Network Rail has approved Bender UK’s next generation RS4 Rail Signalling Power Protection system for Tier 1 and 2 live trial installations at multiple sites.
The RS4 system has already received full Network Rail approval for Tier 3 installations that deliver increased sensitivity for first fault location and remote condition monitoring of core-to-earth failure of rail signalling IT power systems.
RS4 delivers continuous monitoring and analysis capabilities unachievable with previous technology. Insulation monitoring combines with an integrated fault locating current injector, pinpointing fault locations on miles of networked cables. The system is the simplest and most cost-effective method for upgrading earlier generation RS2/RS3 technology installed on the rail network.
The Network Rail certificate of acceptance (PA05/04750) allows trials of Tier 1 and Tier 2 RS4 with trackside power distribution systems up to 650V AC, Signal Power monitoring, Points Systems monitoring and Level Crossing Systems monitoring.
Numerous Tier 1 and 2 trials are already underway at Brighton and Beeston, Nottingham, and Hartford, as well as East-West and Scottish routes.
RS4 Tier 3 is approved and deployed by Network Rail to offer an overall system insulation resistance level measurement that includes multiple feeder systems and signal power supplies. Increased sensitivity improves fault location from 20kΩ to 100KΩ and higher, on IT AC/DC systems (depending on system capacitance).
RS4 provides earlier warning of cable insulation degradation at higher resistance levels of 100kΩ. This is a significant improvement over previous technology where faults were only located at 20kΩ. Faults detected at 20 kΩ are more serious and require urgent attention, whereas higher resistances allow for longer intervention periods.
Once trials have been completed, Bender will have full RS4 Tier 1, 2 and 3 Network Rail approval to monitor rail signal power systems on UK rail networks.
