AC Railway Electrification

System Design
Railway Electrification
Infrastructure School

07 June 39

June 2013

Dr Roger D White

World System Voltages

DC System Voltage
160, 180, 500, 525, 550, 600,630, 650, 750,
800, 825, 850, 860, 900, 1000,1200, 1350,
1500, 2400, 3000, 3500, 6000DC

11kV 16 2/3 Hz; 15kV 16 2/3

15,000 Variable Frequency up to 50 Hz

Zosen to Marienfede [Trial 1901-1904]

Three Phase
725 V [Gornergratbahn] , 1125
[Jungfraubahn],
3600V 16 2/3 Hz three-phase [1912-1976]

Single Phase AC System Voltage:

6.25/ 50, 6.3/25, 11/ 25, 12.5/60, 20/50 ,
20/60 , 25/50, 25/ 60, 50.50 kV/Hz

3 Phase Overhead Supply

Petit Train de la Rhune France

Gornergratbahn Switzerland

AC UK Network

Current Network
25kV AC electrified track 8800
single track kms
AC feeder stations 73
40% of the UK Network

60% operated electrically

Future Electrification Schemes
Agreed NR (1600km)

Edinburgh Glasgow 350km STKm

North West Electrification 1,2 &3
320km STKm
Great Western (including Integration
with
Crossrail) 870STKm

Under Consideration

Cardiff Valleys
Midland Mainline
Transpennine (West&East)
Walsall Rugeley
Paisley Canal
Gospel Oak to Barking
ECML PSU
NW Electrification 4

Other Electrification projects

HS2, Cross Rail, Thameslink, GE

ECML WCML
DC to AC Conversion
4

Connection to the National Grid

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

Safety Legislation and Regulations

UK Regulations
ROGS
Health and Safety
Electricity at Work
CDM
Factories Act
EU Directive
Low voltage
EMC
Machinery
PPE
RTTE
Medical implants
Physical Agents

25 kV Sub Station
Equipment Connected at the Supply Point

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

Typical High Voltage Feeding of the Classic Railway
nationalgrid
Blue Lines at 400kV
Red Line at 275kV
132 kV
Busbar Main

132kV
Busbar Reserve

Banked Utility
33kV Busbar

132/33k
V

132/33kV

Circuit Breaker Normally Closed

Copyright R D White 2002

Isolator
Switching
Isolator

132/25kV

132/25k
V
25kV Railway
Supply

Electrical Supply Point Classic Railway

Feeder Stations 40-60 km intervals

Two Transformers

275kV or 132 kV/ 25kV

10/15/18/20/26.5MVA

System Characteristics
Fault level to 6 kA
single pole
neutral earthed/connected rail

Autotransformer 25-0-25kV
(Picture feeder station Leighton Buzzard)

Feeder Station 40-100km intervals

Two Transformers per site
40 or 80MVA transformers

System Characteristics
Fault level to 6/8/10/12/15 kA
single pole
neutral earthed/connected rail

Auto transformers
Rated at 10MVA
Every 5km - 10km

UK Fault Limiting Reactors

Classic 6kA
AT Operation 6, 8 or 10 kA
10

Typical Electricity Supply Tariffs

Metering data collection [1%]

Connection Charge [12%]
Unit Cost [Energy 82%].
Distribution charge; cost of transferring the energy across the national grid [5%]

11

Ground potential modelling of a Grid Site

Earth Fault ( based on EA 34)

The Graph concludes that a

fault of 20kA 645V contour given
when

100m separation required when

resistivity 30 ohm.m ( approx)

50m separation required when

resistivity 10 ohm.m( approx)

