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Total Solution to Earthing & Lightning Protection |
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Safety, reliability and availability of service are essential
prerequisites for a rail network.
For all types of network, from mass transit systems and
mainline services to metros, airport links and light rail, this has
clear implications for the sensitive and critical electronic
systems installed throughout.
These systems manage network performance, and ensure
its continuous safe and practical operation. Yet they can easily
be damaged or degraded by transient overvoltages,
caused by:
–– Partial lightning currents entering an electrical system
following a direct lightning strike to a network location
–– Indirect lightning (nearby lightning strikes) to the rail
network, leading to transient overvoltages entering an
electrical system via a local earthing arrangement
(resistive coupling), or via overhead metallic service lines
(inductive coupling)
Outright damage to electronic systems causes service
interruptions and network downtime leading to customer
dissatisfaction and maintenance costs.
Degradation leads to reduced equipment reliability and lower
equipment lifetimes, risking sudden, unpredictable or
intermittent failures.
Installing protection against transient overvoltages throughout
the network is therefore critical. Transient overvoltage
protection should be applied on (but not limited to):
–– Power supplies throughout the network, including trackside
cabinets, level crossings and at stations and terminals
–– Signalling networks including trackside Solid State
Interlocking (SSI) systems
–– Telecommunications equipment and trackside telephones
–– CCTV monitoring systems
–– Passenger information systems, ticketing and gating
operations
–– Security systems and critical safety equipment such as fire
detection and fire alarm systems
Effective, repeat protection against transient overvoltages can
be achieved through installation of Furse Surge Protective
Devices as part of an overall Lightning Protection System to
IEC/BS EN 62305.
Key protection locations together with the appropriate Furse
SPD are shown in the table below. Many of these SPDs have
Network Rail approval (see individual product pages for
further reference).
Transient overvoltage protection for rail networks
Location
Requirement
Protection measure (SPD)
Main terminals & stations
Protect 3-phase & 1-phase power supplies
ESP M1 Series
ESP D1 Series
ESP M2/M4 Series
ESP 415/XXX Series
Protect critical systems (e.g. fire fighting equipment)
ESP 5A/BX & ESP 16A/BX Series
Protect telecoms systems
ESP D, E, H Series
ESP SL Series
Trackside location Cabinets (LOCS)
Protect trackside signalling equipment (SSI systems)
ESP SSI/M & ESP SSI/B
& radio network
ESP RF Series
Protect power supplies
SSI/120AC & ESP SSI/140AC
ESP M1 Series
ESP D1 Series
Maintain TFMs/SSI datalinks
ESP PTE002 Tester
Level crossings
Protect CCTV systems
ESP 5A/BX & ESP 16A/BX Series
ESP CCTV Series
ESP D Series
Signalling equipment & radio network
ESP SSI Series
ESP RF Series
Note: list of Surge Protection Measures shown above is not exhaustive. Additional electronic systems may require transient overvoltage protection on a case-by-case basis
Please contact us to discuss particular project requirements