EN 50122-1:2011
(Main)Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit - Part 1: Protective provisions against electric shock
Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit - Part 1: Protective provisions against electric shock
This European Standard specifies requirements for the protective provisions relating to electrical safety in fixed installations associated with a.c. and/or d.c. traction systems and to any installations that can be endangered by the traction power supply system. It also applies to all aspects of fixed installations that are necessary to ensure electrical safety during maintenance work within electric traction systems. This European Standard applies to all new lines and to all major revisions to existing lines for the following electric traction systems: a) railways; b) guided mass transport systems such as 1) tramways, 2) elevated and underground railways, 3) mountain railways, 4) trolleybus systems, and 5) magnetically levitated systems, which use a contact line system, c) material transportation systems. This European Standard does not apply to: d) mine traction systems in underground mines; e) cranes, transportable platforms and similar transportation equipment on rails, temporary structures (e.g. exhibition structures) in so far as these are not supplied directly or via transformers from the contact line system and are not endangered by the traction power supply system; f) suspended cable cars; g) funicular railways. This European Standard does not specify working rules for maintenance.
Bahnanwendungen - Ortsfeste Anlagen - Elektrische Sicherheit, Erdung und Rückleitung - Teil 1: Schutzmaßnahmen gegen elektrischen Schlag
Applications ferroviaires - Installations fixes - Sécurité électrique, mise à la terre et circuit de retour - Partie 1: Mesures de protection contre les chocs électriques
Železniške naprave - Stabilne naprave električne vleke - Električna varnost, ozemljitev in povezovanje - 1. del: Zaščitni ukrepi proti električnemu udaru
Ta evropski standard določa zahteve za zaščitne ukrepe v zvezi z električno varnostjo pri stabilnih napravah električne vleke na izmenični in/ali enosmerni tok in pri vseh inštalacijah, ki jih lahko ogroža napajanje sistema za vleko. Velja tudi za vse vidike stabilnih naprav, potrebnih za zagotavljanje električne varnosti med vzdrževalnim delom v električnih sistemih vleke. Ta evropski standard velja za vse nove vode in za vse večje prenove obstoječih vodov za naslednje električne sisteme vleke: a) železnice; b) vodene sisteme množičnega prevoza, kot so 1) tramvajske proge, 2) nadzemne in podzemne železnice, 3) gorske železnice, 4) trolejbusni sistemi in 5) sistemi z magnetnim lebdenjem, ki uporabljajo sistem voznih vodov, c) sisteme za prevoz materiala. Ta evropski standard ne velja za: d) rudniške vlečne sisteme v podzemnih rudnikih; e) žerjave, prenosne platforme in podobno opremo za prevoz po tirih, začasne strukture (npr. razstavne strukture), če niso napajane neposredno ali preko transformatorjev s sistema voznih vodov in jih ne ogroža napajanje sistema za vleko; f) viseče kabinske žičnice; g) vzpenjače. Ta evropski standard ne določa delovnih pravil za vzdrževanje.
General Information
- Status
- Withdrawn
- Publication Date
- 13-Jan-2011
- Withdrawal Date
- 15-Nov-2013
- Technical Committee
- CLC/TC 9X - Electrical and electronic applications for railways
- Drafting Committee
- CLC/SC 9XC - Electric supply and earthing systems for public transport equipment and ancillary apparatus (fixed i
- Parallel Committee
- IEC/TC 9 - IEC_TC_9
- Current Stage
- 9960 - Withdrawal effective - Withdrawal
- Start Date
- 25-Jul-2025
- Completion Date
- 25-Jul-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 23-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 10-Jan-2017
- Effective Date
- 09-Aug-2016
- Effective Date
- 10-Mar-2015
- Effective Date
- 06-Nov-2012
- Effective Date
- 11-Sep-2012
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 50122-1:2011 is a standard published by CLC. Its full title is "Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit - Part 1: Protective provisions against electric shock". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies requirements for the protective provisions relating to electrical safety in fixed installations associated with a.c. and/or d.c. traction systems and to any installations that can be endangered by the traction power supply system. It also applies to all aspects of fixed installations that are necessary to ensure electrical safety during maintenance work within electric traction systems. This European Standard applies to all new lines and to all major revisions to existing lines for the following electric traction systems: a) railways; b) guided mass transport systems such as 1) tramways, 2) elevated and underground railways, 3) mountain railways, 4) trolleybus systems, and 5) magnetically levitated systems, which use a contact line system, c) material transportation systems. This European Standard does not apply to: d) mine traction systems in underground mines; e) cranes, transportable platforms and similar transportation equipment on rails, temporary structures (e.g. exhibition structures) in so far as these are not supplied directly or via transformers from the contact line system and are not endangered by the traction power supply system; f) suspended cable cars; g) funicular railways. This European Standard does not specify working rules for maintenance.
