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1 Part A Purpose These instructions set out the actions to be taken to avoid danger from the presence of DC electrified lines or the process to be followed to determine the actions to be taken to avoid such danger. Scope The requirements of this document apply to those parts of Railtrack PLC (known as Railtrack) controlled infrastructure equipped with DC electrified lines, except for the Liverpool area, the Northern City Lines and the Tyne and Wear Sunderland extension which are covered by the following clause. Specific Detailed Local Instructions Working Instructions for the DC Electrified Lines in the Liverpool Area Northern City Lines Working Instructions for DOO(P) Working Instructions for 1500V DC Electrified Lines between Pelaw Junction and South Hylton Railtrack must publish the above instructions and must seek approval from Railway Safety prior to implementation of the instructions and subsequently prior to implementation of any changes to them. Railtrack must make the instructions available to train operating companies. Railtrack and train operating companies must follow the requirements of these instructions. Compliance The requirements of this document must be complied with on and from 1 December The requirements of Issue 2 April 1998 must be complied with until that date. Page 1

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3 Part B Contents Instruction Instruction Title Page Number Number Glossary 4 Description 11 1 Responsibilities 13 2 Danger from live conductor rail equipment 14 3 Communications with the electrical control operator 15 4 Numbering of formal messages 16 5 Identifying the location of an unusual incident or occurrence 16 6 Switching off electricity in emergency and rescue of persons 16 7 Short circuiting bars applied in an emergency 20 8 Clearance for collector shoes on both sides of the track 21 9 Short circuits Damage to and interference with electrical equipment Bonds and traction return circuit Operation of switches and local circuit breakers Flooding of the track Ice or snow on the conductor rail Visual examination of trains or vehicles Movement of an electric train between live and isolated sections Work on or about DC electrified lines Methods for isolating the conductor rail equipment Planned isolation Isolation alterations Isolations associated with the Rule Book Section T (Part iii) - positioning 43 of possession limit boards 22 Local isolation Temporary isolation Protective switch out Machine switch out 48 Conductor Rail Permit 53 Isolation Form 55 Page 3

4 Glossary Abutting sections Bond Those sections additionally switched off to minimise the risk of reenergisation of Emergency isolated section. An electrical connection in the conductor rail, the running rail traction return circuit or in a signalling track circuit, such as: Continuity bond (traction) A bond across the gap in the traction return rails at points and crossings. Cross bond (traction) A bond between the traction return rails of the same track or adjacent tracks. Expansion gap bond A flexible bond across a gap between two lengths of welded conductor rails. Impedance bond A device which, whilst allowing the traction return current to flow freely, so impedes the flow of track circuit current as virtually to separate two track circuits one from another. Rail joint bond A bond across the joint between two running rails. Transposition bond (traction) A bond connecting two traction return current rails where the traction return current rail changes from one side of the track to the other. Caution notice Circuit A warning notice attached to a track isolating switch. An arrangement of conductors and electrical equipment connected to a source of electricity supply. Open circuit The condition applying when a circuit is incomplete, as by the opening of a switch or by the omission of a connection in the circuit, thus preventing electric current from flowing. Short circuit The introduction of a path of low resistance to the flow of electric current between conductors which are connected to a source of electricity supply or between a live conductor rail and a traction return rail. This will generally cause the electricity to be switched off by the action of circuit breakers. Page 4

5 Circuit breaker A switch arranged to open automatically when a current above a predetermined value flows through it and which can be operated by the Electrical Control Operator (ECO). Protected circuit breaker A circuit breaker opened by the ECO to provide a point of isolation as part of a planned isolation and closed first by the ECO at the end of the isolation. Note: If inadvertently reclosed prior to the cancellation of the conductor rail permit(s), the protected circuit breaker would trip automatically due to the presence of a short circuiting strap, referred to as the key strap. Unprotected circuit breaker A circuit breaker opened by the ECO to provide a point of isolation as part of a planned isolation and closed following the successful closure of the protected circuit breaker or protected controlled device. Collector shoe Competent person Comprehensive track feeding diagram Conductor rail Conductor Rail Equipment (CRE) A device fixed to electric trains, which bears down on the conductor rail and collects the traction current. A person who has been passed as being qualified and having the required knowledge and skills to carry out a particular rule, regulation, instruction or procedure. An isolation diagram with additional information showing bridges, platforms, tunnels and other significant features. A rail supported on insulators, located on the outside of one of the running rails and through which electricity is supplied to electric trains. The conductor rail together with items connected to it. Conductor rail permit A form of authority signed and issued by an Isolation Agent (IA) to a person in charge of a group working on, or near to, conductor rail equipment in accordance with a planned isolation. The purpose of the form is to make known to the person in charge exactly which equipment has been made electrically safe to allow work to commence. The issue of a conductor rail permit does not mean that train movements have been stopped on the lines concerned and, where necessary, such arrangements must be made. Controlled device A track isolating switch or isolator which can be operated by the ECO. Page 5

