FEATURE RAIL INDUSTRY
Keeping cabling on the right tracks T
he British rail industry is undergoing a period of significant change. HS2 is the most high-
profile example of investment in infrastructure, but there are many other projects in the pipeline. Likewise, rolling stock manufacturers are busy building new carriages, while operators are upgrading their existing fleets to improve network capacity, by converting First Class space to deliver an increase in Standard Class seating for example. With this, there is a renewed focus on cable management. Electrification is a huge operation, requiring both the conversion of existing infrastructure, or creating new systems from scratch. Rolling stock needs to accommodate more
cabling, not only to deliver the sophisticated sensors installed into modern trains, but also to meet consumer demand for connectivity for their devices while travelling. This puts a strain on rolling stock design, as locomotives and coaches alike need to remain as lightweight as possible to optimise their performance. Understanding the best products for each job is critical to getting the best out of cable management. HellermannTyton has specialised in rail for many years and offer a comprehensive range of standard ties, clamps and ducting to suit most interior and exterior applications. Yet with the rapid pace of development, sometimes new solutions are required and the company regularly works with consumers to devise new products to solve their specific challenges.
SAFETY FIRST The first thing to consider when deciding on cable management products for rolling stock is where the vehicles will be used. If these are likely to be on the London Underground or any other ‘inside’ environment, then the material of products needs to conform to toxicity and smoke regulations. This has been a requirement since the 1987 King’s Cross fire, where the inhalation of toxic fumes and the opacity of the smoke were significant factors in the tragedy. Today, two regulations, the EU wide EN45545- 2 and the French-led NF F 16-101/102, are universally adopted as fire safety standards. The guidelines require that the oxygen index of products used in high-risk environments such as Underground carriages must be above 32 per cent, to reduce toxicity. Any smoke created during a fire must be as transparent as possible, to help passengers to orient the train safely. HellermannTyton manufacture around 100 parts that are certified. These are manufactured in Polyamide (PA) 6.6 and also incorporate weather resistance. The company also has an extensive range of metal ties, essential for doorways where cable ties must not melt in a fire and cause cabling to fall and block the exits.
FAST INSTALLATION Speed and efficiency are key to fixing cables into rolling stock. That is why our focus is on
32 JUNE 2018 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Between the electrification of tracks and the increasing sophistication of rolling stock technology, cable management has never been so important to the success of the rail sector. Barry Fenton, UK Rail business development manager at HellermannTyton, explores the products and solutions that are keeping things on track
developing products that are fast and simple to install, and which require fewer fixings to get the job done. Our ‘one click’ fixing tie is designed specifically to support rolling stock manufacturers to minimise the tedious job of installing wiring harnesses while guaranteeing a safe attachment capable of withstanding vibrations. Since the cable trays have oblong holes, the traditional installation of cables meant bending ties, cutting off excess and disposing of the waste. The new plugs clip straight into these oblong
holes, avoiding the need to attach cable ties one at a time. The harnesses can then be clipped directly into the cable trays and the plug added with the cable ties already attached to the harnesses. Crucially, this solution can be installed beforehand by the harness wiring subcontractors, saving hours of installation time per car.
ROBUST CLAMPING When it comes to infrastructure, durability is key. One of our latest launches, which can be used indoors and outdoors, is the reusable Ratchet P Clamp. Its reusable structure allows for the possibility to fix wires, cables, hoses and pipes on a single mount in two separate work steps. The one-piece adjustable clamp can be closed by hand, quickly and simply, to the desired diameter. The release feature provides
easy and non-destructive removal of cables simply by using a flat-head screwdriver. This allows the clamp to be reused without removing or replacing any bolts or screws.
RAIL FIRST – AND BEYOND These products only scratch the surface of what can be achieved, nor do they reflect the breadth of bespoke fastenings and ducting HellermannTyton are working on – which, in many cases, can not be talked about due to customer confidentiality. Rail is one of the most hardwearing
environments for any cable management system. Products designed and manufactured to withstand the rigours of the railway network will work effectively in other sectors such as shipbuilding and industrial applications. Similarly, one click fixing ties are suitable for automotive and other vehicle manufacturing, and also give contractors another option for general electrical work. By taking a ‘rail first’ approach to its NPD, HellermannTyton can deliver what is required to this fast-moving, demanding sector – but also create effective cable management solutions that will travel even further. For more information on cabling products for rail, visit the website below.
HellermannTyton
www.hellermanntyton.co.uk
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