SIST EN 50617-1:2025
(Main)Railway applications - Technical parameters of train detection systems for the interoperability of the trans-European railway system - Part 1: Track circuits
Railway applications - Technical parameters of train detection systems for the interoperability of the trans-European railway system - Part 1: Track circuits
This European Standard specifies the technical parameters of track circuits associated with the disturbing current emissions limits for RST in the context of interoperability defined in the form of Frequency Management. The limits for compatibility between rolling stock and track circuits currently proposed in this standard allow provision for known interference phenomena linked to traction power supply and associated protection (over voltage, short-circuit current and basic transient effects like inrush current and power cut-off). These effects are assessed using modelling tools that have been verified by the past European research project RAILCOM.
This European Standard is intended to be used to assess compliance of track circuits equipment and other forms of train detection systems using the rails as part of their detection principles, in the context of the Interoperability Directive and the associated technical specification for interoperability relating to the control-command and signalling track-side subsystems.
The European Standard describes technical parameters to consider for achieving the compatibility of the track circuit with the emissions limits defined in the frequency management for rolling stock. These parameters are structured and allocated according to their basic references as follows:
- Technical track circuit parameters
- Train based parameters
- Track based parameters
- Environmental and other parameters including EMC
Each parameter is defined by a short general description, the definition of the requirement, the relation to other standards and a procedure to show the fulfilment of the requirement as far as necessary. An overview on the safety relevance of each parameter is given in the context of this European Standard in a separate table.
NOTE The allocated bands for track circuits and emission limits for rolling stock defined in the Frequency Management are currently used as input information to define mandatory requirements to be stated in index 77 of CCS TSI. The evaluation is conducted by the European Railway Agency.
The immunity limits of the track circuits installed on non-interoperable lines, or on interoperable lines built before the publication date of this document, are not defined in this European Standard and remain the responsibility of individual infrastructure managers, NSAs and/or suppliers of train detection systems. In this case, the limits for compatibility are usually given in the infrastructure registers and/or the notified national rules.
This European Standard is applicable to track circuit installed on all traction power supply lines, including non-electrified lines. However, for track circuit intended to be installed only on non-electrified lines, some parameters may be not applicable.
Bahnanwendungen - Technische Parameter von Gleisfreimeldesystemen für die Interoperabilität des transeuropäischen Eisenbahnsystems - Teil 1: Gleisstromkreise
Applications ferroviaires - Paramètres techniques des systèmes de détection des trains pour lInteropérabilité du système ferroviaire transeuropéen - Partie 1: Circuits de voie
Železniške naprave - Tehnični parametri sistemov za ugotavljanje lokacije vlakov, ki zagotavljajo medobratovalnost vseevropskega železniškega sistema - 1. del: Tirni tokokrog
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2025
Železniške naprave - Tehnični parametri sistemov za ugotavljanje lokacije vlakov,
ki zagotavljajo medobratovalnost vseevropskega železniškega sistema - 1. del:
Tirni tokokrog
Railway applications - Technical parameters of train detection systems for the
interoperability of the trans-European railway system - Part 1: Track circuits
Bahnanwendungen - Technische Parameter von Gleisfreimeldesystemen für die
Interoperabilität des transeuropäischen Eisenbahnsystems - Teil 1: Gleisstromkreise
Applications ferroviaires - Paramètres techniques des systèmes de détection des trains
pour lInteropérabilité du système ferroviaire transeuropéen - Partie 1: Circuits de voie
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50617-1:2024
ICS:
45.020 Železniška tehnika na Railway engineering in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50617-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2024
ICS 29.260.99 Supersedes EN 50617-1:2015
