01.01.07
Power4 providing specialist services for the rail industry
Source: Rail Technology Magazine Dec/Jan 2007
Power4 is a specialist provider of power and lighting equipment to the rail industry and has been working with major rail contractors including Network Rail, Amey Rail, Jarvis Rail, Railway Electrical Services, McNicholas Rail and Balfour Beatty for the last 10 years.
In this time, Power4 has gained extensive specialist knowledge and now supplies a broad range of state of the art railside equipment to complement the UK’s leading rail companies’ systems and ensure a safe and effective running network.
PSPs and SSPs
Power4’s main responsibility to rail customers is to supply principal supply points (PSPs) and signal supply points (SSPs) at critical areas of the rail network to ensure that back-up power supply is available at all key power points. Each point is designed to run automatically, with a pre-programmed start up when there has been a failure of the mains power supply to ensure continuous operation of essential equipment.
The points also include the added function of remotely monitoring the unit and essential safety alarms are produced to warn operators of any malfunction of the system. They can be monitored remotely by PC and even include the option of railway maintenance engineers being informed via SMS when the alarm is generated.
This particular system has recently been adopted by Network Rail, who have awarded Power4 with a £2.95 million contract to design and supply 26 PSPs across Wales and the south west region.
Mike Reed, technical director at Power4, who developed the technology behind the PSPs says, “We have been working with Network Rail for a number of years and have gained an insider’s view into their systems. Our proposal met the challenges facing Network Rail, with the suggestion to use the latest type of generator control panel to simplify managing the system economically and effectively.”
Points Heating Systems
Power4 recognise that one of the biggest challenges for rail operators is to keep trains running efficiently. particularly during the winter months, One of the biggest obstacles to this is the ongoing and serious problem of frozen points. In order to tackle this issue, Power4 have developed an effective, yet reasonably costed points heating power generator system.
The system is powered by a diesel generator and controlled by an onboard programmable logic controller (PLC). Power4’s points heating system is guaranteed to keep points ice free in extreme conditions and can also be used in remote locations where there is no mains electricity supply or where regular access would be difficult to arrange. Once in place, the Power4 points heating generator starts up automatically whenever the temperature drops to a point where freezing is likely.
The onboard equipment enables a Power4 engineer to remotely monitor the generating set, checking fuel, oil and water levels and identifying any potential problems before they threaten the rail network operation. Any issues requiring attention are either dealt with remotely from the control centre, or a field service engineer is dispatched immediately, providing rail operators with peace of mind and continuous operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The PLC controls the generator to charge the start-up batteries at regular intervals through the day to ensure they never fail to start the generating set when it is required.
Another rail specialist approached Power4’s operations director, Richard Spencer, for help with a pressing request. “As one of the main railway operators, the company were in urgent need of a points heating system to be delivered before a recent cold snap setin” says Richard. “Following thorough technical analysis, Power4 supplied a points heating system to the Luton area which is managed through our remote dialling systems. From the organisation’s first call to completing the installation of the set, the project was turned around within 72 hours, helping to keep rail users safe on their journey.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]