01.05.07
Cabinet integration method reduces trackside installation time
Dangers faced by contractors on the railways are being drastically reduced thanks to advances in cabling techniques.
A new ‘cabinet integration’ method has been successfully introduced which is increasing safety and saving money in the hostile trackside environment.
Cabinet integration allows much of the standard cable termination work to take place in the factory – rather than on the track.
The method has been co-developed by Passcomm, one of the UK’s leading cabling supply companies, and Thales, and has already been used on a number of successful rail projects.
Chris Fay, a director of Passcomm, said: “Working on a railway track is an extremely hostile place.
“Not only are there the dangers of working alongside high speed trains, but workers face extreme conditions with dry brake dust everywhere and difficulties working with reinforced cable.
“The cable itself is specific to the rail industry and much more difficult to put in place. It is covered in thick grease and is encased in heavy duty steel armouring to prevent being damaged by vermin.
“This in turn makes it notoriously difficult to strip down and prepare – especially on the track.”
As well as health and safety benefits, the method gives significant cost savings – with lower ‘trackside’ labour costs, reduced line closure time and robust cabling with less maintenance requirement.
Cabinet integration techniques were recently used to complete a cabling project for Network Rail on the Chester to Holyhead line with great success.
Thales is working with Passcomm to provide Network Rail with a further 100 cabinets a year for the next two years.
The cabinets do not rust or require painting and can be built in such a way to reduce maintenance to just once every five years, as well as extending the life of the product.
Passcomm is holding a focus day when engineers and project managers from the rail industry can meet to share good practice.
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