This European Standard specifies requirements for the protective provisions relating to electrical safety in fixed installations associated with a.c. and/or d.c. traction systems and to any installations that can be endangered by the traction power supply system. It also applies to all aspects of fixed installations that are necessary to ensure electrical safety during maintenance work within electric traction systems. This European Standard applies to all new lines and to all major revisions to existing lines for the following electric traction systems: a) railways; b) guided mass transport systems such as 1) tramways, 2) elevated and underground railways, 3) mountain railways, 4) trolleybus systems, and 5) magnetically levitated systems, which use a contact line system, c) material transportation systems. This European Standard does not apply to: d) mine traction systems in underground mines; e) cranes, transportable platforms and similar transportation equipment on rails, temporary structures (e.g. exhibition structures) in so far as these are not supplied directly or via transformers from the contact line system and are not endangered by the traction power supply system; f) suspended cable cars; g) funicular railways. This European Standard does not specify working rules for maintenance.
EN 50122-1:2011 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 29.280 - Electric traction equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 50122-1:2011 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 50122-1:1997, EN 50122-1:2022, EN 50122-1:2011/A1:2011, EN 50122-1:2011/A4:2017, EN 50122-1:2011/A3:2016, EN 50122-1:2011/A2:2016, EN 50122-1:2011/AC:2012, EN 50122-1:2011/AC:2012. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 50122-1:2011 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2001/16/EC, 2008/57/EC, 96/48/EC. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 50122-1:2011 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2011
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 50122-1:1998
äHOH]QLãNHQDSUDYH6WDELOQHQDSUDYHHOHNWULþQHYOHNH(OHNWULþQDYDUQRVW
R]HPOMLWHYLQSRYH]RYDQMHGHO=DãþLWQLXNUHSLSURWLHOHNWULþQHPXXGDUX
Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical safety, earthing and bonding - Part
1: Protective provisions against electric shock
Bahnanwendungen - Ortsfeste Anlagen - Elektrische Sicherheit, Erdung und
Rückstromführung - Teil 1: Schutzmaßnahmen gegen elektrischen Schlag
Applications ferroviaires - Installations fixes - Sécurité électrique, dispositions pour les
courants de retour et mise à la terre - Partie 1: Mesures de protection contres les chocs
électriques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50122-1:2011
ICS:
13.260 9DUVWYRSUHGHOHNWULþQLP Protection against electric
XGDURP'HORSRGQDSHWRVWMR shock. Live working
29.280 (OHNWULþQDYOHþQDRSUHPD Electric traction equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50122-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
January 2011
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.280 Supersedes EN 50122-1:1997
English version
Railway applications -
Fixed installations -
Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit -
Part 1: Protective provisions against electric shock
Applications ferroviaires - Bahnanwendungen -
Installations fixes - Ortsfeste Anlagen -
Sécurité électrique, mise à la terre et Elektrische Sicherheit, Erdung und
circuit de retour - Rückleitung -
Partie 1: Mesures de protection contre les Teil 1: Schutzmaßnahmen gegen
chocs électriques elektrischen Schlag
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2010-11-16. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels
© 2011 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50122-1:2011 E
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by SC 9XC, Electric supply and earthing systems for public transport
equipment and ancillary apparatus (Fixed installations), of Technical Committee CENELEC TC 9X, Electrical
and electronic applications for railways. It was submitted to the formal vote and was approved by CENELEC
as EN 50122-1 on 2010-11-16.
