Eltherm installed innovative point heating systems, as part of an operational trial at the railway crossing on Jaegerstrasse in Burbach, which is situated south of Siegerland, in September 2013. The goal of the trial for the "El-Point" point electrical heating systems, originally slated for two years, was technical operating approval by the German Railway.
Within a few months of service after the two points were equipped with eltherm systems it was already apparent that they met the required standards, under even tougher operating conditions than were originally expected.
Although this type of point heating had already demonstrated high potential energy savings in international test runs in comparison to conventional heating rods, the test initially focused on the reliability of the product. The heating system was accordingly designed in accordance with DB (German Railway) guideline 954.9101 for 10 m per stock rail with a total of 300 watts per meter. To simulate day-to-day usage as realistically as possible, the heating systems were also connected to a DB controller with weather station so that the heating would not be turned on until it was needed because of the weather.
Due to a change in areas of responsibility for the German Railway, the focus shifted to other key areas, from functionality to efficiency.
Now that the reliability of the "El-Point" systems has been demonstrated, efficiency considerations move to the forefront. Future design changes will make the energy measurement and comparison more accurate and easier to interpret. Based on the successful trial phase of the point heating system, it made sense to extend the test for that purpose. In addition to eltherm experts, developers and engineers from a market-leading company in point heating control also participated in this phase.
