The purpose of a derailment detector is to stop the train by activating automatic application of the brakes or to send a signal to the train driver when its triggering threshold has been reached following a wagon derailment.
The derailment detector cannot prevent derailments. Its presence on a vehicule should neverbe used as an excuse for cutting back or compromising on preventive vehicule maintenance.
The pneumatic derailment detector monitors vertical accelerations at wagon-body level and, when its triggering threshold is reached, opens a large aperture to exhaust the main brake pipe to atmosphere.
The electronic derailment detector does not necessarily cause the main brake pipe of the vehicle concerned to open. If the train is equipped with a train control-command and diagnosis system, the
detector can transmit an advance warning and derailment signal to the driver.
(The relevant conditions have not yet been defined in this leaflet).
Accelerations occurring in normal service should not trigger the derailment detector.
It is crucial that in the event of a derailment, the vertical acceleration occurring at the point where the derailment detector is to be fitted exceeds the triggering threshold of the detector. This applies irrespective of the load conditions and speed of the wagon.
The derailment detector should 0e designed to operate on lines that meet the quality standards laid down in UIC Leaflet 518, Appendix D (QN1-QN3).
UIC OR 541-08-2006 history
2007UIC OR 541-08-2007 Brakes - Regulations concerning the manufacture of the different brake parts - Derailment detectors for wagons
2006UIC OR 541-08-2006 Brakes - Regulations concerning the manufacture of the different brake parts - Derailment detectors for wagons