Part 3 - Electrification

Question 1

What does OLE stand for?

Answer 1

• Overhead line equipment.

Question 2

What does ECO stand for?

Answer 2

• Electrical Control Operator.

Question 3

What is Overhead Line Equipment (OLE)

Answer 3

• 25,000 Volts alternating current (AC)
• controlled by the electrical control operator ( ECO)
• the OLE must always be considered ‘live’
• minimum safe distance is 2.75m.

Question 4

What is the cant line?

Answer 4

• A 2.5cm (1”) wide orange strip below the roof of every train vehicle.
• you must not go above the cant line as you will be in direct risk of contacting the OLE.

Question 5

What are conductor rails?

Answer 5

• 650 - 750 volts of direct current (DC)
  -controlled by the electrical control operator (ECO)
• making sure nothing/no one comes into contact with the conductor rail.
• must always be considered to be live.

Question 6

What should you not do when near conductor rails?

Answer 6

• step or touch the conductor rail or protective guard
• allow clothing, tools or equipment to touch the conductor rail
  -Step between the conductor rail and the adjacent running rail
  -touch broken or displaced conductor rails or collector shoes
  -step in flood water which may be in contact with a conductor rail or direct water or any other liquid on a conductor rail

Question 7

National grid power lines, if power lines collapse onto the railway?

Answer 7

-keep a minimum distance of 5m away
-voltage is much higher than OLE and arcs at a greater distances
-report to the ECO/Signaller-they will arrange isolation with the power company