To ensure electrical continuity on rails for all types of track-bound transportation a system of bonding -- pin brazing -- was developed over fifty years ago. It is a fully proven technique able to withstand the elements in countries all over the world, from the sub-zero temperatures in arctic Europe and North America to the tropical humidity in Africa and the Far East.
As well as track bonding for signaling purposes the technique is used extensively for the connection of heater strips. Earth connections may also be attached to pylons carrying overhead electricity lines for railway locomotives and tramway systems. Pin brazing has also been a great success in the Cathodic Protection sector, bonding cables to pipelines carrying oil, natural gas and water throughout the world.
In practice, a specially designed brazing pin is inserted into a brazing gun and a ceramic ferrule is placed over it. The gun is applied to a cable lug and after a few simple adjustments the trigger is depressed. A full bonding operation for brazing two cable lugs takes less than a minute, a saving of nearly twenty minutes per bond when compared to the more conventional methods of track bonding. Tests have shown the bonding to still be intact after more than 5 million wheels have passed over it.
There are two main types of Bright-Bond unit, the popular BB3 with the capacity to produce approximately 150 connections per charge, for long stretches of rails or pylons and the portable BB2 unit, for service and maintenance operations, giving approximately 50 connections per charge. Both units can be tailored manually to suit user’s specific needs. A wide range of ancillary equipment is also available including several types of brazing gun, specially designed bonds and cables, batteries and accessories. Bright-Bond units and equipment are available for sale, lease or hire.
The Bright-Bond technique is safe, fast, durable and all weather. Due to its high mechanical strength, Bright-Bond Pin Brazing is an extremely effective and efficient form of electrical bonding.