This document supersedes EN 50122-1:1997.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2011-11-16
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2013-11-16
This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association and covers essential requirements of
EC Directives 96/48/EC (HSR), 2001/16/EC (CONRAIL) and 2008/57/EC (RAIL). See Annex ZZ.
__________
– 3 – EN 50122-1:2011
Contents
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
3.1 Electrical safety and hazards . 8
3.2 Earthing and equipotential bonding . 10
3.3 Return circuit . 11
3.4 Electric traction system . 13
3.5 Contact line . 14
3.6 Corrosion and corrosion protection . 16
3.7 Current collection . 16
3.8 Residual current devices . 16
3.9 General terms. 17
4 Contact line zone and current collector zone . 17
4.1 Overhead contact line systems . 17
4.2 Conductor rail systems . 20
4.3 Trolleybus systems . 20
5 Protective provisions against direct contact . 22
5.1 General . 22
5.2 Protection by clearance . 22
5.3 Protection by obstacles . 25
5.4 Protective provisions for working under live conditions . 33
5.5 Specific protective provisions against electric shock in conductor rail systems . 36
5.6 Specific protective provisions against electric shock in systems in which the wheels of
the vehicles are not used for return circuit . 40
6 Protective provisions against indirect contact and impermissible rail potential . 41
6.1 Protective provisions against indirect contact . 41
6.2 Protective provisions for exposed conductive parts within the contact line zone or the
current collector zone . 42
6.3 Protective provisions for wholly or partly conductive structures . 43
6.4 Limitation of rail potentials . 45
7 Protective provisions for low voltage non traction power supplies . 45
7.1 General . 45
7.2 Related provisions . 46
7.3 Protective provisions for electrical installations in the overhead contact line zone or the
current collector zone . 46
7.4 Protective provisions for installations which are endangered by the traction power
supply return circuit . 46
8 Protective provisions where track systems, which are utilized for carrying traction
return current, or/and contact line systems pass through hazardous zones . 52
8.1 General . 52
8.2 Equipotential bonding . 53
8.3 Parallel pipework . 53
8.4 Insulating joints. 53
8.5 Surge arrester . 54
8.6 Contact line of loading sidings . 54
9 Limits for touch voltage and protection against the danger of rail potential . 54
9.1 General . 54
9.2 A.C. traction systems . 55
9.3 D.C. traction systems . 59
10 Additional protective provisions . 61
10.1 Traction substations and traction switching stations . 61
10.2 Cables . 61
10.3 Return circuit connections and earthing conductors . 61
10.4 Removing of decommissioned overhead contact lines . 62
10.5 Means of achieving safe isolation between sections . 63
Annex A (informative) Typical obstacles . 64
Annex B (normative) Warning sign . 66
Annex C (informative) Guiding values for rail potential gradient . 67
C.1 A.C. traction systems . 67
C.2 D.C. traction systems . 68
Annex D (informative) Effective touch voltage and body voltage with respect to the body
current . 69
D.1 Preconditions for the calculation . 69
D.2 Impedances . 69
D.3 Body current and related body voltage . 72
Annex E (normative) Measurement methods for effective touch voltages . 75
Annex F (normative) The use of voltage-limiting devices . 76
F.1 General . 76
F.2 Types . 76
F.3 Technical requirements . 76
Annex G (normative) Special national conditions . 77
Annex H (normative) A-deviations . 80
Annex ZZ (informative) Coverage of Essential Requirements of EC Directives. 80
Bibliography . 81
Figures
Figure 1 — Overhead contact line zone and current collector zone . 19
Figure 2 — Overhead contact line zone and current collector zone for trolley bus systems . 21
Figure 3 — Minimum clearances to accessible live parts on the outside of vehicles as well as to live
parts of overhead contact line systems from standing surfaces accessible to persons for low
voltages. 23
Figure 4 — Minimum clearances to accessible live parts on the outside of vehicles as well as to live
parts of overhead contact line systems from standing surfaces accessible to persons for high
voltages. 23
Figure 5 — Standing surfaces for persons providing access to live parts on the outside of vehicles
and to overhead contact line systems . 25
– 5 – EN 50122-1:2011
