SLOVENSKI STANDARD

SIST EN 50124-1:2017
01-maj-2017

1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 50124-1:2002
SIST EN 50124-1:2002/A1:2004
SIST EN 50124-1:2002/A2:2005

äHOH]QLãNHQDSUDYH8VNODGLWHYL]RODFLMHGHO2VQRYQH]DKWHYH,]RODFLMVNHLQ
SOD]LOQHUD]GDOMH]DYVRHOHNWULþQRLQHOHNWURQVNRRSUHPR

Railway applications - Insulation coordination - Part 1: Basic requirements - Clearances

iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
and creepage distances for all electrical and electronic equipment

(standards.iteh.ai)
Bahnanwendungen - Isolationskoordination - Teil 1: Grundlegende Anforderungen - Luft-
und Kriechstrecken für alle elektrischen SISTund elektronischen Betriebsmittel
EN 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
Applications ferroviaires - Coordination de l'isolement - Partie 1: Prescriptions
fondamentales - Distances d'isolement dans l'air et lignes de fuite pour tout matériel
électrique et électronique

Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50124-1:2017

ICS:
29.080.01 (OHNWULþQDL]RODFLMDQD Electrical insulation in
VSORãQR general
29.280 (OHNWULþQDYOHþQDRSUHPD Electric traction equipment

SIST EN 50124-1:2017 en,fr

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

(standards.iteh.ai)
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50124-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM March 2017

ICS 29.080.01; 29.280 Supersedes EN 50124-1:2001

English Version

Railway applications - Insulation coordination - Part 1: Basic

requirements - Clearances and creepage distances for all
electrical and electronic equipment

Applications ferroviaires - Coordination de l'isolement - Bahnanwendungen - Isolationskoordination - Teil 1:

Partie 1: Prescriptions fondamentales - Distances Grundlegende Anforderungen - Luft- und Kriechstrecken für
d'isolement dans l'air et lignes de fuite pour tout matériel alle elektrischen und elektronischen Betriebsmittel
électrique et électronique

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2017-02-06. 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 CEN-CENELEC
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

(standards.iteh.ai)
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 CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization

Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2017 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.

Ref. No. EN 50124-1:2017 E

 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

Contents Page

European foreword ............................................................................................................... 5

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 6
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 7
2 Normative references ................................................................................................ 7
3 Terms and definitions ............................................................................................... 8
4 Basis for insulation coordination ........................................................................... 11
4.1 Basic principles ....................................................................................................... 11
4.1.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 11
4.1.2 Insulation coordination with regard to voltage ...................................................... 11
4.1.3 Insulation coordination with regard to environmental conditions ........................ 12
4.2 Voltages and voltage ratings .................................................................................. 13
4.2.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 13
4.2.2 Rated insulation voltage U Nm .................................................................................. 13
4.2.3 Rated impulse voltage U Ni ....................................................................................... 13
4.3 Time under voltage stress....................................................................................... 14
4.4 Pollution ................................................................................................................... 14
4.5 Insulating material ................................................................................................... 15
4.5.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 15
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
4.5.2 Comparative tracking index (CTI) ........................................................................... 15
5 (standards.iteh.ai)
Requirements and dimensioning rules for clearances .......................................... 16
5.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 16
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
5.2 Minimum clearances ................................................................................................ 16
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
5.2.1 Functional insulation...............................................................................................
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017 16
5.2.2 Basic and supplementary insulation ...................................................................... 16
5.2.3 Reinforced insulation .............................................................................................. 16
5.3 Contingency ............................................................................................................. 16
5.4 Clearances for altitudes higher than 2 000 m ........................................................ 17
6 Dimensioning rules for creepage distances ........................................................... 17
6.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 17
6.2 Minimum creepage distances ................................................................................. 17
6.2.1 Functional, basic and supplementary insulations ................................................. 17
6.2.2 Reinforced insulation .............................................................................................. 17
7 Tests and measurements ........................................................................................ 18
7.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 18
7.2 Measurement of creepage distances and clearances ............................................ 18
7.2.1 Method and values .................................................................................................. 18
7.2.2 Acceptance criteria ................................................................................................. 18
7.3 Verification of clearances by impulse test ............................................................. 18
7.3.1 Method and values .................................................................................................. 18
7.3.2 Test acceptance criteria .......................................................................................... 19
7.4 Verification of clearances by power-frequency test .............................................. 19
7.4.1 Method and values .................................................................................................. 19
7.4.2 Test acceptance criteria .......................................................................................... 19
7.5 Verification of clearances by d.c. voltage test ....................................................... 19
7.5.1 Method and values .................................................................................................. 19

