RESEARCH PAPER
Condition-Based Maintenance of Traction Motor Cooling Fans in EMUs: Case Study and Implementation Challenges
1
Department of Railway Transport, Poznań University of Technology, Poland
Submission date: 2025-12-30
Final revision date: 2026-03-05
Acceptance date: 2026-03-23
Online publication date: 2026-04-02
Corresponding author
Tomasz Nowakowski
Department of Railway Transport, Poznań University of Technology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie 5, 60-965, Poznan, Poland
Department of Railway Transport, Poznań University of Technology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie 5, 60-965, Poznan, Poland
KEYWORDS
risk assessmentfault detectionvibration diagnosticselectric multiple unitscondition-based maintenancerailway maintenance management
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The transition from Time-Based Maintenance (TBM) to Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) remains a challenge for the railway sector due to stringent safety regulations. This paper addresses this gap by presenting a framework for diagnostic monitoring of traction motor cooling fans in Electric Multiple Units. Using vibration analysis and adaptive statistical thresholds, the study demonstrates increased sensitivity compared to ISO 10816-3 limits. Research on 42 fans revealed that the proposed method achieved a 92.9% agreement with normative classifications while identifying early-stage degradations. A crucial part of the study is the formal analysis of change significance in accordance with the 402/2013 (CSM RA) regulation, providing a systematic approach to managing safety risks during technology implementation. The article provides a practical roadmap for integrating this 19-minute procedure into routine light maintenance, offering a scalable solution to overcome formal and technical barriers in adopting predictive maintenance for safety-critical systems.
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