Figure 6 — Standing surfaces for persons providing access to live parts on the outside of vehicles
and to conductor rail systems . 26
Figure 7 — Examples of obstacles for standing surfaces in public areas for protection against direct
contact with adjacent live parts on the outside of vehicles or adjacent live parts of a contact line
system. 27
Figure 8 — Examples of obstacles for standing surfaces in restricted areas for protection against
direct contact with adjacent live parts on the outside of vehicles or adjacent live parts of a contact
line system for low voltages . 30
Figure 9 — Examples of obstacles for standing surfaces in restricted areas for protection against
direct contact with adjacent live parts on the outside of vehicles or adjacent live parts of a contact
line system for high voltages . 31
Figure 10 — Examples of obstacles for standing surfaces in restricted areas for protection against
direct contact when above live parts on the outside of vehicles or live parts of a contact line system
for low voltage . 32
Figure 11 — Examples of obstacles for standing surfaces in restricted areas for protection against
direct contact when above live parts on the outside of vehicles or live parts of an overhead contact
line system for high voltage . 33
Figure 12 — Example of an insulated obstacle beneath a structure . 34
Figure 13 — Example of an insulated obstacle beneath a structure for an unearthed trolley bus
system. 35
Figure 14 — Example of an insulated obstacle beneath a structure for a trolley bus system in which
the negative contact wire is earthed or connected to the return circuit of a tramway system . 36
Figure 15 — Public level crossing, private level crossing . 37
Figure 16 — Trackside structures . 38
Figure 17 — Signal-post with telephone. 39
Figure 18 — Authorized trackside walking route . 39
Figure 19 — Railway controlled crossing (depots, goods yard, station crossing) . 40
Figure 20 — TT system for a.c. railways . 49
Figure 21 — TN system for a.c. railways . 50
Figure 22 — TT system for d.c. railways . 51
Figure 23 — TN system for d.c. railways . 52
Figure 24 — Disposition of rail-to-rail cross bonds and track-to-track cross bonds (double-rail
illustration) and connection of the contact line in case of the loading siding having a contact line . 53
Figure 25 — Location of a surge arrester outside the overhead contact line zone of a loading siding
if there is a possibility of flashovers of the insulating pieces through lightning strikes . 54
Figure 26 — Design of return circuit, with regard to permissible effective touch voltage by checking
the rail potential or the effective touch voltage . 58
Figure A.1 — Examples of obstacles along the sides of standing surfaces in public areas for
protection against direct contact when above live parts on the outside of vehicles or live parts of an
overhead contact line system for low voltages (see 5.3.2.2). 64
Figure A.2 — Examples of obstacles along the sides of standing surfaces in public areas for
protection against direct contact when above live parts on the outside of vehicles or live parts of an
overhead contact line system for high voltages (see 5.3.2.2) . 65
Figure B.1 — Warning sign. 66
Figure C.1 — Guidance values for the rail potential gradient measured at the mast in a right angle
to the track in an a.c. traction system . 67
Figure D.1 — Equivalent circuit for the calculation of the permissible touch voltage . 71
Tables
Table 1 — Maximum dimensions for small conductive parts . 44
Table 2 — Kinds of auxiliary supplies . 47
Table 3 — Maximum permissible body voltages U in a.c. traction systems as a function of time
b, max
duration . 56
Table 4 — Maximum permissible effective touch voltages U in a.c. traction systems as a
te, max
function of time duration . 57
Table 5 — Maximum permissible body voltages U in d.c. traction systems as a function of time
b, max
duration . 59
Table 6 — Maximum permissible effective touch voltages U in d.c. traction systems as a
te, max
function of time duration . 60
Table C.1 – Guidance values for the rail potential gradient (see Figure C.1) . 68
Table D.1 — Body impedance Z and body current I . 70
b b
Table D.2 — Example of the maximum permissible prospective touch voltage for a.c. railways for
short-term conditions and R = 1 150 Ω . 72
a
Table D.3 — Body currents, body voltages and touch voltages as function of time duration in a.c.
