AREVA > AREVA Diagnostics > VALVE DIAGNOSTICS > Railway Switches

SIDIS PA® - Railway Switches

 
 sidisw2_120SIDIS PA®
            - Point Monitoring in Railway Traffic

Point Monitoring Reduces Train Delay

Failures of points can lead to time-consuming and cost-intensive railway traffic disturbances. In many cases, train delay results from defective points. These delays can be avoided using intelligent diagnostic technology for points. Especially for this application, AREVA developed the SIDIS PA® modules as a network-compatible diagnostic system that can be fully integrated into the signal box.

 
sidisw1_400
(For a closer look please click here or on the picture.)

 

SIDIS PA® at a Glance

  • Increase in safety and availability
  • Reduction of train delay
  • Environmental protection through reduction of lubricants 
  • Reduction of working hours in the track
  • Condition-oriented maintenance
  • No changes to exterior system
  • Approval by the Federal Railway Authority (EBA)
  • Retrofitting with SIDIS PA® modules requires no modifications of the exterior area
 

 

Detectable Damages

  • System stiffness due to foreign particles or weather conditions
  • Lubrication condition of point blade, slide plates and lock
  • Increased or reduced lock clearance
  • Disturbances in the power supply (cables, contacts, motor)
  • Blockings at the points

 

 

sidisw_us_400
(For a closer look please click here or on the graphic.)
 

Operation and Diagnostic Principle

Setting voltage and current are measured when the points are changed. From this, the analysis software determines the relevant parameters for diagnostic of point and actuator. Hereby, the point itself serves as a sensor.

The necessary motor thrust is proportional to the active power measured. The active power characteristic curve is determined each time the points are changed, and permanently compared with exactly defined limit values. Thus for each point a trend analysis with long-term evaluation is possible.