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7/14/2017

Phoenix Contact: VAL-MS AR line of surge protective devices

Phoenix Contact’s VAL-MS AR line of surge protective devices (SPDs) has "upgraded lightning protection for the railroad industry," the company says. The AR line combines advanced connection and hybrid surge protection technologies and provides the ability to accurately replace SPDs.
 
The AR devices are four times faster to install and maintain than traditional ice-cube-style SPDs, the company says. This quick connection can result in labor and maintenance savings as railroads modernize wayside equipment to meet federal positive train control mandates. An increased level of safety is achieved by indicators that provide both local and remote notice of end-of-life.

Phoenix Contact technologies provide the track-side field connection through screw-clamp terminals and quick-disconnect test points. Improved protection levels and visual status indication provided on hot-swappable surge protection plugs reduce equipment damage while providing a rapid, safe method for replacement, the company says. The AR line also complies with the best practice guidelines set forth in the AREMA C&S manual. The remote monitoring feature also offers critical real-time feedback of protection status to maximize track uptime.