( For Official use only )

Item 1144 to 1160

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAY

AGENDA

FOR

82ND SIGNAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEETING

(2012)

RESEARCH DESIGNS AND STANDARDS ORGANISATION

MANAK NAGAR, LUCKNOW-226 011
 INDEX OF ITEMS

ITEM NO. SUBJECT PAGE NO.

1144 Specification of Electronic Interlocking (RDSO/SPN/192/2005) 1-30
1145 Centralized and distributed scheme for EI 31-35
1146 Draft Chapter for SEM on Electronic Interlocking 36-38
1147 Specification of Single Section Digital Axle Counter 39-47
(RDSO/SPN/177/2012, Ver. 3)
1148 Configuration for dual BPAC 48-49
1149 Backup of AFTC/DCTC with Axle Counter 50
1150 Specification of Data Loggers (IRS:S 99/2006) 51-56
1151 Integrity testing of interlocking using Data Loggers 57
1152 Specification for LED Signal (RDSO/SPN/153/2011, Rev. 4.1) 58-65
1153 Specification for Electric Lifting Barrier (RDSO/SPN/208/2012, Ver. 2) 66-73
1154 Specification of Track Feed Battery Charger (IRS:S 89/93) 74-77
1155 Specification for Fuse Auto Changeover system (FACS) 78-82
(RDSO/SPN/209/2012, Rev. 0)
1156 Specification for Double Walled Corrugated HDPE Duct for signalling 83-86
cable (RDSO/SPN/204/2011, Ver. 1.0)
1157 Specification of PVC Insulated Underground Unscreened Cables for 87-88
Railway signalling (IRS:S 63/2007)
1158 Guidelines on Signalling Cable Laying 89-92
1159 Adoption of New technology point machines and issue for IRS: S 64 93
1160 Scheme for use of IPS for LC gates 94
 ITEM No.1144

SUBJECT : REVIEW OF SPECIFICATION NO. RDSO/SPN/192 FOR ELECTRONIC

INTERLOCKING

SSC REFERENCE : 82th SSC

RDSO FILE REFERENCE: STS/L/SSI

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:
SL. LETTER NO.
No.
1. RDSO’s Letter No. STS/C/82th SSC Meeting/Vol. 1 Dated 30.10.2012
2. NFR Letter No. N//229/5/8(S) Dated 22.11.2012
3. WR Letter No. SG 158/2/82 Dated 22.11.2012
4. SER Letter No. S&T/SIG/4/65/82/M/Pt-1/4683 Dated 26.11.2012.
5. CR By email dated 27/11/2012
6. NWR By email dated 27/11/2012
6. NER Letter No. N/229/1/(82nd SSC) Dated 23.11.2012
7. SR Letter No. SG.190/SSC/82 Dated 30.11.2012
8. WCR Letter No. WCR/N-HQ/110/RDSO-Corres/Sig-01Pt-V Dated 26.06.2012.
9. SECR SECR/S&T/RDSO/2142 Dated 06.12.2012
10. M/S Invensys By email dated 07/12/2012
11. M/S Hytronics By email dated 07/12/2012

AGENDA: REVIEW OF SPECIFICATION NO. RDSO/SPN/192 FOR ELECTRONIC

INTERLOCKING (EI)

NOTE BY SECRETARY:
Based on experience gained by Railways and RDSO, several guidelines have been issued vide
RDSO’s TAN no. STS/E/TAN/3003 for precautions in monsoon. TAN No. STS/E/TAN/3004 for use
of Hot Standby Configuration, TAN no. STS/E/TAN/3006 for earthing and bonding scheme for EI,
and TAN STS/E/TAN/3007 for use of embedded industrial computer, after several discussions in
RDSO and Railway Board with Zonal Railways.
RDSO Spec. No. RDSO/SPN/192/2005 for Electronic Interlocking has been reviewed based upon
these discussions and guidelines issued and a draft revised Specification no.
RDSO/SPN/192/2012 (Draft) has been prepared for adoption. In this draft major changes are as
below:

· Use of only Hot Standby configuration.

· OFC as preferred connectivity.
· Faster Response time.
· Distributed EI with Dumb Object Controllers.
· Preference for Dual VDU with use of embedded industrial Grade Computers.

Page 1 of 94
 Comments received from Railways are compiled here with as below:

