ventilation systems and tamper-resistant security features, the products ensure safe and efficient signal operations, company officials said.
RailWorks Corp.
A subsidiary of RailWorks Corp., RailWorks Signals & Communications LLC (RSC) specializes in a range of services, including material procurement, bungalow wiring, installation, rehabilitation, maintenance and in-service testing for railroad systems. Customers include Class Is, short lines, commuter systems and government-owned rail lines.
RSC, which has extensive experience in delivering projects such as grade crossing warning installations, focuses on safety, quality and adherence to customer-specific rules, company officials said. RSC also “prioritizes value engineering and cost-saving measures to consistently deliver projects on time and within budget,” they added.
Siemens Mobility
Siemens Mobility delivers a range of rail signaling technologies for the mass transit and freight markets, including signal houses company officials believe “set the industry standard for reliability and rapid deployment.”
Fully wired and tested, the signal houses come in various sizes, from compact enclosures to 10-by-40-foot transit houses. Featuring a plug-and-play design, the units enable quick on-site installation to minimize downtime and accelerate project timelines. They also are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions for long-term durability and performance, company officials said.
Siemens Mobility also offers a comprehensive range of rail components designed to power efficient and intelligent railway operations, including advanced signaling and control systems to a range of grade crossing solutions. On the electrification and automation technology fronts, the company’s offerings include overhead catenary systems, substations and digital solutions such as positive train control and communications-based train control.
Site-Specific Solutions Inc.
Signal houses are designed to protect equipment from physical harm and typically are made of steel, aluminum or fiberglass. But for Site-Specific Solutions Inc. officials, the question is: What is the best structure material to protect against electromagnetic phenomenon, whether from lightning strikes, radio-frequency interference or powerline interference?
It’s a question that should be addressed in the early design phase of an installation, they said. The electrical grounding of the house is important for safety and performance, too. Inside the house, there must be provisions made to protect equipment from the effects of lightning strikes and power surges, company officials said. This applies to both the incoming AC power and the DC power from both battery and power supplies.
The signal house also must accommodate line-to-line and line-to-ground protection for all lines entering the house. The tendency is to minimize, eliminate or squeeze as much protection into as small a package as possible, which can lead to unintended and/or undesirable results, company officials said.
Site-Specific Solutions can suggest best practices (and provide the products) to address these issues and maximize operational reliability, company officials said.
Michael Popke is a Madison, Wisconsin-based freelance writer. Email comments or questions to prograil@tradepress.com.
