AC electrified lines Flashcards
What is a bi-mode train?
A train that can either provide its own tractive power, or take this from the electrification system on an ac electrified line.
Define a dual-voltage train.
A train that can operate on more than one electrification system.
What characterizes an electric train?
A train that takes its tractive power from the electrification system on an ac electrified line.
What is an emergency switch-off?
A procedure carried out by the electrical control operator (ECO) to immediately switch off the electrical supply when someone is in danger from live overhead line equipment (OLE).
What is an overhead line permit?
A permit issued by the nominated person (NP) that states what fixed infrastructure electrical equipment is isolated and earthed for safe work near OLE.
What is a self-powered train?
A train that provides its own tractive power.
What does sequential tripping refer to?
When consecutive electrical sections along a route trip, usually caused by a fault on a moving train.
True or False: You can approach the OLE without a permit if you are unsure whether it is live.
False.
What precautions must you take when working near OLE?
Ensure you and anything you are carrying are no nearer than 2.75 metres (9 feet) from live OLE unless specific conditions are met.
What should you do if you see anything that could damage the pantographs on your train?
Immediately lower the pantographs and stop the train as soon as possible.
List the items that must be reported to the ECO immediately.
- Objects touching the OLE
- Damage to the OLE
- OLE that is smoking or flashing
- Broken along-track conductors
- Damaged automatic power control (APC) track inductors
- A broken or parted rail
- A broken or defective bond.
What must you ensure when contacting the ECO?
State your name, job title, employer, line concerned, location, and identification number of the nearest OLE structure.
What actions should be taken in case of a lineside fire?
Immediately contact the ECO and report the incident.
What is the role of the person in charge of electrical emergency (PICEE)?
To manage the emergency switch-off and communicate with the ECO and emergency services.
What is required before you attempt to rescue a person near OLE?
The OLE must be isolated and earthed, and certain safety conditions must be met.
What does isolation of the OLE mean?
A section of OLE is isolated but must still be treated as live until an overhead line permit is issued.
Who is responsible for issuing an overhead line permit?
The designated person (DP) after ensuring that the OLE has been isolated and earthed.
Fill in the blank: A _______ train provides its own tractive power.
[self-powered train]
What is the minimum distance you must maintain from live OLE when not working?
2.75 metres (9 feet).
Who is responsible for issuing an overhead line permit?
DP
DP stands for Designated Person.
What must the NP ensure before handing over an overhead line permit?
The OLE has been isolated and earthed
OLE stands for Overhead Line Equipment.
What must be understood before signing the overhead line permit?
- The working limits on the overhead line permit
- Where live equipment is adjacent to, or crosses over, earthed equipment
- The issue of the overhead line permit does not mean that train movements are stopped
Understanding these conditions is critical for safety.
What should be done if the overhead line permit is lost?
Immediately tell the NP to arrange for a duplicate permit
A duplicate permit will be endorsed as ‘Duplicate’.
What must be ensured when work is suspended or completed?
All personnel and materials are removed from, and are no closer than 2.75 metres from, the OLE
This distance is crucial for safety.
What must be done when isolation is needed in the sidings?
Consult Operations Control or the signal box supervisor or signaller
Isolation procedures must follow local instructions.
What must be recorded when blocking sidings to electric trains?
The numbered message received from the ECO in Part 1 of Form AS
ECO stands for Electrical Control Officer.
What actions must be taken when the isolation is no longer needed?
- Arrange with the ECO to cancel the isolation
- Remove protection applied to the sidings
This process ensures the safe return to normal operations.
What must a signaller ensure before authorizing movement towards an isolated section?
The approach is protected by a possession limit board (PLB) and three detonators, 20 metres apart
This is to ensure safety during the movement of electric trains.
What must be done before moving an electric train to a non-electrified line?
Lower all pantographs
This procedure prevents damage to the OLE.
What are the requirements for a bi-mode train making a wrong-direction movement?
- Keep the APCO equipment isolated
- Lower all pantographs before reaching the end of the OLE
APCO stands for Automatic Pantograph Control Equipment.
What must a driver do if the line light goes out and the ADD has operated?
- Stop the train immediately
- Report the incident to the signaller
Quick action is necessary to ensure safety.
When can a train continue to a suitable location despite the line light going out?
If there is only one pantograph in use and it is on one of the first three vehicles, and other conditions are met
Conditions include no unusual movement or noises from the OLE.
What must a driver do if they notice damage to the OLE?
Stop the train and report the incident to the signaller
This ensures appropriate measures are taken to avoid accidents.
What should a driver do if the train cannot proceed due to pantograph damage?
Raise the pantograph to supply electrical power, ensuring no movement occurs
This allows for train heating and lighting while waiting for assistance.
What must a signaller do if tripping or a loss of line light is reported?
Stop the train involved or arrange for it to be stopped
This helps to prevent further incidents.
What must be done before leaving the train to check for damage?
Ensure there is no damaged OLE near the exit door
Safety is paramount when inspecting for damage.
Who is responsible for following the instructions after a report of a defect or tripping of the OLE?
Signaller
What must a signaller do if the ECO reports sequential tripping?