6 Protected controlled device A controlled device opened by the ECO to provide a point of isolation as part of a planned isolation and closed first by the ECO at the end of the isolation. Note: If inadvertently reclosed prior to the cancellation of the conductor rail permit(s), a circuit breaker would trip automatically due to the presence of a short circuiting strap, referred to as the key strap. Unprotected controlled device A controlled device opened by the ECO to provide a point of isolation as part of a planned isolation and closed following the successful closure of the protected circuit breaker or protected controlled device. Electrical Control The person having control of the power supply to the electric traction Operator (ECO) system and who is responsible for all switching operations, isolations and switch outs and is certificated as competent in these duties. Electrical Control The location of the apparatus for the remote control of the equipment Room (ECR) associated with the electric traction system, and the staff who operate it. Electrical control room instructions Specific instructions describing the procedures to be adopted by the ECO in the carrying out of their duties, and the actions to be taken in particular circumstances. Electrical equipment Includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use to generate, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure, or use electrical energy. Electric train Electro-diesel Emergency Isolated section An electrically powered train or locomotive having collector shoes through which traction current is collected from the conductor rail. A traction unit that has the ability to be moved under either electric or diesel power. The area isolated in an emergency, not including abutting sections. Formal message Guard boarding Insulated troughing A message passed between the ECO and another person when carrying out the tasks in these instructions. Protective boarding placed alongside one or both sides of the conductor rail at certain locations. A conductor rail trough cover, shroud or insulated shield. Page 6

7 Insulation Insulator Isolated Isolation Material which offers extremely high resistance to the passage of electricity. A component constructed of insulation material to separate the live parts of the circuit from each other or from earth. Electrical equipment is isolated when it is disconnected and separated from all sources of electricity supply in a secure way. Isolation is the action of causing an electrical section(s) or subsection(s) of the conductor rail equipment to be isolated. Emergency isolation An isolation provided in circumstances when it is essential to switch off the electricity supply without delay. Local isolation An isolation performed locally by a person having local control over train movements. Planned isolation An isolation requested for planned work. Temporary isolation An isolation requested for short term localised activities as defined in these instructions. Isolation Agent (IA) Isolation diagram Isolation Form (IF) The person identified as being responsible for the isolation arrangements on site and who is trained and certificated to issue and cancel a conductor rail permit. A diagram denoting the DC electrified lines, the CRE sectioning and feeding arrangements together with signal and point numbers. A form prepared in advance of the work giving details of the planned isolation. Isolation instructions Instructions concerning electrical switching, limits of working and limits of isolations, which are kept (where applicable) at ECRs, stations, depots and signal boxes. Live Machine switch out Method of working Being at a voltage by being connected to a source of electricity or by induction. The switching off of a section for machine working as defined in these instructions. A statement for the purpose of demonstrating that safety is not prejudiced. Page 7

8 Method statement On or about Operations control(ler) Paddle Point of isolation Protective switch out Railtrack Railtrack controlled infrastructure Railtrack zone Return circuit Safe working limits Section A statement in a required format of the methods, systems, tools, plant and equipment and competence to be used in performing a particular task, for the purpose of demonstrating that safety is not prejudiced. On or so near to the CRE that danger may arise. The general term applied to Railtrack zonal control(ler). An insulated device for lifting a collector shoe clear of the conductor rail. An open circuit breaker, controlled device or switch used to effect an isolation. The switching off of a section for specific work activities as defined in these instructions. The organisation owning and controlling the railway infrastructure. As defined in Railtrack s Railway Safety Case. One of the geographical sub-divisions of Railtrack. The traction return rail(s), associated cables through which electricity flows from the electric train back to the substation and, at a few locations, a fourth rail which is electrically connected to the traction return rail(s) and normally located between the running rails. The limits within which it is safe to work. A length of conductor rail or conductor rails which can be switched off by the operation of circuit breakers. Sub-section Part of a section, which can be switched off by the operation of switches. Section gap Short circuiting device The point where one section ends and the next one commences. Fixed short circuiting device A fixed switch or other device specifically designed to connect, when operated, the conductor rail and the traction return rail(s) to prevent the conductor rail being inadvertently made live during a planned isolation. A locally operated fixed short circuiting device may be used in place of a short circuiting strap. Page 8