12

Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

13

Traction Earthing and Bonding

Return Current Bonding

Protective Earthing: Human

Functional Earth: Equipment

Suppression of Electrical Noise: equipment EMC

Equipotential Bonding: Human

Lightning protection,

14

Earthing of the Railway

European Standard

BS EN 50122 part 1

BS EN 50122-part 3

BS EN 61140:2002; IEC 61140:2001

Protection against electric shock Common aspects for
installation and equipment

EN 61140 Protection against electric shock Common

aspects for installation and equipment

IEC 60364 Low-voltage electrical installations

Part 1: Fundamental principles, assessment of general
characteristics, definitions
UK Standards

National Electricity Supply Rules

BS 7430 Code of Practice for Earthing

BS 767117th Edition Wiring Regulations

G59/1 Electricity Association Engineering Recommendation for

25kV A.C. electrified

GI/RT7077 Low Voltage Electrical Installation

CoP

NR/SP/ELP/21085 Network Rail Earthing Standard

P24 AC Traction Supplies to British Rail

RSSB Web site on mangement

[Link]/ManagementOfEngineeringChange/pages/
[Link]

15

Requirements for Touch and Step

Potentials ( reference Central Networks)

16

Electrical Injury UK Statistics

Between 2000 and 2012,

14 electrocutions
41 major electrical injuries suffered by members of the
public in contact with AC electrification.
46 cases involved misadventure such as
using long objects to touch the OLE
climbing of structures;
6 involved cable theft or other serious crime;
3 were deliberate suicide attempts.

17

Effects of Electric Shock on Human Body

Human Body impedance is between 10003000ohms

Touch perception 0.20.4mA

Pain on finger contact 0.91.8mA
Painful shock/let-go threshold 816mA
Severe shock/breathing difficulty 1223mA

18

Earthing of HV System and Safety

19

Classic Railway 6kA:

20

12kA Railway: Signalling Equipment co-located

with cross track bond & BEW

21

Generic Earthing Arrangement on a AC Railway

Earth Wire

Telecoms PSU

Telecoms.
Cable

400kV Grid
Tower

25kV

Track circuit

NGC
Substation

Track Structures

SignallingPSU

Local
RECS

Tunnel
Structures

Station
Apparatus
Metal Fences

Rebars
Copper
Earth Mat

Tunnel
Structure

Station
Metallic
Structures

R D White 2004

22

Final Setup for 25-0-25 kV Classic

23

Leighton Buzzard Short Circuit Tests

Feb 2003

24

25 kV Modelling Schematic

25

Overbridge 231 on the West Coast Main

Line

26

Traction Return Current System

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation Classic 25kV
Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

27

Traction Return Current System

Rail Return
Rail return NR- Euston, Northampton]
Rail return with earth wires [NR-LTS]
Rail return; earth wires; additional
earth mats [ KCRC West Rail]
Rail return; return conductors

[ NR, KCRC East Rail]

Booster System ( UK, France )

Return conductors: booster
transformers
Rail return and booster transformers

Auto Transformer System ( UK,

France Germany, New Zealand)
28

Classic Boosters and Return Conductors

Design Arrangement
Additional return conductors
One booster required for each
track
Boosters at 3.2 km intervals
Mid Point Connectors

Reduction of induction
interference
Telecommunications
Control and System

29

CLASSIC Feeding of the 25 kV Railway

Train in section effect Slide 1

30

CLASSIC Feeding of the 25 kV Railway

Train in section effect Slide 2

31

Supply Point Disturbances

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation Classic 25kV
Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance
32

Electrical Supply Point Disturbances

Harmonics at the point of common
coupling [G5/4 2001]
Power Factor

Displacement Factor
Distortion factor

Unbalance of the Grid [Grid Code;

P29, P24, IEC]
Transformer inrush
Neutral Sections
Resonance [RT/E/S/27010]
Regeneration

Balancer CTRL

feeding points along the route, with SVCs.