SPN Cl. Description of SPN Railways/ Firms comments on RDSO’s View

No. Clause SPN
0.3 Abbreviations SR: The following acronym Left over acronym
should also be expanded FOM shall be added.
(Fibre Operating Module), BOM
(?), OS (Operating System), CF
(?), RTC (?)
1.0 SCOPE :
1.1 This specification covers SER: No comments.
the technical requirements SECR: The EI System as a As for large EI
of Electronic Interlocking. whole should cater for any there is another
The EI covered in this number of routes. However the specifications,
specification shall be for system should be modular type upper limit for use
stations having maximum for a yard having more than 300 of this
200 routes. routes i.e. the yard shall be specifications have
organized in modular pattern been kept at 200
each having less than 200 routes.
routes. Each such yard module
shall be provided with
independent EI with complete
interlocking program of that yard
module and all such modular
EIs shall be interconnected for
the complete yard interlocking.
1.3 Electronic interlocking SER: No comments.
shall consist of VDU SECR: Provision of CCIP Many Railways are
Operator PC/CCIP (CCIP should be completely still insisting upon
as an optional), Central eliminated. Instead of CCIP, CCIP hence
Interlocking Unit, Object SIL-4 standard VDU or touch provision has been
Controller, Maintenance screen with serial kept. Instead of
Terminal & Data logger, communication connectivity with Serial Port, OFC
etc. EI shall be provided. This will has been preferred
The command is eliminate hardware to a large to avoid damages
generated from the VDU extent and thus the probability due to lighting.
Operator PC/CCIP and of failures. Agreed for
given to central INVENSYS: The object Placement. OFC is
interlocking unit which controller can be kept either for connectivity
performs all the along with the CIU in the central with Object
interlocking and fail safety interlocking room or at strategic Controllers.
functions. After locations in yard. If the object
processing the command controllers are kept along with
the necessary output is the CIU in the central location,
given to object controller then OFC may not be
or Relay driver circuit to necessary. This may be
drive the output relays. included in the clause 1.3.
The object controller gives Hytronics:
command to signalling 1. We request RDSO not to Agreed, for one
gears directly or using use the terminology "VDU terminology,
interface relays. The Operator PC". Because PC is however PC is
object controllers shall be understood as Personal categorically
kept at strategic locations Computer working on defined as
Page 2 of 94
 in yards to directly or WINDOWS environment. If a embedded
through the relays to drive commercial PC is used, then it industrial PC.
the signalling gears to is also subjected to VIRUS and
reduce requirement of all other problems associated
signalling cables and which a regular PC suffers from.
interface relays. The Further the WINDOWS
connectivity between operating system changes
central interlocking unit frequently and after a few years
and object controller shall no support will be available. We
be through optical fibre propose that PC shall not be
cable. This optical fibre used as CCIP with VDU
shall be connected in such 2. We propose that only
a way to avoid failure in one Terminology be used in the
case of one cable cut. specifications to describe VDU
After the given command panel(currently multiple
is executed, the inputs terminologies are used). We
from the field are read by propose to use the terminology
object controller and such as:
transmitted to CIU for i) VDU Control Terminal (as
further process and for used in Clause 1.4 ) or
display at VDU/Operator ii) VDU based Control cum
PC/CCIP as indication panel (CCIP) (as
acknowledgement. used in Clause 3.4) or
iii) MMI(Man Machine
Interface) or
iv) VDU based Operating cum
Indication Panel or
v) Simply "VDU Panel".
1.5 The whole interlocking of a SER: No comments. Distributed
yard shall be controlled SR : Whether distributed Interlocking is not
either by central operation operation also includes permitted.
or Distributed operation. distributed interlocking or not, Para 7.1.1
may please be clarified. Also The Object
from para 7.1.1 it appears that controllers shall
distributed interlocking is not have only function
permitted. of input/output
gatherer and
interlocking logic
shall not be
contained in any of
Object controller.
2. TERMINOLOGY:
3. GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS:
3.2 The system shall have SER: It should be possible to Already covered in
facility of monitoring of connect EI with central clause 3.2, it shall
internal variables as well monitoring terminal unit kept at be reworded to
as status of I/O. through divisional headquarter control to make it clearer.
the Maintenance terminal do remote monitoring and Present Data
and data logger network of maintenance. This should be Loggers have only
the railway. External Data protected by pass word. The serial port
logger shall be used for connectivity should be on connectivity, in
logging of analogue/digital Ethernet and it should be future same can be
Page 3 of 94
 inputs of external functions possible to connect the modified for
and for rest the inherent equipment on LAN of Railways. Ethernet.
diagnostic facility of EI The Data logger should be
shall be used. It shall be connected through Ethernet as
possible to connect EI with serial interface again lead to
central monitoring unit problem of surge and damage
kept at HQ control unit. to EI equipment.
MT shall be used to INVENSYS: The existing EI connectivity
diagnose problems/events arrangement of local Datalogger offers additional
related to hardware and interfaced with EI is a better features of
software of EI. MT solution. Connecting a diagnostics and
shall have facility for maintenance computer MT to real time
automatic serial data central will be an additional monitoring of
transfer to a central development and will depend on status of EI at
monitoring unit. The the MT availability. In most of centralised place.
common protocol for this the stations, the MT is kept in
communication shall be as ESM rooms and it is switched
per Data Logger off whenever not required by the
specification No. IRS: S- ESMs. If the EI is connected to
99 latest version for local Datalogger through
interface only. RDSO protocol converter and it is
approved external data linked to CMU the availability of
logger data at the central location will
shall be supplied with EI be better.
unless specified otherwise Alternately, a central monitoring
by the purchaser. unit of EI is suggested. If the EI
manufacturers provide their
central monitoring unit, this will
have central monitoring of EI.
The Datalogger CMU will
provide the central monitoring of
the analogue /digital inputs of
external functions.
Hytronics:
MT can facilitate data of EI
system and it may not be Clause does not
possible to “monitor internal indicate monitoring
variables" of EI system. We of internal variable
request reference to “monitoring from Centralised
of internal variables" is dropped. location.
3.4 The system shall be SER: No comments.
capable of working with SR: For second Para of 3.4: (i) BPAC may
the Control cum indication This Para should be suitably continue with
panel (CCIP) with VDU or numbered. existing
with duplicated VDU as (ii) Whether BPAC operation arrangements.
per clause 5.3 as required shall be through VDU/CCIP of
by Railways. The CCIP is EI or separate Block
optional and needs to be instrument/push button panel
specified by the will be required to be clarified.
purchaser. NWR: - Add the following at
the end: The interfaces Agreed, can be
(interface equipments) of EI added.
withy Block, BPAC, AFTC etc.
Page 4 of 94
 shall be approved by RDSO.
SECR: Provision of CCIP
should be completely Many railways still
eliminated. Instead of CCIP, have desired for
SIL-4 standard VDU or touch CCIP hence option
screen with serial has been kept.
communication connectivity with
EI shall be provided. This will
eliminate hardware to a large
extent and thus the probability
of failures.
Hytronics:
Use of Conventional Domino Same as above.
operating cum indication panel
for Electronic Interlocking is
anachronism and we propose
the deletion of CCIP
(Conventional Domino operating
cum indication panel).
3.6 The system shall be SER: No comments.
capable for working in SECR: Items Sr. No. 3.6 & 3.7 Items are not
non-air-conditioned are contradictory. contradictory, if
environment and ambient railways decide
temperature range than AC cabinets
between -10o C to 70 o C can be used.
and Relative Humidity
unto 95% at 40o C.
3.7 The system shall be SER: The system shall be Provision of AC is
provided in an AC dust provided in AC dust protected to be decided by
protected cabinet. The cabinet. The failure of AC unit, railways based
failure of AC unit shall give Rise in temp. Due to dust upon site
an alarm to the operator, if accumulation on the filters of AC conditions.
agreed by purchaser shall give an alarm to the
railways. operator.
SECR: Items Sr. No. 3.6 & 3.7
are contradictory.
INVENSYS : Conflicts with the Clause 3.6 and 3.7
requirement of clause 3.6. are not conflicting.
When the equipment is capable
of working in -10°C to +70°C,
then AC dust protected cabinet
will be redundant. But
maintenance of AC dust
protected cabinet will become
more than that of an EI
equipment.
Hytronics:
1. Clauses 3.6 and 3.7 are
at variance. Clause 3.6
specified non air conditioned
environment and clause 3.7
specifies air conditioned
environment.
Page 5 of 94
 2. We propose that Clause
3.7 be deleted.
3.9 Necessary provision shall SER: No comments.
be made in the hardware SR : The distance of operation Presently it covers
and software for modular (length of the interconnected connections within
expansion of the system. cable) to be specified in case of same yard, and
For large stations, which serial/Ethernet/OFC media shall depend upon
cannot be covered by one communication between EI OFC interface.
EI, it shall be possible to equipments.
connect more than one EI.
In case more than one
Electronic Interlocking
needs to be used, the
same can be used by
placing all the EI
equipments in same room
or connected by
serial/Ethernet/OFC ports.
a closed Transmission
System, as defined in
EN50159-1.
3.11 EI shall have user-friendly SER: No comments.
graphic based design tool SR : There are two paras It shall be
to generate station specific having the same number 3.11. corrected.
application software to This should be corrected.
carry out future yard
modifications. It shall be
possible for Railway to
carryout minor yard
modifications without the
help of firm and the
training shall be imparted
to Railway maintenance
staff for the same as per
agreement with the
Railway.
3.12 For all vital inputs/ outputs, SER: No comments.
going out of EI room’s SR: Second sentence of the It shall be
double cutting Para is grammatically incorrect corrected.
arrangement shall be and it needs to be suitably
provided. worded.
3.14 The RTC of EI system(s) SER: Not agreed, all the Present data
should be updated/ connectivity to external device Logger cater to
synchronized with the has to be on Ethernet. only serial ports.
External Data logger and it Hence option of
shall be possible to log the serial port has
events in chronological been kept.
order in case of use of
Either single/multiple EI
with Data logger through Hytronics:
CMU (Central Monitoring 1.Clause 3.9 specifies as " The
Unit) if provided in network transmission systems used
otherwise through protocol must comply with the
Page 6 of 94
 converter.
3.15 In case any peripheral
equipment (such as VDU,
MT, Data logger etc.)
needs to be connected to
the EI through serial ports
and then EI system shall
be isolated from
the peripheral systems,
Suitable isolators shall be
used for connecting the
peripheral devices.
3.17 The terminals through
which common positive or
negative supply is
provided to EI, must be
duplicated, this shall also
require duplicated power
supply cables from power
supply source to EI.
3.18 REQUIREMENT OF
ELECTRONIC
INTERLOCKING:
3.18.3 The system shall have log
of all the counters like
Emergency Route
cancellation, Calling On
signal, Emergency Point
operation, Overlap release
operation etc. and that will
be logged in Maintenance
terminal. It shall be
possible to read all
counters as and when
required. If Railway
required, it shall also be
requirements for a closed
Transmission System, as
defined in EN50159-1",
2.Whereas the requirements
vide above Clause are at
variance with clause 3.9 about
closed loop. i.e. " The RTC of
EI system(s) should be Clauses are not
updated/ synchronized with conflicting. RTC
the External Data logger". can be
These two requirements are synchronised using
contradicting each other. compliance to EN
3.We propose that EI system 50159-1.
shall synchronise its time from
a calibrated Real time Source.
SER: No comments.
SR: Para 3.15 of the Para 3.15 in
specification needs to be general refers to
suitably reconciled with Para earthing
9.5. Para 3.15 refers to earthing specifications,
specification. Related however as EI are
specification for lightning and developed on world
surge protection is not standards, original
mentioned. OEM
recommendations
on surge protection
shall be used.
SER: No comments.
SECR: Stand by system should Complete isolation
be completely isolated from the at the system is not
working system including possible due to use
interface circuits and power of single IPS use.
supply arrangement. This will
have advantages of complete
redundancy of each subsystem
and will facilitate yard
modifications without NI.
SER: No comments.
INVENSYS: The EI system is Agreed, VDU in
expected to be a digital system redundant
and cannot store numerical condition shall
values of counters. It is better to record counters.
store the counter values in the
VDU (as they are redundant) or
introduce electromechanical
counter boxes.
Electromechanical counter
boxes with SM key and
Emergency operation keys will
be reliable option in case of
Page 7 of 94
 possible to provide a redundant VDU panels.
counter box having non- The counter counters are
resettable counters. logged in control terminal also.
The clause specifies that the
counters will be logged in the
MT.
HYTRONICS:
1. As we understand the
purpose of an Maintenance
Terminal is to facilitate the
status of EI system and not that
of application.
2. The above clause
requires application process
data to be made available on
MT (...and that will be logged in
Maintenance terminal).
3. We propose that
application process data shall
be in the interlocking computers
and System status data shall be
on MT.
4. Further it is again an
anachronism to use physical
electromechanical counters in
an EI system. Any operation
which involves an increment of
an electromechanical counter
can be seen in archive data and
there is no need to provide
physical electromechanical
counters.
5. Moreover
electromechanical counters are
probe to failures.
6. The question here is "if
an Electromechanical counter
fails" should the EI system
continue to function or not. In
other words EI system should
provide the info in archive data
about the operations which
require incrementing an
electromechanical counter.
3.18.7 The audio-visual alarm SER: No comments.
shall be available for HYTRONICS:
Approach locking, Button 1. The reference to "Button Still Many railways
stucking etc. Command stucking" may be removed have desired for
held high for more than a as it is an anachronism to use of CCIP hence
specified duration in EI as use domino based operating option has been
specified by the user cum indication panel in an EI kept.
railway. environment.

Page 8 of 94
 2. We request RDSO not to
give any discretionary
powers to user Railways and
request RDSO to specify the
value/s or RDSO shall
specify minimum and
maximum time for which a
command in process can be
held high beyond 5 seconds.
3.18.8 The VDU system as well SER: No comments.
as Central Interlocking INVENSYS: Same comment as Agreed but it
Unit shall have back up 3.18.3. The CIU need not have should have
information on log of all the counter logs. archive data for all
counters provided on VDU HYTRONICS: internal variables.
like emergency route 1 The CIU shall have all
cancellation, calling on archive data but it is not
signal, emergency point logical to have the same
operation, overlap release data in VDU system, as VDU
operations etc. system only initiates a
request for an operation and
this request may be
implemented or not
implemented by CIU
depending upon the then
field status/ conditions.
2 Hence we request RDSO to
remove the reference to
VDU system.
3 Again regarding reference to
physical electromechanical
counters is an anachronism
in an EI system and we
request all reference to
physical electromechanical
counters to be removed from
the specification.
4. INTERLOCKING
REQUIREMENTS:
4.2 The system shall meet the SER: Agreed.
interlocking requirements SECR: Since the interlocking is RDSO is
of the station as per the software based, the logics of attempting to
approved interlocking should be RCC develop such tools,
Interlocking plan and based exclusively for the EIs as but such time this
approved selection/control compared to circuit based is needed.
table provided by Zonal provided in relay interlocking.
Railway.