9 Key strap A short circuiting strap or locally operated fixed short circuiting device protecting an identified circuit breaker (the protected circuit breaker) or identified controlled device (the protected controlled device) within a planned isolation. Machine mounted short circuiting device A machine mounted fixed switch or other device specifically designed to connect, when operated, the conductor rail and the traction return rail(s) to prevent the conductor rail being inadvertently made live during a machine switch out. Short circuiting bar A device for electrically connecting a conductor rail to an adjacent traction return rail in an emergency, during the application of short circuiting straps as part of a planned or local isolation, or during a temporary isolation. Short circuiting strap A device for electrically connecting a conductor rail to the traction return rail(s) during a planned or local isolation. Site of work Sleeve A designated area where a group are carrying out work under agreed protection arrangements. Orange sleeve A sleeve fitted to prevent inadvertent operation of a normally closed hook switch that has been opened. White sleeve A sleeve fitted to prevent inadvertent operation of a normally open hook switch. Substation Switch A building or compound containing electrical equipment which supplies electricity to conductor rails and for other purposes. This may also contain electrical equipment to which high voltage supplies from the electricity supply authority are connected and from which other substations are fed. A device for opening or closing an electrical circuit, for example: Hook switch A switch attached to the conductor rail, which enables a sub-section of conductor rail to be electrically separated from another sub-section of conductor rail. Track isolating switch A switch located alongside the track, enclosed in a locked housing, which enables a sub-section of conductor rail to be electrically separated from another sub-section of conductor rail. Page 9

10 Switched off Switching station Testing device Electrical equipment is switched off when it is disconnected and separated from all sources of electricity supply. A building or compound containing electrical equipment to which high voltage supplies from the electricity supply authority are connected and from which substations are fed. An insulated probe or test lamp which, when applied between the conductor rail and the traction return rail, will indicate if the conductor rail is live. Track paralleling hut A building containing electrical equipment, which is arranged to connect together electrically a number of sections of conductor rail. Traction current The flow of electricity from a substation to an electric train via the conductor rail and back to the substation via the return circuit. Traction return rail(s) The running rail(s) used for traction current purposes. Zonal Electrification The Railtrack zone director s nominated representative competent and Plant Engineer in electrification and plant engineering, or their appointed agent. (ZEPE) Page 10

11 DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM SYSTEM OF ELECTRIFICATION The DC system of electrification has conductor rails at a nominal voltage of 650V/750V DC mounted on sleepers in addition to the two running rails. SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY Electricity is supplied by electricity supply authorities at between 11,000V and 66,000V AC to trackside switching stations or substations. The switching stations and substations are interconnected by high voltage cables which are generally laid in troughing, supported by hangers or buried in the ground. THE ELECTRIC TRACTION CIRCUIT At each substation, transformers and rectifiers convert the AC high voltage supply to DC, which is fed via circuit breakers and ground level insulated cables to the conductor rails. Traction current is collected from the conductor rails by collector shoes on each train. After passing through the electrical equipment on the train, the traction current is returned to the substations through the axles and wheels and one or both of the running rails. The latter are connected to the substations by insulated cables. At some locations an additional rail is used to provide an adequate traction current return circuit. This rail is normally mounted on the sleepers between the running rails and bonded to one or both of the running rails. However, in certain situations this rail may be mounted on the sleeper ends on the opposite side to the conductor rail. Track paralleling huts are located at intermediate points between substations and connect sections of conductor rail together through circuit breakers. All substations, track paralleling huts and switching stations are unattended and are kept closed and locked. All the switchgear in these buildings is remotely controlled from an ECR. Each ECR is continuously staffed under the supervision of an ECO. CONDUCTOR RAIL ARRANGEMENTS The conductor rail is supported on insulators mounted on the sleepers outside the running rails. Gaps are provided in the conductor rail at points and crossings, at some train stop or signal positions, at track crossings, and at other locations for sectioning purposes. Where a gap is provided (for purposes other than sectioning) the conductor rails on each side of the gap are connected by an insulated jumper cable. Ramps are provided at various locations to facilitate the smooth passage of the collector shoes. SECTIONING The conductor rail system is divided into sections. Each section is fed through one or more circuit breakers in a substation or track paralleling hut. Each circuit breaker is arranged to open automatically in the event of an electrical fault on the section concerned. These circuit breakers are under the control of the ECO, and can be opened or closed remotely. Page 11

12 Each section is divided into sub-sections by switches, which can be manually operated but may be motorised for remote operation. These switches are either located adjacent to, or mounted directly on, the conductor rail and suitably connected by insulated cable. In consequence, a sub-section of conductor rail can be switched off in case of a fault or for maintenance purposes whilst the electricity supply to other sections and sub-sections is maintained. The sectioning arrangements are shown on isolation documentation, appropriate copies of which are kept at Railtrack Operations Control, signal boxes, ECRs and other necessary locations. Page 12

