Lightning arrester for railway applications

The Mersen lightning arrester enclosures are designed to protect railway networks against disturbances incurred by lightning, in the feeding lines in the substations along the railtrack (pole enclosure) as well as in the power lines mounted on the roof (pantograph enclosure). The usual solution consists of placing an air breaker and a non-linear resistance in silicium carbure between the line and the ground. The system presents several drawbacks :  • It does not age well, and it becomes passing after several operations. • This malfunction triggers the opening of the line circuit breaker, which interrupts the service.  • The new solution is made up of the combination in series of a non linear zinc oxyde resistance and a current limiting fuse.  • The zinc oxyde resists better to ageing thanks to a better non linearity coefficient.  • In spite of this, should a lightning surge be violent enough to damage the lightning arrester, then the fuse will isolate the faulty equipment, leaving the feeding of the railway line in service.  Spare part kits Mersen will supply you all Spare parts kits to guarantee the reliability and increase the life time of your devices. • cables, • fuses, • replacement shoes and arms, • Hardware and all necessary components. Training and assistance Mersen Design team is available to support your design and maintenance team’s especially for the smart and connected functions. Mersen Service team can train your Maintenance team to make the setting and the maintenance of your installations all around the world.