Pantograph measurement and overhead lines monitoring

Ensure safe, reliable, and efficient railway operations with continuous pantograph-catenary monitoring. Install our optical sensors on your trains to optimise operation and maintenance.

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Why is the contact force important?

Monitoring forces and accelerations under high voltage in the pantograph structures reduces the risk of damage to the catenary of railway networks. A reliable pantograph monitoring system delivers valuable information on the condition of the overhead contact line in combination with the position of trains along the track.

A single source supplier for all your needs, from sensor to software.

Completely passive solution that safely operates in a hight voltage environment.

Prevent unnecessary maintenance and track interruption for inspection.

Identify damage extension, location, and frequency by synchronizing with vehicle bus signals and GPS.

Measurements in High-voltage Environments: Overhead Line and Pantograph Maintenance

Discover the importance of maintaining perfect contact between pantographs and catenary lines for safe and reliable rail operations.

Learn how HBK’s fully optical solution, designed for predictive maintenance, provides high-accuracy measurements even at high voltage levels.

Typical applications

Predictive Maintenance

24/7 monitoring using regular trains

We address the critical issue of severe damage to railway infrastructure that goes undetected and uncorrected. This often occurs due to a lack of information about the infrastructure’s actual state and inappropriate scheduled maintenance. By implementing predictive and planned maintenance, we can optimise impact and cost compared to periodic maintenance. A damaged infrastructure affects various stakeholders: owners face higher repair costs, operators experience rolling stock degradation and users suffer from cancelled or delayed trains.

Active Control of the Pantograph

Optimized contact with actuated pantographs

The continuous determination of contact force provides essential information for actuated pantograph operation, especially in high-speed applications. Actuated pantographs utilise hydraulic actuators to adjust the pantograph opening, optimising contact between the strips and the catenary line while ensuring efficient pantograph design.

Homologation and Testing

Compliant with EN 50317

EN 50317 is a European Standard that defines functional requirements for output and measurement accuracy related to the dynamic interaction between pantographs and the overhead contact line. It plays a crucial role in maintaining safe and efficient railway systems. HBK’s Pantograph and Overhead Power Lines Monitoring System complies with EN 50317, making it suitable for the testing and homologation of pantographs.

HBK pantograph video start screen - preview 2

Keep your catenary system moving

Watch this ‘live’ video demonstration and discover how to optimise performance and extend the lifespan of your pantographs and overhead power lines with HBK’s pantograph measurement solution.

Watch now to see how easy it is to install, operate, and maintain.

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Webinar: Pantograph Monitoring Introduction

Join this webinar to get an overview of the latest technology available for pantograph monitoring solution and see how it can help reduce the risk of damage to railway catenary networks, thus keep everything moving.

Watch the video

Pantograph Measurement System

HBK’s optical measurement solution consists of the QuantumX MXFS BraggMETER, the newLight optical FBG Heavy Duty Force Transducer FS66HDL and Heavy-duty Accelerometer FS65HDA. Related accessories ensure the transition from the high voltage to the inside of the cars.

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Pantograph measurement and overhead lines monitoring

Why is the contact force important?

Measurements in High-voltage Environments: Overhead Line and Pantograph Maintenance

Typical applications

Predictive Maintenance

Active Control of the Pantograph

Homologation and Testing

Keep your catenary system moving

Webinar: Pantograph Monitoring Introduction

Related Products

Pantograph Measurement System

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