33

P24 NR and NGC Connection Agreement

EN 50163 Traction Voltage

34

UK Traction Unit Harmonics

350

300

Current Level [Amps]

250

200

150

100

50

0
50

150

250

350

450

550

650

750

850

950

1050

Harmonic Number
Class 86

Class 87

Class 90

Class 91

Class 92

Class 390

Square wave

35

Resonance and Over-Voltages

Resonance
Series
Parallel

Disturbances
Overvoltages on the OLE
Track circuits

Reduction
Filters fitted to traction unit
Filters fitted to
electrification

36

Class 390 Spectrum of Current Harmonics [top]

Voltage Harmonics [bottom]

37

Regenerative Braking Compensation

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

38

Regeneration

Technical Interfaces to be considered

Electrical Control Room

25 kV Distribution Network
Overhead line Protection System
Traction Protection System
ESI Interconnection: harmonics etc

Energy savings Ref J Evans (IMechE

gaining More Traction 2012)
Pendalenos Fleet
[Link]/km ( Manchester to
London)
Regeneration 17%
55 million kWh generated per year.
39

Reactive Power Compensation

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

40

Reactive Power Compensation

Design Arrangement

Series compensation

25 kV 50 Hz single phase

capacitor in series main power circuit

Circuit breaker

Shunt compensation

Saturable reactor

inductors and/or capacitors parallel

System Performance

Increased Peak load

Reduces the 3-phase unbalance.

Increase in the substation

spacing

Capacitor banks and

harmonics filtering system

Air core
main reactor (1/2)
Thyristor
valve

Air core
main reactor (1/2)

Ground

Measuring system
(including dc component)

41

Static Var Compensator (SVC)

at Chathill [ Network Rail]

x 10

2.6

OHL voltage at Chathill [V]

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.1
12.5

13

13.5
Time [h]

14

14.5

42

HS1 Supply Point Singlewell SVC

43

25kV Classic Feeding Arrangement

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

44

`Magnetic Field Demo along 20km of track

45

Use of Neutral Sections (insulators)

46

Security of Supply ( multiple grid transformers)

47

Mid-Point Sectioning

48

Intermediate Sectioning

49

Feeding Arrangement for the Railway

Reserved Service Capacity (RSC)

Feeder Station
2x18MVA

Intermediate
Track Sectioning Cabin

Mid Point
Track Sectioning Cabin

Intermediate
Track Sectioning
Cabin

Feeder Station
1x18MVA

132/25kV Transformer
Circuit Breaker Normally Open
Circuit Breaker Normally Closed
Neutral Section

Copyright Dr R D White 2002

50

First Stage Emergency Feeding

Firm Service Capacity (FSC)

Feeder Station
2x18MVA

Intermediate
Track Sectioning Cabin

Mid Point
Track Sectioning Cabin

Intermediate
Track Sectioning
Cabin

Feeder Station
1x18MVA

132/25kV Transformer
Circuit Breaker Normally Open
Circuit Breaker Normally Closed
Neutral Section

51

Second Stage Emergency Feeding

Conditional Service Capacity (CSC)

Feeder Station
2x18MVA

Intermediate
Track Sectioning Cabin

Mid Point
Track Sectioning Cabin

Intermediate
Track Sectioning
Cabin

Feeder Station
1x18MVA

132/25kV Transformer
Circuit Breaker Normally Open
Circuit Breaker Normally Closed
Neutral Section
Section Overlap

52

WCML Classic Fault Current Profiles Modelling

WCRM OLE Alliance Design Group 2003

Comparison of fault current profiles of existing and enhanced classic system normal feeding
arrangement , WCML Euston to Crewe via LBW (Weedon)
Existing system

Upgraded system SD06

6000
5500
5000

Fault current level (A)

4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

210

220

230

240

250

260

Distance from Euston (km)

53

25 kV Autotransformer Railway

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

54

Autotransformer 25-0-25kV System

Design Features
Standard 25kV traction equipment.
Distribution at 50kV

Transformer Design
Two Winding secondary
Centre tap earthed
Rails connected to neutral

Electrical System Behaviour

Voltage regulation is better
Most train current from two adjacent
ATs [earth return]
25-0-25 kV Magnetic balance