13 1. RESPONSIBILITIES 1.1 Employers must ensure that method statements are produced for persons working on or about DC electrified lines, which must include the precautions to be taken to prevent the risk of electric shock. 1.2 All persons required to work on or about the DC electrified lines must be competent to do so and must work in accordance with the method statements applicable to the tasks they are to undertake. 1.3 Employers must ensure that their employees and contractors engaged by them, who are required to be on or about DC electrified lines such that danger may arise, are trained in and, where required, certificated in the use of these instructions. The employer must ensure that all such persons: (c) (d) (e) understand the instructions relating to their personal safety understand the instructions relating to obtaining an emergency isolation understand which other of these instructions applies specifically to them make themselves acquainted with these instructions, and understand that they will be held responsible for the observance of these instructions. 1.4 Operations Controllers, ECOs and Signallers/signal box supervisors having responsibilities associated with DC electrified lines must have access to a copy of these instructions when on duty. 1.5 There are some circumstances where DC electrified lines are supplied with electricity by Railtrack but which are not part of Railtrack controlled infrastructure such as depots, sheds and sidings. In these circumstances, the appropriate Railtrack zone must provide train operators, or other organisations responsible for the production of safe systems of work, with information on the risks from DC electrified lines and the measures taken by Railtrack to mitigate such risks on Railtrack controlled infrastructure. 1.6 The appropriate Railtrack zone must take the lead in sharing best practice on DC electrified lines controlled by Railtrack and on DC electrified lines supplied with electricity by Railtrack but controlled by train operators or other organisations. 1.7 The appropriate Railtrack zone must take the lead in the development and coordination of safe systems of work, at the electrical interfaces between DC electrified lines controlled by Railtrack and DC electrified lines supplied with electricity by Railtrack but controlled by train operators or other organisations. 1.8 The appropriate Railtrack zone must accept local isolation instructions produced by train operators or other organisations that interface with or affect Railtrack controlled infrastructure. Page 13

14 2. DANGER FROM LIVE CONDUCTOR RAIL EQUIPMENT 2.1 All conductor rail equipment (CRE) must be regarded as being live and dangerous to life at all times except where: (c) it has been isolated and a conductor rail permit issued, or other assurance has been received, as defined in these instructions, or in emergency, an assurance has been received from the ECO that it has been made safe (see instruction 6). 2.2 It is dangerous to: (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) step on, touch or allow clothing, tools or any equipment being carried to touch the CRE, or step upon the conductor rail guard boarding, or put a foot between the conductor rail and the adjacent running rail, or touch broken or displaced CRE, or allow any object to come into contact with the CRE, or direct a jet of water or any other liquid at or onto the CRE, or touch the collector shoes or their connections on any train whether or not the collector shoes are touching the conductor rail, or step into flood water, which may be in contact with the conductor rail. 2.3 Cables running alongside and crossing under the lines must be assumed to be live. They and their protective troughing must not be interfered with. 2.4 Traction return current passing through the running rails is not dangerous to life, but care must be taken not to touch the running rails at the same time as any other adjacent metalwork not directly connected to the running rails. 2.5 When traincrew are to be conducted over DC electrified lines, the person conducting them must advise them of the presence and danger of the conductor rail. Page 14

15 3. COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL OPERATOR 3.1 The ECO can be contacted directly by radio or telephone on the numbers shown in the following table or by Electrification telephone. Electrical Control Room (ECR) Radio Calling Code NRN Band III * Short Code # ETD Numbers PSTN Telephone Numbers Brighton Canterbury Eastleigh Lewisham Paddock Wood Raynes Park Romford Selhurst Willesden * If busy use P button to obtain priority call. # Only to be used in an electrical emergency. Not implemented over the complete ECR area. Page 15

