Erico has developed ERICONTACT, a new system for making quality electrical connections to the rail web. The system combines rail contacts, drilling machines and hydraulic tooling to provide a high quality connection to the rail web with a very low contact resistance (<5½).

A wide range of rail contact copper bushings are available. Erico's hydraulic tooling is designed to install the bushing into the previously made hole in the rail web. Cable lugs are mounted on the copper bushings with the provided bolt and the locking nut.
Erico has three types of Drilling Machines for the rail market:
* Two-stroke gasoline engine with a spindle speed of 267rpm for the drill range up to 24mm and a slow drill with a spindle speed of 212rpm for drills from 24 to 34mm.
* Direct current disc drive engine of 48Vdc, 1.4kW, battery powered with a spindle speed of 390rpm. Maximum hole diameter is 24 mm.
* Alternating current motor of 230V/ac, 1.5kW with a spindle speed of 220 or 280rpm. Hole diameter range from 9.5mm to 36mm.
Repair of the machines is done in the European Rail Service Centre in Tilburg, the Netherlands.
The drilling machines are properly positioned on the rail with the use of a rail clamp and a rail template. Rail clamps are suitable for mounting over the rail head or to the flange of the rail. Erico can also deliver rail templates for each rail type, so that the hole will be drilled exactly in the neutral axis of the rail.
Advantages of the ERICONTACT system include:
* A very low contact resistance.
* A standard bolt M12 is used for the single contact SK and the double contact DSK, resulting in easier maintenance.
* The installed connection can be used for return of traction current, signaling or earthing.
* The drills are developed specially for rail steel - so they have short drill times and a long lifetime. Drills can be re-ground for further use.
* For use in tunnels, Erico provides a battery operated drilling machine.
* The drilling machines have a high power output to drill for larger diameters; ie holes for fishplates or insulated rail joints.

Enquiry No 14

Erico Inc is based in Solon, OH, USA. www.erico.com