CHAPTER XXI

RELAY AND ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING

B. ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING (EI)

21.19 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

21.19.01 Electronic Interlocking System shall be approved type and shall

conform to latest​ ​approved specification.

21.19.02 Electronic Interlocking System shall have the highest safety

integrity.

21.19.03 Electronic Interlocking System shall be suitable for working on

Electrified and Non- Electrified sections.

21.19.03 Electronic Interlocking System Installation shall be of Route

setting type using Entry/Exit control with a facility for individual
operation of points.

21.19.04 Signalling and interlocking arrangements for the yard shall be in

accordance with the approved Signal Interlocking Plan (SIP) and
Selection Table (ST) or Route Control Chart (RCC).

21.19.05 Electronic interlocking system shall be capable of working with

Control cum Indication Panel (CCIP) or/and Control Terminal with
Video Display Unit (VDU).

21.19.06 Electronic Interlocking system shall have adequate built-in

redundancy
as per approved specification.

21.20 Section 'A' Para 21.2 to 21.18, under Relay Interlocking are
generally applicable for Electronic Interlocking also.

21.21 CONTROL CUM INDICATION PANEL (CCIP) & CONTROL TERMINAL

WITH VIDEO DISPLAY UNIT (VDU)

21.21.01 For CCIP, requirements of SEM Para 21.2 shall apply.

21.21.02 VDU shall be of appropriate size to display layout of the yard in
well-proportioned dimensions and shall display all functions
clearly distinguishable.

21.21.03 Display indications on VDU shall conform to Control Panel

indications as covered in Para 21.2 or other approved type.

21.21.04 Operation of Signals, Points and other Controls such as Gate,

Crankhandle, Siding, Slot etc., shall be carried out through
appropriate dropdown menus or other approved means.

21.21.05 VDU shall have suitable protection facility against unauthorised

operation.

21.21.06 All Emergency operations shall be two-step process protected

against unintended operations.

21.21.07 Only non-resettable counters shall be provided while working

with CCIP or VDU.

21.21.08 VDU shall have provision for Line Block Collars equivalent of CCIP.

21.21.09 Where CCIP and VDU are provided, it shall be possible to switchover
the controls from CCIP to VDU and vice-versa, and where two VDUs
are provided, it shall be possible to switch the controls from one
VDU to other VDU.

21.21.10 Indication that ​EI ​system is healthy shall be displayed on the CCIP
using a blinking green LED or blinking green indicator on VDU.

21.22 INTERFACE

21.22.01 Interface between Control Terminal, Video Display Unit, Control

Panel, Panel Processor and Electronic Interlocking system shall be of
approved type.

21.22.02 Interface of Points, Signals, Track Circuits and Controls such as

Crank Handle, LC Gate, Siding, Slot etc., with Electronic Interlocking
System shall be through Relays of approved type or through any
Electronic Modules of approved type conforming to approved
specification.
21.22.03 Interface between external data logging equipment and Electronic
Interlocking system shall conform to approved specification.

21.22.04 Electronic Interlocking Systems shall be capable of being controlled

and monitored from a centralized location.

21.22.05 It shall be possible to network the Electronic Interlocking Systems

for diagnostic function to a centralized location.

21.22.06 Electronic Interlocking System may be capable of being networked

with other systems for the purpose of centralized control and
monitoring.

21.23 INTERLOCKING AND CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS

21.23.01 Interlocking application logic (site specific data) requirements for

the ​EI ​system shall be as per interlocking principles stipulated for
Relay Interlocking.

21.23.02 It shall be possible to modify application logic for yard remodelling

or change in interlocking using approved type of user interface.

21.24 POWER UP & SHUTDOWN

21.24.01 Electronic Interlocking system shall drive all the relevant ​signals to
the most restrictive aspects whenever internal failure of any
nature arises or ​when Electronic Interlocking system is powered up
or during shutdown.

21.24.02 After powering up of Electronic Interlocking, the system shall block

all signals and other operations. After verification of safety
functions by Electronic Interlocking ​system, this blocking shall be
released after a delay of at least 120 seconds.