traction systems . 73
Table D.4 — Body currents, body voltages and touch voltages as function of time duration in d.c.
traction systems . 74
– 7 – EN 50122-1:2011
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies requirements for the protective provisions relating to electrical safety in
fixed installations associated with a.c. and/or d.c. traction systems and to any installations that can be
endangered by the traction power supply system.
It also applies to all aspects of fixed installations that are necessary to ensure electrical safety during
maintenance work within electric traction systems.
This European Standard applies to all new lines and to all major revisions to existing lines for the following
electric traction systems:
a) railways;
b) guided mass transport systems such as
1) tramways,
2) elevated and underground railways,
3) mountain railways,
4) trolleybus systems, and
5) magnetically levitated systems, which use a contact line system,
c) material transportation systems.
This European Standard does not apply to:
d) mine traction systems in underground mines;
e) cranes, transportable platforms and similar transportation equipment on rails, temporary structures (e.g.
exhibition structures) in so far as these are not supplied directly or via transformers from the contact line
system and are not endangered by the traction power supply system;
f) suspended cable cars;
g) funicular railways.
This European Standard does not specify working rules for maintenance.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 50119:2009, Railway applications – Fixed installations – Electric traction overhead contact lines
EN 50122-2, Railway applications – Fixed installations – Part 2: Protective provisions against the effects of
stray currents caused by d.c. traction systems
EN 50124-1:2001 + A1:2003 + A2:2005, Railway applications – Insulation coordination – Part 1: Basic
requirements – Clearances and creepage distances for all electrical and electronic equipment
EN 50153:2002, Railway applications – Rolling stock – Protective provisions relating to electrical hazards
EN 50163, Railway applications – Supply voltages of traction systems
EN 60529:1991 + A1:2000, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)
(IEC 60529:1989 + A1:1999)
EN 60898-1:2003 + A11:2005, Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for
household and similar installations – Part 1: Circuit-breakers for a.c. operation (IEC 60898-1:2002, mod.)
EN 61140:2002 + A1:2006, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
equipment (IEC 61140:2001 + A1:2004, mod.)
HD 60364-4-41:2007, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-41: Protection for safety – Protection
against electric shock (IEC 60364-4-41:2005, mod.)
HD 637 S1:1999, Power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.
IEC 60050-101, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 101: Mathematics
IEC 60050-111, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 111: Physics and chemistry
IEC 60050-191, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 191: Dependability and quality of
service
IEC 60050-195, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 195: Earthing and protection against
electric shock
IEC 60050-442, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 442: Electrical accessories
IEC 60050-811, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 811: Electric traction
IEC 60050-821, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 821: Signalling and security apparatus
for railways
IEC 60050-826, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 826: Electrical installations
IEC/TS 60479-1:2005, Effects of current on human beings and livestock – Part 1: General aspects
ISO 3864-1:2002, Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Part 1: Design principles for safety
signs in workplaces and public areas
ISO 7010:2003 + A1:2006, Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Safety signs used in
workplaces and public areas
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 Electrical safety and hazards
3.1.1
electrical safety
freedom from unacceptable risk of harm caused by electrical systems
3.1.2
electric shock
pathophysiological effect resulting from an electric current passing through a human or animal body
[IEC 60050-826-12-01]
3.1.3
(effective) touch voltage (U )
te
voltage between conductive parts when touched simultaneously by a person or an animal
NOTE 1 The value of the effective touch voltage can be appreciably influenced by the impedance of the person or the animal in electric
contact with these conductive parts
[IEC 60050-195-05-11]
NOTE 2 The conductive path through the body is conventionally from hand to both feet (horizontal distance of 1 m) or from hand to
hand.