English Version
Railway applications - Technical parameters of train detection
systems for the interoperability of the trans-European railway
system - Part 1: Track circuits
Applications ferroviaires - Paramètres techniques des Bahnanwendungen - Technische Parameter von
systèmes de détection des trains pour l'interopérabilité du Gleisfreimeldesystemen für die Interoperabilität des
système ferroviaire transeuropéen - Partie 1: Circuits de transeuropäischen Eisenbahnsystems - Teil 1:
voie Gleisstromkreise
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2024-08-19. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN 50617-1:2024 E
Contents Page
European foreword 5
Introduction 7
1 Scope 8
2 Normative references 8
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations 9
3.1 Terms and definitions 9
3.2 Abbreviations 12
4 Description of train detection system 14
5 Safety relevance of parameters 16
6 Technical track circuit parameters 16
6.1 Dynamic shunt impedance 16
6.2 TC non-detection zone 17
6.3 Track circuit length 18
6.4 Broken rail detection 18
6.5 IRJ failure detection 19
6.6 Frequency management and relevant parameters of the track circuit 20
6.7 Coding 26
6.8 Response of the receiver to transient disturbances 28
6.9 RAMS 31
7 Train based parameter – Maximum allowed shunt impedance 33
7.1 General 33
7.2 Requirements 33
8 Track based parameters 34
8.1 Total impedance of the track 34
8.2 Rail to Earth impedance 35
8.3 Insulation value of IRJ 36
8.4 Type of sleepers / track structure 37
8.5 Ballast resistance 38
8.6 Unbalance of the return current 39
9 Environmental and other parameters 40
9.1 Signalling power supply quality with respect to availability 40
9.2 Traction power supply quality 40
9.3 Amount of sand 41
9.4 Weather, ice and other environmental conditions 42
9.5 EMC 45
9.6 Requirement and validation for overvoltage protection (including indirect lightning effects) 45
Annex A (informative) Guidance for compliance and assessment of the parameters 46
Annex B (informative) Scenarios for non-detection zones 48
B.1 Non-detection zone in S&C area between staggered isolated rail joints (distance x in
Figure B.1) 48
B.2 Overlap of a dead zone in S&C area 48
B.3 Equipotential wires in S&C area 50
B.4 Zone without detection in electrical joints 51
Annex C (informative) Track circuit length 54
C.1 Introduction 54
C.2 Example of TC with S-bond 54
Annex D (informative) Scenarios for broken rail Relation Track circuit – Broken rail detection 56
D.1 Basic principle 56
D.2 Fail safe system 57
D.3 Examples where the broken rail detection is not possible 58
Annex E (informative) Frequency management – User manual 59
E.1 Frequencies and immunity limits 59
E.2 Compatibility case structure 59
Annex F (informative) Example of elements of maintenance for existing track circuits 60
Annex G (informative) Example of management of shunt impedance 64
Annex H (informative) Rail to ground impedance: Track circuit effects 66
H.1 Physical factors 66
H.2 Symmetric rail- ground resistance 66
H.3 Values from experience 67
H.4 Asymmetric rail- ground resistance 67
H.5 Touch Potential Effects 67
Annex I (informative) Example of mechanical test for IRJ 69
I.1 General 69
I.2 Testing program 69
Annex J (informative) Example of existing requirement for the type of sleepers / track structure 72
J.1 General 72
J.2 Minimum value for a ballast resistance 72
J.3 Infrabel 72
J.4 DB 72
Annex K (informative) Out of Band Limits (OOB) proposal 74
K.1 Introduction 74
K.2 Out of band emission limits for influencing unit: DC power systems 74
K.3 Out of band emission limits for influencing unit: 25 kV 50 Hz AC power systems 76
K.4 Validation of OOB limits based on OOB magnetic fields limits defined in ERA/ERTMS/033281
v.4.0 79
Annex L (informative) Informative table describing the correspondence between this European
Standard and the Commission Regulation (EU) N° 2016/919 on the technical specification for
interoperability relating to the control-command and signalling subsystems of the rail system
in the European Union and Directive (EU) 2016/797 80
L.1 Introduction 80
L.2 Table of correspondence 80
Bibliography 82
European foreword
This document (EN 50617-1:2024) has been prepared by CLC/SC 9XA “Communication, signalling and processing
systems” of CLC/TC 9X “Electrical and electronic applications for railways”.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2025-11-30
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) 2027-11-30
conflicting with this document have to be
withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50617-1:2015.
