3 July 2020 | Tratos
Advanced technology cable maker Tratos has gained Network Rail approval for its family of enhanced unarmoured signalling power cable products.
The independent British manufacturer was awarded a Network Rail Certificate of Acceptance (Network Rail product approval no: PA05/07165) for cable designed for signalling power distribution systems in accordance with NR/L2/SIGELP/27408. The cables feature glass fibre weave (FGT) and water blocking (WB). The range comprises both Copper and Aluminium conductors with either PVC or LSOH sheathing. Copper conductors are stranded and can be either circular or sectoral shape dependant on CSA.
The formal acceptance by Network Rail Acceptance Panel (NRAP) authorises Tratos’ Railways’ product to be used on projects for which Network Rail is Infrastructure Manager under the ROGS (Railways & Others Guided Transport Systems) regulations.
Chris Harris, UK Sales Manager, Mass Transit, for Tratos said: “This is a significant milestone for Tratos. Rail is a core sector for us. The Tratos sales & technical team is delighted to offer Network Rail PADS approved Enhanced Signalling Power Cable. We are focused on innovation and quality and have a particular strength, as well as a proven track-record, in the rail sector, so this latest acceptance is very welcome.”
The Network Rail product acceptance process applies to products intended for use on or about rail infrastructure and ensures they are safe, reliable, fit for purpose, compatible and do not export unacceptable risks to the infrastructure.
Tratos was one of a small number of British companies to win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation last year, taking the award for its enhanced-performance JBA® cable compound. The new cable technology brings big advances for Railways, Mass Transit and other industries.
Tratos CEO Dr Maurizio Bragagni said: “The complete range of cables will be manufactured at the Tratos Knowsley Merseyside, factory. We unusual in this industry – in what we do and in the way our company is ‘built’. We are an independent British SME. I would like to commend the particularly enlightened thinking by Network Rail in opening the door to a smaller and more agile innovation-led company like ours.”
Construction or maintenance work on the UK rail infrastructure is safety-critical. Network Rail is dedicated to ensuring that only products that have passed its own very thorough performance and safety tests are approved for use on its sites.