5. SYSTEM COMPOSITION:
5.1 The EI system shall
consist of the following:
5.1.2 Cycle time and response SER: No comments.
time to read and process
the input shall be fast
Page 9 of 94
 enough to ensure safety
and avoid any apparent
delay. Cycle time and
response time of the
system shall be clearly
indicated. The longest
route for which all points
are in favour shall not take
more than 5 seconds from
initiation of command to
display of lowered
signal aspect on control
panel.
5.1.3 Duplicated VDU Control
Terminal or VDU Control
Terminal with Domino type
Control Cum Indication
Panel (CCIP) (optional)
NWR: RDSO may examine if As EI deals from
5 seconds time can be reduced, very short routes to
as it is the time when all points very long routes
are in favourable position. and normally time
taken shall be
INVENSYS: We seek much lesser.
amendment in this clause that However upper
the cycle time of the EI system time limit is kept for
shall be 1.5 seconds maximum longest route.
and the response time of the SSC may discuss
system for the longest/complex on this.
route shall be 15 seconds
maximum if the points are in
favorable condition in that route.
This does not affect the train
operation in anyways as the
traffic headway is not critical for
mainline applications.
HYTRONICS:
1. We request RDSO to
increase the time from 5
seconds to 10 seconds, from
initiation of command to
display of lowered signal
aspect on control panel.
2. The reason for this request is,
in ESA11-IR EI system, we
use two diverse software’s to
increase the safety and this
feature requires the EI
system to wait for each cycle
to synchronise both the
Software processing steps,
before going to next step.
Further ESA11-IR has been
designed with a capacity to
handle 1600 vital outputs
and 3200 vital inputs and
with all these I/Os loaded
the response time achieved
is less than 10 seconds. In
ESA11-IR the response time
for 40 routes or full capacity
i.e. more than 800 routes the
response time is same.
3. We also request the
reference to "Control Panel"
be removed.
SER: No comments.
HYTRONICS: Already Replied.
1. Use of CCIP is an EI
system is an anachronism and
we request RDSO to remove all
Page 10 of 94
 used with Panel Processor references to CCIP and
having standby processor. automatically the reference to
Panel Processor shall panel processor/s.
always be placed in same 2. As on date many EI
room as CCIP and manufacturers who have
connected through installed on IR have deployed
duplicated OFC ring with VDU operations using SIL-0
CIU. system, causing reliability
issues.
3. In IR CCIP is considered
as non-vital system.
4. In our opinion user
interface has to have same
SIL4 feature as that of CIU
which anyhow has to conform to
SIL4 norm.
5. We are herewith
attaching as Annexure-1, the
advantages of SIL4 certified
VDU Operations, which our
ESA11-IR already conforms to
(i.e. SIL4 norm).
5.1.5 Maintenance terminal SER: No comments.
(MT) with display,
keyboard, printer and INVENSYS: This requirement MT shall have a
event logging facility for conflicts with that of clause 3.2. logging facility of its
minimum 10, 00,000 Clause 3.2 specifies that the MT own; Rewording of
events. The system shall shall be directly connected the relevant clauses
have facility for automatic CMU of Datalogger. Clause shall be done.
serial data transfer to a 5.1.5 specifies “the system shall
central monitoring unit have facility of automatic serial
through data logger. The data transfer to a central
protocol for this monitoring unit through
communication shall be as Datalogger”. Clause 3.2 may
per Data Logger require a change and match
specification No. IRS: S- with the requirement of 5.1.5.
99. HYTRONICS: For connectivity
We request Railway not to with present
restrict technology development Dataloggers, same
by specifying the use of protocol needs to
“protocol for this communication be used.
shall be as per Data Logger
specification No. IRS: S-99".
5.1.7 CCIP shall used as SER: No comments.
optional and shall conform HYTRONICS: Already Replied.
to relevant clauses of IRS: Use of CCIP is an
S 36 and RDSO/SPN/186. ANACHRONISM in an EI
It shall be provided with environment. Please see our
push buttons/ control comments for Clause 5.1.3
switches for individual
operation of points,
clearing of signals,
releasing of crank
Page 11 of 94
 handle/ground lever
frame/ gate controls,
cancellation of routes and
other functions as covered
by IRS: S 36 including
block signalling, auto
signal, IB signal, adjacent
yard layout, to facilitate
indication or operation
cum indication as per
requirement.
5.1.8 EI shall either have object SER: No comments.
controllers having solid SECR: Interface relays may be RDSO is
state Point & Signal eliminated completely. Other attempting for
modules to drive signals interfaces like opto-couplers and bringing of
and points directly or it electronic switches, built in complete solid
shall be possible to object controllers may be state technology,
interface EI or object provided. however till such
controller to drive points time this is
and signals using RDSO necessary.
approved relays.
5.2 OBJECT CONTROLLER: NWR: The architecture and the OCs of Most EI has
safety requirements (SIL level) different
of the object controller have not architecture that
been stipulated in the draft main EI itself,
specifications. This is hence architecture
considered relevant as the can be left open,
object controller shall handle however for SIL
vital input and output functions. level, it is agreed.

SECR: Interface relays may be

eliminated completely. Other
interfaces like opto-couplers and
electronic switches, built in
object controllers may be
provided.
5.2.1 OC shall be a Processor SER: No comments.
based system. It shall
work as slave unit of CIU INVENSYS: Same comment as Already Replied.
through duplicated OFC that of clause 1.3.
communication and placed OC shall work as a slave unit of
within 15 Km. radius from CIU through duplicated
CIU. The OC serial/Ethernet ports in OFC
shall drive the field gears communication medium.
(Points, Signals & Relays) (Serial/Ethernet added).
and take feedback (Inputs) HYTRONICS:
from various field gears 1. The above clause or any
without any modification/ sub-clauses under clause 5.2
change in the design of does not specify the
outdoor Signalling architecture of OC {Similar to
equipment. Clause 7.1(a), 7.1(b), 7.1(c)}.
2. We propose that OC
shall be minimum a 2 out of 2
Page 12 of 94
 system with Cold Standby
facility.
5.2.4 All the inputs and outputs SER: All input and output of OCs are interfaced
of OCs shall be isolated. OCs shall have galvanic with field gears
isolation. using relays hence
galvanic isolation is
available.

5.2.6 Occurrence of any error in SER: Agreed.

any OC or hardware fault SR: The time permitted for Timing is verified
leading to unsafe condition detecting and mitigating the and validated by
shall immediately withdraw unsafe condition may also be ISA.
all output commands and specified. It may be specified Failure affecting
remove the source supply that the failure of one OC shall other yard shall be
to not paralyze the entire yard, i.e. added.
outputs. Functionally, each it shall not be affect the working
OC should be independent of signals and routes not
from other OC. Error in requiring input output from the
one OC should not affect failed OC.
the working of other OCs.
5.3 CONTROL TERMINAL SECR: The VDU shall have line It is already
WITH VDU DISPLAY: block feature. The operator possible in VDU.
should have a facility to block all
operations on a desired line
through VDU so that wrong
operations during block are
avoided.
5. 3.1 Requirements:
a. The software of VDU HYTRONICS:
shall be certified to 1. A SIL2 VDU system, Main Safety
minimum SIL2 level by cannot fulfil clause 5.3.2 (f) i.e. features are built in
Independent Safety "It shall be possible to disable to electronic
Assessor. the menus in case of interlocking, hence
emergency", because this for VDU, SIL2 is
feature requires blocking of considered
operations in the interlocking sufficient.
logic computers i.e. the VDU
system shall transfer the
request to Interlocking logic
computers.
2. Similarly clause 5.3.8
specifies as "Blocking of
functions (points, signals, track
circuits etc.) shall be possible
through VDU. The blocking
operations shall be achieved in
fail-safe manner". This feature
cannot be implemented with a
SIL2 complied system and
hence VDU operations have to
be complied to SIL4 norm.
3. In a SIL2 system, after
implementing any "disabling
Page 13 of 94
 feature" on the VDU, if the VDU
system fails, then the critical
feature of "disabling feature" is
lost, creating an unsafe
situation.
4. In an SIL4 complied,
VDU Based EI system, many
important facilities and features
can be implemented for the
convenience of operating staff.
For example:
a) Dynamic Menu
driven operations
b) Establishing
warning Labels on any yard
element(Due to staff working on
track)
c) Establishing
traffic closure on any route (due
to Rail break etc)
d) Locking of Points
in any position etcetc
e) Display of vital
Text Messages in the form of
risk based information
5. All these features
mandate that VDU shall be SIL4
complied.
6. The VDU feature in
ESA11-IR EI system is already
certified to SIL4 norm.
d. Shall have key SR: It may be clarified whether Touch Screens
board/mouse operation. touch screen terminal is Presently are not
permitted or not. If permitted, covered due to
whether the same will have non-proven history.
protection from inadvertent
initiation of operation by flying
insects.
f. It shall be possible to HYTRONICS:
disable the menus in case 1. This feature when As main safety is
of emergency. utilised for safety reasons shall built in electronic
transfer the "disabling of the interlocking, SIL2 is
menus" to the vital interlocking considered
logic. sufficient for VDU.
2. If this is not done and
resides only in the VDU system,
then in a situation where after
establishing the "disabling of the
menus" feature, if the VDU fails,
then the safety feature of
"disabling of menus" is lost,
creating an unsafe situation.
3. In other words this
Page 14 of 94
 feature required VDU to be
certified to SIL4 norm.
g. It shall synchronize the INVENSYS: Same comment as This is applicable
counters/clocks all the that of clause 3.18.3. for redundant VDU.
time and particularly when HYTRONICS:
resuming from a failure. In this clause reference to
"counters" have to be removed,
because in an VDU based
system, electro-mechanical
counters are not possible.
h. Shall support
buzzers/alarms as in
CCIP.
i. It is desired that it shall INVENSYS: Play back mode Agreed, it shall be
be possible to analyses shall not be made available on kept on MT.
the operation and run the VDU. If by mistake, the
play back of the yard for maintainer keeps the VDU in
the events of last 30 days. play back mode, then the VDU
may not show the active yard
layout. Basically the playback
facility is an offline utility and it is
preferred to have it in MT.
HYTRONICS:
1. It is logical to mention Agreed.
the storage capacity of archive
data in terms of memory
capacity and the reference to 30
days be removed.
2. Use of the feature "run
the play back of the yard for the
events of last 30 days" in an
active VDU system is not
advisable and it can be done in
an off line VDU system.
j. Embedded Industrial HYTRONICS: Industrial
grade fanless PC with 1. We request the embedded
latest PC configuration reference to PC (personal computers are
shall be provided and computer) be removed as PC, mentioned.
suitable Compact Flash as the operating system of a PC
Disc memory space shall is prone to VIRUS attacks and
be catered for the backup certainly not recommended for
requirements. any SIL4 system.
2. Further specifying a
particular architecture will
stymie development of new
hardware, specifically as
development of new Hardware
is taking place at a rapid pace.
k. In case of big yards, it SER: In case of big yard it RDSO:
shall be possible to display shall be possible to display the It is same, wording
the yard in more than one yard in Video wall consisting of shall be modified.
monitor number of panels in network.