— Clause 6: Technical parameters have been enhanced to provide the requirements to demonstrate compliance
with the Frequency Management published in ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0;
— Clause 7: It is now amended and consistent with ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0;
— Clause 8: Track parameters have been re-defined;
— Clause 9 has been enhanced with practical examples;
— Annex A: Parameters are revisited for consistency;
— Annex E: New Table has been added for parameters of track circuits which are already defined as compatible
with the Frequency Management in ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0. A subclause is introduced to define the link
between the current standard and the new standard being developed for Measurements of RST emissions for
compatibility with track circuits by SC9XB/WG34;
— Annex F “Vehicle Impedance / guidance for RST design to support the FrM” has been deleted, consequently
the Annexes G to K have been renumbered as Annexes F to J;
— New Annex K: New informative annex which defines proposed Out of Band Frequency Limits for 25 kV 50 Hz
and DC power networks.
— Annex L has been deleted. A new Annex L was added.
EN 50617, Railway applications – Technical parameters of train detection systems, will consist of
— Part 1: Track circuits;
— Part 2: Axle counters.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights.
CEN-CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body/national
committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN and CENELEC websites.
Introduction
The working group SC9XA WGA4-2 has developed the limits for electromagnetic compatibility between rolling stock
and train detection systems, specifically track circuits and axle counter systems and correspondingly published two
technical specifications CLC/TS 50238-2 and CLC/TS 50238-3. These limits and associated measurement
methods are based on preferred existing systems (as defined in CLC/TS 50238-2 and CLC/TS 50238-3) which are
well established and still put forward for signalling renewals by infrastructure managers.
To meet the requirements for compatibility between train detection systems and rolling stock in the future and to
achieve interoperability and free movement within the European Union, ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0 defines the
relevant parameters for compatibility of rolling stock with track circuits and axle counter systems.
The train detection systems, track circuits and axle counters are an integral part of the CCS trackside subsystem in
the context of the Rail Interoperability Directive. The relevant technical parameters are enumerated in the CCS and
LOC&PAS TSI and ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0. ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0 specifies the parameters for rolling stock
relevant to compatibility with the infrastructure. This document covers all relevant technical parameters of train
detection systems (track circuits) in a manner that provides a presumption of conformity with interoperability
requirements, but is not limited to interoperable lines. This document refers whenever needed to
ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0. Although the demand for FrM is driven by Interoperability requirements, it is independent
from the drive to introduce systems like ERTMS level 3 or level 2.
This document is based on the current understanding of the railway experts represented at WGA4-2 that track
circuits and axle counter systems will continue to be the essential two train detection systems for the foreseeable
future.
The published specification CLC/TS 50238-2 can be used to ascertain conformity of rolling stock with existing
individual (preferred) track circuits.
In this document, the defined parameters are structured and allocated according to their basic references as follows:
— track circuit system parameters;
— train based parameters;
— track based parameters;
— environmental and other parameters.
Where possible, the parameters as defined are consistent with other European Standards.
Each parameter is defined by a short general description, the definition of the requirement, the relation to other
standards and a procedure to show the fulfilment of the requirement as far as necessary. An overview of the safety
relevance of each parameter is given – in the context of this document – in a separate table.
1 Scope
This document specifies the technical parameters of track circuits associated with the interference current emissions
limits for RST in the context of interoperability defined in the form of Frequency Management in
ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0. The limits for compatibility between rolling stock and track circuits addressed in this
document allow provision for known interference phenomena linked to traction power supply including associated
protection (over voltage, short-circuit current and basic transient effects like in-rush current and power cut-off), and
other known sources of interference.
This document is intended to be used to assess compliance of track circuits and other forms of train detection
systems using the rails as part of their detection principles, in the context of the European Directive on the
interoperability of the trans-European railway system and the associated technical specification for interoperability
relating to the control-command and signalling track-side subsystems.
The document describes technical parameters to consider for achieving the compatibility of the track circuit with the
emissions limits defined in the frequency management for rolling stock (ERA/ERTMS/033281 v4.0). These
parameters are structured and allocated according to their basic references as follows:
— technical track circuit parameters;
— train based parameters;
— track based parameters;
— environmental and other parameters including EMC.
Each parameter is defined by a short general description, the definition of the requirement, the relation to other
standards and a procedure to show the fulfilment of the requirement as far as necessary. An overview of the safety
relevance of each parameter is given – in the context of this document – in a separate table.
This document is applicable to track circuits on all lines, including non-electrified lines. However, for track circuits
intended to be installed only on non-electrified lines, some parameters can be disapplied.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only t
...
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