55

25 kV Autotransformer Current Distribution

56

25 kV Autotransformer Verses Classic

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance
57

Benefits of Autotransformer Versus Classic Feeding

Advantages

Disadvantages

Higher fault current

Increased feeder station separation
Lower line current for same traction load
Increased traction loads
Fewer grid connections
OHL- no booster or overlaps
Additional 25kV Insulator
More complex protection
Additional clearances at bridges and stations
Complexity of earthing and bonding
Increased overhead line drop zone

Other factors

Induced Voltage dependant on AT spacing

58

Atkins Multi-Train Modelling Percentage System Losses

Model includes Virgin Pendalenos at 5 min headway
Author M Chen Date Jan 2013

System

Feed Length

MW
Supplied

Grid
Transformer
% Loss

Rail Return
Rail Return
Classic ( BT plus
RCs) BTs at
3.2km

9.6km
19.8km
19.8km

7,325
14,809
15,021

0.395%
0.769%
0.791%

Auto Transformer 38.6km

ATs 5km

29,387

Auto Transformer 38.6km

ATs 7km

ATs or BTs
% Loss

Con/Cat Wire
%loss

AT feeder
Rails %loss
Wire OR RC
%loss

0.17%

0.43%
1.45%
1.50%

2.13%

0.14%
0.47%
0.04%

0.119%

0.01%

1.37%

1.12%

0.05%

29,401

0.119%

0.02%

1.41%

1.11%

0.06%

Auto Transformer 38.6km

ATs 10km

29,411

0.119%

0.02%

1.44%

1.10%

0.07%

Auto Transformer 38.6km

ATs 12km

29,428

0.120%

0.03%

1.49%

1.08%

0.09%

Auto Transformer 38.6km

ATs 19km

29,468

0.121%

0.04%

1.62%

1.05%

0.14%

59

Atkins Multi-Train Modelling Summary of Energy Losses

Model includes Virgin Pendalenos at 5 min headway
Author M Chen Date Jan 2013

System

Feeding
length

Losses
MW)

%Losses

Equivalent

Losses(MW)

Rail Return
Rail Return
Classic ( BT
plus RCs)BTs
at 3.2km

9.6km
19.6km
19.6km

70.33
398.29
695.06

0.960% 38.6km
2.689% 38.6km
4.627% 38.6km

281.31
796.59
1390.13

Auto Transformer
ATs 5km

38.6km

784.47

2.669% 38.6km

784.47

Auto
Transformer
ATs 7.8km

38.6km

799.44

2.719% 38.6km

799.44

Auto
Transformer
ATs 10km

38.6km

810.84

2.757% 38.6km

810.84

Auto
Transformer
ATs 12km

38.6km

828.89

2.817% 38.6km

828.89

Auto Transformer
ATs 19km

38.6km

876.43

2.974% 38.6km

876.43

38.6km

60

Induced Voltage into Lineside Cables

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

61

Protection for Humans

Induced Voltage

Induced Voltages

ITU-T Directive Vol VI Protection of telecommunications lines against

harmful effects from electric power and electrified railway lines Danger,
Damage and Disturbance.

ITU-T Directive Vol II Protection of telecommunications lines against

harmful effects from electric power and electrified railway lines;
Calculating induced voltage and currents in practical cases.

62

Induced Voltage Effects

NR/GN/TEL/31106

63

Induced Voltage into Line Side Conductors

Victim Cable

Position of receptor cables [telecoms, signalling]

Length of Parallelism of cables
Mutual impedance as a function frequency
Intentional screening mutual or RC Screening Conductor

Dependencies

Change of traction load or fault current [ time varying]

Coupling increases with harmonics [j2..f.M]
Normal load Current Typically < 600A
Fault current typically < 6kA [ UK] or <12kA (UK)
Earth proximity effects
Unintentional screening