– 9 – EN 50122-1:2011
3.1.4
prospective touch voltage (U )
tp
voltage between simultaneously accessible conductive parts when those conductive parts are not being
touched by a person or an animal
[IEC 60050-195-05-09]
3.1.5
)
body voltage (U
b
product of the current through the body and the body impedance
3.1.6
standing surface
any point on a surface where persons may stand or walk about without great effort
3.1.7
protective boarding
non-conducting barrier to protect persons from coming into direct contact with the live conductor rail
3.1.8
(electrically) protective obstacle
part preventing unintentional direct contact, but not preventing direct contact by deliberate action
[IEC 60050-195-06-16]
3.1.9
(electrically) protective barrier
part providing protection against direct contact from any usual direction of access
[IEC 60050-195-06-15]
3.1.10
anti-trespassing guard
equipment provided to deter entry to a restricted area, structure or building by an unauthorized person
3.1.11
conductive part
part which can carry electric current
[IEC 60050-195-01-06]
3.1.12
exposed conductive part
conductive part of electrical equipment, which can be touched and which is not normally live, but which can
become live when basic insulation fails
NOTE A conductive part of electrical equipment which can only become live through contact with an exposed conductive part which has
become live is not considered to be an exposed conductive part itself.
[IEC 60050-442-01-21]
3.1.13
live part
conductor or conductive part intended to be energised in normal use. By convention this does not include the
running rails and parts connected to them
3.1.14
direct contact
electric contact of persons or animals with live parts
[IEC 60050-826-12-03]
3.1.15
indirect contact
electric contact of persons or animals with exposed conductive parts which have become live under fault
conditions
[IEC 60050-826-12-04]
3.1.16
neutral conductor
conductor electrically connected to the neutral point and capable of contributing to the distribution of electric
energy
[IEC 60050-826-14-07]
3.1.17
protective conductor (PE)
conductor, required by some measures for protection against electric shock, for electrically connecting any of
the following parts:
– exposed conductive parts;
– extraneous conductive parts;
– main earthing terminal;
– earth electrode;
– earthed point of the source or artificial neutral
3.1.18
PEN conductor
conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a neutral conductor
[IEC 60050-826-13-25]
3.1.19
solid-wall design
any kind of construction made of concrete, steel or other material without any holes or gaps
3.1.20
voltage-limiting device (VLD)
protective device whose function is to prevent existence of an impermissible high touch voltage
3.2 Earthing and equipotential bonding
3.2.1
earth
conductive mass of the earth, whose electric potential at any point is conventionally taken as equal to zero
[IEC 60050-826-04-01]
3.2.2
earthing
connection of conductive parts to an appropriate earth electrode
3.2.3
earth electrode
conductor or a group of conductors in intimate contact with and providing an electrical connection to earth
[IEC 60050-461-06-18]
3.2.4
structure earth
construction made of metallic parts or construction including interconnected metallic structural parts, which
can be used as an earth electrode
NOTE Examples are reinforced railway structures such as bridges, viaducts, tunnels, mast foundations and reinforced track bed.
– 11 – EN 50122-1:2011
3.2.5
rail to earth resistance
electrical resistance between the running rails and the earth or structure earth
3.2.6
equipotential bonding
provision of electric connections between conductive parts, intended to achieve equipotentiality
[IEC 60050-826-13-19]
3.2.7
main equipotential busbar (MEB)
busbar where the equipotential conductors terminate
3.2.8
cross bond
electrical connection intended to connect in parallel the conductors of the return circuit
3.2.9
rail-to-rail cross bond
electrical bond that interconnects the running rails of the same track
3.2.10
track-to-track cross bond
electrical bond that interconnects tracks
3.2.11
rail joint bond
conductor ensuring the electrical continuity of rails at a joint
[IEC 60050-811-35-07]
3.2.12
open connection
connection of conductive parts to the return circuit by a voltage-limiting device which makes a conductive
connection either temporarily or permanently if the limited value of the voltage is exceeded
3.2.13
common building
building or structure which contains or supports an a.c. railway and a d.c. railway; furthermore where some
conductive parts of the structure are within the contact line zone or the current collector zone of the a.c.
railway and some conductive parts of the structure are within the contact line zone or the current collector
zone of the d.c. railway
NOTE Even the unintended connection of conductive parts of different structures can form a common building, e.g. via
reinforcement, wiring, pipes, etc.