21.25 CONFIGURATION
21.25.01 Electronic Interlocking system shall have hot-standby arrangement
and changeover from one system to other systems shall not
interrupt status of signalling.

21.25.01 Electronic Interlocking system shall be of either centralized or

distributed type as per approved specification.

21.25.02 In case of distributed configurations, redundancy in

communication media shall be provided for linking the subsystems.

21.25.03 Electronic Interlocking System in any configuration shall have time

synchronisation.

21.26 VERSION CONTROL

21.26.01 Version of the Generic System software and hardware shall be

approved and controlled by authority competent to approve the
Electronic Interlocking system and its specifications.

21.26.02 Version of the Application logic (station specific logic) shall be

unique for the installation and shall be approved by the authority
competent to approve the circuit diagrams. Corresponding
Checksum shall be recorded and controlled by the same authority.

21.26.03 Version number and Checksum shall change whenever any

modifications are carried out to the Application logic (site specific
logic).

21.26.04 A proper record of Checksums shall be maintained at Station,

Divisional Headquarters and Zonal Headquarters as a part of
completion wiring diagram as per format given below:

Version Control Certificate

1 Name of Station :

2 Description of Work :

3 CRS or CSTE Sanction no & date :

4 Date of Commissioning :

5 Approved Signalling Plan no. :

 6 Approved Panel Diagram no. :

7 Approved Selection Table :

Diagram

8 EI Wiring Diagram Version no. : (a) Existing -

(b) New -

9 EI Wiring Diagram Checksum no. : (a) Existing -

(b) New -

(Signature)

Officer-In-Charge of
Site
( ASTE or DSTE )

(Signature)

( SrDSTE or Dy CSTE )

Copy to: CSTE

21.27 INSTALLATION

21.27.01 Installation of Electronic Interlocking system shall be done as per

approved guidelines and technical advisory notes issued from time
to time.

21.27.02 Application logic (site specific logic) shall be verified for safety and
functionality by carrying out exhaustive safety and functionality
tests by officers authorised by CSTE.

21.27.03 Only approved application logic with specified checksum shall be

used in the EI system and this data and checksum shall be version
controlled and preserved by the Railways.

21.27.04 Electronic Interlocking is required to be provided in dust proof

cabinets of approved type having transparent front door.
21.27.05 Interface Relays, where provided, shall be of approved type and
contacts should be paralleled as far as possible for better reliability.

21.27.06 Electronic Interlocking system shall be installed closer to Operator

Room, preferably adjacent room. Track crossing should be avoided
between main ​EI ​system and operator room.

21.27.07 The Electronic Interlocking room shall be provided with tiles or

similar arrangements on floor and walls to avoid periodic painting
of walls and resultant dust.

21.27.08 FRP or insulated ladders arrangement shall be used to carry wires

from rack to rack or from other equipment.

21.27.0.9 All entries to Electronic Interlocking room shall be suitably sealed

to prevent entry of rodents, ​lizards, insects e
​ tc.

21.27.10 Electrostatic Floor Pads and Hand bands shall be provided near
electronic equipment to prevent damages to electronic equipment
due to electrostatic discharges.

21.27.11 The room where Electronic Interlocking is installed, ​shall ​be

provided with Air-conditioning in areas which are prone to dust
or in vicinity of chemical factories releasing injurious fumes or in
areas with extreme temperature.

21.27.12 Surge and lightning protection devices of appropriate class and

rating shall be provided for the regulated power lines before
extending them to Electronic Equipment Room. All equipment in
Electronic Equipment Room shall derive power from these
regulated and protected power lines (clean), but not from electrical
service lines (dirty) used for room lighting, air-conditioning or
fans.

21.27.13 Clean and dirty wiring shall be clearly segregated and routed in
different enclosures/ladders, and where this is not feasible, a
minimum distance of 150mm between clean and dirty wiring shall
be maintained.

21.27.14 If clean and dirty wiring need to cross at any place, then wiring
should be arranged at perpendicular to each other.
21.27.15 Indicative type surge protection devices of appropriate class and
rating shall be installed for all copper based external interface ports
(power, communication, maintenance terminal, panel interface etc).

