Taking Care Of Your Electronics

How To Inspect Spring Operated Switches On A Non-Signaled Route

by Aiden Knight

Spring operated switches are used to determine which electronic signal is being sent to a number of different mechanisms, ranging from industries such as industry and manufacturing to transportation. One common place where spring operated switches can be found is in train systems. Because the operators of the train tracks need to send a signal to switch the tracks to the appropriate route, spring operated switches are commonly found since they are highly reliable. However, these switches need to be inspected regularly in order to make sure that they are safe, even if they are on a non-signaled track. Here are the steps that you need to follow if you are looking at spring operated switches on a non-signaled route.

1. Is the Correct Route Set?

The first thing that electricians need to check is to make sure that the correct route is set. Because most lines are automated, spot checking this fact is usually enough to make sure that any incorrect routes are detected and re-routed as soon as possible. Because a non-signaled route means that a train is not bearing down on you immediately, you have the time to look at the system that is controlling the route and determine if the settings are correct and if they have been correct for the history of the routes. If you think that you might have a faulty spring operated switch, then you are going to want to check the route in between every automated switch to ensure that the route is correct.

2. Do the Switch Points Fit Correctly?

Next, you are going to need to locate the spring operated switch itself and manually turn it from one route to another by hand, making note of whether or not the points fit correctly. This means that the switch flips easily and that the following conditions are not met:

  1. You receive a signal that means that you need to stop and inspect the switch.
  2. The switch is not protected by such a signal or by block signal that governs its movement, meaning that you are going to need to replace it until you can outfit it with these safety measures.

3. Is the Switch Secured Correctly?

You need to make sure that all of the bolts are in place and that the vibration of the train has not caused them to loosen over time. If you find any loose screws or bolts, simply use a screwdriver or wrench to tighten them before moving onto the next spring operated switch.

For more information, talk to a company that specializes in the manufacture of spring operated switches. 

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