16 3.2 The ECO must arrange for the direct telephone communication links and priority dialling systems between the ECR and Operations Control, and between the ECR and the appropriate signal boxes, to be tested each day. The test must be reciprocated by Operations Control and the appropriate signal boxes. Details of the tests must be recorded in the ECR log, the signal box train register and the Operations Control log. 4. NUMBERING OF FORMAL MESSAGES 4.1 The number of each formal message to or from the ECO must be identified by the ECO as the time of its dispatch or receipt expressed as a four figure number in terms of the 24 hour clock in the ECR, where 2400 is midnight and 0001 is one minute past midnight. Thus, a message dispatched or received at 1815 hours would be identified as: IDENTIFYING THE LOCATION OF AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT OR OCCURRENCE 5.1 Any person reporting an unusual incident or occurrence on an electrified line must state: (c) (d) (e) their name, job title and employer the lines concerned the location, eg nearest bridge, station, signal or other structure, or the mileage the identity of any telephone or radio being used, to enable communication to be re-established if required, and that the message must be repeated by the recipient. 6. SWITCHING OFF ELECTRICITY IN EMERGENCY AND RESCUE OF PERSONS 6.1 Procedure for getting the electricity switched off in an emergency Any person becoming aware of a derailment, mishap or other emergency requiring or likely to require the electricity to be switched off must use the most convenient means to contact the ECO or must arrange for this to be done. Any person receiving a message regarding such an emergency must relay all the information received without delay to the ECO, adding details of their own name, job title, employer and location Train crews must, however, when any line other than that on which their train is standing is obstructed, make sure that such line is protected in accordance with Rule Book Section M (Part i), before asking for the electricity to be switched off. Also, a Signaller becoming aware of an emergency must carry out the appropriate Regulations before asking for the electricity to be switched off. Page 16

17 6.1.3 If contact cannot be made with the ECO directly or via an intermediary, an approved short circuiting bar may be applied by a competent person to the section of conductor rail concerned in accordance with instruction 7. The ECO must be advised of the emergency as soon as possible afterwards. The CRE must be considered to be live until an assurance in accordance with clause has been obtained from the ECO The person on site reporting an emergency and any person receiving such a message, when passing it on to the ECO, must state: (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) that this is an emergency call their name, job title, and employer where they are speaking from, and the location of the incident and details of the lines concerned why the request to have the electricity supply switched off is being made whether any person is in danger from contact with the CRE whether emergency services (Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Police) are waiting to render assistance whether short circuiting bars have been applied, and that the message must be repeated by the recipient The ECO must decide, on the information given, whether to initiate an emergency isolation or to take other action as may be necessary The person on site reporting the emergency to the ECO must remain in communication with the ECO, or if reporting via an intermediary remain in communication with the intermediary, until assured that the electricity supply has been switched off and the CRE made safe to touch, or other alternative arrangements have been made by the ECO. Any person relaying information to the ECO must remain in communication with the ECO until such an assurance has been received. The CRE must not be approached or touched until such an assurance has been received except when a person is in immediate danger from live CRE when the procedure in clause 6.2 must be followed If the ECO decides to initiate an emergency isolation the ECO must immediately open circuit breakers to isolate the appropriate sections and abutting sections and take action to prevent them being reclosed. The CRE may be isolated by the ECO without first arranging for a blockage to electric trains. Page 17

18 6.1.8 If the ECO decides to initiate an emergency isolation but has already received an assurance that: the Signaller has protected the required section(s), and that no electric trains are standing across the section gaps, the ECO may omit the switching off of the abutting sections subject to: (i) (ii) no normally open manually operated switches capable of connecting any source of supply being present in the section(s) unless the status of the switch is indicated in the ECR, or the section(s) having separate indication of the conductor rail status (track live indication) and this having been checked in accordance with the ECR instructions Except as under clause 6.1.8, when the CRE has been isolated, the ECO must advise the Operations Controller/signal box supervisor/signaller controlling the sections that have been isolated. The ECO must state the point beyond which electric trains must not be allowed to run and must obtain an assurance from the Operations Controller/signal box supervisor/signaller that no electric train will be allowed to or from the emergency isolated section When a line has been blocked for electric trains but remains open for other trains, the Signaller controlling access to the emergency isolation must either ensure that any approaching train is not equipped with collector shoes, or must obtain from the Driver an assurance that the collector shoes are in the raised position and isolated. If a section is isolated when a train is standing within it, then the Signaller controlling the exit from the isolated section must ensure that any train requiring to leave the isolated section is not equipped with collector shoes, unless the Signaller has been given an assurance by the Driver that the collector shoes are in the raised position and isolated The person who directly contacts the ECO as described in clause must be made aware of the extent of the emergency isolated section. The ECO must decide to whom the emergency isolation is to be initially granted and that person must be known as the person in charge of the emergency isolation. The person in charge of the emergency isolation is responsible for advising the ECO when re-energisation may take place and should ideally be the person on site who required the electricity to be switched off. However, the ECO may take this responsibility until the ECO can hand over to a responsible person on site. The person directly contacting the ECO, if not on site, must relay information from the ECO to site as appropriate. The person in charge of the emergency isolation must make themselves known to the appropriate persons on site. When there is any doubt the name of the person in charge of the emergency isolation can be obtained from the ECO When emergency services are called, the person in charge of the emergency isolation must advise the incident officers of the emergency services of the presence of the CRE, and which parts of the CRE have been isolated. Page 18

