Studies & Consulting

The basis of a successful project is precise knowledge of the duration, costs and project scope. Enotrac prepares preliminary studies, feasibility studies and market studies with a high level of problem-solving competence. Customers and partners therefore receive all the necessary information they need to determine the best possible approach to the planning and implementation of their project. This applies both to new projects and to the continuation of ongoing projects.

Before work on a project begins, the project objective must be clearly defined and checked for feasibility within the framework of a preliminary project. In this way, open questions can be clarified in advance in order to create the best possible starting conditions. The decisive factor is always the view of the overall system: the framework conditions must be fully known so that all relevant interfaces can be included and taken into account. These studies include all areas such as the catenary, energy supply system, charging and energy storage systems, as well as stations, workshops, tunnels, vehicle conversions and modernisations (refits).

However, a project must not only be feasible in technical terms, but also in economic terms. Enotrac analyses the current market situation, contacts possible suppliers and obtains indicative price quotations. A well-founded assessment of the economic viability of various solutions can therefore be made before the optimal implementation option is developed.

Enotrac’s experts bring in-depth know-how to the analysis of complex, interdisciplinary issues. Comprehensive studies and market research provide the basis for making informed, future-proof decisions.

Energy studies include the identification of parameters that influence energy consumption and parameters that quantify potential energy savings. In this way, reliable statements can be made about the energy requirements of prospective systems, and the potential for optimisation can be determined. If necessary, Enotrac uses simulation and calculation tools developed and validated in-house (e.g. FABEL).

In feasibility studies, all influencing factors in a project are taken into account in order to review possible solutions. In this way, potential risks can be identified and the prospects of success can be assessed. These studies also include cost-benefit analyses as well as LCC considerations, i.e. the analysis of costs over the entire life cycle of a solution.

Based on the insights gained from these studies, technical concepts can be developed for implementation that meet the demands and requirements of all stakeholders. Enotrac offers competent support within the scope of these development projects.

Enotrac supports customers and partners in developing and operating systems with maximum possible safety and reliability. Safety concepts and risk analyses are prepared for this purpose.

Typical objectives of a risk analysis include obtaining an operating licence and type approval for new rolling stock. Reliable insight is gained as to whether existing rolling stock can operate with acceptable risk on a line with special traffic conditions. Enotrac creates and assesses safety concepts as well as the architecture for various technical solutions such as for door controls and door monitoring systems. Strong project management and the coordination of all interfaces as well as external actors (e.g. independent safety assessors) guarantee a successful project with optimal overview.

Within the scope of these services, Enotrac offers:

• Organisation, preparation and moderation of hazard analysis workshops
• Preparation and maintenance of the hazard protocol, including integration of identified hazards and risk assessment into the document
• Preparation of the system definition for risk analysis and determination of the people, devices and procedures belonging to the system under consideration
• Preparation of the safety requirement specification, including formulation of the requirements according to CSM-RA and the CENELEC standards
• Carrying out various safety analyses such as FMEA, FMECA, FMEDA, FTA and event tree analysis.

The implementation of risk analyses and application of the methodology is based on the relevant standards, in particular EN 50126 and CSM-RA. Enotrac has additionally applied the EN 15227 and EN 12663-1 standards for train collision risk assessment.

Individual system studies form the foundations for the design and evaluation of railway traction power supply networks. Depending on the project phase, these system studies can have various objectives:

• In the concept phase to propose or evaluate the system concept (e.g. choice of voltage system).
• In the design phase for detailed study of the chosen feeder concept, focusing on parameters such as optimal substation location.
• In existing traction current networks for optimization and to assess the impact of proposed changes to existing infrastructure and rolling stock

Special software tools are central to these system studies. The FABEL software suite was specially developed by Enotrac to carry out network simulations for all electrical railway systems. Such simulations can be used for load studies to check for weak points in the network or to design the individual components of the traction power supply. Additionally, energy consumption can be determined, which facilitates the evaluation of different energy-saving measures.

The content of such studies also includes the development of concepts for catenary protection or the design of the return conductor system, taking into account the protection of persons (protection against dangerous voltage) and, in the case of DC railways, protection against stray currents.

The causes of sudden problems or special phenomena in electrotechnical systems are not usually evident at first glance. Enotrac has a wealth of experience, from vehicles to power supply to safety engineering. The engineers are constantly building their knowledge and versatility through interdisciplinary fields of activity, which is the basis for understanding interrelationships and finding solutions to complex problems.

In addition to well-founded theoretical knowledge, the experience gained from multi-layered projects contributes to successful problem solving. Whether it is the occurrence of inexplicable overvoltages on overhead contact lines in the SBB network, increased susceptibility to faults in vehicle components or seemingly causeless main switch tripping of parked vehicles in a new depot: permanent and reliable solutions have been found for these problems and countless others over the past three decades. The analyses are often supported by precise measurements.

Enotrac thus offers customers and partners valuable support that contributes to the safe operation of their systems.

