Sectioning point formed by insulators inserted in a continuous run of a contact line, with skids or similar devices to maintain continuous electrical contact with the current collector.
What are the main mechanical and electrical requirements for Section Insulators?
According to IEC61109, the good section insulator shall fulfill the following characteristics :
Mechanical Requirements:
- The section Insulator will be designed such that no permanent or temp deformation with detriment to function shall appear up to 1.33 times the working tensile load.
- Section Insulator will withstand the maximum permissible contact forces between the pantograph and the overhead contact line without effecting any damage to the pantograph‘s collector strips.
Electrical Requirements:
A sectioning device shall be designed to withstand:
- In normal operation, the arcing caused by the passing of pantographs.
- In abnormal conditions, the arcing (due to load and any consequential short-circuit current) caused by the passing of pantographs, where one side of the sectioning device is energized and the other side is de-energized or earthed.
What is the way lead to a successful Section Insulator Installation?
- Point of installation shall be located in a straight section between one third and half of the section length in order to ensure a uniform uplift.
- Contact wire and catenary wire must be positioned vertically above each other at the point of installation.
- Contact wire and catenary wire must be positioned in the perpendicular bisector of the top of rail elevation (tolerance: ±50 mm).
what are the tests to verify the electrical and mechanical parameters of Section Insulator?
➡ Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT):
Mechanical Tests:
- Tensile strength test.
Electrical Tests:
- Lightning Impulse test in wet and dry conditions.
- Power-frequency test in wet and dry conditions. (according to EN 50124-1)
- Arcing Test.
- Short-Circuit Test.
➡ Field Test:
Field tests can replace the above mentioned electrical tests. Field tests such as cold sliding test and hot sliding test with measurement for arcing percent % can be conducted as agreed between the purchaser and supplier.
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