List of standardisation for installations in railway infrastructure

Standards in the rail sector perform several important functions. Standards make sure that all components and systems function safely and reliably. Standards also ensure that different parts and systems are compatible with each other. This makes it easier to maintain and replace components.

The following overview lists standards, directives and regulations that are particularly important for system operators in railway technology.

Signalling and control systems

Lightning and surge protection of control and signalling systems is based on the following standards:

  • IEC 62364-4-44, clause 443
    Protection against transient overvoltages
  • IEC 60364-4-44
    Protection against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances
  • IEC 62364-5-53, clause 534
    Devices for protection against transient overvoltages
  • IEC 60364-5-54
    Earthing arrangements and protective conductors
  • EN 50124-1
    Railway applications - Insulation coordination
  • EN 50174-2
    Cabling installation

Power supply – basic principles of the guideline group is based on the following standards:

  • DIN VDE 0100-410
    Protection for safety; protection against electric shock
  • IEC 60364-4-44
    Protection against voltage disturbances
  • IEC 60364-5-51
    Selection and erection of electrical equipment
  • IEC 60364-5-54
    Earthing arrangements and protective conductors 
  • EN 50122-1
    Railway applications - Protective provisions against electric shock
  • EN 50178
    Electronic equipment for use in power installations
  • IEC 62305 
    Lightning protection standards
  • DIN EN 0800
    Telecommunications and information technology
  • DIN EN 0831
    Electric signalling systems for railways

Lightning protection for buildings

Electrical energy systems and protection against electric shock is based on the following standards:

  • IEC 62305 
    Lightning protection standards
  • EC 62364-4-44, clause 443
    Protection against transient overvoltages
  • IEC 60364-4-44
    Protection against electromagnetic disturbances
  • IEC 60364-5-51
    Common rules
  • IEC 60364-5-52
    Wiring systems
  • DIN VDE 0100-530
    Switchgear and controlgear
  • IEC 62364-5-53, clause 534
    Devices for protection against transient overvoltages
  • IEC 60364-5-54
    Earthing arrangements and protective conductors
  • DIN VDE 0101
    Power installations exceeding 1 kV
  • DIN VDE 0110
    Insulation co-ordination for equipment

Overhead contact line systems

997.02 Current return circuits, railway earthing and equipotential bonding
D997.0204 Planning of railway earthing systems
D997.0205 Installation of railway earthing systems

997.03 Supply and switching of the overhead contact line
997.0301 Overhead contact line system, planning the supply and switching of the overhead contact line

The content is based on the following standards:
EN 50122-1 Railway applications - Protective provisions against electric shock

Voltage-limiting devices and surge protection

  • EN 50526-1
    Surge arresters
  • EN 50526-2
    Voltage limiting devices
  • EN 50526-3
    Application guide for surge arresters and voltage limiting devices 

VDV 525 This application guide for surge arresters and voltage limiting devices (VLD) is based on the following standards:

  • EN 50122-1
    Railway applications - Protective provisions against electric shock
  • EN 50122-2
    Railway applications - Provisions against the effects of stray currents 
  • EN 50124-2
    Overvoltages and related protection
  • EN 60099-4
    Metal-oxide surge arresters without gaps for a.c. systems 
  • IEC 62305 
    Lightning protection standards

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