Author(s)

H.W.M. Smulders, P.G. Gonçalves, H.J. van Dijk, A. M. Barreto & M.F.P. Janssen

Abstract

In the design of traction return current, earthing and bonding systems the compatibility between this system and the signalling layer is an important issue. Very often, Broken Rail Detection is one of the functions desired from the train detection system. The demand for redundancy in the return current path, combined with cross-connections between return conductors (needed for human safety, accessible voltage), conflicts with this demand. Redundancy and cross connections lead to parallel paths and thus to the loss of Broken Rail Detection. To ensure the functioning of broken rail detection, an increase of the impedance of the parallel path is needed at train detection frequencies, while at the same time a cross

Keywords