19 6.2 Rescuing a casualty Should it be necessary to rescue a casualty, the person in charge of the emergency isolation must ensure that all concerned are kept clear of the CRE until an assurance is received that the electricity has been switched off and the CRE made safe to touch If it is not possible to have the electricity switched off immediately, the following precautions must be taken before touching any casualty. A person rescuing a casualty must: cover their hands with something which is dry and will not conduct electricity, such as an article of dry clothing, and stand on dry non-conducting material, such as dry clothing, wood, thick carpet, thick newspaper, or rubber If these precautions cannot be taken, the casualty must be moved clear with a dry rope or a dry wooden pole. Metal objects must not be used. 6.3 Managing an emergency isolation The ECO may switch on the abutting sections, subject to an assurance having been received that: (c) no trains are standing across the section gaps the Signaller has protected the emergency isolated section, and any normally open manually operated switches have been physically checked to ensure they are in the correct position. This check may be omitted for those switches where the status of the switch is indicated in the ECR, or where sections are fitted with separate indication of conductor rail status (track live indication) and this has been checked in accordance with the ECR instructions The Signaller must use reminder appliances and make an entry in the train register If it is necessary to shorten an emergency isolated section the ECO must, when requested and after consultation with the person in charge of the emergency isolation and the Operations Controller/signal box supervisor/signaller, arrange for this to be done, quoting, where appropriate, the section numbers. If emergency services are involved, the person in charge of the emergency isolation must confer with the incident officers of the emergency services concerning the revised arrangements for the emergency isolated section If, after a section has been isolated in an emergency, it is necessary to carry out any work on or adjacent to the CRE, a planned or temporary isolation must be initiated as appropriate and the work undertaken in accordance with instruction 17. Upon the establishment of the planned or temporary isolation the ECO must inform the person in charge of the emergency isolation that the person s responsibilities have ceased. Page 19

20 6.3.5 If the person in charge of the emergency isolation hands over to a relief, the person in charge of the emergency isolation must immediately advise the ECO of the change, and give the name, job title, and employer of the relief. The relief must also then confirm to the ECO that they are now the person in charge of the emergency isolation. 6.4 Cessation of emergency and reinstatement of electricity When the emergency is over and if no other arrangements have been made to make the CRE safe, the person in charge of the emergency isolation must obtain an assurance that all persons concerned have been warned that electricity to the emergency isolated section is about to be switched on and that they are clear of the CRE. The person in charge of the emergency isolation must also ensure that any short circuiting bars or materials used have been removed and placed clear of the CRE The person in charge of the emergency isolation must then give an assurance to the ECO that all persons, short circuiting bars, or any materials are clear of the CRE, and that the system may be restored to normal. The person must wait for any further instructions from the ECO If an emergency service has been in attendance at an incident, the ECO must obtain an assurance from Operations Control that all emergency services personnel are clear of the line The ECO must then carry out all necessary procedures to restore the system to normal, advising all persons concerned. Should it not be possible to restore the system to normal, the ECO must make such necessary arrangements as the circumstances dictate. 7. SHORT CIRCUITING BARS APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY 7.1 When it is not possible to use any other means to arrange for the electricity to be switched off quickly, short circuiting bars may be used by a competent person to switch off the electricity in any of the following circumstances: (c) (d) when it is apparent that a person is in danger through contact with the CRE, or for the protection of passengers alighting from a train stopped by failure or accident, or when a short circuit on a train cannot be isolated immediately and there is severe arcing, or as specified in a train operating companies instructions to traincrew Short circuiting bars must not be used where there is a guard board between the conductor rail and the adjacent running rail or where a yellow plastic shroud is fitted to the underside of the conductor rail. 7.3 If short circuiting bars are not provided or cannot be used, an emergency isolation must be requested. Page 20