2
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

7.5.2 Test acceptance criteria .......................................................................................... 19

8 Specific requirements for applications in the railway field ................................... 20
8.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 20
8.2 Specific requirements for signalling ...................................................................... 20
8.2.1 Overvoltage categories ........................................................................................... 20
8.2.2 Rated impulse voltages ........................................................................................... 21
8.2.3 Induced voltages ..................................................................................................... 21
8.2.4 Installation instructions .......................................................................................... 21
8.2.5 Pollution degrees .................................................................................................... 21
8.3 Specific requirements for rolling stock .................................................................. 21
8.3.1 Determination of the rated impulse voltage U Ni by method 1 ................................ 21
8.3.2 Creepage distances ................................................................................................. 22
8.3.3 Roof installations .................................................................................................... 22
8.4 Specific requirements for fixed installations ......................................................... 22
8.4.1 Determination of the rated impulse voltage U Ni by method 1 ................................ 22
8.4.2 Distances of outdoor insulators ............................................................................. 23
Annex A (normative) Tables .............................................................................................. 24
Annex B (normative) Provisions for type and routine dielectric tests for
equipment ........................................................................................................................... 31
B.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 31
B.2 iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
Tests ........................................................................................................................ 31
Annex C (normative) Methods(standards.iteh.ai)
of measuring creepage distances and clearances ......... 33
Annex D (normative) Correlation between U n and U Nm ..................................................... 40
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
Annex E (informative) Macro-environmental conditions .................................................. 41
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
Annex F (informative) Application guide .......................................................................... 42
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
F.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 42
F.2 Determination of minimum clearances and creepage distances ........................... 42
F.3 Examples ................................................................................................................. 48
F.4 Tests ........................................................................................................................ 50
Annex ZZ (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the
Essential Requirements of EU Directive 2008/57/EC ......................................................... 52
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 53

Tables

Table A.1 — Rated impulse voltage U Ni for low voltage circuits not powered
directly by the contact line ................................................................................................. 24
Table A.2 — Rated impulse voltages (U Ni ) for circuits powered by the contact line
and for traction power circuits in thermo-electric driven vehicles .................................. 25
Table A.3 — Minimum clearances in air for the standard altitude ranges based on
the rated impulse voltage U Ni ............................................................................................. 26
Table A.4 — Definition of pollution degrees ...................................................................... 27
Table A.5 — Minimum creepage distances based on rated insulation voltage U Nm
up to 1 000 V for printed wiring material and associated components ............................ 27
Table A.6 — Minimum creepage distances for low values of rated insulation
voltage U Nm for materials other than printed wiring material ........................................... 28