Page 15 of 94
5.3.2 the following minimum SER: Point to be added “The RDSO:
requirements shall be computer and the VDU must be Already Covered
catered for the both of industrial Grade.” 5.3.1 J.
Operator / Maintenance
VDU units (but it is not
limited to)
 Shall have minimum of HYTRONICS:
two serial ports. The serial We request reference to "serial Agreed.
ports shall have inbuilt ports" be amended as
isolation or external "communication ports", which
isolation shall be provided could be USB or Ethernet or any
 In addition, it shall have other feature technology based
two Ethernet ports communication ports.
 M12 type connectors
shall be provided for DC HYTRONICS:
power input, keyboard & We request reference to M12 Agreed.
mouse type connectors be removed, as
 CPU shall be having fan it limits the design and
less design technology development.
 Shall meet extended
temperature range (min: -
10C to 70C but not limited
to)
 Shall have DOM
memory module for OS
(CF type Extended
memory can be used –
Minimum 60GB)
 The OS shall be rugged
and shall be of latest HYTRONICS:
version (e.g. Windows XP We request the reference to XP XP is only
Embedded) be removed as XP, the example, clause
operating system of a PC is indicates to use
prone to VIRUS attacks and latest operating
certainly not recommended for system.
 Shall be possible to any SIL4 system.
support high resolution for HYTRONICS:
the VGA/DVI port with 1. The display of railway
dual display arrangement yard and other information ON For Bigger
(minimum 2000 x 2000 ; VDU, under no circumstances screens, higher
vertical 2000 pixels, require high resolution display. resolution is
horizontal 2000 pixels). 2. The above clause over required.
specifies the pixel requirement/s
and drives the prices on the
higher side, without any
resulting benefit/s to the
 The monitor shall be of Railways.
high resolution (minimum
1920 x 1080 but not HYTRONICS:
limited to), the minimum 1. A SIL2 VDU system, cannot Same is achievable
size of monitor shall be 42 fulfill clause 5.3.2 (f) i.e. "It shall in SIL2 VDU also.
inches. be possible to disable the
A flashing indication shall menus in case of emergency",
Page 16 of 94
 be provided on the VDU to because this feature requires
indicate healthy condition blocking of operations in the
of the main system, interlocking logic computers i.e.
communication channel. the VDU system shall transfer
Three dot markers in Red, the request to Interlocking logic
Blue & Green colours computers.
respectively shall also be 2. Similarly clause 5.3.8
displayed prominently at specifies as "Blocking of
conspicuous location on functions (points, signals, track
the VDU circuits etc.) shall be possible
terminal to indicate that through VDU. The blocking
the colour monitor is operations shall be achieved in
healthy and all the three fail-safe manner". This feature
colours (Red, Blue & cannot be implemented with a
Green) are present in rightSIL2 complied system and
proportion. hence VDU operations have to
It shall be possible to be complied to SIL4 norm
display the status of the 3. In a SIL2 system, after
yard by distinguishing withimplementing any "disabling
two differ colours (i.e., feature" on the VDU, if the VDU
system active and system system fails, then the critical
inactive) feature of "disabling feature" is
The software of VDU must lost, creating an unsafe
meet SIL-2 as defined in situation.
CENELEC Standards. The 4. In an SIL4 complied,
certificate of third party VDU Based EI system, many
Validator certifying that the
important facilities and features
VDU software is
can be implemented for the
equivalent to SIL-2. convenience of operating staff.
compliant shall also be For example:
submitted a) Dynamic Menu driven
operations
b) Establishing warning
Labels on any yard
element(Due to staff working
on track)
c) Establishing traffic
closure on any route (due to
Rail break etc.)
d) Locking of Points in any
position etc.
e) Display of vital Text
Messages in the form of risk
based information
5. All these features
mandate that VDU shall be SIL4
complied.
6. The VDU feature in
ESA11-IR, EI system is already
certified to SIL4 norm
5.3.3 The control terminal shall SER: No comments. No Change.
work with 230V ± 10%, HYTRONICS:
50Hz AC power supply, for We request the reference to
Page 17 of 94
 which an UPS of adequate 230V ± 10%, 50Hz AC power
capacity shall be supplied supply be amended to as any
along with the system. suitable power supply with
adequate back up power supply
to be provided.
5.3.4 It shall be possible to SER: No comments.
display the complete yard INVENSYS: If the yard layout is Bigger yards may
layout including the not fit in one monitor resolution, need more than
section on the monitor. It then it is better to fit the yard in one screen.
shall also have facility for two monitors. Giving additional
displaying a portion of the facilities such as zooming
yard or section in an portion of yard or scrolling will
enlarged mode or with lead to confusion for the SMs.
scrolling arrangement, if Always fixed active yard layout
required. in the given screen resolution is
better solution for VDUs.
5.3.8 Blocking of functions SER: No comments.
(points, signals, track INVENSYS: If CCIP is used as Agreed.
circuits etc.) shall be an optional panel, then the
possible through VDU. blocking function shall be made
The blocking operations as electrical transmission to EI
shall be achieved in fail- (instead of reminder collars on
safe manner. CCIP) so that the EI retains the
traffic block applied even if
control is transferred between
VDU and CCIP. RDSO shall
include the procedure so that it
can be a standard practice on
the CCIPs/VDUs for all zonal
railways.
HYTRONICS:
1. This feature cannot be Blocking is to be
implemented with a SIL2 achieved by main
complied system and hence EI which is SIL4,
VDU operations have to be hence VDU can be
complied to SIL4 norm. SIL2.
2. Any blocking of a
function has to be established in
the application processing
computer and not in VDU
Terminal, because after
establishing a blocking of a
function, if the VDU terminal
fails then this vital feature is lost
and an unsafe condition results.
3. To prevent any unsafe
situation blocking of any
function shall have to be
forwarded by the VDU terminal
to the vital computers which
process the interlocking
application.
4. This feature is possible
Page 18 of 94
 to be implemented only on a
SIL4 certified designed system.
6. HARDWARE AND FAIL-
SAFETY:
6.5 FAIL-SAFETY :
6.6 The system shall have SER: No comments.
provision for HYTRONICS: OEM shall keep
accommodating additional This clause need not be spare capacity in
15% of I/O in future. mentioned as it is the users design while
responsibility to ensure that offering the
15% of I/O capacity is kept as system.
spare.
7.0 SYSTEM SECR: Stand by system should As system works
ARCHITECHTURE: be completely isolated from the on single IPS,
working system including 100% isolation is
interface circuits and power not possible.
supply arrangement. This will
have advantages of complete
redundancy of each subsystem
and will facilitate yard
modifications without NI.
SECR: Redundancy at card file
level (CPU level) shall be
provided e.g. in case of M/s
ASTS Microlock-II system, say
there are three MLK-II racks viz
M1, M2 & M3 each consisting of
two card files i.e. M1A1, M1B1,
M2A2, M2B2, M3A3 and M3B3.
Say System ‘A’ is working and
M2A2 fails. In that case, it
should be possible to work as
M1A1, M2B2 and M3A3 in both
warm and hot standby mode
instead of completely shuting
down system ‘A’ and switching
over to ‘B’ system.
(a) Single Hardware SR: “For hot standby system Agreed, Shall be
architecture with diverse train operation shall not be replaced.
software. In addition, hot affected” may be replaced with
standby processor(s) “Train operation shall not be
/system shall be provided affected during automatic
with facility of automatic changeover” because EI system
changeover. For hot is not supposed to be hot
standby system, train standby system only and there
operation shall not be is no option of other than hot
affected. It should also be standby.
ensured that the fault,
which affected the main
processor/ system, does
not affect the hot standby
processor/ system.

Page 19 of 94
 (b) Two out of two SR: “For hot standby system Agreed, Shall be
hardware architecture with train operation shall not be replaced.
identical hardware and affected” may be replaced with
identical or diverse “Train operation shall not be
software. In addition, hot affected during automatic
standby processor(s) / changeover” because EI system
system using similar 2 out is not supposed to be hot
of 2 hardware and standby system only and there
software architecture shall is no option of other than hot
be provided with facility of standby.
automatic changeover.
For hot standby system,
train operation shall not be
affected. It should also be
ensured that the fault,
which affected the main
processor/ system, does
not affect
the hot standby processor/
system.
7.1.1 One of the following SER: No comments.
arrangements. shall be
used during the EI shall be NWR: - The decision for Agreed, this may
commissioning of EI in the going in for distributed be left for Railways
Railways : arrangement may not be based to decide, only
i) Centralized only on the no. of routes. Rather broad guidelines
arrangement. it is more justified on the basis may be covered.
ii) Distributed of geographical spread of the
arrangement. yard.
For medium size yards Further the stipulation may be of
having routes more than recommendatory nature and the
40, distributed architecture final decision may be left to the
employing Object Railway, based on the
controllers in field near the size/geographical spread of the
signalling gears shall only yard, site/ local conditions etc.
be used. The Object
controllers shall have only
function of input/output
gatherer and interlocking
logic
shall not be contained in
any of Object controller.
Complete redundancy
from power
supply to communication,
including communication
system shall be provided
for connection of object
controllers to main Central
Interlocking unit. It shall be
ensured