21 7.4 The application of a short circuiting bar results in the de-energisation of the conductor rail to which the short circuiting bar has been applied. Other conductor rails in the vicinity must be considered live until an assurance has been given by the ECO that they have been switched off. 7.5 When a short circuiting bar is used on any line, care must be taken to ensure there is no conductor rail section gap between the point of application and the section of conductor rail, which requires to be switched off. 7.6 When a short circuiting bar has been applied, it must be left in position making effective contact between the conductor rail and running rail. 7.7 Immediately after applying a short circuiting bar the person must advise the ECO in accordance with instruction When advised that a short circuiting bar has been applied, the ECO must not attempt to switch on the electricity. The ECO must also make arrangements to prevent electric trains bridging section gaps and making the conductor rail live. 7.9 The short circuiting bar must only be removed when it is safe to do so and with the agreement of the ECO. The ECO must be advised when a short circuiting bar has been removed and the location where it was applied, so that arrangements can be made for the conductor and running rails to be inspected. 8. CLEARANCE FOR COLLECTOR SHOES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRACK 8.1 In addition to the Rule Book requirements, tools, equipment and other material must not be placed higher than the tops of the running rails for a width of 600 mm (two feet) from the running rail on each side of the track. 9. SHORT CIRCUITS 9.1 Any short circuit caused while working on the track must be reported immediately to the ECO by the person in charge. 9.2 When the CRE of a section of line has been switched off by the automatic operation of a circuit breaker, the ECO will immediately attempt to switch on the CRE in accordance with the ECR instructions. 9.3 If it is not possible to switch on the CRE, the ECO must advise the Operations Controller/signal box supervisor/signaller. The Operations Controller/signal box supervisor/ Signaller must, in conjunction with the ECO, make the necessary arrangements to establish the cause of the short circuit. Any train in the section of line concerned must be examined and, unless the Operations Controller/signal box supervisor/signaller is satisfied that the fault is in the electrical equipment of a train, arrangements must be made for the line to be examined. The conductor rail must be regarded as being live during this process as the ECO may make subsequent attempts to switch on the electricity. Any object causing the short circuit must only be removed under the protection of an appropriate isolation. Page 21

22 9.4 If the affected section of line passes through a tunnel, the person examining the line must advise the ECO before entering the tunnel. The person examining the line must advise the ECO when clear of the tunnel and, until such advice is received, no attempt must be made by the ECO to switch on the CRE. 10. DAMAGE TO AND INTERFERENCE WITH ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 10.1 Conductor rail equipment The following incidents must be reported immediately to the ECO: any damage to CRE, or any burning, welding, smoking or excessive flashing (except normal sparking caused by a passing electric train) All persons must exercise vigilance to prevent interference with the CRE High voltage cables Work which is likely to affect high voltage cables must be carried out in accordance with Railtrack zone instructions Fixed installations must not be erected on or immediately adjacent to, or excavation carried out within 1 metre (3 feet) of, cable routes without the agreement of the appropriate Railtrack zone Tools, loose materials, ballast, rubbish, coal, ashes etc. must be kept clear of cables and cable routes. Special care must be taken when unloading materials and equipment Associated equipment and cables other than high voltage cables Any of the following incidents must be reported immediately to the ECO: (c) damage to cables, cable routes or associated equipment, or flashover or blowouts associated with electrical failures heard or noticed in cable routes, substations, switching stations, and track paralleling huts, or the presence of oil outflow from cable routes, or any leakage of oil from cable oil tanks, quoting the cable number and oil point letter which are painted on the oil tank Road rail vehicles Precautions must be taken to prevent damage to the CRE and high voltage cables when accessing or egressing Railtrack controlled infrastructure with a road/rail vehicle. Page 22

23 10.5 Hook switch sleeves, track isolating switch caution notices and padlocks The Railtrack zone concerned must have a process in place to ensure that any damage to, or displacement of, hook switch sleeves, track isolating switch caution notices or track isolating switch padlocks is reported immediately to the ECO. 11. BONDS AND TRACTION RETURN CIRCUIT 11.1 Work on the running rails involving the disconnection of any bonds affecting the continuity of the traction return circuit must be undertaken only in accordance with the method statements accepted by the Railtrack zone concerned The reporting and repair of defective bonds found during the course of electrification maintenance activities must be in accordance with the method statements accepted by the Railtrack zone concerned Except as defined in clause 11.5, any bond found to be broken or defective under any other circumstances must be reported immediately to the ECO, identifying the bond and location. The ECO must initiate arrangements for corrective action to be taken in accordance with Railtrack zone instructions Any electrical discontinuity of the running rail, such as a broken or parted rail, must be reported immediately to the Signaller who must advise the ECO Any planned changes to the permanent way, to the continuity of any bonds or any part of the traction return circuit must be planned so that the integrity of the traction return circuit is not compromised. The planning process must take account of the requirements of these instructions. 12. OPERATION OF SWITCHES AND LOCAL CIRCUIT BREAKERS 12.1 Except under the circumstances stated in clause 12.9, local circuit breakers and switches must only be operated by competent persons after receiving authority from the ECO The ECO must give instructions as to which switches must be opened or closed and the order in which they must be operated. The ECO must be informed immediately when the switches have been operated Except under the circumstances stated in clause 12.4, a switch must only be operated with the traction current switched off. The ECO must switch off the traction current before giving instructions to operate the switch and only switch on the traction current once an assurance has been received that the switch has been operated to the required position In any of the following circumstances, and then only with the authority of the ECO, a competent person may operate a switch while the associated conductor rail is switched on: in connection with a planned isolation or machine switch out when the line has already been blocked to electric trains, or Page 23