3.3 Return circuit
3.3.1
return circuit
all conductors which form the intended path for the traction return current
EXAMPLE The conductors may be:
– running rails,
– return conductor rails,
– return conductors,
– return cables.
3.3.2
track return system
system in which the running rails of the track form a part of the return circuit for the traction current
[IEC 60050-811-35-02]
3.3.3
return conductor
conductor paralleling the track return system and connected to the running rails at periodic intervals
3.3.4
return conductor rail – return current rail
conductor rail used instead of the running rail for the return currents
[IEC 60050-811-34-10]
3.3.5
return cable
conductor connecting the running rails or other parts of the return circuit to the substation
NOTE Similar to IEC 60050-811-35-04.
3.3.6
traction return current
sum of the currents returning to the supply source, the substation or regenerative braking vehicles
3.3.7
rail potential (U )
RE
voltage occurring between running rails and earth
3.3.8
closed formation
area where the top of the running rails is at the same level as the surrounding surface
3.3.9
open formation
area where the running rails are laid above the surrounding surface
3.3.10
conductance per length G‘
RE
reciprocal value of the rail to earth resistance per length (S/km)
3.3.11
insulating rail joint
mechanical rail joint which longitudinally separates the rail electrically
3.3.12
track circuit
electrical circuit of which the rails of a track section form a part, with usually a source of current connected at
one end and a detection device at the other end for detecting whether this track section is clear or occupied
by a vehicle
NOTE In a continuous signalling system, the track circuit may be used to transmit information between the ground and the train.
[IEC 60050-821-03-01]
3.3.13
top of rail level (TOR)
common rail level tangent
– 13 – EN 50122-1:2011
3.4 Electric traction system
3.4.1
electric traction system
railway electrical distribution network used to provide energy for rolling stock
NOTE The system may comprise:
– contact line systems;
– return circuit of electric traction systems;
– running rails of non electric traction systems, which are in the vicinity of, and conductively connected to the running rails of an
electric traction system;
– electrical installations, which are supplied from contact lines either directly or via a transformer;
– electrical installations in substations, which are utilized solely for distribution of power directly to the contact line;
– electrical installations of switching stations.
3.4.2
(traction) substation
installation to supply a contact line system and at which the voltage of a primary supply system, and in
certain cases the frequency, is transformed to the voltage and the frequency of the contact line
3.4.3
(traction) switching station
installation from which electrical energy can be distributed to different feeding sections or from which
different feeding sections can be switched on and off or can be interconnected
3.4.4
feeding section
electrical section of the route fed by individual track feeder circuit-breakers within the area supplied by the
substation
[EN 50119:2009, 3.3.2]
3.4.5
fault condition
non intended condition caused by short-circuit. The time duration is terminated by the correct function of the
protection devices and circuit breakers
NOTE For the relevant fault duration the correct operation of protection devices and circuit breakers is taken into account.
3.4.6
short-circuit
accidental or intentional conductive path between two or more conductive parts forcing the electric potential
differences between these conductive parts to be equal to or close to zero
[IEC 60050-195-04-11]
3.4.7
high voltage
nominal voltage exceeding AC 1 000 V or DC 1 500 V
3.4.8
low voltage
nominal voltage up to and including AC 1 000 V or DC 1 500 V
3.4.9
zone of mutual interaction
zone for which a mutual interference between a.c. railway and d.c. railway shall be considered
3.4.10
expected prospective short-circuit current
short-circuit current in d.c. traction systems that it is expected to be reached if the fault is not switched off
3.5 Contact line
3.5.1
contact line system
support network for supplying electrical energy from substations to electrically powered traction units, which
covers overhead contact line systems and conductor rail systems; the electrical limits of the system are the
feeding point and the contact point to the current collector
NOTE The mechanical system may comprise:
ۛ the contact line,
ۛ structures and foundations,
ۛ supports and any components supporting or registering the conductors,
ۛ head and cross spans,
ۛ tensioning devices,
ۛ along-track feeders, reinforcing feeders, and other lines like earth wires and return conductors as far as they are supported from
contact line system structures,
ۛ any other equipment necessary for operating the contact line,
ۛ conductors connected permanently to the contact line for supply of other electrical equipment such as lights, signal operation,
ۛ point control and point heating.