Page 20 of 94
7.2 MAINTENANCE AND
DIAGNOSTIC AIDS:
7.2.1 MT consisting of An SER: No comments.
Industrial grade embedded
fanless PC with printer
from a reputed
manufacturer shall be
provided for following
perations: -
i) Display of the current
status of points, signals,
controls etc. of the yard.
ii) Storage of minimum
one month data or 10,
00,000 events.
iii) Display of recorded
events and
iv) Data transfer to floppy,
CD, flash memory or any
other storage media. SR : (iv) : Floppy and CD to be RDSO:
deleted and pen drive to be Agreed, Shall be
included. Floppies and CDs are modified.
v) Transfer of recorded not used now days.
events to external data
logger. SR (v) : External data logger Already Covered.
should be of approved type as
per IRS S-99 latest version.
INVENSYS (v): MT does not Agreed.
transfer the recorded events to
external Datalogger. EI is
connected to external
vi) Generation of Datalogger through protocol
exception reports shall be converters to log the events.
possible on MT for
analysis purpose INVENSYS (vi): Exception For EI MT
and past events simulation reports are already available on networking this is
on yard layout etc. exactly Datalogger and becomes essential.
as per Data Logger redundant to be developed on
specification No. IRS: S- MT.
99 latest version.

vii) The soft copy of

Signalling circuits/manuals
provide at the station shall
also
be loaded on MT for ready
reckoner of ESM in INVENSYS (vii): Manuals shall Agreed.
simple/local language. be provided on English.
viii) MT shall be preferably
connected to EI through
OFC. If copper cable is
used
for connectivity the MT
Page 21 of 94
 port shall be isolated from INVENSYS (viii):Same
the port of EI. At both comment as clause 3.14.
ends RS232
isolator/industrial grade
opto-isolator shall be
used.
7.2.5 NER: Additional clause- it N/A as online
shall not be possible to make modification of
any modification in the soft copy application data
of signalling circuit from cannot be done.
maintenance terminal loaded on
MT for ready reckoner.
8.0 SOFTWARE
REQUIREMENTS:

8.1 The software of system SER: No comments.

should have two layers :
(a) Executive Software or
System Software This
Executive Software shall
define what the system
can do and how the
various parts of the
system operate together. It
shall include all start up
and operational safety
tests (including checking
the Executive Software
itself) that are the parts of
the processor for continual
assurance of safety
operation.
(b) Application Software It
shall be containing the
logic that defines how the
inputs and outputs for a
particular station are
related. This shall be
station specific. It shall not
be possible to modify
Executive Software.
However, Application
engineers should have the
facility to modify
application software as
and when required. It
should be possible to
prevent unauthorized
access for modifying the
application software
through a password
protection.
SR : The checksum of the In Every EI,
executive software as approved Executive Check
by RDSO shall be verifiable Sum is either
after commissioning. displayed on LED
window or in MT.
SECR: Since the interlocking is Already Replied.
software based, the logics of
interlocking should be RCC
based exclusively for the EIs as
compared to circuit based
provided in relay interlocking.
INVENSYS: The unauthorized
access for modifying the
application data through a
password protection is
applicable only when the
application data is downloaded
directly from a computer. If the
application data is to be loaded
on an EPROM using a EPROM
programmer, this is not
applicable.

Page 22 of 94
 a) The checksum of SR : Checksum of the Check Sum is
application software at the application software after verifiable, Railways
time of Factory completion of SAT shall be to ensure.
Acceptance Test (FAT) frozen and verifiable after
matches with the commissioning.
checksum at the site
(SAT) if there is no
modification in yard layout
after FAT.
8.1.1 c) NER: Additional clause- Not related with EI,
Provision for recording each and can be managed
every modification or changes in only by version
application software done by control.
Application Engineer should be
provided.
8.5 SELF CHECK
PROCEDURES:
8.5.2 Integrity of the final vital SER: No comments.
output of the system for INVENSYS: Reading of front Presently its
control of the field contacts in not necessary considered
equipment should be particularly for signals as ECRs necessary in
continuously monitored by are available as an indirect addition to reading
failsafe hardware and feedback. This is more safer of ECR.
software along with than reading the output relay
reading front (in case of contact alone.
Metal to carbon relay) or If somebody just picks up the
both contacts (in case of HPR in the location for lighting a
Metal to Metal relay) of signal, the comparison with
relays to guard against ECR will detect this sabotage
inadvertent operation of whereas reading the front
the equipment. contact of just HR will not detect
this.
9. POWER SUPPLY SECR: System should be Vague, hence not
REQUIREMENTS: energy efficient and compliant of added.
latest energy consumption
norms. (Especially for E Route
where frequency of train is less).
9.2 Two different voltages INVENSYS: Since un regulated Agreed.
shall be used, one to drive 230V AC power supply is
EI equipment and the provided by Railways, the EI
other for receiving the vendors might use DC-DC
inputs from the field gears. converters or AC-DC
All the DC-DC converters converters. So, the clause may
used to provide the be suitably modified
different supply to the EI Clause number 9.3 is repeated.
shall be provided for main HYTRONICS:
and standby EI system CENELEC Specifications have
separately. not specified use of TWO
different voltages. We request
that this requirement may be
dropped and only ONE voltage
shall also be permitted.

Page 23 of 94
9.3 DC-DC converters shall be
capable for working in
non-air conditional
environment and ambient
temperature range
between -10o C to 70 o C
and Relative Humidity
unto 95% at 40o C.
9.4 The required protection
shall be provided to
protect from any
malfunctioning due to
false/ spurious feed.
15. TOOL KIT:
The following tools shall
be provided by the
manufacturer at the time
of supply of
the equipment:
i) True RMS digital
multimeters-4 digits
display with facility of
diode & transistor testing.
ii) True RMS digital
multimeters-4⅟2digits
suitable upto 50 Hz, high
accuracy.
iii) Storage dual beam
oscilloscope of 20 MHz or
above bandwidth.
iv) Function Generator.
v) Earth Resistance meter.
vi) Insulation Resistance
tester. Etc. and other tools
as required by Purchaser/
user Railway.
SER: It should be possible to DC-DC convertors
indicate failure of DC-DC have potential free
converter through potential free contacts. Clause
contact. shall be reworded.
INVENSYS: Since un regulated
230V AC power supply is
provided by Railways, the EI
vendors might use DC-DC
converters or AC-DC
converters. So, the clause may
be suitably modified
Clause number 9.3 is repeated.
HYTRONICS:
We request that this clause be
more better defined to enable us
to give our comments. Right
now we are not able to
understand clearly.
HYTRONICS: This is to avoid
1. CENELEC specifications inadvertent
does not approve this clause. It operation of
is impossible to obtain SIL4 external relays.
norm complying this clause.
2. Limited protection
against well-defined false/
spurious feed cases may be
possible and we request RDSO
to define specific cased where
they require protection against
false/spurious feed cases.
SER: No comments. Agreed.
INVENSYS: In the tool kit, the
following equipments are not
useful:
· Storage dual beam
oscilloscope of 20MHz or
above bandwidth
· Function generator
· True RMS meter with facility
for Diode and transistor
testing (at the site no tests
are done for diode or
transistor)
The above equipments may be
removed from the tool kit
contents.
Page 24 of 94
16.0 CONDITIONS IN CASE
OF CROSS
ACCEPTANCE:
20. INFORMATION TO BE
FURNISHED BY THE
PURCHASER:
a) Approved interlocking
plan, selection table and
panel diagram of the
station (Cl. 3.1) and the
station data such as old or
new room, size of the
room, station layout details 2. Type of block instrument to
etc.
b) Type of VDU control through QBCA1 point contactors
terminal. CCIP required or or Siemens point group
not.
c) Datalogger to be
supplied or not.
d) System output required
to drive field gears – relay
interface or object
controllers.
e) 110V AC or DC usage
for signal lamp lighting.
f) Size of VDU monitor
screen, in case of big
yard.
General
SER: No comments.
SER: No comments.
INVENSYS (a): The following Agreed.
additional information is
necessary to be included:
1. Station codes followed by
Railways
be interfaced with EI
3. Type of signal LED or
filament type lamps
4. Location of lamp proving
relays either in equipment
room or at location boxes
5. If LED signals are used
then HMUs are required or
not
Type of point interface either
INVENSYS: (f) In addition to
size of monitor, the resolution is
important. Even if the size of the
monitor is big, in some cases,
the resolution may not be
sufficient to accommodate the
yard into one screen. Generally
as the size of the monitor goes
big, the resolution comes down.
NFR:-
1. The failure of EI is creating 1. to avoid such
panic at stations as complete situations, Hot
panel getting locked. Standby has been
Reliability need to be recommended.
improved.
Page 25 of 94
 No comments.
2. Till performance of EI is
tested in lightening prone
area. No EI should be
installed in NFR.

3. AMC charges in NFR are No Comment.

very high and need drastic
PU32 outlay is coming
around Rs. 5.5 lacs per
Annum.

Agreed.
4. System should be distributed
in such a way that complete
panel should not locked at
any cost. Already Guide
Lines are issued
and same has
5. All EIs must be hot standby been incorporated
system only. in modified
specifications also.

6. Power supply used for field

object controller must have 6. May be covered
resettable type surge arrestor by comprehensive
at cable level with B & C guidelines on surge
class protections protection.

7. In no case object controller or

fuse should fail in case of Fuses are
lightening. Designed to Blow
to avoid damage to
the main
equipment, this
cannot be
8. All three type of architectures accomplished.
are covered in single spec.
The cost of all 3 systems is Cost of the system
varying widely. Finalizing the shall be dependent
tender is difficult under these of used functions
conditions. and yard layout.

9. Already firms are objecting for

wiring only hot standby
system or otherwise. E.g. Complete details
SIL2 condition for VDUs. for this item may
RDSO should recommended be submitted by
type of architecture to be NFR for better
followed under different appreciation and
condition. resolving the issue.

Page 26 of 94
WR:-
1. If desired by railways then it
should be possible to 1. RDSO – Using
incorporate the block working normal circuit
functionality in the EI system. incorporation in EI
application data,
same can be
achieved, using
duplicated and
diversified OFC
ring. SSC may
discuss on this
2. All the software required for issue.
carrying out the alterations
should be supplied along with Same can be made
EI, which include the VDU as part of supply by
and interface software also. Railways while
Inviting Works.
3. At least 20% slot and
hardware/software need to be
kept free for future
addition/alterations. Already Covered in
Specifications,
however keeping
spare capacity
shall lead to cost
escalations, and
20% spare
4. All power supply required for capacity in
EI to be generated by EI software shall be
system only. Railways difficult to verified
should provide only 230V AC by Railways.
supply.

