“AntyX” catenary diagnostic and anti-theft system
Technical Information 10/2024
Introduction: The need to protect the railway catenary, which is an important element of critical railway infrastructure, against acts of vandalism and sabotage has become a necessity resulting from the current international situation. In addition to financial losses resulting from destroyed infrastructure, there is also a threat to people staying at the scene of the incident. If the damage is not recognized quickly enough and the damaged section of the network is not shut down, a broken contact wire or a messenger wire located within reach may cause electric shock. In addition, driving a traction vehicle onto a section of the network without a contact wire or a messenger wire leads to immediate damage to the pantograph, which may then additionally break the entire section of the catenary. The result of such a situation is always delay in train traffic with all the consequences that this entails.
Previously used solutions only monitored the electrical continuity of the catenary. Such a solution is effective if the contact wires and the messenger wire are broken at the same time. Meanwhile, there are also so-called intelligent acts of vandalism, consisting of cutting out only part of the traction network, leaving the continuity of the electrical circuit. In addition, the parameters of the traction network may change spontaneously, worsening its technical condition.
In order to prevent such events, a system was developed to monitor the overhead catenary in real time. The newly developed solution is free from the defects that currently used devices have, which will reduce maintenance costs, as well as improve the safety of rail traffic.
The AntyX system has a unique and never-before-used ability to detect preparations for acts of vandalism through programmatic analysis of signal correlations concerning voltage drops in the traction network, video observation, detection of unusual vibrations of the traction network, control of its tension (for each catenary and contact wire independently), as well as detection of unusual movement of people and vehicles in critical places around the railway line indicating preparations for vandalism (in connection with the Sensonic FAS system).
The parameters of the traction network controlled in real time include, among others, the tension of the contact wires and messenger wires, recording of vibrations propagating in the contact wires and messenger wires (including detection of all unusual phenomena related to vibration analysis) and detection of traction voltage decay, and the entire system is equipped with software using machine learning algorithms. The combination of these features has allowed the creation of a system that is very efficient and useful in the management of railway infrastructure, a system of basic (advanced) diagnostics of the upper traction network on electrified main lines and large railway stations.
The power supply is provided only by renewable energy sources (photovoltaic panels with an energy accumulator), and the entire structure of the device mounted on the traction pole is galvanically connected to the potential of the traction network, which significantly improves resistance to damage caused by overvoltages including those caused by atmospheric discharges) and electromagnetic interference.
By the end of March 2025, work will be completed on equipping the AntyX system with an innovative sensor detecting icing of the contact wire while simultaneously monitoring and signalling weather conditions conducive to the occurrence of icing.
Intended use: The AntyX system is designed for use in electrified rail transport and is adapted to all types of 3 kV DC overhead contact lines. The device is installed on the end traction poles of the tension section, in areas requiring continuous diagnostics and in places susceptible to theft.
Scope of application: The scope of application of the AntyX system is limited to monitoring and protecting electrified railways (sections of the upper traction network) as one of the elements of critical infrastructure protection (main lines and large railway stations) as well as in places of theft and vandalism occurrence.
Description of system operation: The AntyX catenary diagnostic and anti-theft system, through monitoring and analysis of selected mechanical and electrical parameters and camera images, is to provide maintenance services with alarm signals indicating changes caused by undesirable actions of third parties, aimed at worsening the operating parameters of the network, resulting in limited line capacity or track closure as well as high material losses.
The parameters monitored in real time are:
- tension of the messenger wire,
- tension of the contact wire,
- unusual vibrations of the messenger wire,
- unusual vibrations of the contact wire,
- voltage supplying the network.
Depending on the type of sensor and the value of exceeding acceptable parameters, the AntyX system generates alarms or warnings. The alarm signal is transmitted to employees supervising the operation of the railway line (station control boxes, Local Control Centres or Central Control Rooms of the electric traction power supply) and such services as the Railway Protection Service and the police in the form of an SMS message or information on the remote monitoring screen.
The alarm signal means that the catenary has been damaged, including as a result of theft or destruction of its elements.
The warning signal is generated when the parameters of the network or activities in its vicinity should be verified. This signal is transmitted to employees supervising the operation of the railway line.
Construction: The AntyX system set consists of equipment for 2 end (anchor) traction poles consisting of a RES power supply and measurement and camera stations for each pole with a tensioning device and is designed for installation on one tension section with a typical length of approx. 1200 - 1300 m.
This set consists of:
- Sets of sensors monitoring the condition of the catenary (mounted on the end (anchor) poles, containing a tension sensor and a vibration sensor, installed on each contact wire and each messenger wire, and a 3 kV DC voltage presence sensor in the catenary.
- A measuring box containing a data processing system and a GSM LTE communication system (on each of the 2 poles).
- A power supply station for electricity from renewable energy sources (mounted on each of the 2 poles) containing a set of two 2 x 410 W solar panels of the LR5-55HPH-410M type and a power supply cabinet with a battery of two batteries with a capacity of 165 Ah each.
- A video observation system of the catenary in the form of 2TD2617-6/QA hybrid cameras by HIKVISION (one on each of the 2 poles).
- A system for imaging and recording warnings and alarm states.
The mechanical supporting structure of the AntyX system is installed on a traction pole using cross beams.
Technical specifications: The AntyX device is designed for operation outdoors, within a temperate climate.
- total weight of the device 3527 N (352,7 kg)
- protection class IP 55
- PV panel power 2 x 410 Wp
- energy storage capacity 165 Ah
- supply voltage 24 VDC
- monitoring system power consumption 20 W
- rope tension sensor (contact wire) tensometric
- tension sensor measurement range 50 kN
- tension sensor interface 4-20 mA current loop
- vibration sensor accelerometer
- vibration sensor interface voltage signal
- vibration sensor sensitivity 100mV/g
- frequency range of vibration sensor 0,50 – 14000 Hz
- shock resistance of vibration sensor 5000g
- operating temperature – 40o C to + 60o C
- air humidity to 100 %
Monitoring and event recording system: The remote monitoring and event recording system was implemented using an external virtual VPS server, on which a visualization image of the current system status is created, which can be displayed by any web browser from a phone, other mobile device or computer.
After entering the VPS server access address into the web browser, the display system screen appears showing the power supply status and the measurement results of the traction network sensors. On the upper beam, there is a selection the preview of each of the power supply section end posts. The selected field is highlighted in green.
Assembly and maintenance: The AntyX overhead catenary anti-theft system is delivered to the ordering party in elements prepared for their assembly on the traction network posts.
The assembly of all delivered elements should be carried out using a network train using platforms and a crane, while simultaneously applying the full traction voltage disconnection procedure.
To maintain the proper technical condition of the system, it is necessary to perform 2 periodic inspections per year. One before winter, the other after the winter period. The inspections should be performed using a network train while simultaneously applying the full traction voltage disconnection procedure.
End (anchor) pole equipment diagram
AntyX system remote monitoring screen view