64

The Railway Configuration

65

Classic Railway Two Track Double Rail Return

PF 0.8 Traction Load 300A [top]
Short Circuit [bottom]

INDUCED TELECOMS VOLTAGE [V]

PLOT OF THE TELECOMS INDUCED VOLTAGE

9.6km CABLE
75
60

Limits

45

30

15
0

0
0.96 1.92 2.88 3.84
4.8
5.76 6.72
CABLE DISTANCE FROM FEEDER STATION [km]

7.68

8.64

9.6

IN D UCE D T EL E COM S V OL T AG E [ V]

PLOT OF THE TELECOMS INDUCED VOLTAGE

9.6km CABLE

1000
800

600
400

200
0

0.96

1.92 2.88 3.84 4.8

5.76 6.72 7.68
CABLE DISTANCE FROM FEEDER STATION [km]

8.64

EN 50122-1 645V for < 200ms

ITU-T Volume V1
430 for < 100mS (
severe);
2000V 0.1s ( typical)
NR/SPT/TEL/300003
430V 200mS
Note [EN 50121-4 2006
induction limit removed
Transverse 0.5 mV ITU 0.41 [
BR13422 1.5mV]

9.6

66

Radio Frequency Disturbances

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

67

RFI Disturbance Emissions

Rolling Stock

Infrastructure

68

Lightning Protection

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance
69

Lightning storms

Lightning

Locomotive Specification

Attracted to earth structure

Protection area 20m
10-100 kA rise time 1 S
Overvoltage 1MV 1 MHz
Flashover of insulator

170kV Full cycle

1/50 S chopped 195kV

Storm Damage

Lightning, switching and earth faults

Weather, blizzards, conductor
clashing,
wind blown debri, insulator damage
70

Entry Point for Lightning and Surges

Entry Points: Power System

Electrical Supply Points
Overhead Lines

Entry Points: LV & Signalling

LV earths: earth mat, screens etc
Station/track structures;
Rail and track connections
Radio Masts

Coupling
Ground Conduction;
Induction (control cables)

71

Lightning Strike to Railway on Viaduct

72

3500 Lightning Strike 25kV railway 4.5 hr period

25kV Line 30km

73

RUN media Program for Lightning Animation

74

A.C. Electrification Disturbance

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Connection to the National Electricity Supply

25kV Sub Station
Earthing 25 kV Electrified Railway
Traction Return Current System
Supply Point Disturbances
Regeneration
Reactive Power Compensation
Classic 25kV Feeding Arrangement
Autotransformer 25-0-25 kV Railway
Autotransformer Verses Classic Feeding
Induced Voltage
Radio Frequency Disturbances
Lightning Protection
A.C. Electrification Disturbance

75

Summary of A.C. Electrification Disturbance

This list is not definitive!

HV Supply

Unbalance of the 3 phase supply,

Harmonics three phase supply,

400kV earth faults

Rise of earth potentials

Lightning

25 kV distribution system

Charging of the overhead line at

1st resonant frequency

Switching on the a.c. power

Changes with the feeding

arrangement,

Outages of the feeder stations

Outages of Booster transformers

Magnetic fields

Line resonance effects

25kV earth faults

Induced voltages into line-side

cables

Neutral sections

Radio Frequency Interference

Traction unit disturbances

Inrush effects of the traction

transformer,

Characteristic disturbance
switching, overlap effect

Production of 25kV system

resonant frequencies

Radio Frequency Interference

Disturbance to signalling track

circuits

Return current systems

Traction currents

lightning

RFI Disturbances

Traction Unit

Electrification

Signalling Return currents and

earth currents to third parties

Disturbance to signalling track

circuits

Lightning Ground voltages

76

System Disturbance

Third Parties Victims

Radio TV UHF transmitters, Radar/Microwave Noise Source,
Satellite Data Link, Other Railway e.g Metro Tram,
Private Radio and TV Receivers, Nav Sat, Mobile Phone

