Monitoring Balance Weight Assemblies and Protecting OCS: Catenary Safety Monitoring System

There is new, cutting edge technology available that will lower maintenance costs and provide greater reliability for light rail transit (LRT) systems through an automated Catenary Safety Monitoring System (CSMS). Most LRTs utilize balance weight assemblies (BWAs) to insure proper overhead wire tension. The BWAs play a critical role in maintaining a safe and healthy line, and must be monitored and maintained frequently. What if you could eliminate the need for daily visual inspection and have real-time access to the overhead wire system 24/7? New technology can remotely monitor the overhead system. This automated system identifies potential maintenance problems and increases the safety and reliability of a LRT, while saving time and money. One location, in the elimination of just visual maintenance cost alone, can pay for itself in less than one year. The CSMS uses a highly accurate magnetic linear position sensor to monitor the actual BWA position. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) calculates the predicted position of the BWA using characteristics of the wire run and the temperature of the wire via resistance temperature detectors. If a variance between actual and predicted positions occurs, it automatically sends an alert which identifies the anomaly, including catastrophic wire failures such as a break or cut wire due to theft. All information is stored for maintenance records. The CSMS operates by solar power or can be powered directly from the overhead system line using a DC-DC invertor. No utility connection is required which allows remote monitoring anywhere along a light rail transit system. Through a password protect website (via e-Cloud), you can observe real time movement and review past data. Maintenance can track system history towards a proactive service plan versus reactive, which in turn can offer huge savings. Every transit property can benefit from this new technology, providing the highest safety and reliability needed for today’s transit systems.