Rail Systems

Rail corridors are attractive areas for placement of other utility services, such as electric transmission lines or gas pipelines. The result can be that rail currents affect nearby structures, or the rail system is affected by electric transmission lines. DC rail current can greatly affect pipeline cathodic protection systems, and both can be impacted by induced AC 60Hz voltage and current from overhead electric transmission lines. Complicating matters further, the rail signaling system may operate at several kHz, and any solution must not compromise the correct signaling on the line.

DEI has provided specialized equipment for AC voltage mitigation on rail systems, while leaving the signaling system unaffected. The devices provide steady-state 60Hz mitigation, while blocking DC current and higher frequency signals.

Other specialized devices include rail insulated joint protectors for over-voltage protection, which block all signals up to a threshold.

Contact DEI for applications involving rail protection schemes.