3
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

Table A.7 — Minimum creepage distances (in mm/kV) for high values of rated
insulation voltage U Nm ........................................................................................................ 28
Table A.8 — Test voltages for verifying clearances at atmospheric and altitude
reference conditions, not to be used for routine dielectric tests ..................................... 29
Table A.9 — Altitude correction factors for clearances in circuits with U Ni up to
and including 60 kV when equipment is intended to be used above 2 000 m .................. 30
Table A.10 — Altitude correction factors for clearances in circuits with U Ni higher
than 60 kV when equipment is intended to be used above 2 000 m ................................. 30
Table B.1 — Dielectric test for equipment - Short-duration power-frequency (a.c.)
test levels U a (kV) based on the rated impulse voltage U Ni (kV) ....................................... 32
Table C.1 — Minimum dimensions of grooves .................................................................. 33
Table D.1 — Correlation between nominal voltages of the railway power
distribution system and the required insulation voltages for circuits of
equipment which are intended to be connected to these systems .................................. 40
Table E.1 — Correlation between pollution degrees and macro-environmental
conditions ........................................................................................................................... 41
Table F.1 — Example for the determination of clearances and creepage distances ....... 50
Table ZZ.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard, the TSI
“Locomotives and Passenger Rolling Stock” (REGULATION (EU) No 1302/2014 of
18 November 2014) and Directive 2008/57/EC ................................................................... 52
Table ZZ.2 — Correspondence between this European Standard, the TSI “Energy”
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
(REGULATION (EU) No 1301/2014 of 18 November 2014) and Directive 2008/57/EC ....... 52

(standards.iteh.ai)
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017

4
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

European foreword

This document (EN 50124-1:2017) has been prepared by CLC/TC 9X, “Electrical and electronic
applications for railways.”

The following dates are fixed:

• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2018–02–06

implemented at national level by publication
of an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) 2020–02–06
conflicting with this document have to
be withdrawn

This document supersedes EN 50124-1:2001, EN 50124-1:2001/A1:2003 and

EN 50124-1:2001/A1:2005.

EN 50124-1:2017 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 50124-
1:2001:

• the scope has been enlarged to include altitudes higher than 2 000 m above sea level;
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
• related requirements have been included, especially new subclause 5.4, Table A.9 and
Table A.10. (standards.iteh.ai)
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some SIST EN of 50124-1:2017
the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).

For the relationship with EU Directive(s) see informative Annex ZZ, which is an integral part of this
document.

5
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

Introduction

Special conditions occurring in railway applications and the fact that the equipment here concerned
falls into the scope of both the EN 60071 series (prepared by CLC/SR 28) and EN 60664-1 (prepared
by CLC/SR 109), led to the decision to draw from these documents and from EN 60077-1 (prepared
by CLC/TC 9), a single document of reference for all standards applicable to the whole railway field.
EN 50124 consists of two parts:
— EN 50124-1, Railway applications - Insulation coordination - Part 1: Basic requirements -
Clearances and creepage distances for all electrical and electronic equipment;

— EN 50124-2, Railway applications - Insulation coordination - Part 2: Overvoltages and related

protection.

This Part 1 allows, in conjunction with EN 50124-2, to take into account advantages resulting from the
presence of overvoltage protection when dimensioning clearances.

iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

(standards.iteh.ai)
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017

6
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

1 Scope

This European Standard deals with insulation coordination in railways. It applies to equipment for use
in signalling, rolling stock and fixed installations.
Insulation coordination is concerned with the selection, dimensioning and correlation of insulation both
within and between items of equipment. In dimensioning insulation, electrical stresses and
environmental conditions are taken into account. For the same conditions and stresses, these
dimensions are the same.
An objective of insulation coordination is to avoid unnecessary over dimensioning of insulation.
This standard specifies:
— requirements for clearances and creepage distances for equipment;

— general requirements for tests pertaining to insulation coordination.

The term equipment relates to a section as defined in 3.3 it may apply to a system, a sub-system, an
apparatus, a part of an apparatus, or a physical realization of an equipotential line.
This standard does not deal with:
— distances through solid or liquid insulation;

— distances through gases other than air;

—
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
distances through air not at atmospheric pressure;

—
(standards.iteh.ai)
equipment used under extreme conditions.
SIST ENstandard.
Product standards should align with this generic 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
However, they may require, with justification, different requirements due to safety and/or reliability
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
reasons, e.g. for signalling, and/or particular operating conditions of the equipment itself, e.g.
overhead contact lines which should comply with EN 50119.
This standard also gives provisions for dielectric tests (type tests or routine tests) on equipment (see
Annex B).
NOTE For safety critical systems, specific requirements are needed. These requirements are given in the
product specific signalling standard EN 50129.

