Catenary Wire Straighteners | Tools to Remove Kinks from Overhead Rail Cables
Published 12 Jan 2023
Catenary Wire Straighteners
Tools to Remove Kinks from Overhead Line & Catenary
The Hydraulic Kink Remover is used to straighten out areas on the contact wire that have developed ‘kinks’ on the UK rail electrification networks. This ensures that the overhead wire is continuously in contact with the pantograph. The catenary wire straighteners are specifically designed for maintenance use on overhead rail cables.
Battery Tool
BDL041Â
- Battery or cordless tool powered by a 18V, 2.0Ah or 5.0Ah Li-Ion battery
- Removable steel frame to position the tool on the wire to be straightened
- Locked in place by a powerful spring
- Suitable for 107sqmm and 150sqmm contact wires
- Head can be rotated through 180o, equipped with a handle that can be screwed onto either side of the tool
- Ergonomically designed & well balanced
- On/off button, with switching to standby after 10 min
- Quick motor stop after cycle for greater safety
- Piston returns manually by release trigger
- Electronic overpressure protection
- LED to indicate maintenance, the battery charge level and the maximum tool pressure as it is reached
Railway Tools – The Electric System
The delivery of electricity to railways is usually through a system of overhead lines. This is called a catenary. Meanwhile, transmission to the trains is through a Pantograph. This a framework which collects power and passes it through to the motors. One of the key maintenance issues is that there is a lot of movement in the cables. This is hardly a surprise given the high speeds of modern trains. As a result, the Pantograph adjusts its position to remain in contact with the overhead line.
Maintaining the Catenary involves regular inspection and repair. In particular, this involves the removal of any ‘kinks’ that develop in the line.
Hydraulic Head
XDH41
- Head powered by a 700 bar power pack, connected via a high pressure hose
- Removable steel frame to position the tool on the wire to be straightened
- Locked in place by a powerful spring
- Suitable for 107mm2 and 150mm2 contact wires
Railway Tools – Maintenance
Much of the work on overhead lines involves high-level maintenance trains. Above all, they provide a stable platform to work from. Moreover, they provide the hydraulic power needed for the XDH41. For remote or emergency works, where a maintenance train is not available, there is the Stanley Dubuis BDL41. This battery tool shares the same in-line ergonomic handle as the Stanley Dubuis cable cutting and crimping tools.
Likewise, it uses the 18 volt 5.0Ah DeWalt/Stanley batteries, common to the whole range.
Technical Specifications
| XDH41 | BDL041 | |
| Force | 40 kN | 40 kN |
| Weight | 3.800 kg | 4.950 kg |
| Dimensions (mm) | 205 x 80 x 205 | 375 x 80 x 210 |
| Power Supply | 700 bar hyd. source | 18 V Li-ion battery |
| Rail Networks | 700 V / 1 500 V 3 000 V / 15 000 V 25 000 V |
700 V / 1 500 V 3 000 V / 15 000 V 25 000 V |
| Cases | ||
| Weight | 0.900 kg | 1.320 kg |
| Dimensions (mm) | 310 x 280 x 110 | 550 x 336 x 158 |
| Part No. | Supplied with the tool | Supplied with the tool |
| Capacity | XDH41 tool | BDL041 tool + 2 batteries + 1 charger +1 handle |
RAIL CABLE ACCESSORIES, ELECTRIFICATION
& INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT
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Reliable & Compliant Cable Accessories for Substation, Trackside & OHL Power Supply
