GOOD EMC MANAGEMENT GETS TRAINS IN SERVICE ON TIME

Failure to establish clear contractual standards for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is leading to expensive delays in commissioning railway rolling stock and electrification schemes. This article discusses the differing national requirements, which still hinder European procurement in an open market. EMC is achieved when electrical and electronic systems designed for different purposes function together effectively and safely, despite interacting in ways that are not necessarily desired. It requires the designers of all the relevant systems to anticipate this interaction, and collaborate to eliminate or reduce undesirable consequences. Failure to achieve EMC has become more of a problem since the amount and complexity of equipment on electric trains has increased. National standards for testing for EMC have been developed, for example by the Railway Industry Association in the UK. The article outlines European Standard ENV50121, which attempts to address differences between national standards. The main EMC issues, which currently concern train operators, infrastructure managers, safety case review boards, and manufacturers, are: (1) traction frequency currents and signalling; and (2) psophometric noise in telephones. The article assesses the value of ENV50121 and indicates the way forward.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03735346
• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

  Quadrant House, The Quadrant
  Brighton Road
  Sutton, Surrey  United Kingdom  SM2 5AS
• Authors:
  • Dixon, P
• Publication Date: 2000-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 229-30,232-3
• Serial:
  • Railway Gazette International
  • Volume: 156
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: DVV Media Group
  • ISSN: 0373-5346
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwaygazette.com/about-us.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Contracts; Design; Electricity; Failure; Improvements; International; Magnetic properties; Railroad tracks; Railroad transportation; Signals; Standards; Telephone; Traffic delays; Vehicles
• Identifier Terms: European Union
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 146: Contract; 9010: Delay; 9011: Design (overall design); 6954: Electricity; 8303: EU; 5520: Failure; 9108: Improvement; 9034: International; 6936: Magnetism; 1173: Rail bound transport; 6967: Signal; 187: Specification (standard); 390: Telephone; 8119: United Kingdom; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00794985
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 7 2000 12:00AM