2 Normative references

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 50123 (all parts), Railway applications - Fixed installations - D.C. switchgear

EN 50163, Railway applications - Supply voltages of traction systems

EN 60060-1, High-voltage test techniques - Part 1: General definitions and test requirements (IEC
60060-1)

EN 60071-1, Insulation co-ordination - Part 1: Definitions, principles and rules (IEC 60071-1)

EN 60112, Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices of solid
insulating materials (IEC 60112)

7
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

EN 60587, Electrical insulating materials used under severe ambient conditions - Test methods for
evaluating resistance to tracking and erosion (IEC 60587)

EN 60664-1:2007, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems - Part 1:

Principles, requirements and tests (IEC 60664-1:2007)

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
NOTE The definitions apply according to the following order of priority:

— the definition given here-under;

— the definition given in EN 60664–1;

— the definition given in the documents mentioned in Clause 2 other than EN 60664–1.

3.1
clearance
shortest distance in air between two conductive parts

3.2
creepage distance
shortest distance along the surface of the insulating material between two conductive parts
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
3.3 Sections
(standards.iteh.ai)
3.3.1
section SIST EN 50124-1:2017
part of an electrical circuit having its own voltage ratings for insulation coordination
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
Note 1 to entry: Sections fall into two categories: earthed section and floating section.

3.3.2
earthed section
section connected to earth or to the vehicle body through a circuit for which interruption is not
expected

3.3.3
floating section
section isolated from earth or from the vehicle body

Note 1 to entry: A section can be under electrical influence from adjacent sections.

Note 2 to entry: A particular point of a circuit can be considered as a section.

3.4 Voltages

3.4.1
nominal voltage
Un
suitable approximate voltage value used to designate or identify a given supply system

8
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

3.4.2
working voltage
highest r.m.s. value of the a.c or d.c voltage which can occur between two points across any
insulation, each circuit likely to influence the said r.m.s. value being supplied at its maximum
permanent voltage

Note 1 to entry: Permanent means that the voltage lasts more than 5 min, as Umax 1 in EN 50163.

3.4.3
rated voltage
value of voltage assigned by the manufacturer to a component, device or equipment and to which
operation and performance characteristics are referred

Note 1 to entry: Equipment may have more than one rated voltage value or may have a rated voltage range.

3.4.4
rated insulation voltage
UNm
r.m.s. withstand voltage value assigned by the manufacturer to the equipment or a part of it,
characterising the specified permanent (over 5 min) withstand capability of its insulation

Note 1 to entry: UNm is a voltage between a live part of equipment and earth or another live part. For rolling
stock, earth refers to the vehicle body.

Note 2 to entry: For circuits, systems and sub-systems in railway applications this definition is preferred to
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
“highest voltage for equipment” which is widely used in international standards

Note 3 to entry: U Nmis higher than (standards.iteh.ai)

or equal to the working voltage. As a consequence, for circuits directly
connected to the contact line, U is equal to or higher than U
Nm as specified in EN 50163.
max1

SIST EN 50124-1:2017
Note 4 to entry: UNm is not necessarily equal to the rated voltage which is primarily related to functional
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
performance.
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
3.4.5
working peak voltage
highest value of voltage which can occur in service across any particular insulation

3.4.6
recurring peak voltage
maximum peak value of periodic excursions of the voltage waveform resulting from distortions of an
a.c. voltage or from a.c. components superimposed on a d.c. voltage

Note 1 to entry: Random overvoltages, for example due to occasional switching, are not considered to be
recurring peak voltages.

3.4.7
rated impulse voltage
UNi
impulse voltage value assigned by the manufacturer to the equipment or a part of it, characterising the
specified withstand capability of its insulation against transient overvoltages

Note 1 to entry: UNi is higher than or equal to the working peak voltage.

3.5
overvoltage
voltage having a peak value exceeding the corresponding peak value (including recurrent
overvoltages) of maximum steady-state voltage at normal operating conditions

9
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

3.5.1
temporary overvoltage
overvoltage of relatively long duration due to voltage variations

Note 1 to entry: A temporary overvoltage is independent of the network load. It is characterized by a

voltage/time curve.

3.5.2
transient overvoltage
short duration overvoltage of a few milliseconds or less due to current transfers

Note 1 to entry: A transient overvoltage depends on the network load. It cannot be characterized by a
voltage/time curve. Basically, a transient overvoltage is the result of a current transfer from a source to the load
(network).

Note 2 to entry: Two particular transient overvoltages are defined in 3.5.3 and 3.5.4.

3.5.3
switching overvoltage
transient overvoltage at any point of the system due to specific switching operation or fault

3.5.4
lightning overvoltage
transient overvoltage at any point of the system due to a specific lightning discharge

iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

Note 1 to entry: The definitions of 3.5 are in accordance with those of EN 60664–1 and EN 50163. However, the
prevalence of the nature of the cause (voltage variations or current transfer) upon time, for segregating transient
(standards.iteh.ai)
overvoltages from temporary ones, is clearly stated here (whereas the nature of the cause is not considered in
EN 60664–1). Long-term (typically 20 ms to typically 1 s) overvoltages defined in EN 50163, dedicated to contact
line networks, are equivalent to temporary overvoltages.
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
3.6 Insulations
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
3.6.1
functional insulation
insulation between conductive parts which is necessary only for the proper functioning

3.6.2
basic insulation
insulation applied to live parts to provide basic protection against electric shock

3.6.3
supplementary insulation
independent insulation applied in addition to basic insulation, in order to provide protection against
electric shock in the event of failure of basic insulation

3.6.4
double insulation
insulation comprising both basic insulation and supplementary insulation

3.6.5
reinforced insulation
single insulation system applied to live parts, which provides a degree of protection against electric
shock equivalent to double insulation

Note 1 to entry: The term “single insulation system” does not imply that the insulation involves one
homogeneous piece. It may involve several layers which cannot be tested singly as basic and supplementary
insulation.

10
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

3.7 Contact lines

3.7.1
contact line
conductor system for supplying electric energy to vehicles through current-collecting equipment

[SOURCE: IEC 60050-811:1991, 811-33-01]

3.7.2
overhead contact line
catenary (deprecated)
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

[SOURCE: IEC 60050-811:1991, 811-33-02]

4 Basis for insulation coordination

4.1 Basic principles

4.1.1 General

Insulation coordination implies the selection of the electric insulation characteristic of the equipment
with regard to its application and in relation to its surroundings.
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
Insulation coordination can only be achieved if the design of the equipment is based on the stresses to
which it is likely to be subjected during its anticipated lifetime.
4.1.2
(standards.iteh.ai)
Insulation coordination with regard to voltage
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
4.1.2.1 General https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
Consideration shall be given to:
— the voltages which can appear in the system;

— the voltages generated by the equipment (which could adversely affect other equipment in the
system);

— the degree of the expected availability of the equipment;

— the safety of persons and property, so that the probability of undesired incidents due to voltage
stresses do not lead to an unacceptable risk of harm;

— the safety of functions for control and protection systems;

— voltages induced in track-side cables;

— the shape of insulating surfaces;

— the orientation and the location of creepage distances;

— if necessary: the altitude that applies.

4.1.2.2 Insulation coordination with regard to permanent a.c. or d.c. voltages

Insulation coordination with regard to permanent voltages is based on:

— rated voltage;

11
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

— rated insulation voltage;

— working voltage.

Unless otherwise specified in product standards, permanent voltages last more than five minutes.
4.1.2.3 Insulation coordination with regard to transient overvoltage

Insulation coordination with regard to transient overvoltage is based on controlled overvoltage

conditions. There are two kinds of control:
— inherent control: the condition within an electrical system wherein the characteristics of the
system can be expected to limit the prospective transient overvoltages to a defined level;

— protective control: the condition within an electrical system wherein specific overvoltage
attenuating means can be expected to limit the prospective transient overvoltages to a defined
level.

NOTE 1 Overvoltages in large and complex systems such as overhead contact lines subjected to multiple and
variable influences can only be assessed on a statistical basis. This is particularly true for overvoltages of
atmospheric origin and applies whether the controlled condition is achieved as a consequence of inherent control
or by means of protective control.

A probabilistic analysis is recommended to assess whether inherent control exists or whether

protective control is needed.
NOTE 2 iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
The specific overvoltage attenuating means can be a device having means for storage or dissipation
of energy and, under defined conditions, capable of harmlessly dissipating the energy of overvoltages expected at
the location. (standards.iteh.ai)
EXAMPLE of inherent control: Control ensured by flash-over across insulators or spark gap horns on overhead
contact lines.
SIST EN 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
EXAMPLE of protective control: Control90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
ensured by the filter of a locomotive on the downstream circuit, provided
that no switching overvoltage source is likely to perturb the said circuit.

Insulation coordination uses a preferred series of values of rated impulse voltage: it consists of the
values listed in the first column of Table A.3.
4.1.2.4 Insulation coordination with regard to recurring peak voltage

Consideration shall be given to the extent partial discharges can occur in solid insulation or along
surfaces of insulation.
4.1.3 Insulation coordination with regard to environmental conditions

The micro-environmental conditions for the insulation shall be taken into account as classified by the
pollution degree.
The micro-environmental conditions depend primarily on the macro-environmental conditions in which
the equipment is located and in many cases the environments are identical. However, the micro-
environment can be better or worse than the macro-environment where, for example, enclosures,
heating, ventilation or dust influence the micro-environment.
NOTE Protection by enclosures provided according to classes specified in EN 60529 does not necessarily
improve the micro-environment with regard to pollution.

12
 SIST EN 50124-1:2017

EN 50124-1:2017 (E)

4.2 Voltages and voltage ratings

4.2.1 General

For determining the working voltage of a floating section, it is considered that a connection is made to
earth or to another section, so as to produce the worst case.
It is recommended to avoid floating sections in high voltage systems.
The voltages in 4.2 are “required voltages” that would be specified for a particular application. These
are different from rated voltages that are stated by a manufacturer for a product.
Rated voltages are defined for each section of a circuit.
4.2.2 Rated insulation voltage UNm

The minimum value of the rated insulation voltage of a section shall be higher or equal to the highest
working voltage appearing within the section, or produced by adjacent sections.
Stresses shorter than 5 min (e.g Umax2 as defined in EN 50163) may be taken into account case by
case, considering in particular the interval between such stresses.
4.2.3 Rated impulse voltage UNi

4.2.3.1 General

The minimum value of rated impulse voltage of a section shall be determined either by method 1 or by
method 2. iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
In inherent control, method 1 should be used.
(standards.iteh.ai)
In protective control, method 1 and method 2 may be used.
4.2.3.2 Method 1 SIST EN 50124-1:2017
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4be08a2c-eaa8-4d25-a8a5-
Method 1 is based on rated insulation 90e947e9b462/sist-en-50124-1-2017
voltages and overvoltage categories.
The relation between rated insulation voltages and nominal voltages commonly used in railway
applications is given in Table D.1 of Annex D.
Method 1 uses four overvoltage categories to characterize the exposure of the equipment to
overvoltages.
— OV1: Circuits which are protected against external and internal overvoltages and in which only
very low overvoltages can occur because:

— they are not directly connected to the contact line;

— they are being operated indoor;

— they are within an equipment or device;

— OV2: The same as OV1, but with harsher overvoltage conditions and/or higher requirements
concerning safety and reliability;

— OV3: The same as OV4, but with less harsh overvoltage conditions and/or lower requirements
concerning safety and reliability;

— OV4: Circuits which are not protected against external or internal overvoltages (e.g. directly
connected to the contact or outside lines) and which can be endangered by lightning or switching
overvoltages.

Further details for specific applications are given in Clause 8.

13