How current sensors are used in the rail transportation industry

With the rapid development of urban rail transit, the requirements for the safety performance and operational efficiency of rail transit systems are getting higher and higher. As an important sensor device, current sensor plays an important role in rail transportation industry. This paper will introduce the principle, classification and specific applications of current sensors in the rail transportation industry.

First, the principle and classification of current sensor

Current sensor is a sensor device used to measure current. It realizes the measurement of current by sensing the magnetic field generated by current or by measuring the voltage generated when current passes through a wire. According to the different working principles, current sensors can be categorized into electromagnetic current sensors, Hall effect current sensors, magnetoresistive current sensors and so on.

Electromagnetic current sensors utilize the magnetic field generated when the current passes through the wire to sense the sensor and measure the size of the current. Electromagnetic current sensors have high precision and wide measurement range, but due to their complex structure, large size and high price, they are relatively less used in the rail transportation industry.

Hall effect current sensors utilize the magnetic field generated by the Hall element induced current to sense the sensor and measure the size of the current. Hall effect current sensors are compact in size and low in price, but because of their narrow measurement range and relatively low accuracy, they are also relatively less used in the rail transportation industry.

Magnetoresistive current sensors utilize the voltage generated when current passes through a wire to sense the sensor and measure the size of the current. Magnetoresistive current sensor is compact, low price, wide measurement range, high precision, so it is more widely used in the rail transportation industry.

Second, the application of current sensors in the rail transportation industry

1, rail transportation power system monitoring

Rail transportation power system is an important part of the rail transportation system, its effective monitoring and management, can ensure the safety and reliability of the rail transportation system. Current sensor can be used to monitor the current situation of each link in rail transportation power system, such as current sensing in power supply system, current sensing in traction system, etc., so as to find out the abnormal situation in time and take corresponding measures to ensure the normal operation of rail transportation system.

2、Rail transit vehicle status monitoring

The monitoring of rail transportation vehicle status is crucial to ensure the safety and operation efficiency of the vehicle. The current sensor can be used to monitor the current situation of each circuit in the rail transportation vehicle, such as the current of traction motor, the current of vehicle lighting circuit, etc., so as to judge whether the vehicle is running normally and whether there is any fault, and then carry out repair and maintenance in time.

3、Rail transit signal system monitoring

Rail transportation signal system is one of the key systems to guarantee the operation safety of rail transportation system. The current sensor can be used to monitor the current of each circuit in the rail transit signal system, such as the current of signal lamp circuit, the current of signal equipment circuit, etc., so as to judge whether the signal system is working normally, whether there is any fault, and carry out repair and maintenance in time.

4、Rail transportation fault diagnosis

Fault diagnosis in rail transportation system is crucial to ensure the safety and operation efficiency of the system. The current sensor can be used to monitor the current of each equipment in the rail transportation system, such as the current of the motor, the current of the power supply equipment, etc., so as to judge whether there is any fault in the equipment and carry out fault diagnosis and maintenance in time.

5、Rail transportation energy consumption monitoring

Energy consumption monitoring of rail transportation system is of great significance for saving energy and reducing operation cost. Current sensor can be used to monitor the current consumption of each device in the rail transit system, so as to analyze the energy utilization, optimize the system operation strategy, and realize energy saving and management.

In short, current sensors have important application value in the rail transportation industry. Through the monitoring of rail transit power system, vehicle status, signal system, fault diagnosis and energy consumption, current sensors can provide timely and accurate data support for the safe operation and optimization of rail transit system management to provide strong support. With the continuous development of the rail transportation industry, the application of current sensors will also continue to promote and improve.