Expansion of Push-Pull services, integration of Distributed Wireless Power Control System and Push-Pull, getting the OHE ready for speeds of 160 kph were among the key items on the agenda at the 63rd Electrical Standards Committee Meeting. The meet concluded on 21st September 2019 at Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi.
Key Electrical department officers viz Member Traction and Executive Directors from Railway Board, Principal Chief Electrical Engineers of each Zonal Railways, Production Units, CORE, RDSO along with Director of Indian Railways Institute of Electrical Engineering, Nasik (IRIEEN) attend this meeting.
On the agenda of the meeting, attended by key officials from various zones, RDSO, and other units, was to discuss and come up with agreements on key issues and lay out the path ahead to tackle them.
Some of the items discussed were:
| Items for discussion | Brief Explanation |
| Preparedness of Railways for push-pull operation of trains. | Discussion to ensure all issues related to the push-pull working of trains and standardisation of procedures and equipment throughout all the zonal railways is implemented. |
| Homing of Electric locos in Diesel sheds. | Sort out issues related to homing of electric locomotives at diesel loco sheds. |
| Adequate availability of Electric trained crew for newly electrified sections. | Since a lot of sections are being electrified rapidly, it is important that existing diesel crews are trained well in advance to take over on electric traction. |
| Uniformity in major schedule of WAP5 and WAP7 electric locomotives. | Due to the similarity in design of WAP-5 & WAP-7 locomotives, streamlining the maintenance schedules has been proposed. |
| Use of TM speed sensors for speed indication. | Presently the locomotive speed is sensed through two kinds of speed sensors. One is on the traction motors and the other is on the wheel axle. The wheel axle sensor has been found susceptible to damage and inaccuracy. Hence it is proposed to use the traction motor speed sensor for displaying speed to the driver. |
| Automatic activation of TELS (Tractive Effort Limitation Switch) on vulnerable identified bridges using GPS in locomotives. | Certain weak bridges require the reduction of applied power of the locomotive. This is presently done manually and is susceptible to errors like the driver missing the location and applying excess power. To prevent this, a GPS device may be used to automatically bring down the power when such bridges are approached. |
| Increase in workshops for repair of 3-phase traction motors. | Due to a rapid increase in the number of three-phase electric locomotives, it is proposed to increase the number of workshops and existing workshop capacity to repair, service and manufacture three-phase traction motors. |
| Real-time measurement of electric locomotive parameters. | With this development, loco pilots can measure on real-time basis all important parameters like the temperature of Traction Motor bearing, Motor Suspension Unit Bearing, Axle Box Bearings, etc. Further, automated system for measuring road gauge, wheel disc parameters like Wheel Diameter, Wheel tread and flange wear, levels of various lubricating, Power Converter, and Transformer oils. |
| 160 kmph OHE up-gradation- options available. | The number of trains, which can be run at 160 kmph are limited by the OHE capacity. For running more trains upgradation of OHE capacity will be discussed. |
| Courses module at IRIEEN- In light of new advances in the electrical department. | Courses to improve knowledge on the latest traction technology, EOTT, DPCS, TCAS, TPWS to present and future officers and supervisors. |
| New Technological Up-gradation and Advances – in TRD services. | Development of Automatic Phase Switching section for 25 kV single phase 50 Hz AC traction power supply system |
| Tower Wagon Maintenance. | In view of the mission 100% electrification, the population of Tower Wagons for attending break down/maintenance of electrified routes will increase significantly. Measures to discuss POH of Tower wagons in DLS/ELS |