ALSTOM IR139-1

Description

Product Description

The ALSTOM IR139-1 is a specialized, high-reliability Electromechanical Relay or Control Relay designed for vital safety and signaling applications in railway interlocking and control systems. As a core component of traditional and modern railway signaling architecture, this relay is engineered to meet stringent international standards for railway equipment (such as CENELEC EN 50126, EN 50128, and EN 50129). The primary function of the IR139-1 is to perform logical switching operations based on the state of track circuits, signals, points (switches), and other vital inputs, ensuring the safe routing and movement of trains. Its robust mechanical construction and fail-safe design principles make the ALSTOM IR139-1 a critical element in implementing safety logic where the consequences of failure are severe. The reliability and predictable behavior of this relay are fundamental to the overall safety integrity of railway operations.

Product Parameters

• Device Type: Vital Safety Relay (Electromechanical)
• Application Domain: Railway Signaling & Interlocking Systems
• Contact Configuration: Multiple changeover contacts (Form Z or similar) with specific, guaranteed contact sequencing (e.g., break-before-make).
• Coil Voltage: Standard railway control voltages (e.g., 24V DC, 48V DC, 110V DC).
• Contact Rating: Rated for switching signaling-level currents and voltages (typically low current, e.g., 2-10A, at 24-110V DC).
• Safety Design: Incorporates forced-guided contacts (positive-guided relays) or other mechanisms to ensure that if a contact welds in the energized position, the opposite contact cannot close, preventing a dangerous conflicting signal.
• Mechanical Construction: Heavy-duty construction with dust cover, designed for high vibration and shock resistance. Often features transparent covers for visual inspection.
• Operating Life: High mechanical and electrical endurance (millions of operations).
• Certifications: Compliant with relevant railway safety and performance standards.
• Mounting: Designed for mounting on standard relay racks or rails within signaling equipment cabinets.

Advantages and Features

• Proven Safety Integrity: The ALSTOM IR139-1 is designed and certified for use in vital safety circuits where its failure modes are well understood and controlled. The forced-guided contact design is a key safety feature to prevent wrong-side failures.
• Extreme Reliability and Durability: Built to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of railway trackside and equipment rooms, including wide temperature ranges, humidity, dust, and continuous vibration from passing trains.
• Fail-Safe Operation: The relay’s design ensures it defaults to a known, safe state (typically de-energized) upon loss of coil power, which is a fundamental principle in railway safety signaling.
• Simple and Verifiable: Its electromechanical nature allows for straightforward testing and visual inspection of contacts and movement. The logic it implements is hardwired and transparent, which is advantageous for safety certification.
• Long Service Life and Maintainability: With a known wear profile, these relays can be maintained on a preventative schedule. Their modular design allows for easy replacement, minimizing system downtime.

Application Cases in Various Fields

• Railway Interlocking Logic: Used as the fundamental building block in relay-based interlockings to enforce safe routes by ensuring points are locked and signals cannot clear unless the route is set, locked, and proven clear.
• Track Circuit Control: Controls the feed to an audio-frequency (AF) or DC track circuit. The state of the IR139-1 relay (energized/de-energized) directly indicates whether a track section is occupied or clear.
• Signal Lamp Control: Directly controls the power to the different aspects (red, yellow, green) of a color-light signal based on the output of vital logic.
• Level Crossing Protection: Forms part of the safety logic that activates warning lights, bells, and barriers when a train is detected approaching a road crossing.

Comparisons with Competing Products

1. Vs. Programmable Electronic Systems (PES): Compared to modern computerized interlockings (like Alstom’s own SmartLock), the ALSTOM IR139-1 relay represents a simpler, time-tested technology. Its advantage lies in its transparent failure mode and ease of verification for specific vital functions, whereas PES offer greater flexibility and functionality for complex stations.
2. Vs. Generic Industrial Relays: Standard industrial relays are not designed to meet the “vital” safety standards (CENELEC), mechanical endurance requirements, or specific contact sequencing (forced guidance) required for railway signaling. They lack the certified failure mode analysis.
3. Vs. Other Railway Relay Manufacturers (e.g., Siemens, Thales): Competitors have their own ranges of vital relays (e.g., Siemens Simatic D7 series). The IR139-1 is part of Alstom’s comprehensive signaling portfolio, ensuring compatibility and support within Alstom’s system designs and maintenance practices.
4. Key Differentiator: Its role as a certified, vital safety component within a regulated industry, where its design and manufacturing process are as important as its electrical specifications.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

1. Vital vs. Non-Vital Application: Use the ALSTOM IR139-1 only in circuits classified as vital/safety-critical. Using it for general-purpose control is an unnecessary expense and does not leverage its safety features.
2. Exact Specification Matching: Select the exact model based on required coil voltage, contact arrangement (number and type of contacts), and contact current rating. Using an incorrect variant can compromise system logic or safety.
3. Adherence to Signaling Principles: Installation and circuit design must follow strict railway signaling practices. This includes the use of segregated wiring, special fusing, and often, redundancy principles (e.g., two relays in series for a vital function).
4. Preventative Maintenance and Testing: These relays should be included in a strict, periodic maintenance schedule. This includes contact inspection, cleaning, measurement of contact resistance, pull-in/drop-out voltage tests, and operational time tests to ensure they function within specified parameters.
5. Environmental Protection: While robust, ensure the relay is installed in a cabinet that protects it from excessive moisture, contaminants, and physical damage to maximize its operational life.
6. Observe De-Energized State Logic: During design and troubleshooting, always reason from the de-energized (safe) state of the IR139-1. The entire interlocking logic is typically built assuming a relay failure will result in this restrictive state.
7. Source from Authorized Suppliers: For safety systems, procure these relays from Alstom or authorized railway signaling component distributors to guarantee authenticity, correct specifications, and traceability.

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