[EN 50119: 2009, 3.1.1]
3.5.2
contact line
conductor system for supplying traction units with electrical energy via current-collection equipment
NOTE This includes all current-collecting conductors and conducting rails or bars, including the following:
ۛ reinforcing feeders;
ۛ cross-track feeders;
ۛ disconnectors;
ۛ section insulators;
ۛ over-voltage protection devices;
ۛ supports that are not insulated from the conductors;
ۛ insulators connected to live parts;
but excluding other conductors, such as the following:
ۛ along-track feeders;
ۛ earth wires and return conductors.
[EN 50119:2009, 3.1.2]
3.5.3
overhead contact line system
contact line system using an overhead contact line to supply current for use by traction units
[EN 50119:2009, 3.1.3]
3.5.4
overhead contact line
contact line placed above (or beside) the upper limit of the vehicle gauge and supplying vehicles with electric
energy through roof-mounted current collection equipment
[IEC 60050-811-33-02]
3.5.5
out of running overhead contact line
part of overhead contact line, not intended to be directly used for current collection, e.g. in order to reach a
termination point on a mast or a structure
– 15 – EN 50122-1:2011
3.5.6
conductor rail system
contact line system using a conductor rail for current collection
[EN 50119:2009, 3.1.5]
3.5.7
conductor rail
contact line made of a rigid metallic section or rail, mounted on insulators located near the running rails
[EN 50119:2009, 3.1.7]
3.5.8
overhead conductor rail
rigid overhead contact line, of simple or composite section, mounted above or beside the upper limit of the
vehicle gauge, supplying traction units with electrical energy via roof-mounted current collection equipment
[EN 50119:2009, 3.1.6]
3.5.9
overhead contact line zone (OCLZ)
zone whose limits are in general not exceeded by a broken overhead contact line
3.5.10
current collector zone (CCZ)
zone whose limits are in general not exceeded by an energised collector no longer in contact with the
contact line or broken collector and its fragments
3.5.11
contact wire
electric conductor of an overhead contact line with which the current collectors make contact
[IEC 60050-811-33-15]
3.5.12
stagger
displacement of the contact wire away from the track centre line at successive supports, to avoid localised
wear of the pantograph wearing strips
[IEC 60050-811-33-21]
3.5.13
feeder
electrical conductor like a cable or overhead line between the contact line and a substation or a switching
station which is fed by a circuit breaker
3.5.14
reinforcing feeder
overhead conductor mounted adjacent to the overhead contact line, and directly connected to it at frequent
intervals, in order to increase the effective cross sectional area of the overhead contact line
[EN 50119:2009, 3.2.2]
3.5.15
section insulator
sectioning point formed by insulators inserted in a continuous run of a contact line, with skids or similar
devices to maintain continuous electrical contact with the collector
3.5.16
double insulation
insulation comprising both basic insulation and supplementary insulation
[IEC 60050-195-06-08]
3.6 Corrosion and corrosion protection
3.6.1
corrosion
electrochemical reaction of a metal with its environment, resulting in its progressive degradation or
destruction
NOTE This European Standard deals with corrosion caused by stray currents.
3.6.2
leakage current
current which, in the absence of a fault, flows to earth or to extraneous conductive parts in a circuit
3.6.3
stray current (I )
S
part of the current caused by a d.c.-traction system which follows paths other than the return circuit
3.6.4
cathodic protection
electrochemical immunity produced by an approp
...




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