Track Circuit Remote Condition Monitoring
Track circuit remote condition monitoring is a solution that removes the requirement to assess this equipment traditionally.
Track circuit remote condition monitoring is a solution that removes the requirement to assess this equipment traditionally.
Read our use case on how our technology can improve track circuit equipment performance, expand their lifecycle, improve safety and save costs.
At a Glance
Remote condition monitoring techniques reduce the cost of maintaining track circuit equipment.
Condition based maintenance can significantly reduce costs when compared to traditional routine maintenance.
Reduced time trackside improves safety on the network, whilst Centrix data platform improves situational awareness.
The Challenges
Cost
The routine inspection and testing of track circuit equipment has a significant annual cost. Traditional maintenance regimes require each device to be inspected four times a year, with each inspection requiring a team of engineers to visit sites together.
Safety
A routine inspection regime provides an acceptable level of safety. However, faults between inspections do sometimes occur and intermittent faults often go unobserved.
How our Products Helped
Our SA380-TX track-side loggers allow for dynamic condition-based maintenance regimes to be implemented.
Track circuit currents and detection relay states are transmitted in real-time to the Centrix data platform. Once here, the data is automatically analysed.
Locking performance, or “sticky locks,” are the most frequently observed issue. This is followed by motor commutation issues (e.g. worn motor brushes).
Maintenance teams are alerted immediately via email if any track circuits show signs of poor performance or degradation.
With automated monitoring tools in place, the need for routine manual inspections is greatly reduced. At the same time situational awareness is increased via instant notification of events of interest.
Our Centrix data platform allows for remote event investigation and replay of track circuit events. This allows engineers to understand patterns of intermittent faults.
Results and Future Plans
Reduced costs:
The remote condition monitoring of track circuits reduces the need for on-site maintenance inspections from quarterly to bi-annually. This reduces costs by up to 90%, proving a significant ROI.
Enhanced Safety:
Staff safety is improved through this reduced time spent trackside. Fewer visits to sites means there is less time spent by workers in dangerous environments.
Future Track Circuit Types:
We currently offer remote condition monitoring on the following track circuit types. However, we are always working with engineers to introduce coverage of new asset types. These include:
HVI Track Circuits
VT1 / AC Vane Relay
EbiTrack 200 / 300 / 400
FS2600
UM71
Aster / TI21
DC Tracks
CVCM
Reed Track Circuits
