Addressing Chronic Signalling Power Supply Faults: the benefits of asset condition assessments in CP7

Signalling power supply cables are critical to maintaining reliable rail operations. Yet most, if not all, regions struggle with chronic faults due to extreme environmental conditions, ageing infrastructure or a lack of human resource. CableGuardian’s advanced monitoring technology locates these faults with confidence and dependability, making it an ideal solution for persistent issues.

However, committing to a long-term contract in a reality of tight budgets is often a barrier to adoption. CableGuardian’s Asset Condition Assessment, or temporary installation, means that many of the benefits of this unique system can be employed on a temporary basis. Asset managers can therefore overcome spending constraints and access a cost-effective

As Network Rail’s Delivery Plans for 2024–2029 show, early intervention reduces risks and improves asset performance while giving you data that can steer your asset management strategy. In this article, we outline the key benefits of incorporating early intervention temporary installations into your asset management strategy and why CableGuardian’s Asset Condition Assessments should be part of your arsenal during CP7.

The Benefits of Temporary Installations for Asset Managers

1. Quickly locate long-standing faults

Temporary installations allow for detailed assessment and isolating and diagnosing chronic faults in signalling power supply cables. CableGuardian can be installed for a defined period so weather-dependent faults can be disclosed.

2. No large, upfront costs

In the case of CableGuardian temporary installations, asset managers can trial CableGuardian’s advanced technology without committing to full-scale adoption. The usual capital outlay for permanent installations is not required. Instead, the low-risk, low-cost option incurs only minimal ongoing operational expense.

3. Deploy in one shift

Temporary installations can be completed in a single shift, especially with CableGuardian. This minimises disruption and makes temporary installations ideal for planned possessions or hard-to-access areas. The equipment can be left in place as long as needed so weather-dependent faults can be disclosed.

4. Maximise resource efficiency

By pinpointing faults or narrowing search areas, temporary installations reduce the need for more costly, labour-intensive, boots-on-ballast searches. Maintenance teams can focus on fixing problems efficiently rather than spending the time trying to locate faults, ensuring smarter resource use.

5. Move where it is needed

Portable and flexible, the system can be redeployed to emerging problem areas, delivering tailored support in the chosen location.

6. Assess functionality before renewals

Temporary installations enable asset managers to evaluate cables scheduled for renewal. By identifying which cables are still in good condition, unnecessary replacements can be avoided, saving time, resources and budget.

7. Mitigate possession cancellations

When planned possessions to carry out cable testing are cancelled or delayed, CableGuardian temporary installations can still be performed as they are non-intrusive. Any issues can then be addressed during the next scheduled possession.

CableGuardian Empowers Asset Managers to Proactively Locate Faults with Greater Accuracy

CableGuardian’s value lies in its superior diagnostic capabilities, fault location accuracy and ability to deliver actionable insights. CableGuardian temporary installations, or Asset Condition Assessments, provide a cost-efficient way to trial these capabilities and discover its benefits without significant financial commitment.

Through temporary installations, asset managers can explore CableGuardian’s full potential and see measurable results, while quickly addressing chronic signalling power related maintenance issues effectively. CableGuardian temporary installations:

Deliver reliable, actionable insights
CableGuardian uses advanced measurement techniques to deliver unparalleled fault detection and location reliability as well as monitoring and trending. The service delivers dependable and actionable insights, disclosing faults quickly and effectively and enabling them to be addressed with confidence. CableGuardian Asset Condition Assessments can be performed even if you are using another monitoring device to disclose and locate faults that it may overlook. With its advanced detection capabilities, CableGuardian is not adversely affected by system insulation capacitance and continues to measure accurately even when severe capacitance imbalances are present across the system, thereby ensuring reliable insights.

Deliver added value in testing phases
CableGuardian Asset Condition Assessments include expert support to interpret data to help guide decision-making. With no ongoing costs beyond the agreed service period, these temporary installations are a cost-effective solution that maximises return on investment.

Are tried and tested in the field
CableGuardian temporary installations consistently deliver measurable results as they have already been tried and tested in the field. Whether tackling fuse failures, rodent-damaged cables or persistent faults, the system reduces downtime and ensures issues are easily solved.

CableGuardian’s temporary installations are a cost-effective entry point for asset managers. They align with CP7’s focus on improving asset resilience and allow asset managers to trial the technology, reduce downtime, and solve critical issues efficiently without a long-term investment commitment.

By embracing temporary installations as part of regular maintenance and a broader asset management strategy, asset managers can proactively locate faults before they fail and address chronic signalling power-related maintenance issues.

Find out more about how CableGuardian’s temporary installations can benefit your region.