As for small and

medium Yards, IPS
is available, hence
preferred voltage
has been kept as
110VDC.

5. Preferable railway should

supply the ST & LT only and
design should be carried out
with appropriate supplier
liability clause and safety
performance guarantee.

Page 27 of 94
 Safety assurance
is basic
WR- General Comments responsibility of
Additional safety features railway personnel,
need to be added until major
1. Point operations modifications are
command for setting of made in basic
points in route should be policies, same
with soft delay of 1 sec cannot be
in between two different enforced.
points.

2. In case indication of point is

from N to R operation or vice
versa is received between 2-
14 sec then only same is
need to be considered as
valid for clearing of signal. Circuit
Implementation.
3. If the signal controlling relay
is showing OFF without
fulfilling the requirement of
signal taking off condition
then EI should shut down in
safe mode.

4. If mismatch in point
indications is observed then Circuit
EI should go in safe mode or Implementation.
not signal be cleared on that
point.

5. Sequence of track dropping in

train movement should be as
per logic defined if any
ambiguity is observed then Circuit
system should shut down in Implementation.
safe mode.
NWR:- RDSO-Railways
Recommended/ approved may further clarify
products as per the proposed this point.
specification shall be necessary
for adoption of the same.
Circuit
Implementation.
CR:
1. It should be possible to
incorporate the block working
functionality in the EI system.

Page 28 of 94
2. ST/LT shall be elaborated to Circuit
cover most of the functionality Implementation.
details of EI.

3. At least 30% slot of

hardware/software need to be
kept free for future Yes, Agreed.
addition/alterations.

4. All power supply required for

EI to be generated by EI
system only through inbuilt
SMPS unit. Railway should
provide only 230V AC supply.
RDSO-Already
5. It shall be possible to carry answered in
out testing and alteration for previous slides.
functionality test prior to
introduction on live panel
through software without Circuit
disturbing existing working of Implementation.
the EI panel.

Additional safety features Already covered for

need to be added 15%.
1. Point operations command
for setting of points in route
should be with soft delay of 1 As IPS are
sec in between two different available at small
points. and medium
stations, preferred
2. In case indication of point voltages have been
including overlap is from N to kept at 110VDC.
R operation or vice versa is RDSO-Same can
received between 2-20 sec be done on Factory
then only same is needed to Test Setup.
be considered as valid for
clearing of signal because of
timer element of WJR.

3. Sequence of Track dropping

in train movement should be
as per logic defined if any
ambiguity is observed then Circuit
concerned route should be Implementation.
held up.

ER:
The methodology for releasing
the crank handle in case of full
or partial failure of system or Circuit
sub-systems of EI should be Implementation.
specified.
Page 29 of 94
WCR :

a) Integration of UFSBI
functions in the EI for block
working.
Circuit
b) OEM’s certificate for Implementation.
installation before
commissioning of EI

SR:
Acronym VDU is misleading as
it conventionally means visual It shall be same as
display unit only. In the present existing rules for
case it is working as operation crank handle
terminal also. Therefore, it is during complete
suggested that it should be failure of relay
renamed as visual display and panels.
operational terminal (VDOT).
Similarly, the maintenance
terminal should be named as
Diagnostic and Maintenance Already Replied.
Terminal (DMT).

Covered by RDSO
in all approval
letters.

Now everyone is
conversant with
Term hence
acronym VDU has
been continued.

Page 30 of 94
 ITEM No.1145

SUBJECT: FINALIZATION OF CENTRALIZED AND DISTRIBUTED ARCHITECTURE OF

ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING (EI)

SSC REFERENCE: 82th SSC

RDSO FILE REFERENCE: STS/L/SSI

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:
SL. LETTER NO.
No.
1. RDSO’s Letter No. STS/C/82th SSC Meeting/Vol. 1 Dated 30.10.2012
2. SCR Letter No. SG.190/PC/SSI, Vol.-VI Dated 14.09.2012
3. WR Letter No. SG.217/38 (SSI) Dated 22.10.2012
4. SR Letter No. SG/71/I Dated 17.10.2012
5. NWR Letter No. SG/236/2/EI/Vol. 1 Dated 16.10.2012
6. ECoR By e-mail Dated 03/12/2012
6. NFR Letter No. N//229/5/8(S) Dated 22.11.2012
7. SER Letter No. S&T/SIG/4/65/82/M/Pt-1/4683 Dated 26.11.2012.
8. CR By Email Dated 27.11.2012

AGENDA: FINALIZATION OF CENTRALIZED AND DISTRIBUTED ARCHITECTURE OF

ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING (EI)

NOTE BY SECRETARY:
I. Background
Presently, Electronic Interlocking (EI) is being used on IR as centralized system wherein all
the parts and modules of EI are placed in centralized room and through interface relays
signalling gears are connected with relay room similar to conventional panel/RRI system.

However, EI also offer a facility to be used in distributed mode wherein Object Controllers
(OCs)/dumb EI terminals can be placed near to the signalling gears. These OCs (Dumb EI
terminals) can be connected to centralize EI with redundant optical fibre and network
switches.
II. History
Presently, out of roughly 500 stations commissioned with EI over IR, approximately 56
stations have been commissioned in distributed mode but mainly with distribution of
interlocking logic also in the EI systems provided in remote locations. During recent failures
at Adityapur, Muri, Krishnanagar and at Nallapadu, it has been noticed that due to
distribution of logic in these EIs placed at remote locations complete station undergoes in
total shut down. It is also evident from the configuration of distributed EIs that reduction in
cable requirement shall be very significant.

III. Discussion
RDSO has issued guidelines vide letter no. STS/L/SSI dated 05.06.2009 regarding
configuration of deployment of EI over IRs. Further comments were invited from CSTEs
vide RDSO’s letter no. STS/L/SSI dated 11.09.2012 for use of EI in distributed mode.

Page 31 of 94
IV. Comments received
Sl. Railway Comments
No.
I WR
1 All the locations i.e. centralized locations
and remote locations should have provision
for air-conditioning, atleast of cabinet type
for reliable working of electronics system
kept there.
2 230V power supply will have to be extended
to remote locations. This should be done
through power cable of sufficient size
running via atleast two different routes.
3 Various status and alarms of OCs in remote
locations should be brought to the central
place for easy monitoring and controlling.
4 OCs should be connected to the centralized
places on OFC atleast via two different
routes.
5 It should be made clear as to who will
provide the various power supplies at the
remote locations for different signalling
gears like signals, point machines and track
circuits. If there are to be provided by
Railways, then the provision of suitable
power equipments (may be the IPS, as
included in the Annexure), will have to be
catered. In any case, provision will also
require to be made for centralized
monitoring of power supply system provided
in the remote locations.
6 AT supply in RE area should be at least 25
KVA.
II SCR :
1 Implementation of entire interlocking logic
should be done at central location only.
2 Only dumb OCs should be used in the field.
3 Communication interfaces should be
provided in dual redundant mode.
4 Communication interfaces should have
sufficient fault diagnostics.
5 OEM’s AMC representative should be
technically competent to handle
communication related issues.
III SR
Use of distributed EI system but with
complete logic availability in distributed
systems also.
IV NWR
1 The size of medium yard for adoption of the
suggested distributed architecture i.e.
RDSO’s View
Considering present policy on air-
conditioning of equipment rooms, same
may not be possible.
Agreed, however 110 VDC can also be
extended using power cable to reduce
redundancy in batteries.
Agreed and Covered in Modified
Specifications.
Agreed and Already covered in
specifications.
With arrangement of OCs, different power
supplies for point, track and signals would
be required invariably. Same can be done
using IPS modules using 110VDC.
Agreed for power supply failure alarms at
remote locations, same shall be added in
specifications.
This shall depend upon the total power
requirement of S&T equipments.
Agreed, same is covered in modified
specifications.
Agreed, same is covered in modified
specifications.
Agreed, same is covered in modified
specifications.
Agreed, same is covered in modified
specifications.
Agreed, OEMs shall be communicated
same while giving them approval.
This is not possible as multiple processing
of same data generating similar outputs
cannot be achieved by EI.
Agreed, decision may be left upon
Railways, however broad guidelines may
Page 32 of 94
 providing configuration with centralized be included in specifications.
interlocking logic along with object controller
(OC) as I/O gathers may depend not only
on the number of routes but also on the
geographical spread of the yard.
2 The selection of technology for medium/big
size yards should primarily focus on the
capability of basic EI unit used in
handling/processing maximum no. of I/O.
Perhaps, in a way this was intended to be
addressed in the draft specification for EI
for big yards circulated by RDSO vide letter
no. STS/L/SSI/Big Yards dated 07.12.2011,
Para 6.8 of this draft specification stipulates
this requirement. However, no Several vendors are under processing by
make/products have yet been RDSO for approval against large EI
recommended by RDSO for adoption as per specifications.
the draft specs.
This is considered to be an important
parameter for better reliability and efficient
working so that Railways do not continue to
use multiple small – small EI units (like
Microlock-II) in tandem.
RDSO may consider recommending
make/products as per the draft specs for
adoption by Railways.

3. The advantages of centralization of Cost reduction is evident as projected by

equipment vis-à-vis cost incurred on the
signalling cable need to be critically
weighed, particularly in non-RE areas
where uninterrupted power supply becomes
an important consideration.
WR. Power supply for NON-RE area for
distributed interlocking shall not require
much change in case 110VDC is extended
from Central IPS Location.

