AUC 207 ADD 9 CATENARY WIRES ON AMTRAK RR LINES Flashcards
Pantograph
- Carriage assembly mounted above a locomotive
* Can be raised or lowered to make contact with catenary line
Catenary wires
- Overhead electrical wires
- 12,000 volts AC
- Retain residual power when power removed
- Residual removal requires class “A” to ground the catenary
Dual powered
- Can switch from one power to another
- Use diesel in rural areas
- Use electricity when entering the city
Grounding stick
A device that provides an electrical connection from the rail return circuit to the catenary circuit, used to protect personnel, equipment and property
Grounding switch
A device that provides an electrical connection from the rail return circuit to the catenary circuit, used to protect personnel, equipment and property
Voltage detecting device
A device used by the railroad Class “A” employee ( A Man) to detect alternating current (AC) Voltage. When the voltage detecting device is held against the catenary conductor ( by means of a long pole) it detects if the catenary conductor is energized or de-energized. This instrument will determine if a power source has been discontinued. It will NOT detect residual static current
Class “A” employee ( A Man)
An electric traction department employee of the railroad specially trained to work with high voltage
480 Volt Stand-by Power
Electrical power supplied to a standing train via a cable supplying 480 volts of AC power to operate the refrigeration, lighting, air conditioning, and any other incidental electrical equipment between runs. It is a heavy BLACK cable running below the platform between the tracks to the train in Penn Station. The power source for the 480 volt stand by power is independent of the catenary wires and third rail.
The application of water shall be considered only when
Power to the 3rd rail, 480 volt stand by, and catenary wires have been shut down. At this point there still is the possibility that residual static electricity is present in the catenary wires, pantograph and electrical components of the train
The application of a Fog water stream, after power has been removed from the catenary lines but before the residual static electricity has been removed by the railroad grounding the catenary wires shall be guided by the following
- Fog Nozzle in the Fog pattern position shall be used from a platform into the train avoiding any contact with the overhead electrical wires and the pantograph connection
- If conditions warrant a hand line using a fog stream can be operated from the adjacent platform directing water at the trains undercarriage, thus controlling fire and/or cooling the diesel fuel tank, maintaining its integrity
- Short bursts of fog water stream shall be utilized to avoid accumulations of water pooling. Run-off water presents an electrical hazard and officers shall make certain that firefighters are not standing in the path of run-off water
As noted in the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, tests conducted with various water spray nozzles indicate that a minimum of
4 Feet should be maintained for voltages from 10,000 volts to 30,000 volts. However a coming sense approach to catenary lines containing approximately 12,000 volts is required.
All fire teams applying water with hand held Fog Nozzles should take advantage of the reach of the stream and observe a
Minimum approach distance of 10 Feet to catenary lines
Position firefighters at
Each possible point of entry into the affected area to warn all incoming units that the limited application of water at this stage of operations shall not be misconstrued as confirmation of power off or the absence of an electrical hazard
When operating the nozzle always
Divert the stream to a safe area momentarily to visually check that a Fog pattern is set properly
Hose steams should NOT be
Directed over the top of a train where pantograph or catenary wires are located
The IC shall establish and ICP at the
Taxi ramp entrance at Penn Station
Railroad Transportation Supervisors will respond to the ICP and remain there for the duration of the operation to assist the IC. If a Railroad Supervisor is not stationed at the ICP to assist in coordinating all the activities in this addendum, then the IC
May choose not to implement any procedures and wait for the railroad to place grounds PRIOR to the use of any Fog Steam or water
Any decision to move the train involved in the emergency into the station, evacuate the passengers, utilize a rescue train, or the dispatching of a diesel locomotive shall be
Made by the IC after (IF POSSIBLE) consultation with railroad supervisors
Regarding the FDNY policy at these incidents it would be correct to state that before FDNY begins emergency operations to insure safety and that residual power is eliminated the FDNY relies on Amtraks use of
Grounding switches in conjunction with the application of grounding sticks
When requesting power removal the following terminology must be stated verbatim to the FDNY dispatcher
- Request all train movement stopped (specify affected tracks)
- Request 3rd rail DC power removed (specify affected tracks)
- Request Catenary AC power removed (specify affected tracks)
- Request 480 Volt Standby power removed (specify tracks)
The FDNY dispatcher will notify the IC when the
- Power supply has been removed
* Overhead wires will still contain residual energy until grounds are attached
Unless an EMERGENCY situation arises and as conditions permit the IC should wait for
Confirmation of power removal before requesting power off on additional tracks or tunnels. Requests to remove power off on additional tracks prior to the completion and confirmation of the original request have led to great delays and confusion with communication
At the conclusion of operations the IC should notify the FDNY dispatcher that
All Fire Department personnel have been removed from the tracks and that the Fire Department no longer requires the power to be removed or train movement stopped at this location. Determination of when to restore power and train movement shall be made by railroad after they inspect the site
