Overhead Lines Flashcards
What are the main parts of the OLE
Catenary
Dropper
Contact wire
Along line conductor
Insulator
Red bond
Headspan wire
Cross span wire
OLE structure
Structure plate
What does OLE stand for
Overhead Line Equipment
What does ECO stand for
Electrical control officer
What is a line light
An indicator on the drivers desk of an electric train showing that current is being drawn from the OLE
What is a VCB
Vacuum Circuit Breaker,
When operated, cuts the power off from the OLE to the train.
Can be operated by APC, at a neutral section or a fault occurring
Will auto reset when going over the APC or driver pressing reset/pan up button
What does APC stand for
Automatic Power Control
What does ADD stand for and do
Automatic Dropping Device,
Will drop the pan if the arm over extends
Protects the pantograph and the OLE from damage
What must you do if stopped in a neutral section
Contact the signaller
Press the pan reset button, pan might not be on dead section. This will reset the VCB
Will the train roll safely
May need to call for assistance if stopped on dead spot
How long is a neutral section
46m
Only 1.5m is dead
Why does the OLE have neutral sections
The neutral section is the change over of power supply.
One supply finishes, neutral section, another starts
If the line is blocked to electric trains and you are assisted you must…..
Lower all pans and tell driver of assisting train when done
Isolate the APCO on bi-mode or pan may automatically raise
Disregard signage associated with a traction changeover
Not resume AC traction until passed the signallers required location or location indicated by signage
When making a wrong direction move in a bi-mode train you must
Keep the APCO equipment isolated
If beginning in electric mode you must lower pan before the end of OLE
If in diesel power, not raise pan until fully under the OLE
If you see anything on the OLE or in contact with it that could cause damage to the pantograph, what must you do
Lower the pantograph immediately
Stop your train as soon as possible and contact the signaller
What OLE damage of defect must be reported to the signaller
Objects hanging from or are touching the OLE
Any damage
OLE that is smoking, excessively flashing or fusing
Damaged or loose APC inductors
A broken rail
Broken or defected bond
Anything that could affect the safe operation of trains
What is meant by Drop, Stop, Box
Drop the pantograph
Stop the train
Contact the signal Box (ECO)
If the line light goes out, when may you coast to a suitable location to report to the signaller
If there is only one pan in use on the first three vehicles
ADD is available but has not been activated
No unusual movement of or noises from the OLE
You have made one unsuccessful attempt to reset
If the signaller tells you your train is the cause of sequential tripping, what must you do
Follow signallers instructions,
You may be asked to inspect the OLE for damage
You must report if the conditions aren’t suitable (too dark etc)
Before leaving the train check they is no damaged OLE in the vicinity of your door
During an examination of the OLE or pantograph, if the visibility becomes worse what must you do
Stop the examination
Tell the signaller
Wait for further instructions
If your train cannot proceed due to damage of the pantograph but the damage is not severe you can
Raise the pan to gain power for heating and lighting while waiting for assistance
After raising the pan double check it’s in correct contact with OLE with no arcing
No movement of train is allowed with pan raised
Lower pan prior to assisting train attaching
If you have to isolate the ADD you must
Isolate the ADD
Tell the signaller
Carry out all instructions given
If proceeding you must not exceed 100mph
You may be told to use another pan if available or continue in bi mode
When a pantograph has been damaged and there is no other pantograph available you must
Give the signaller an assurance that the damaged pan is clear of any contact with OLE
If the pantograph has been damaged when can the assisting train move you
Only when
You can confirm the pan will not be in contact with the OLE
The pan isn’t foul of the loading gauge
When the pantograph can’t be repaired or there is evidence that the train has contacted the OLE, you must only move the train if one of the following applies
OLE has been switched off, you have authority from OLE personnel to move the train clear of the OLE
You’ve been told the defect has been repaired or made safe for train to move
The train needs be moved in emergency
If asked to examine the OLE what must you do
You must be accompanied by a competent person, during darkness, poor visibility or through tunnels
Run at caution, 20mph max
Report your funding’s to the signaller
When examining the OLE you are looking for
Any obstructions is not more than 150mm (6 inches) below contact wire
No more than two consecutive droppers have come off
The object or defect is more than 3 OLE structures from a tunnel or over bridge
No other defects are obvious
If a decision has been made to allow trains to coast, with pans down, what will the signaller inform you of
That there is a problem with the OLE
The location of the area you are to coast through
If coasting boards will be erected to instruct drivers
Speed must not exceed 20mph through area
What does a lower pantograph sign look like
Black square with two curved white lines back to back one on top of each other in the middle
What does a raise pantograph sign look like
Black square with two curved white lines back to back side by side in the middle
What is the criteria for network rail control to authorises high speed coasting
The line must be clear throughout the affected area
That no stopping points for the train intervene in the area
No high winds
No poor visibility
All boards are correctly positioned
What does a advance lower pantograph warning sign look like
Black upside down triangle with two curved white lines one on top of the other in the middle
With two flashing white lights, one above and one below
What does a “do not raise pantograph sign look like
Black square with two white curved lines back to back side by side in the middle (same as raise pantograph sign) with a red cross across the front
Where is the lower pantograph warning board positioned
400 metres before the lower pantograph board
No AWS is fitted at this board
When must you lower the pantograph when seeing the lower pantograph sign
Pantograph must be lowered before reaching the lower pantograph sign
What speed can you lower and raise the pantograph
Lower at any speed up to permissible line speed
Raise at a maximum of 80mph
On seeing a raise pantograph sign when can you raise the pantograph
Must not be raised until the pan has passed the raise pantograph sign
What does the “do not raise pantograph” sign mean
Marks the end of the safe distance to raise the pantograph
After passing this board the pantograph can only be raised at 20mph or less
What does the “do not raise pantograph” sign mean
Marks the end of the safe distance to raise the pantograph
After passing this board the pantograph can only be raised at 20mph or less
What are your actions if any of the pantograph raise, lower or warning signs are missing or defective
After passing through the area, report to the signaller as soon as possible, even if you have to stop the train to do this
What is the definition of sequential tripping?
When consecutive electrical sections along a route trip. Normally caused by a fault on a moving train.
What does a neutral section warning board and indication board look like
Warning board = black square with two capital Ts back to back in white
Indication board = white square with two capital Ts in black back to back
What does an old style gantry identification plate look like and what does the information mean
White plate with black writing….
Mounted on the gantry structure
Top letter = route
Middle numbers = mileage
Bottom numbers = gantry number
What does the new style gantry plate look like and what does the information mean
White plate with red writing
Top line is engineering line reference
Top set of numbers = kms
Bottom numbers = metres
Bottom = nearest running line
Why is the red bond considered particularly dangerous
It carries the fully AC current, should be considered to be live at all times
When might the signaller implement high speed coasting
If the running line is ok for trains to pass but the OLE is affected by
Planned engineering work
Damage to the OLE
Failure of the power supply