Stop the train involved or arrange for this to be done.
What should be done if a line light goes out or there is suspected damage to the OLE?
Protect any line that may be affected.
What information must the signaller obtain from the driver regarding the incident?
Whether the driver can provide information about the cause without leaving the train.
Under what conditions can a driver leave the train to examine for damage?
- It is daylight and visibility is clear
- No damage to the OLE has been confirmed
What must the signaller do if the driver reports damaged OLE near their exit?
The driver will stay in the train, and the signaller must inform the ECO.
What must be agreed upon before switching off the OLE?
The area affected by the emergency switch-off.
What should be done if evidence shows something other than a pantograph has contacted the OLE?
Visually examine the OLE immediately behind the train.
What must a signaller do if a driver reports a fault on the train?
Resume normal working unless there is damage to a pantograph.
What actions should be taken when resuming normal working after a tripping incident?
- Protect affected lines
- Understand the lines on which the OLE is to be examined
What is a bi-mode train’s operation protocol when the driver reports no damage?
Authorize movement if safe and inform the ECO.
When must the OLE be examined?
- Following a tripping of the OLE
- Examination requested by ECO
- Sequential tripping reported
- Driver reports ADD operation
- Damage reported involving a train
- Damage reported without a train
How should the OLE be examined if using a train?
Examine from the affected line or an adjacent line.
What speed must be maintained when examining the OLE from a train on an adjacent line?
Do not exceed 20 mph (30 km/h).
What must the driver ensure regarding obstructions while coasting under the OLE?
- Obstruction not more than 150 mm (6 inches) below contact wire
- Not more than two consecutive droppers have come off
- Object more than three OLE structures away from a tunnel or overbridge
What should the signaller do if it is found that trains cannot pass through the affected area?
Arrange for the OLE to be examined by OLE personnel.
What must be done if no object or defect is found during examination?
- Allow normal working to resume except for specified cases
- Instruct drivers to proceed at caution and not exceed 20 mph (30 km/h)
What must a responsible person establish upon arriving on site?
Whether trains can run safely through the affected area.
What is required before resuming normal working after OLE personnel examination?
Complete examination and confirmation of safety from OLE personnel.
What should the driver do if a pantograph is damaged and cannot be used?
Give assurance to the signaller that the damaged pantograph is clear of possible OLE contact.
When can a driver move a train with a damaged pantograph?
- OLE has been switched off and authority from OLE personnel is received
- Defect has been repaired or made safe
- Emergency situation
What instructions must a signaller give to the driver for coasting at 20 mph (30 km/h) with pantographs lowered?
- Lower pantographs in time
- Ensure pantographs are clear before raising
- Obey all signals on the DMI
What should a driver do if there is a problem with the OLE?
The driver must lower pantographs in time to ensure the train coasts through the affected area at no more than 20 mph (30 km/h)
The driver must also obey all signals or indications on the DMI.
What instructions does the signaller give regarding pantographs when there is an OLE problem?
The signaller instructs the driver to lower pantographs and not raise them until all pantographs on the train are clear of the affected area.
What are the conditions for using high-speed coasting?
Conditions include:
* Authority from a competent person
* Line must be clear throughout the affected area
* Electric train not planned to stop in the affected area
* No high wind conditions
* No poor visibility
What must a driver do before reaching the ‘lower pantograph’ sign?
The driver must lower all pantographs before reaching the ‘lower pantograph’ sign.
What speed is allowed when raising pantographs after passing the ‘raise pantograph’ sign?
Pantographs may be raised at any speed up to 80 mph (130 km/h) or higher if authorized by company instructions.
What should a driver do if they see missing or defective high-speed pantograph signs?
The driver must inform the signaller immediately after passing through the affected area.
What is the driver required to do if electrical equipment is overheating?
The driver must immediately lower all pantographs and stop the train.
What actions must be taken if an electric train is driven off the contact wire?
The incident must be reported to the ECO and the train must not be moved back under the OLE until a competent person has examined the pantographs.
What should a signaller do upon discovering a defective APC track inductor?
The signaller must report it to fault control and stop affected trains to instruct drivers to shut off power when passing through the neutral section.
What must a driver do when informed about a defective APC track inductor?
The driver must shut off power immediately before entering the neutral section.
What action should a signaller take upon discovering a defective APCO balise?
The signaller must report the defect to fault control and stop affected trains to instruct drivers to manually change to self-powered mode.
What must a driver ensure when informed about a defective APCO balise?
The driver must ensure to change to self-powered mode at the pantograph lower sign.
Fill in the blank: The driver must lower all pantographs on the train and keep the _______ equipment isolated until allowed to raise the pantograph.
APCO
True or False: Drivers may raise pantographs at any speed after passing the ‘do not raise pantograph’ sign.
False
1 Catenary wire 6 Structure bond
2 Dropper 7 Insulators
3 Contact wire 8 Mast or structure
4 Headspan wire 9 Structure number plate
5 Cross span wires 10 Along-track conductors
1) Lower Pantograph. 2) Raise Pantograph
1) Advance lower pantograph
2) Lower pantograph
3) Raise pantograph
4) Do not raise pantograph
