CONTENTS

Introduction to signal test laboratory of R.D.S.O  Introduction of data logger How data is collected Data logger types Advantages Disadvantages Applications Improvement needed in data logger in Indian railway

AN OVERVIEW  RDSO, an ISO:9001 certified organisation, is the sole R&D organisation of Indian Railways and performs the following important functions:- Adoption, absorption and development of new technologies for use on Indian Railways.  Development of new and improved designs.  Development of standards of materials and products specially needed by Indian Railways.  Technical investigation, statutory clearances, testing and providing consultancy services.  Inspection of rolling stock, locomotive, signalling and telecommunication equipments, track components etc. for ensuring quality.  Quality audit of Railway workshops & production units.  RDSO has a number of laboratories, which are well equipped with research and testing facilities for development, testing, and design evaluation of various railway related equipments and materials. 

SIGNAL TESTING LABORATORY

SIGNAL TESTING LABORATORY  

Signal Testing Laboratory undertake testing of all types of signalling equipments involving safety such as Signalling Relays, Block Instruments, Power Supply Equipments, Point Machines, Signalling Cables, Electromechanical Signalling Equipments/Components, Modern Signaling equipments, etc.

 There is an exclusive section for environmental testing equipped with range of

climatic test facilities as per IS: 9000. These include programmable environmental (heat & humidity), dry heat, cold, mould growth, salt mist spray, dust, rain chambers etc.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION

The laboratory is equipped with full testing facilities for Power Supply Equipment (Battery Charger, DC-DC Converter, Transformer etc.), Signal lamps & Lenses, Relays (Metal to Carbon & Metal to Metal contact type). The laboratory is also equipped for testing of electronic and microprocessor based equipments like Electronic Interlocking, Data Loggers, Axle Counters,Block Interface for optic fibre cable, LED Signals, Audio Frequency Track Circuits, Electronic Timers, Electronic Flashers,etc.          

Modern Signaling Hall Axle Counter Testing Setup 

SIGNALLING DEVELOPMENT EQUIPMENT CENTRE

A Signalling Equipment Development Centre has been set up in the Signalling Testing Laboratory. Here working systems including EI, Digital Axle Counter, Data Logger, AFTCs, Block Instruments, LED signal lamps etc. are available. In addition, equipments developed by RDSO, such as signaling relay, polycarbonate lenses, triple pole double filament lamps, power supply equipment etc. have also been displayed. This centre is being used for various testing at developmental stages and for further improvements in the designs of various signalling systems. Training for newly inducted inspectors is also imparted in this center.

Electronic Interlocking Signalling Equipment  Development Centre  

FACILITIES

• ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING• TEST AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS• LED SIGNAL MEASUREMENT• RELAY PERFORMANCE AND ENDURANCE TESTING• COMPUTERISED RELAY TESTING• POWER SUPPLY EQUIPMENT TESTING• CABLE TESTING

DATA LOGGER

INTRODUCTION  The process of using a computer to collect data through sensor, analyze the data and save the data is

called data logging and the instrument used in this called data loggers.Data logger is microprocessor-based system, which logs the information about the relays, which are connected to the data logger. Data logger monitors and records all activities and event in the signaling system of a railway station.

Data logger acts like a “black box”, which generating various user-friendlyreports. It is also known as “event logger.”With the help of data logger and the feedback given by the staff, actualposition of system can be verified. Adjusted parameters can be viewed. It is a microprocessor based equipment and logs the events occurring in the signaling function of a yard through the energized contact of the relays.The logged information is conveyed in the computer. The packets are sent in till the next data logger gives the acknowledgement of receipt of packet. The data can be sent either in single direction, Bi-direction or in all direction. A data logger has a capacity to store 1.7 lakhs events. When a large amount of data is received, the old data will be erased on first–in–first-out basis.Data logger can work as a single data logger for a particular RRI/PI.

HOW DATA IS COLLECTED: 

Sensors are used to take readings or measurements at regular intervals of their environment.   The sensors could be collecting data on a wide range of things such as temperature, humidity, pressure, wind

speed, water currents, electrical voltage, pH readings etc.

The sensors may be either analogue or digital. If they take analogue readings, an Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) will be needed to convert the signal into digital data which the computer can understand.

  As the sensor takes a reading, the data is sent though a cable or wireless link to the data logger.   The data logger usually stores the data for a period of time before sending it in a large batch to a computer which

will process and analyse it.   A data logger is often a hand-held battery-operated device which has a large amount of memory.

DATA LOGGER IN INDIAN RAILWAYS

On Indian Railways, for the safe movement of trains, signals have been provided on all stations. Traffic department controls the operations of these signals. The failure in operating a signal is made available to traffic department. This information is then conveyed to Signal Department.Mainly for signal failure, following are reasons:• Failure relating to operation• Failure relating to Engineering Department• Failure relating to Electrical department• Abnormal incidence

Main features of data logger Scanning of digital inputs after every 20 milliseconds. Each input is optically isolated. Each scanner card can support 256 inputs. Every input requires a current of 10 mA. FIFO logic implemented for data being stored in the memory. On switching on power, the processor conducts diagnosis of the entire processor viz.-

I/O chips and other peripherals. After successful diagnosis, time is displayed on the seven segment in the following

format- hh:mm:ss ( hours, minutes and seconds)  After scanning, the data is processed and various reports can generated By data logger or data can be updated to the computer. Now with the help of key board various functions as listed below can be carried out, by

viewing the necessary parameters/ details in the LCD panel Setting of time Page display Printer /Buzzer Change of password

DATA LOGGER TYPESMiniature Single Input Data Loggers

Miniature single input data loggers are generally low cost loggers dedicated to a specific input type. These types of data loggers are often used in the transportation industry. A typical application would be to include a temperature data logger in a shipment of food products to insure that the food temperature does not exceed acceptable limits. In addition to temperature miniature data loggers are available for a large variety of input types. most input types.

Fixed Mount Multi-Channel Data Loggers Fixed input loggers have a fixed number of input channels which are generally dedicated for a specific type of input. OMEGA offers fixed input data loggers ranging from one to 8 channels

DATA LOGGER NETWORK

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGESADVANTAGES:Using computers to record data has a number of advantages over recording data manually : Measurements are always taken at the right time. Unlike a human the computer will not forget to

take a reading or take a reading too late or too early. Mistakes are not made in reading the results. Humans can make errors. For example it is quite

easy to misread the temperature using the scale on a thermometer. Data logging devices can be sent to places that humans can not easily get to. e.g. to the planet

Mars, into the bottom of a volcano, or onto a roof of a tall building to get to a weather station. Graphs and tables of results can be produced automatically by the data logging software.

DISADVANTAGE:The main disadvantage of using a data logging system is the initial cost of purchasing the equipment. 

SOME OTHER APPLICATIONS OF DATA LOGGER

Electric utilities Inventory Monitoring Water resources Product Development Energy Environmental Vehicle Test Meteorological Mining Water/Wastewater Utilities Irrigation/Agriculture

IMPROVEMENT NEEDED IN DATA LOGGER IN INDIAN RAILWAYS

1. Input should be given to data logger so that load of train can be measured at the time of running on the track

2. Input should be given in data logger so that failure of track can be informed to department of railways and accident of train should be avoided.

3. In comparison to real time data acquisition systems, data loggers generally have low sample rates. This is normally because they store data in internal memory which is limited. The higher the data rates the more memory required. Therefore when specifying a data logger it is important to determine the sample rate and the sample duration which can be used to calculate the required memory.