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Influence of Trailing Cables on Magnetic Proximity Detection Systems

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Abstract

Machine-related injuries are one of the major safety concerns in underground coal mines. Severe injuries and fatalities occur when a miner is struck, crushed, or pinned by mining equipment such as a continuous mining machine (CMM), shuttle car, or a scoop. Proximity detection systems (PDSs) have been applied in mining to reduce these types of injuries and fatalities. All of the PDSs that are currently approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for use in underground coal mines are magnetic-field based and could be affected by metallic objects such as trailing cables. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigated the influence of trailing cables on the performance of PDSs. In particular, the magnetic field coupled from proximity system generators to a de-energized trailing cable was characterized. The results show that significant energy can be coupled from the proximity system generators to a trailing cable when there is a closed loop in the cable. The effect on PDS performance from the magnetic field radiated around an energized trailing cable was also quantified for different current amplitudes in the cable. It is shown that the magnetic field caused by the electric current in the trailing cable mainly consists of a 60-Hz signal and its harmonics which causes little interference to the PDS. The results presented in this paper can help PDS manufacturers to design better systems that are more immune to these effects.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Bruce Whisner and Tim Lutz for their help and support with the research reported in this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Chenming Zhou, Jingcheng Li, Nicholas Damiano, Jacob Carr & James Noll

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  1. Chenming Zhou
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  2. Jingcheng Li
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  3. Nicholas Damiano
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  4. Jacob Carr
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  5. James Noll
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Correspondence to Chenming Zhou.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Reference to specific brand names does not imply endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Zhou, C., Li, J., Damiano, N. et al. Influence of Trailing Cables on Magnetic Proximity Detection Systems. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 36, 277–284 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-0047-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-0047-9

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