Station and Railway Operation Communications

Equipment
Radio Control of Train, Track to Track Communication via
Cables or Rail, Mobile Radio Phone, Telecomms Cables,
Radio Telephone, Control and Data Cables

Railway Emissions to the Outside World

25kV, 50Hz Railway [RT/GM RC 1500]
Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field = 20V/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (Normal Load) = 20A/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (NR Fault) = 100A/m
DC Railway [RT/GM RC 1500, M1027 A2]
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (NR & LUL Normal Load) = 100A/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (NR Fault) = 600A/m

Grid Site
Sub Station

Track Side
Feeder
Station

Railway Immunity and Emissions to the

Outside world
Date Jan 2010
Copyright R D White and K McCaw
Lightning
IMHz
Third Party Aggressors
EN
50121
Lightning, National Three Phase

Immunity Limit [EN50121-4]

Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field
(80-1000MHz) = 10V/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (50Hz) = 100A/m

Supplies, Radio, TV UHF,

Radar, Microwave, Satellite,
Data link

Radiated Emission
Magnetic Field
Hz-GHz
EN 501221-1

Conducted
Emissions
DC to GHz

Radiated Emission
Magnetic Field
Hz-GHz
Conducted
Emissions
DC to GHz

Functional Specification [Not in EN50121-4]

430V for 200ms [NR/SP/TEL/30003, ITU-T VI (EU)]
670V for 200ms [EN50122-1, NR/SP/ELP/21085]

Magnetic Fields
DC to kHz
EN 50121-3 Belise

Control
System

Earth Port 1kV fast

transient

Loops
Coils

Transponder

Level Crossing
TV
Rails

I4
Conducted
Emissions
DC to GHz

Conducted
Emissions
DC to GHz

Induced Emissions
50Hz to kHz

Signalling
EN 50121-4

Auxiliaries

I3

CSR

I2

I1 Induction Voltage Limits

50Hz - KHz

GSMR

Rails

Radiated Emission
Magnetic Field
Hz-GHz
EN 50121-3

Telephone Lineside Cable

Screening
Radiated Emission
Magnetic Field
Hz-GHz
EN 501221-5

Radiated Emission
Magnetic Field
Hz-GHz
EN 50121-5

Signalling & Telecommunication Equipment

Radio Signalling, Microprocessor Interlocking, Relay Interlocking,
Electronic Train Control Centre, Hot Box Detector, Auto
Identification, Axle Counter

Radiated Emission
Magnetic Field
Hz-GHz
EN 61000
EN 50121-4&5

Immunity Limit [EN50121-4]

Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (80-1000MHz) = 10V/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (50Hz) = 100A/m

Signalling Cable
Power
Supply

Electrification Feeder Stations

Track Section Cabins
AC and DC Distribution Networks
Immunity Limit [EN50121-5]
Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field
(80-1000MHz) = 10V/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (50Hz) = 100A/m

Power
Supply
Conducted
Emissions
50Hz and
Harmonics G5/4

Regional Electricity
Companies and Distribution
Network Operators
Electricity Association
Engineering Recommendation
G5/4

Power
Supply
Conducted
Emissions
50Hz and
Harmonics G5/4

Conducted
Emissions
kHz-GHz

E & M Equipment
Industrial Loads, Domestic Loads, Computers
Computer Data Links
Immunity Limit [EN50121-5]
Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (801000MHz) = 10V/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (50Hz) = 100A/m
[Note IEC 61000 Industrial limit 30A/m]

Power
Supply

Station/Concourse
Lighting, Heating, Shops, Offices, Information
Display, Mobile Phone, V.D.U
Immunity Limit [Industrial limits IEC 61000]
Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field
(80-1000MHz) = 10V/m
Power Frequency Magnetic Field (50Hz) = 30A/m
[Note IEC 61000 Residential Commercial limit 3A/m]

77

AC Railway Electrification
System Design
Railway Electrification
Infrastructure School
June 2013
Dr Roger D White

78