It is considered that the draft specification of Large EI specification are already finalised
medium/big yards may be discussed in the based upon comments and discussion in
forthcoming SSC to address all the issues last SSC.
in totality keeping in view RAMS (reliability,
availability, maintainability & safety) of the
EI.
V ECoR
1 Integration of inputs/outputs of signal gears Same is objective of present proposal.
should be done using Dumb Object
Controllers instead of conventional small EI
systems at different locations of yard. This
will enhance reliability and availability of the
system.
2 In Distributed Electronic Interlocking Though Object Controllers can be housed
systems, the housing of Object Controllers in Location Boxes but in order to make
needs to be addressed and they shall able further savings on copper cable, various
to work from location boxes as well as supplies would be needed near OC, hence
goomties. Porta Cabin or Small goomties may be
better.
Page 33 of 94
3 Driving of input/output functions by Object Same has been covered in modified EI
Controllers has to be addressed as they specifications under discussion in SSC.
can be through Relay Interface Or Direct.
4 Need for duplication of Object Controllers Media is duplicated, however presently
and media is to be examined. within known EI Models of various OEMs,
none has duplicated object controllers.
5 Standards for common protocol Common protocol for EI to EI connectivity
specifications for networking of various is not possible as same is validated by ISA
installed EI systems are required to be on 50159 and is different for different
introduced. Such Network Management vendors; some of them are even patented.
System for EIs facilities monitoring of their Network management and monitoring shall
health and managing and troubleshooting be possible within same group of OEM EI.
remotely.
6 EI systems shall be installed and certified Guidelines for OEM certification are
by OEM only and shall be made already issued, installation is also by their
responsible for its working. This shall be personnel, most EI contracts covered that
part of specification of the equipment. installation shall be by certified personnel.
7 Warranty period for EI systems shall be life Agreed, but it shall lead to cost escalation,
time or at least 05 years or 60 months from SSC may please discuss.
the date of installation.
VI NFR
Centralized EI failure causing locking of To avoid such situations hot standby and
complete panel and thus panic condition distributed architecture has been
are created at stations. System should be proposed.
such that complete panel should not get
locked at any cost.
VII SER
1 Railways suggestions for use of EI in Agreed.
distributed mode:
View of SER over all availability of the
system will increase due to reduction of
copper cable component as OFC in place.
However, networking component should be
rugged. Reduction in copper cable will lead
to reduction in cost of installation.
2 Use of EI in distributed mode-OC to Agreed. Same is already covered in
contain interlocking logic or not: modified EI specifications. NMS is not
Only dumb OCs is to be used in field. If covered in modified specifications, same
yard layout requires intelligence in OC then shall be covered.
intelligence to be provided. Communication
interfaces should be provided in redundant
mode. The network status to be monitored
through communication NMS which is to be
supplied along with communication and
networking equipment.
3 Centralized diagnostic maintenance in Agreed. Same is covered in Modified
case of use of EI arrangement: specifications.
There should be centralized diagnostic
maintenance arrangement in case of EI as
well as for networking component. The
networking should be extended to division
for monitoring and for rectification.

Page 34 of 94
4 Reliable power supply arrangement in Agreed, Presently it is envisaged through
use of distributed EI: IPS.
1. Reliable power supply for DC-DC
converter as well as for relay logic is to be
provided at centralized location as well as
for remote OCs.
2. 230V power supply will have to be
extended from source of supply. If the Railways Board Guidelines about this
distance between the power source and already exists.
object control location is more than two KM
then provision of AT is a must.
5 Redundancy at every level to provide Agreed and covered in modified
highest level of reliability in use of specifications.
distributed EI:
Redundancy at every level i.e. at power
supply, networking and equipment level to
be done.
6 Maintenance issues: General Item.
AMC terms and condition to be issued y
RDSO as draft AMC term and condition
comment already sent to RDSO.
VIII CR
1 Distributed architecture is to be used only Agreed, already covered.
for major yards with interlocking logic at
centralized location. OC should not contain
interlocking logic.
2 Reliable power supply to be ensured Agreed, already covered.
through IPS.
3 Dust free environment must be maintained This would require Air-conditioning of
for all the locations housing the OC. Locations, which would need a policy
decision.
4 Diagnostic tools and remote alarm features Agreed and Already covered.
should be envisaged at centralized location
for better monitoring and controlling.

V. In view of the above, the following important items are noted as below:-
1. As indicated, the distributed mode of EI with OCs near signalling gears shall lead to huge
saving in total signalling systems cost at station.
2. The overall system reliability as indicated by Railways is higher when OCs are used with
centralized EI with logic.
VI. Items for discussion
1. Railways suggestions for use of EI in distributed mode.
2. Use of EI in distributed mode – OC to contain interlocking logic or Not.
3. Centralized diagnostic maintenance in case of use of EI arrangement.
4. Reliable power supply arrangements in use of distributed EI.
5. Redundancy at every level to provide highest level of reliability in use of distributed EI.
6. Maintenance issues.

Page 35 of 94
 ITEM No.1146

SUBJECT: DRAFT CHAPTER OF SEM ON ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING

SSC REFERENCE: 82ndSSC

RDSO FILE REFERENCE: STS/L/SSI

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:
SL. LETTER NO.
No.
1. RDSO’s Letter No. STS/C/82th SSC Meeting/Vol. 1 Dated 30.10.2012
2. NFR Letter No. N//229/5/8(S) Dated 22.11.2012
4. SER Letter No. S&T/SIG/4/65/82/M/Pt-1/4683 Dated 26.11.2012.
5. NWR Email Dated 27/11/2012 Dated 27.11.2012

AGENDA: FINALIZATION OF DRAFT CHAPTER ON ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING (EI)

NOTE BY SECRETARY:
Electronic Interlockings are being adopted on Indian Railways in Big way and Presently SEM does
not have any chapter on Electronic Interlocking. In order to have a chapter on EI in SEM, draft
chapter was circulated to all zones and comments are compiled as below:-

Clause No. Existing Railway’s comments RDSO’s view

Stipulations
NWR
1.1.10 The system shall be The system shall be Agreed.
provided in a dust provided in a dust proof
protected cabinet. If cabinet. If force cooling is
force cooling is required, the cooling fans
required, the cooling shall operate on system
fans shall operate on power supply with over
system power supply current protection
with over current arrangement. Standby fans
protection shall be provided so that if
arrangement. The one fails other is available.
failure of any one of Suitable dust filter shall be
the fans shall give an provided on the fan face to
alarm to the avoid ingress of dust and
operator. chocking of fans. The
failure of any one of the
fans shall give an Alarm to
the operator.
1.2.6 (i) When the i) No change No Change.
interlocking is
powered ‘ON’ or
following a
shutdown,
………….120 sec.
(ii) When this Timer ii) It is recommended that Same is covered in
times out, the after power ‘ON’ or following Proposal, however if
variables shall be set a shutdown when the timer safety conditions are met,
at the permissive times out, the variables ASM is given with group
Page 36 of 94
 status, if all safety shall be set to the safe release command which
conditions are conditions at the most shall release all routes
satisfied and also restrictive status only. The which are not covered by
routes, route locking operator shall be required to any safety implications.
sections and reclear the signal or follow
overlaps shall be up procedure for releasing
released, if all safety the route depending on the
conditions for their condition at which EI got
release are available. shutdown.
1.2.7.3 The connectivity Add the following:- Object controller was not
between the two EIs, When the object controller covered, same shall be
when placed at is used in the field, the added.
different locations connectivity between object
shall be through OFC controller and EI shall be
and the EI & field through OFC. All the
equipments shall be connectivity on OFC shall
through signalling be ring protected.
cable.
1.4.1 (ii) Control-cum- Add the following in the Agreed.
indication panel beginning of this para:-
(Domino type) with It shall be possible to
panel processor operate or function through
having Stand-by the conventional CCIP
processor and/or a (Controller cum indication
control terminal with panel) or by VDU. The
VDU display option to switch over the
consisting of a colour method of operation shall
VDU monitor, a be provided.
Keyboard & Mouse Standby arrangement shall
or Digitizer. always be provided.
Instead of one CCIP and
one VDU, two VDUs may
be provided. The VDU shall
be fan-less, industrial grade
PC to ensure long life in the
field condition.
1.4.2(v) The system shall log Add the following in the Agreed.
all events, beginning of this para:-
commands, functions The event log facility shall
etc. which should be be available for minimum 10
date and time lakh events. The system
stamped, for shall also have facility for
enabling complete transmitting series data
analysis of safe and transfer to the central
proper functioning of monitoring unit through data
the system. logger.
1.5.6 Integrity of the final Add the following in the No Change, both have
vital output of the beginning of this Para:- same implication and
system for control of In case extraneous voltage meaning.
the field equipment is read-back on any of the
should be vital output, as found
continuously read- mismatching from the
back and checked to output status in the EI, the
Page 37 of 94
 guard against EI shall go to a safe shut
inadvertent operation down state.
of the equipment.
NFR NIL
SER
1.2.7.1 (II) Control-cum- Control-cum-indication No Change, as inherent
indication panel panel (CCIP) are control meaning is same.
(CCIP) or Control terminal with VDU
Terminal with VDU display/VDU wall.
Display.
1.2.7.1 (iv) Track Circuits Track circuit/Axle Agreed for change.
counter/MSDAC
1.2.7.1 (viii) Level Crossing Level crossing gates/siding Agreed for change.
Gates control points

Page 38 of 94
 ITEM No. 1147

SUBJECT: REVIEW OF RDSO/SPN/177/2012 Ver. 3.0 of Single section digital axle counters.

SSC REFERENCE:Nil

RDSO FILE REFERENCES: STS/C/82nd SSC

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SN LETTER NO.

1. WR’s ‘s letter SG.158.2.82.dt 21.11.2012.

2. NFR’s letter no. N/229/518(S) dt. 22.11.2012.

3. CR’s email dt 27.11.2012

4. ER’s email dt 30.11.2012

5. WCR’s ‘s letter WCR/N/HQ-110/RDSO/Corres/Sig/01 Part-7.dt 03.12.2012.

6. ECoR’s email dt 03.12.2012

7. NCR’s email dt 03.12.2012 & 04.12.2012

8. NR’s letter no. 341/519-07/SSC meeting dt. 04.12.2012.

9. NWR’s email dt 05.12.2012

AGENDA:Review of SSDAC specifications RDSO/SPN/177/2012 ver 3.0.

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

The specifications for SSDAC (RDSO/SPN/177/2005 ver 2.0) were modified mainly to incorporate

i) High Availability SSDAC features,

ii) comments of previous SSC on detection techniques
iii) Purchaser’s option for different variants of SSDAC now available
iv) Other minor typographical changes.