Enotrac determines the non-ionising radiation exposure in the vicinity of substations, transmission lines and catenary systems (catenary, rails, return cables, cables, etc.) with the aid of the internally developed simulation tools FABEL and EMFCALC. These tools are used to create a detailed electrical model of the relevant installations. The decisive field-causing current is also required for the calculation. This is typically determined using simulations or from real measurements. Both simulation tools have been extensively validated in various previous projects by comparing simulated results to real measurements.

In Switzerland, according to the NISV (Ordinance on Protection against Non-Ionising Radiation), a site data sheet is required for planning approval procedures for substations, transmission lines and catenary systems. It must be demonstrated that the installation limit value is compliant with all nearby sensitive locations. Enotrac prepares these verifications. However, with the simulation tools, the calculations can also be carried out according to the specifications and limit values of other countries.

If calculations reveal problems in complying with limit values, Enotrac develops optimization and mitigation measures so that the magnetic field exposure can be reduced.

Enotrac also conducts EMF measurements to determine the magnetic fields of substations, transmission lines or catenary systems. These can be used by an asset owner as proof of compliance with the legal limits or by a developer to determine suitable locations for development projects in the vicinity of the aforementioned electrical installations.

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is a particularly complex issue in railway technology. Enotrac has highly specialised knowledge and expertise, particularly in the area of compatibility between signalling systems and vehicles and between vehicles and traction power supply.

Control technology relies on microprocessors, while sensitive high-frequency technology is used for signalling systems and radio. All these functions must work reliably and safely – the challenge is that they are positioned in the immediate vicinity of powerful converters, machines, switches and pantographs. In addition, it must be ensured that railway technology systems do not interfere with the operation of sensitive third-party equipment (such as in medical facilities).

Enotrac provides proof of electromagnetic compatibility and the compatibility of vehicles with third-party systems such as the power supply or safety systems. Internally developed simulation and calculation tools are used for theoretical investigations. Network calculations, for example, are carried out using FABEL, a software tool developed by Enotrac for the operational simulation of catenary-bound traffic systems. Using these calculations it is possible to determine whether the frequency response of the traction converter of vehicles is compatible with the network resonance frequencies of a traction current supply network.

In addition, tests and measurements are carried out on the systems to validate and supplement the theoretical evidence. Vehicle manufacturers can count on competent support from the Enotrac specialists in the preparation of the EMC report when introducing new components. The implementation of all relevant standards such as EN 50121, EN 50238, EN 50388, the TSI Energy and the NISV is guaranteed.

The introduction of new vehicle fleets, new maintenance infrastructure or even new organisation processes (e.g. the implementation of the ECM Regulation (EU) 2019/779) requires the consideration of a variety of factors. Enotrac supports organisations with the development of the necessary concepts for the maintenance of railway vehicles.

Maintenance infrastructure, operational processes, management systems, planning aspects, material logistics, manufacturing technology, third-party orders and quality assurance are all included. The tasks, competences and responsibilities of individual role holders as well as the sector-specific requirements from standards and regulations (e.g. ECM) are included in the concept.

Special attention is paid to the management of stakeholder requirements. Other important areas are the inclusion of digitalisation technologies, diagnostic systems, predictive maintenance and smart maintenance. The definition of key figures and the implementation of quality management are also included. These and other topics are explored in greater depth in workshops.

New vehicle fleets, new maintenance infrastructure or the introduction of new organisational processes (e.g. implementation of ECM Regulation (EU) 2019/779) require a revision of the workshop concept. This affects the maintenance infrastructure, processes, maintenance logistics, management systems, planning aspects / production planning, material logistics, production technology, third-party orders, quality assurance as well as the tasks, competences and responsibilities of the individual role holders. In addition, the industry-specific requirements from standards and regulations must be fulfilled.

Enotrac creates comprehensive concepts for workshops in which the maintenance of railway vehicles takes place. All maintenance stages are covered, from refits and overhauls to conversions and operational maintenance. Digitalization technologies, including the incorporation of diagnostic systems or the introduction of smart or predictive maintenance, are an important consideration for workshop concepts.

The optimisation of all processes is carried out in consideration of KANBAN, KAIZEN and other relevant production methods. Enotrac takes over the requirements management and develops the individual requirements in workshops with the involvement of all necessary stakeholders. To this end, the experts work closely with architects’ offices and building planners, who are competently advised during the planning and construction phases.

Enotrac attache Enotrac places a high value on the further education and sound training of its engineers on the subject of railways. The company also passes on this knowledge, which is supplemented by experience in daily practice, to third parties.

Enotrac is active at various technical colleges and further education institutions, such as eduRail GmbH. The Enotrac engineers are in demand as external specialists. Enotrac also offers customer-specific courses and training on selected topics, such as the RAMS process according to EN 50126, earthing and return path concepts for railways, the introduction of railway energy supplies, application of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) and ECM training (ECM = Entity in Charge of Maintenance). The content and objectives of each course are closely coordinated with the respective customer.

Some examples of our training practices:

• Introductory course on traction current at BERNMOBIL
• Earthing and return path training at the Federal Office of Transport
• Introduction to railway systems focusing on traction current at eduRail (held twice a year)
• RAMS course (5-day course) at eduRail
• RAMS course at zhaw.