Indian Railways AC Traction Manual PDF

APPENDIX II CODE FOR BONDING AND EARTHING FOR 25 kV a.c. 50 Hz. SINGLE PHASE TRACTION SYSTEM (This is a reproduction of RDSO’s Code No. ETI/OHE/7(11/90) 1.0 Scope This code shall apply to 25 kV a.c. 50 Hz. single phase traction system and...

APPENDIX II CODE FOR BONDING AND EARTHING FOR 25 kV a.c. 50 Hz. SINGLE PHASE TRACTION SYSTEM (This is a reproduction of RDSO’s Code No. ETI/OHE/7(11/90) 1.0 Scope This code shall apply to 25 kV a.c. 50 Hz. single phase traction system and covers the requirements for bonding and earthing of overhead equipment masts, structures and associated rails of railway track. The bonding and earthing at traction sub-station including feeding posts, switching stations, booster transformer stations, 25 KV/240 V auxiliary transformer stations and switching gantry as well as Signalling and telecommunication equipments are beyond the scope of this CODE. 2.0 Definitions The following terms wherever appearing in this Code shall ,unless excluded by or repugnant to the context, have the meaning attributed there to and apply as follows: 2.1 Bond’ means an electrical connection between two or more conductors of non-current carrying metallic parts of traction masts or structures or supports and rails. 2.2 “Cross bond” means a bond between two rails of a track or two rails of adjacent tracks. It is also called a transverse bond. 2.3 “Earth wire” means a conductor run on traction masts or structures or supports and bonded to their metallic parts/supports and connected to earth. 2.4 “Earth” means a connection to the general mass of earth by means of an earth electrode. An object is said to be ‘earthed’ when it is electrically connected to an earth electrode, and the object is said to be ‘solidly earthed’ when it is electrically connected to an earth electrode without intentional addition of resistance or impedance in the earth connection. The resistance of the earth electrode shall not exceed 10-Ohm. 2.5 “ Earth electrode” means a metal plate or pipe or any other conductor electrically connected to the general mass of the earth. 2.6 “Impedance-bond” is a bond, installed by the Signal and Telecommunication Department, which provides a low impedance path for the traction return current and a relatively high impedance path for track circuit current. 2.7 “ Rail-bond” means an electrical connection across a rail joint between consecutive lengths of rails. It is also called a ‘Longitudinal bond’. 2.8 “ Rail length” means a continuous length of rail with or without welded joints but with no fish plate joints. 2.9 “Structure bond” means a bond connecting for non current carrying metallic parts of a traction mast or structure or support to the traction rail. 2.10 “Signal bond” means an electrical connection across a rail joint, provided by the Signalling & Telecommunication Department, to facilitate flow of track circuit current. 2.11 “Short direct connection” means a connection for electrical continuity, which shall be of the shortest possible length with minimum bends. INDIAN RAILWAYS – AC TRACTION MANUAL – VOL II PART II 2.12 “Traction Rail” means a non-track-circuited rail of a wired track, not required for signalling purposes and which may be earthed. In non-track-circuited sections, both the rails of wired track are traction rails and in single rail-track-circuited sections, the traction rail is the non-track-circuited rail. 2.13 “Welded bond” means a bond which is made of standard copper conductors with M.S. ferrules at either end, pressed on the conductors and bent to shape. 2.14 “ Wired track” means a track provided with 25 kV a.c. 50 Hz. Single phase overhead equipment. 3.0 Bonding 3.1 In the case of 25 kV a.c. 50 Hz. Single phase traction system, the traction current is drawn from the overhead equipment by the electric rolling stock, operating in a section and passes through the traction rail. The return current flows mostly through the earth leaving the traction rail except in a zone extending over a few hundred metres on both sides of the electric rolling stock in operation in the section or in the vicinity of a feeding station and returns to the traction sub-station. Bonding of all rails is, therefore, not absolutely essential unlike in the case of d.c. traction where practically the whole traction return current flows through the rail and hence bonding of rails is essential. However bonding of rail facilitates passage of the traction return current from the earth to the traction rails which are connected to the rail to earth and vice versa and is, therefore, provided in the vicinity of traction sub-station-feeding posts where the traction return current has to flow back from the earth to the traction rails with are connected to the earthed leg of the traction transformer at the sub-station, through a burried rail opposite the feeding post. Bonding of rails also ensures the spread of flow of return current into the earth and, therefore, reduces the voltage between rail and earth. So bonding of rails is done wherever it is essential to keep the rail voltage low to ensure safety of personnel. 