NTL Record

Title Lightning and its effects on railroad signal circuits
Record ID 47143
Personal Name
Creator
Holmstrom, F. Ross
Source 105p. in varius pagings
Corporate Creator University of Massachusetts at Lowell; John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and Development
Publisher John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publication Date 19751231
Language English
Abstract This study discusses the occurrence of lightning, its effects on railroad signal equipment, and protection of such equipment from lightning damage, with special attention to known protective techniques which are employed in a variety of situations in the power, communications, and railroad industries. A brief review is offered of the causes of lightning and other surges, followed by an extensive treatment of the means by which lightning and power-line transients induce surges and over-voltages in signalling circuits. Specific topics include the effects of the direct stroke current, the collapsing electric field when the stroke occurs, inductive coupling, and the effects of ground currents in the earth. A survey of protective devices and techniques currently in use for specific types of equipment is presented, including categorization of arrestors by type and application. Preferred lightning protection practices in railroad signalling are examined and related to practices in other fields. The problem of lightning protection is addressed from an overall systems viewpoint, encompassing development and testing of protective systems and design of systems, so that they can more easily be protected. Recommendations for future research are made.
Rosap ID dot:9757
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9757
TRT Terms Lightning; Track circuits; Railroad signals; Interference; Atmospheric interference
General Subjects Lightning; Lightning protection; Railroad circuits; Lightning damage; Surge protection; Lightning-protection devices; Lightning-protection techniques
Classification AGR - INFRASTRUCTURE - Railroads;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number RR602
Report Number DOT-TSC-FRA-75-21; FRA-OR&D-76-129
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/47000/47100/47143/DOT-VNTSC-FRA-75-21.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository