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CENELEC For Railway Applications

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ANEESH KAVIL
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
29 views

CENELEC For Railway Applications

Uploaded by

ANEESH KAVIL
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is CENELEC for Railway

Applications?
CENELEC, which stands for the European Committee for Electrotechnical
Standardization, develops voluntary electrotechnical standards that help
facilitate trade, ensure safety, and support the interoperability of products
and services across Europe.

History and Purpose

1. CENELEC was created in 1973 due to the merger of two previous


European organizations: CENELCOM and CENEL.
2. CENELEC was created to be responsible for European standardization
in the area of electrical engineering
3. CENELEC prepares both voluntary and harmonized standards, which
help facilitate trade between countries and support European
regulations (New Approach Directive).
4. Nowadays, CENELEC is a non-profit technical organization set up under
Belgian law and composed of the National Electro-technical
Committees of 28 European countries.

European Standards Organisations

1. In the European Union, only standards developed by CEN, CENELEC,


and ETSI are recognized as 'European Standards.'
2. CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI are the regional mirror bodies to their
international counterparts, i.e., ISO, IEC, and ITU-T.

Main CENELEC products are classified by order of


importance:

1. European Standard (EN): Standards relate to products, services, or


systems. This applies whether the manufacturer is based in the
CENELEC territory or not.
2. Technical Specification (TSI): is a normative document. A Technical
Specification is not permitted to conflict with an EN.
3. Technical Report (TR): is an informative document. Technical Reports
may be established in cases when it is considered urgent or advisable
to provide information.
Picture credits: CENELEC Members and Affiliates: European Committee for
Standardization. (2024, June 10).

Key Aspects of CENELEC in Railway Applications

1. Safety Standards CENELEC develops comprehensive safety


standards for railway systems, covering everything from electrical
equipment to signaling and communication systems. These standards
are designed to minimize risks and enhance overall safety in rail
transport.
2. Interoperability One of CENELEC's primary goals is to promote
interoperability among European railway systems. This ensures that
trains can operate seamlessly across borders, facilitating smoother
international rail travel and freight transport.
3. Harmonization CENELEC works to harmonize national standards with
European norms, creating a unified approach to railway technology
and operations across the continent.
4. Efficiency: Railway operators can reduce costs and streamline
maintenance procedures by adhering to standardized processes and
components. This leads to more efficient operations and better service
for passengers and freight customers.

RAMS Approach

CENELEC introduced the concept of RAMS (Reliability, Availability,


Maintainability, and Safety) for electronic railway systems through the EN
50126 standard This holistic approach has become fundamental in railway
system design and operation, considering multiple factors that contribute to
overall safety.

Risk Assessment and Reduction

CENELEC provides guidelines for safety-related risk assessment and risk


reduction. For example, CENELEC Guide 32 establishes practical guidelines
for achieving safety in low voltage (LV) equipment, which applies to various
railway system components.

The following are a few of the key CENELEC standards for


railways:

 EN 50126: This standard covers the specification and demonstration


of reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety (RAMS) for railway
applications. It outlines a process for managing and assessing the risks
associated with railway systems throughout their lifecycle.
 EN 50128: This standard focuses on railway control and protection
system software. It provides requirements for developing, deploying,
and maintaining such software, ensuring that it meets the necessary
safety and reliability standards.
 EN 50129: This standard deals with safety-related electronic systems
for signaling. It provides guidelines for designing, validating, and
maintaining these systems, ensuring their safe operation.
 EN 50159: This standard addresses the safety of communication
systems in railway applications. It provides guidelines for ensuring the
integrity and security of data transmitted over communication
networks used in railway signaling and control systems.
 EN 50155: This standard applies to electronic equipment used on
rolling stock. It covers aspects such as temperature, humidity, shock,
vibration, and electromagnetic compatibility, ensuring that electronic
devices can withstand the harsh conditions of railway environments.
 EN 50121: This standard series deals with the electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) of railway systems. It includes guidelines for
managing EMC between railway and other electronic systems, ensuring
they can operate without interference.
 EN 50238: This standard guides the approval processes for rolling
stock, ensuring they meet the safety and interoperability requirements
before being put into service.
 EN 50388: This standard addresses the technical aspects of the
interface between rolling stock and the railway infrastructure. It
includes guidelines for ensuring the compatibility of trains with the
tracks, signaling systems, and power supply.
 EN 45545: This standard series concerns fire protection on railway
vehicles. It provides guidelines for trains' materials, components, and
systems to ensure they meet fire safety requirements.
 EN 14752:2022 This standard focuses on body-side entrance systems
for rolling stock, including all newly designed railway vehicles like
trams, metros, and trains. It also covers existing vehicles undergoing
refurbishment of door equipment, specifying requirements for manual
and power-operated entrance systems.
 EN 12663-1:2023 is a standard that sets structural requirements and
load capacities for railway vehicle bodies, guiding the use of materials
and detailing methods for design validation through analysis and
testing in locomotives and passenger rolling stock. EN 12663-2
extends these standards to freight wagons.

Picture credits: EN 50129:2018 - Figure 1: "Scope of the main CENELEC


railway application standards"

Conclusion

CENELEC standards are critical in shaping the future of railway applications


in Europe. They ensure that safety, interoperability, and efficiency remain at
the forefront of railway operations, supporting the development of a robust
and reliable rail network.

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