3.2 The traction rail of a wired track when bonded or laid on metallic sleepers provides generally an earth better than an earthing station with earth electrode. If, therefore, any non-current carrying part of an equipment or metallic structure is required to be earthed, it shall ordinarily be connected to a traction rail. 3.3 Track Circuited Sections 3.3.1 In sections equipped with single rail-track circuits, the traction rail shall be bonded to ensure that: i) The ac voltage drop along its length is reduced so as to minimize the risk of ac voltage being applied to the track relays. ii) As low a resistance path as possible is provided both for traction return as well as signalling currents as fish plate joints cannot be relied upon for low resistance. 3.3.2 In sections with double rail-track-circuits, both rails are longitudinally bonded to ensure a low resistance path for traction return and signalling currents; and also to distribute the return current more evenly in both the rails. Impedance bonds are installed at insulated joints to provide a continuous path to the traction return current. Al track-circuited-rails are, in addition, provided with signal bonds. 3.4 Structure bond All non-current carrying metallic parts of traction masts or structures or supports or metallic parts of concrete/wooden masts, supporting the traction overhead equipment shall be connected by means of a structure-bond to the nearest traction rail or to an earth wire run on the traction masts/structures/supports or to an earth. In the case of a portal structure, only one leg of the portal shall be provided with the structure bond, whereas for head span masts, each mast of the head span shall be bonded to the traction rail nearest to it. Where traction masts or structures or supports are located on railway platforms and are bonded to the nearest traction rail, a cross bond shall be provided at the location of the structure-bond to connect the rail to the adjacent traction rail. INDIAN RAILWAYS – AC TRACTION MANUAL – VOL II PART II 3.5 Track Bonding In station yards or elsewhere, where a track is not wired for its entire length, it shall be deemed to be wired for a distance of upto 50 metres beyond the traction mast at which the overhead equipment has been terminated. Rail bond and one cross bond shall be provided for a distance of upto 50metres beyond the last traction mast. 3.6 Mode of Connection of Bond 3.6.1 All types of bond i.e. rail-bond, cross-bond and structure-bond shall be of mild steel of not less than 200 mm2 cross sectional area. 3.6.2 A structure-bond shall be rigidly connected by means of galvanised steel fasteners to the traction rail and the metallic part of traction mast or structure or support. 3.6.3 A rail-bond shall be rigidly connected by means of galvanized steel fasteners longitudinally across the fish plate joint of the traction rail and the track-circuited-rail in a track circuited section except at the insulated joint of the track circuited rail. 3.6.4 A cross-bond shall be rigidly connected by means of galvanized steel fasteners between two traction rails of a track or non-track circuited rails of an adjacent track. 3.6.5 Where it is not possible to provide a rail-bond a welded bond shall be used. The bond shall be connected to the rails by electric or gas welding. 3.6.6 The bond for connecting return conductor to the traction rail through the buried rail shall normally be made with GI nuts and bolts with spring washer and check nuts. 3.6.7 The cross section of an earth wire used for bonding traction masts or structures or supports or the metallic parts supporting the traction overhead equipment in a tunnel or in double rail-track- circuited section shall be not less than 50 mm2 copper equivalent. 3.7 Bonding in Single Rail-Track-Circuited Sections 3.7.1 The traction rail in a single rail-track-circuited section shall be provided with rail bonds not only over the entire length upto which the track circuited rail exists but also for a distance of 50 m on both sides of the track circuited length. In addition, the traction rail shall be cross bonded to the traction rails. If any, of adjacent tracks wherever they exist at intervals of not less than 100m. The traction rails of such adjacent tracks shall also be provided with rail-bonds over the entire length of the track circuits and for further 50 m on both sides. In case the length of a track circuited rail is not more than 350 m, a cross bond shall be provided between the rails of the track immediately outside the track circuited length at both of its end. 3.7.2 In single line section, whether or not doubling of the section is foreseen in the future, provided with single rail-track-circuit, the non-track-circuited rail shall be provided with rail-bond over the entire length and for a further 50 metres on both sides. It shall also be connected to an earth at distances not exceeding 100 metres from each other. The connections of the non-track-circuited rail to each of the earths shall be made by two separate mild steel strips/flats each of cross section not less than 200 mm2. The need for providing an earth wire is thus obviated. 3.8 Bonding in Double Rail-Track-Circuited Sections. In a double rail-track-circuited section, both the rails shall be provided with rail-bonds. At insulated joints of the double rail-track-circuit an impedance bond shall be provided. Since no traction rail is available for structure bonding, an earth wire shall be run on the traction mast or structure or support. In case, the length of the earth wire exceeds 1000 metres it shall be made electrically discontinuous by providing a cut-in-insulator so that no. INDIAN RAILWAYS – AC TRACTION MANUAL – VOL II PART II section of the earth wire is greater than 1000 metres electrically. Each such section of the earth wire shall be connected to an earth at two traction masts or structures or supports at a distance not exceeding 500 m apart No cross bond shall be provided between the rails of the same track or between the rails of different tracks in a double rail-track-circuited section. 3.9 Bonding Adjacent to Traction Sub Station/Feeding Post 3.9.1 Commencing opposite to a traction sub-station/feeding post, all the traction rails shall be provided with rail-bonds for a distance of 1000 metres on either side of the traction sub-station/feeding post. In addition, these traction rails shall be cross-bonded at approximate distances of 300, 500, 700 and 1000 metres from the traction sub-station/feeding post. 3.10 Bonding of Rails on Wooden/Concrete Sleepers A wired track shall be deemed to be on wooden or concrete sleepers if there are not more than six metallic sleepers in any length of track not exceeding 350 m. The traction rails of such a track shall be provided with cross bonds at distance of not more than 350 m apart. No rail bonds shall be provided. 3.11 Bonding of Traction in Loco sheds and Loco/EMU stabling sidings All traction rails of loco sheds and loco/EMU stabling sidings shall be provided with cross bonds at distance of not more than 100 m apart. Further all sidings and/or dead ends, whether wired or not, shall be connected by rail bonds. The rails on wooden or concrete sleepers/supports in loco/EMU inspection pits shall be provided with rail-bonds for the entire length of the pit and also upto a length of 50 m on both sides and connected to an earth. 3.12 Bonding of Rails in a Tunnel In a tunnel all the traction rails shall be provided with rail-bonds not only over the entire length inside the tunnel but also for a length of upto 50 m or both sides outside the tunnel. Besides, a cross bond shall be provided between the traction rails at either ends of the tunnel. Note: If the tracks in a tunnel are track-circuited, the procedure in clause 4.0 shall be followed. 3.13 Bonding of Rails on a Weigh Bridge Both the rails of a wired track on a weigh bridge shall be provided with rail bonds for a length of upto 50 m on both sides of the weigh bridge. If the rails are on wooden or concrete sleepers/supports, they shall be connected to an earth. 3.14 Bonding at a Level Crossing All the traction rails shall be provided with cross bonds at only one location which shall be within five metres from either of the transverse edges of the level crossing. 3.15 Bonding at Oil Depot Sidings 3.15.1 Unwired sidings leading to a oil depot or installation shall be provided with duplicate insulated block joints as near as possible to the turn out from the main track from which they take off and before entry into the oil depot or installation. 3.15.2 Where a siding or a secondary loop line is to be wired to serve the purpose of loading and unloading of petroleum products, the arrangements to be made and precautions to be taken are: i) A neutral zone shall be set up at either end of the length of the siding or secondary loop line over which the vehicles containing the petroleum products are to be berthed and loaded/unloaded. The neutral zone INDIAN RAILWAYS – AC TRACTION MANUAL – VOL II PART II is created both in the track as well as in the traction overhead equipment (OHE) by provision of insulating joints and section insulators with isolators as done for locomotive inspection pits respectively. The neutral zone is to ensure that the rest of the railway network is kept isolated when the loading/unloading operations are in progress so as to avoid propagation of stray currents. ii) Both the rails of the siding or secondary loop line shall be provided with longitudinal-bonds. Besides, transverse-bonds shall be provided between the rails at distance not exceeding 30 metres apart. iii) The rails of the siding or secondary loop line shall be connected to an earth at both ends immediately outside the neutral zone. iv) An equi-potential link/switch shall be provided between the metallic portions of the petroleum installations i.e. the earth and the rails of the siding or the secondary loop line. This equi-potential link/switch is to be kept closed during the loading/unloading operations. v) Each and every non-current carrying part of a traction mast or structure or support and other metallic structures in the vicinity of the siding or secondary loop line shall be provided with structure-bonds. Only copper rivets shall be used for connection between the non-current carrying metallic part or rail and the bond. vi) During the time the loading and unloading of petroleum product is taking place, proper electrical continuity shall be maintained between the petroleum installations, the rails on which the vehicles containing the petroleum products are berthed and the OHE which has already been made dead and connected to the rails. 3.16 Bonding of Girder Bridge 3.16.1 Steel structures of a girder bridge shall be connected to a traction rail or to an earth by means of two mild steel strips/flats or cross section not less than 200 mm2 each. The traction rails (where there are two or more such rails) on the bridge shall be connected by cross bonds at distances not exceeding 100 metres apart. 3.16.2 In a single rail track circuited section, the non track circuited rail which is the traction rail shall be provided with rail bonds (refer clause 3.7.1) and connected to an earth at either end of the bridge. 4.0 Bonding of Metallic Parts inside a tunnel An earth wire connecting all non-current carrying metallic parts which form parts of the supports for the overhead equipment, shall be run inside the tunnel. The earth wire shall be connected to an earth as well as to the traction rails at both ends just outside the tunnel. In case, all the rails are track circuited, the earth wire shall be connected to an earth at both ends just outside the tunnel. If the length of the earth wire exceeds 1000 m, the stipulation in regard to making it electrically discontinuous as contained in clause 3.8 shall be followed. 4.1 Bonding of Over line Structure The metallic parts of foot or road over bridges or other over-line structures over wired tracks shall be connected either to a traction rail or to an earth by means of two mild steel strips/flats of cross-section not less 2 than 200 mm each. 4.2 Bonding of Exposed Metallic Parts All exposed metallic parts such as platform structures/sheds, metallic fencing, wires, pipes and such other items, not likely to come into direct contact with the 25 kV ac overhead equipment and located with a distance of 20 m from the nearest electrified track and running parallel to it for a distance of more than 20 m but less than 350 m shall be connected to an earth or traction rail. If parallelism with the nearest electrified track exceeds 350 m all such exposed metallic parts shall be connected to a separate earth at distances not exceeding 350 m apart. INDIAN RAILWAYS – AC TRACTION MANUAL – VOL II PART II No special precaution is required in case such metallic parts are fitted on metallic supports directly buried in the ground if the earth resistance of such metallic support is less than 10- Ohm. 4.3 Bonding of Earthing Heel of Isolator Switch The earthing heel of an isolator switch shall be connected by two mild steel flats of cross-section not less than 200 mm 2 each to the supporting metallic traction mast or structure or support. The connection shall be as short and as direct as possible. Such a traction mast or structure or support shall, in turn, be connected to a traction rail or an earth wire and, in addition, to an earth. 4.4 Connection of Return Conductor A return conductor connecting booster transformers shall be connected approximately at the mid point between the adjacent booster transformer stations to the traction rail of the same track or to the mid point of an impedance bond in the case of double rail track circuited section. 5.0 Drawings The drawings issued by RDSO in connection with the practices prescribed in this CODE are listed below: SN. Description Drawing Number 1. General arrangement of earth wire ETI/OHE/G/05201 on OHE mast. 2. Arrangement of transverse bonds ETI/OHE/G/05251 3. Connection of R.C. to track ETI/OHE/G/05306 4. Structure bonds ETI/OHE/P/7000 5. Earthing station ETI/OHE/P/7020 6. Longitudinal rail bonds ETI/OHE/P/7030 INDIAN RAILWAYS – AC TRACTION MANUAL – VOL II PART II