EURAILTEST offers a comprehensive range of services that include measurements, testing and expert advice for railway equipment qualification.

Electrical testing in the laboratory

Qualifying the performance of electrical equipment and simulating incidents
encountered in revenue service

Objectives include:

  • Check the functioning of low power and high power products according to a standard or a technical specification
  • Check the conformity of a product or a series
  • Check that equipment functions properly
  • Assess life potential of a component
  • Conduct tests as required by the customer.
  • Examples:
    • Overheating of electrical components
    • Behaviour at high voltage (120kV – 50Hz) and with strong direct or alternating current (100ms window, 40kA at 1,800V DC)
    • Performance of electrical equipment: rheostats, static converters, etc.
    • Short-circuit tests on specific equipment such as transformers
    • Evaluation of switchgear performance: contactors, circuit breakers, switches, etc.
    • Measurement of harmonic current
    • Tests on roof gear (catenary simulation)

Test resources include:

  • DC power system: 1.5 kV/3 kV DC – 5 MVA
  • Single-phase power system: 50Hz, 8kV to 30kV AC – 12MVA
  • Three-phase power system: 50Hz, 0kV to 2kV AC – 1.5MVA
  • High-intensity power system: 0kA to 20kA, 10 V DC
  • High-voltage resistance equipment: 0kV AC to 120kV AC – 50Hz
  • Climatic test chamber (-40°C)
  • Switchable outdoor OCL: 25kV / 50Hz, 1.5kV, 3kV
  • Digital data acquisition and processing system
  • Voltage and current sensors
  • Temperature measurement with or without electric potential
  • Retractable roof access platform

Rerefences include ABB Sécheron, ADVENTEN, ALSTOM OBT, FAIVELEY, FRAMAFER, JST, MCB, MERSEN, MORS SMITT, SDCEM, SOREEL, TE Connectivity, and TECH POWER ELECTRONIC.

Glazing

Contributing to the type approval process of window glass by testing its strength and effectiveness

Objectives include:

  • Measure pressure resistance: simulate pressure changes produced when two trains cross each other in the open air or in tunnels – on all types of glass panes (flat or curved, new or downgraded, etc.)
  • Measure soft body impact resistance: check that a person inside a vehicle is not projected outside after the impact of a 50kg pendulum
  • Check water tightness
  • Check hard body impact resistance
  • Assess rupture strength of the structural bonded seal
  • Measure dew point

Test resources include:

  • Two test rigs:
    • Pressure up to +/- 8,000 Pa
    • Sine, rectangular or square wave (on request)
    • Frequency up to 6Hz
    • Rig dimensions: 1,800mm x 2,500mm
  • Watering system (used during test)
  • Dynamic measurement system of glass pane deflection

References for glazing include AGC FLAT GLASS, ALSTOM, BOMBARDIER, RUSTIN SAINT GOBAIN, SEKURIT, and SESSA KLEIN

Standard met include:

  • NF F31-129
    • Railway rolling stock
    • Tempered safety glass
  • EN 1279-2
    • Insulating glass units
    • Part 2: Long-term test method and requirements for moisture penetration
  • UIC 566 for fatigue tests
  • NF F01-492
    • Railway rolling stock
    • Windows
    • Water tightness tests
    • Soft body impact resistance tests
    • Negative/positive pressure fluctuation resistance tests
    • Bonding strength fracture resistance tests
    • Climatic ageing cycle resistance tests