21.27.16 Earth wire from Surge protection device to main earth terminal
inside the room should be as straight and short as possible to
provide a low impedance path for discharge of surge energies.

21.27.17 Earthing wires from electronic interlocking subsystems to main

earth terminal shall be of distinctive color. Green or Green Yellow
(GNYE) color is recommended for quick identification of a loose or
disconnected earth wire.

21.27.16 All earth wires shall be as straight as possible and shall never be
coiled. All Earth wires should be of adequate current carrying
capacity and should never be less than 4 Square mm copper cross
section.

21.27.17 Usage of mobile and radio-frequency devices inside electronic

interlocking room shall be prohibited.

21.28 TESTING

21.28.01 System testing of EI system shall be carried out as per chapter XIII
Para 13.38 at the time of initial installation and during subsequent
modifications in interlocking.

21.29 POWER SUPPLY

21.29.01 Adequate redundancy in power supply arrangements for EI

systems including VDUs shall be provided as per approved
specifications and guidelines.

21.29.02 Wires connecting equipment shall be of adequate size so that there

is not more than 0.5% loss in voltage.

21.30 EARTHING
21.30.01 Earthing shall be provided as per approved specifications, drawings
and code of practice.

21.30.02 To the extent possible, perimeter earth shall be provided around the
Electronic Interlocking room.

21.30.03 Earth value ​shall be less than ten ohms and shall be measured
annually during dry season.

21.31 MAINTENANCE

21.31.01 Maintenance of Electronic Interlocking system shall be done as per

approved system maintenance manuals. A general maintenance
schedule for Electronic interlocking is provided for guidance at
Annexure-34.

At stations having dense traffic and high speeds, the Railways may
prescribe more frequent inspections, if considered necessary (IRSEM
Para 19.48).

21.31.02 Maintenance Terminal of Electronic Interlocking system shall be

provided in the Signal Technician Duty room.

21.31.03 Periodic testing of redundant systems shall be carried out.

Checksums shall be verified during periodic inspections.

21.32 FURTHER READING

21.32.01 Following International Standards with latest revisions are

applicable to development and implementation of safety related
railway signalling systems and projects including Electronic
Interlocking. IEC stands for "International Electrotechnical
Commission" and CENELEC stands for "European Committee for
Electrotechnical Standardization" .Both CENELEC and IEC have
equivalent standards on each of the subjects as given below:
CENELEC IEC Subject

Railway Applications - The Specification and

EN 50126 IEC 62278 Demonstration of Reliability, Availability,
Maintainability and Safety (RAMS)
 Railway applications - Communications, signalling
EN 50128 IEC 62279 and processing systems - software for Railway
Control and Protection systems

Railway applications - Communication, Signalling

EN 50129 IEC 62425 and processing systems - Safety related electronic
systems for signalling

Railway applications - Communication, Signalling

EN 50159 IEC 62280 and processing systems - Safety related
communication (Part 1 & 2)

21.32.2 RDSO Specifications with latest amendments are applicable for

design, installation ,testing and maintenance of Electronic Systems.
 ANNEXURE-34

General Maintenance Schedule for E.I

Periodicity

Paragrap Technic JE/SE- SE/SSE-

Maintenance work to be
Sno h ian Signal Signal
done
reference (Signal) (Incharge (Overall
of incharge
Section)

1 2 3 4 5 6

Voltages shall be checked

1 21.31.1 M M Q
at check points

Cooling arrangements like

2 M M Q
fans, dust filters

3 Checksums to be verified 21.31.4 .. .. Q

Visual checks of
4 indications on EI and M M Q
subsystems

5 System changeover 21.31.3 ... M Q

Tightness of all terminals

6 ... ... Q
and cables, Earth wires etc.

Panel to video, video to

7 ... M Q
video changeovers etc.

Surge protection devices

8 …. M Q
including A, B, C,D class

Redundancy in
9 communication, DC-Dc 21.31.3 …. M Q
converters etc.

Cleanliness of room and

10 M M Q
equipment

11 Emergency crank handle ………. …... Q

12 Checking of error logs …. M Q

M = Monthly, Q = Quarterly