24 (c) (d) (e) in terminal end platforms or single ended sidings when any electric trains have been isolated or there are no electric trains present, or if the switch solely provides the supply to the immediate conductor rails and the competent person has given an assurance that no electric trains are present along the length of the conductor rail, or where the ECO has opened circuit breakers to minimise traction current through the switch, or the operation of a section gap switch where a parallel traction current path exists Only approved tools must be used to operate a switch and its locking device A switch must be fully opened or closed and properly clamped by the locking device(s). An open switch does not indicate that either the conductor rail or the cable to which it is attached is switched off. Parts of the switch may remain live A normally open hook switch must have a white sleeve fitted to the switch to prevent inadvertent operation A track isolating switch must be enclosed and kept locked to prevent unauthorised interference. A normally open track isolating switch must have a caution notice fitted to prevent inadvertent operation At certain yards and sidings, local circuit breakers or switches are provided, and these must only be operated by competent persons in accordance with local instructions. 13. FLOODING OF THE TRACK 13.1 Persons must take care not to step into flood water when it is in contact with the conductor rail as it may be electrically charged Any person becoming aware that flood water is in contact with or is likely to come into contact with the conductor rail must report the situation by the quickest possible means to the ECO stating the depth and extent of flooding. Any subsequent change in conditions must be promptly reported. The ECO must decide whether it is necessary to switch off the affected section. 14. ICE OR SNOW ON THE CONDUCTOR RAIL 14.1 Operations Control must be advised immediately in the event of heavy snow or the formation of ice on the conductor rail surface, which may cause difficulty in the operation of electric trains. Any other special instructions concerning winter arrangements must be observed. Page 24

25 15. VISUAL EXAMINATION OF TRAINS OR VEHICLES 15.1 Trains or vehicles can be safely examined visually provided the live CRE is not approached closer than 300 mm. However, if severe arcing has occurred, the traction current must be switched off before the examination is carried out Repairs on electrical or mechanical equipment on vehicles must be carried out in accordance with instruction MOVEMENT OF AN ELECTRIC TRAIN BETWEEN LIVE AND ISOLATED SECTIONS 16.1 Before an electric train or electro-diesel is moved to a live section from an isolated section, or vice versa, the Driver must ensure all collector shoes are isolated or secured clear of the conductor rail If it is necessary for assistance to be provided for the movement of an electric train or electro-diesel into, through or from a section of line blocked to electric trains, the Driver of the electric train or electro-diesel must ensure all collector shoes are isolated or secured clear of the conductor rail and advise the Driver of the assisting train when this has been done. The collector shoes must remain isolated or secured clear of the conductor rail throughout the movement. 17. WORK ON OR ABOUT DC ELECTRIFIED LINES 17.1 Assessment and management of risk before attempting work Before any work is carried out on or about the DC electrified lines, the proposed work must be subjected to a risk assessment in relation to the danger from exposed live parts of electrical equipment. For the purpose of this instruction only, electrical equipment is defined as CRE, collector shoes (whether or not in contact with the conductor rail) and other exposed electrical equipment on trains Work more than 300 mm from the exposed live parts of the electrical equipment Where the risk assessment shows that the work is unlikely to result in any part of a person s body or clothing or anything to be used coming within 300 mm of any exposed live parts of the electrical equipment, or to the vertical space above (see the shaded area in the example given in figure 1 below), a written method of working must be prepared by a competent person. The competent person must be a member of an organisation holding a valid Railway Safety Case or a valid Railtrack Contractor Assurance Case. Page 25

26 300mm 300mm 300mm Figure 1 - Example showing the dimensions for working relative to a live conductor rail The competent person must establish how it is intended to carry out the work without coming within 300 mm of any exposed live parts of the electrical equipment, or into the vertical space above The competent person must take into account: (c) a description of the access to, nature and situation of the proposed work the tools, materials, plant, appliances and liquids to be used, and the competence and responsibilities of the persons involved in the proposed work The competent person must also establish the control measures to be taken, some typical examples of which are given below: (c) (d) ensuring sufficient distance is added to the 300mm to allow for inadvertent movement providing or indicating a suitable demarcation line defining the area within which the work must be carried out not attaching detonators to the running rail adjacent to the conductor rail unless guard boarding is fitted, and not placing on, or removing from, the track portable trolleys or other trackmounted equipment at any location adjacent to a live conductor rail The competent person must not authorise the method of working unless the probability of any part of a person s body or clothing or anything being used coming within 300mm of exposed live parts of the electrical equipment is negligible If the probability is not negligible, the competent person must consider what additional control measures are required by using the process in clause Page 26