An induction coil driver card for a railroad switch consists of a main power supply, a control unit, at least one induction heating unit, and an interface driver. The main power supply is electrically connected to the at least one induction heating unit that is used to generate eddy current fields. The generated eddy current field excites the atoms within the railroad switch resulting in elevated temperatures. The power input to the induction heating unit is managed via the control unit. The interface driver allows the user to control the frequency ranges received by the induction heating unit by utilizing the control unit. The interface driver also allows the user to have remote access via a wireless cellular modem.

An embodiment of a rail switch heating system is disclosed, including a controller comprising a processor and memory, an electrically resistive heating element coupled to the controller, the heating element configured for mounting to and heating a railroad rail, and software stored on the memory for executing the steps of: (a) automatically determining a pulse width modulated (PWM) cycle corresponding to a target energy consumption for cycling the heating element on and off; and (b) cycling the heating element on and off according to the PWM cycle.

An embodiment of a rail switch heating system is disclosed, including a controller comprising a processor and memory, an electrically resistive heating element coupled to the controller, the heating element configured for mounting to and heating a railroad rail, and software stored on the memory for executing the steps of: (a) automatically determining a pulse width modulated (PWM) cycle corresponding to a target energy consumption for cycling the heating element on and off; and (b) cycling the heating element on and off according to the PWM cycle.

A heating device for removing snow or ice that accumulates in between a moving-point train track rail and a fixed train track rail consists of an induction coil, a holding case, and a mounting tray. The induction coil is positioned within the holding case which is then positioned on the mounting tray. For optimal performance, the mounting tray is positioned adjacent a planar bottom surface of both the fixed train track rail and the moving-point train track rail. The eddy current field of the induction coil excites the atoms within the steel which then results in elevated temperatures. The heat radiated from the fixed train track rail and the moving-point train track rail removes any accumulated snow or ice.

A heating device for removing snow or ice that accumulates in between a moving-point train track rail and a fixed train track rail consists of an induction coil, a holding case, and a mounting tray. The induction coil is positioned within the holding case which is then positioned on the mounting tray. For optimal performance, the mounting tray is positioned adjacent a planar bottom surface of both the fixed train track rail and the moving-point train track rail. The eddy current field of the induction coil excites the atoms within the steel which then results in elevated temperatures. The heat radiated from the fixed train track rail and the moving-point train track rail removes any accumulated snow or ice.

An automatic monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of a wiring having a number of cables, the monitoring system having an integrity measuring unit designed to be coupled to the electrical wires in order to carry out measurements and check for the presence of faults along the electrical conductors, and a detection unit to detect a voltage present in the electrical wires and to enable the integrity measuring unit in case the voltage has a predetermined relation with a voltage threshold, indicating the fact that the electrical load is not powered by the power supply source. The integrity measuring unit has an impedance measuring circuit to apply a measurement signal to a circuit formed by the pair of electrical wires and to obtain a value of the impedance of the same circuit. The integrity measuring unit checks for the presence of a fault depending on the impedance value.

An automatic monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of a wiring having a number of cables, the monitoring system having an integrity measuring unit designed to be coupled to the electrical wires in order to carry out measurements and check for the presence of faults along the electrical conductors, and a detection unit to detect a voltage present in the electrical wires and to enable the integrity measuring unit in case the voltage has a predetermined relation with a voltage threshold, indicating the fact that the electrical load is not powered by the power supply source. The integrity measuring unit has an impedance measuring circuit to apply a measurement signal to a circuit formed by the pair of electrical wires and to obtain a value of the impedance of the same circuit. The integrity measuring unit checks for the presence of a fault depending on the impedance value.

Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for controlling remote equipment in a network. A switch heater control system includes a weather modeling function. The system periodically obtains weather data according to a predetermined time interval. Based on the closest weather data set, the weather modeling function generates a hyperlocal forecast associated with each switch heater location. The system includes an active snowfall mode and a maintenance mode that controls heating based on an estimate of local snow depth, adjusted for wind conditions and passing trains. When the hyperlocal forecast indicates heating is required, the system calculates a melt duration, starts a timer, and transmits a start signal to the switch heater.

Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for controlling remote equipment in a network. A switch heater control system includes a weather modeling function. The system periodically obtains weather data according to a predetermined time interval. Based on the closest weather data set, the weather modeling function generates a hyperlocal forecast associated with each switch heater location. The system includes an active snowfall mode and a maintenance mode that controls heating based on an estimate of local snow depth, adjusted for wind conditions and passing trains. When the hyperlocal forecast indicates heating is required, the system calculates a melt duration, starts a timer, and transmits a start signal to the switch heater.

A system for remotely controlling third rail ribbon heaters is provided for preventing the accumulation of ice and snow on the rails. The system includes a plurality of switching assemblies that control a flow of electric current from the third rail of a railway to ribbon heaters mounted on the third rail. A remotely located digital controller provides switching commands to the switching assemblies via a radio link. The switching assemblies include current and voltage sensors that continuously provide current and voltage information that allows the digital controller to accurately predict when a heater failure condition is likely to occur so that ribbon heaters may be preemptively and safely replaced before failure. Each of the switching assemblies is contained in a junction box that includes both a door panel and a safety switch that disconnects the switching assembly from third rail current when the door panel is opened for improved safety.