Automation of Electric Heating System
An automated electric heating system for CBTC-based switch assemblies is being tested at Russia’s Yaroslavl railway station, The tests will continue until the end of winter.
The system has already proven its effectiveness as during the period of abnormal snowfalls in early January 2026 snow that laid at the station near the switch points has thawed down to the concrete sleepers. Therefore, fitters were able to focus only on periodic monitoring of the single control panel and the final stage of track cleaning.
The system’s main unit consists of an electric heating control cabinet with several switch assemblies connected to it. Commands are sent to all switches by one controller from a common main server; if the central controller fails, control will automatically switch to a backup device enabling remote diagnostics.
The system can be controlled in any of three modes:
in automatic mode, it is controlled from a signaling control panel, using the readings from temperature, humidity, precipitation and illumination sensors;
in manual mode, it is controlled through the electric heating control cabinet panel; and
in dispatch mode the control is enabled via the central control panel.
Following the winter test results, it will be determined whether it is feasible to employ the system throughout the country.
Alfa-ZHAT supplies electric heating systems for switch assemblies throughout Russia and the CIS countries.
