Evidence from Network Rail South East region’s BMS systems showed that there was a higher incidence of equipment failure within high voltage transformer rooms and lineside signalling buildings when internal temperatures exceeded 30?C.
Network Rail needed a non-intrusive monitoring and reporting system that would alert engineers in real time to temperature changes before signals and relays developed a fault.
The system also needed to capture and report site-specific data to track air conditioning efficiency. This information would be used to identify future preventative maintenance requirements.
Minimise Energy developed a bespoke monitoring, logging and reporting system to fit Network Rail’s critical operations.
The solution comprises 868Mhz radio frequency sensors fitted within each building, connected to a series of GPRS gateways. These relay data to a cloud-based hub where minimum and maximum temperatures are monitored in real time.
Each trackside building is now monitored with up to four condition sensors which have been wirelessly fitted adjacent to signalling relay racks to provide ambient temperature real time data. Where required, air conditioning units have also been fitted with a status transmitter to provide early failure warning data.
All sensors are connected to the Minimise Control and Monitoring (RTO) dashboard, which has been configured to give the Network Rail asset owners and Works Delivery Team quick access to critical data.
When temperatures fluctuate beyond the norm the system generates an alarm which immediately alerts an engineer who then initiates the appropriate investigations and actions.
Initially installed at five locations, the programme was quickly extended to a further 15 sites across the Sussex area, including the Three Bridges Signalling Centre and transformer energy sub stations at London Victoria.
The remit of the system has also expanded, with the reach of the GPRS gateways increasing from 1.5km to 5km to accommodate more remote sites; further monitoring capacity added to cover track temperature, water ingress and flood detection and reporting; and a digital 16-camera two-way communication system installed to provide additional remote monitoring and management.
The system is linked to Network Rail’s Very Early Smoke Detection Alarm, triggering specific area cameras to be live on screen when activated.
Three critical failures were reported and prevented in the initial monitoring period averting considerable and expensive network disruption.
Commenting on the new Minimise system, Terry Denyer, Senior Asset Engineer, Network Rail, said:
“The RCM system has proved invaluable to Network Rail. When fully developed and rolled out the system will be a frontline tool enabling fast response to predicted failures.
“The benefits are countless but most important is the visual record of events as required which gives the Signalling Managers key information to help them decide how best to handle incidents within the rooms monitored. Further, they can avoid personal attendance at what could be a hazardous situation or environment.”
Nigel Dawson, Product Director, Monitoring and Control, at Minimise Group said:
“This bespoke monitoring system joins the dots for Network Rail, bringing some of their critical asset monitoring together on to one online platform. It instantly alerts them to any change in conditions, allowing action to be taken at a much earlier stage before the situation escalates and becomes expensive and disruptive.”
For more information, visit www.minimisegroup.com