The specification was approved and circulated in OCT 2012. The existing paragraphs,
recommendations of the Zonal Railways and RDSO comments are tabulated and enclosed for
deliberations in the meeting.

Page 39 of 94
 Para Railway Comment’s RDSO’s Views
2.1.10 NWR
Event Logger: logs the Event Logger: logs the events The protocol converter is under
events occurring in the occurring in the field unit with date development with M/s Efftronics.
field unit with date and and time stamping and can be Specifications can be modified
time stamping. able to connect to Data Logger. after the trial.
Include in 4.0 ER
Provision of remote monitoring of Interfacing through datalogger is
axle counter parameters through under development.
datalogger or other means. The Error codes for SSDAC are being
coding of SSDAC should be more made similar for CEL and
specific to the actual problems. GGtronics as feedback on CEL is
Separate codes for failures due to ok.
power interruptions/ low Error codes are generated for
insulations must be assigned. faults which are isolated and
identified. Power interruptions/low
insulations result in generation of
related system malfunction codes.
4.0.6 NWR
Axle counter operation Minimum diameter of wheel, Specifications mentions
shall be independent of condition of wheel etc. to which compliance to Railways SOD.
wear & tear of wheels the performance of equipment Tolerance from vertical clearance
as permitted vide shall not be affected should be is vendor specific and is specified
Indian Railway’s specified. in the Installation manuals.
Schedule of Tolerance of vertical clearance of
Dimension, lateral mounting of track device from top
displacement of wheels of rail head to be specified.
on rails etc. The ER
manufacturer shall Response of axle counters to flat
specify the minimum wheels or wheel defects should be
diameter of the wheels, clarified.
condition of wheels
etc., to which the
performance of
equipment shall not be
affected.
4.0.12 NWR
Card wise failure Card wise failure indication shall Information present in the
indication shall be be provided. It is desirable to give eventlogger will be transferred to
provided. It is desirable suitable indication of the nature of datalogger. However SSC can
to give suitable failure. Also total system failure deliberate on this additional
indication of the nature and O.K. indications shall be requirement and accordingly
of failure. Also total provided. Also any failure of card decide
system failure and O.K. shall be transmit to remote
indications shall be location through Data logger via
provided. event logger.
4.0.16 NR
The equipment shall be Clause 4.0.16 specifies that Para 5.1 of RDSO/SPN/144 gives
fully solid-state using carefully chosen components of details of the components required
carefully chosen grade as per details given in for such electronic systems. All
components ofgrade as SPN/144 should be used in the required tests are specified in
Page 40 of 94
per details given in equipment. Proper grade of RDSO/SPN/144 itself.
SPN/144 components i.e. Industrial/Military
grade should be specified in the
specification itself as done in other
specifications like IPS, LED Signal
and there should be some
test/checks specified in the
specification so as to check that
components being used are of
proper grade at the time of
acceptance test.
4.0.23 NWR
The design of axle
counter shall take into Criteria to be quantified. Specifications give broad
account switching guidelines. The vendors provide
transients that may protection as per their system
occur either inside or requirements.
outside the system and
of any magnitude, up to
and including
interruption of full short
circuit current.
4.0.26 NWR
The axle counter The axle counter should not affect Current specs include the vice
should not affect the the operation of other wayside versa clause. Telecom
operation of other signalling & telecom equipments equipments can be added.
wayside signalling and vice-versa.
equipments.
4.1.6 NWR
Use as High Availability Add:-Communication means to be Protocol converter for transferring
SSDAC system (HA- provided to monitor both system Eventlogger data to Datalogger is
SSDAC) (e.g. for BPAC independently through data logger under development. Provision of
applications): High and analysis of the errors E1 port on HASSDAC will mean
availability system uses generated. Also HA-SSDAC shall that Fibre has to be brought to
proven have E-1 port for direct location which may not be
……………………. connectivity to OFC channel. desirable. However SSC can
………………….The deliberate.
High Availability
SSDAC system can be ECoR
provided with High Availability SSDAC system The HASSDAC system has been
(HA-SSDAC) has been developed to provide relief from
proposed for BPAC application. At the intermittent failures in a
present SSDACs installed for system. Provision of HASSDAC is
BPAC preferable in high density routes
are not very old and not due for whereas SSDAC can be used at
replacement. Use of (HA- other locations.
SSDAC)s in
place of SSDACs will have high
financial implication
4.1.7 ECoR
The option [selection] The norms for the performance Performance is measured in terms
of single track evaluation have now changed of MTBF/MTTR. However
sensor/dual track toFRPCPY from MTBF, MTDR FRPCPY is an additional
Page 41 of 94
sensor can be measure.
exercised bythe
ordering authority
based on density of
traffic and considering
MTBF requirements.
4.3.6 NWR
Axle counter Add :- Sensors are put to driving rain test
performance shall not Axle detector shall comply to IP 65 as per RDSO/SPN/144 which is
be affected by the standard. equivalent to IP65. So no change
flooding of track. is necessary.
4.3.10 NCR
The length of inbuilt Various length of Tx/Rx cable These are standard length of
cable with Axle should be designed to avoid cables and procurement should be
Detector shall be 5 / 10 unnecessary coils of cable inside based on requirement.
/ 15 Mtr. Only the location boxes
4.4.8.8 NWR
Reset box shall have Download procedure to connect Procedures are vendor specific
provision for a data external device to download port and are not covered by
download port along and station data logger shall be specifications.
with necessary memory specified.
to store last thousand
events.
4.5.1 NWR
Digital Axle Counter To be deliberated. Present systems are all 2oo2 and
field unit shall have 2 so is the case with imported
out of 2 architecture. SSDAC/MSDAC systems also.
However SSC can deliberate.
4.5.4 NWR
Provision should be To be specified. It has been instructed separately
there for lightning & ER by RDSO to provide Class ‘C’
surge protection in the Since lightning and surges SPD on incoming power line to
field unit power supply continue to strike, it is suggested SSDAC, Modem lines at both
input and that value of lightning and surge ends, coming from field sensor
communication line should be defined and protection and on reset box cable pairs. The
input/output. should cover that value. SPDs to be provided between the
cores and also from core to earth.
Earth has to be less than 5 ohms.
4.5.5 NR
The field units should The permissible insulation Maximum permissible attenuation
be able to resistance of Quad cable should is defined and accordingly
communicate with each be specified in the specification for systems are designed.
other for transmission which modem and communication
loss up to 30dB. will work properly.
4.6.3 NWR
It shall be capable of It shall be capable of transmission Card level data is displayed in the
transmission of axle of axle counts, health status, specific unit itself. It is not
counts, health status generation & transmission of card available in Eventlogger. Data
and other information level faults and other information packets do not carry this
between connected between connected field units on information at present. However
field units on a a transmission link. The SSC can deliberate on this issue.
transmission link. The transmission link, in case of
transmission link, in copper cable, shall be ½ quad
Page 42 of 94
case of copper cable, telecom cable or 1 pair in PIJF
shall be ½ quad cable or one 2-wire voice channel
telecom cable or 1 pair in case of OFC. The rate of
in PIJF cable or one 2- transmission should be
wire voice channel in minimum1200 baud.
case of OFC. The rate
of transmission should
be minimum1200 baud.
4.6.5. NWR
Minimum 2 (two) RDSO to specify in the Considering para 4.0.19, minimum
consecutive telegrams specification the minimum length section length can be calculated
will be required to verify of the axle counter section for w.r.t. sectional speed.
the integrity of ……. … which the axle counter section
………. shall work properly with quad
……..specified. cable / OFC/ other media for train
running at maximum speed as
specified.
4.7.1 NWR
Provision of earthing Earth resistance to be specified. IRSEM mentions earthing
should be there in the ER requirement as less than 1 ohms.
field unit and reset box. Earthing values should be However manufacturer give the
The earth terminal shall specified or referenced value as less than 4 ohms. This is
be suitable for taking specifications should be indicated in Manufacturer
upto 4mm dia. copper mentioned. manuals. Hence specifying in the
wire with lug. specifications is not required.
4.8 NWR
Event Logger Event logging in SSDAC shall be Last 10/4 events are available for
stored in a centralized location display through scroll at Reset
preferably in the Reset box rather box. Min. 1000 events can be
than in the axle counter provided stored in the reset box also
at location box.

ECoR
Health monitoring of SSDAC shall This is being provided in
include the testing of GGtronics system by having a
communication media - quad BER display on reset box as a
cable or OFC cable from time to trial. This will be taken up further.
time. This can be covered under health
status.
NCR
Even logging of SSDAC is Interfacing with data logger is
required to be monitored at a being developed. Specifications
centralized locations to investigate can be modified after the trials.
the intermittent failures.
4.8.6 NWR GPS can be included. SSC can
Event logged should be Clock and date shall be taken deliberate.
date/time stamped. from Data logger/GPS.
4.8.7 NWR This para can be amended after
It should be possible to As well as can be connected to trials of interfacing datalogger with
download logged data logger. SSDAC are successful.
events to a commercial ECoR
computer through The standard port should be The port is standard port through
standard port specified and it shall be USB port which data can be downloaded.
Page 43 of 94
 in place of serial port so that the
data can be downloaded to the
present day laptops where no
serial ports are provided.
ECoR
GSM modem shall be made Interfacing with Datalogger is
available at the station so that being tried at first which can be
failure conditions can be expanded at a later stage.
immediately passed on to the
maintainer.
4.8.9.7 New NWR Card status is displayed on the
Card level failures. cards at the locations.
SSC can deliberate on this
additional requirement which will
necessitate hardware and
software modifications.
5.5 New NWR Card status is displayed on the
Card level faults/ errors. cards at the locations.
SSC can deliberate on this
additional requirement which will
necessitate hardware and
software modifications.
7.3 NWR
There should be The over voltage to be specified The specs state the input DC
protection of over by RDSO. requirement as 24VDC +20%-
voltage, under voltage 30%. Hence any excess over this
and polarity reversal value will be protected against.
9.2 NWR
Occurrence of any Occurrence of any failure or error Specifications do not need to be
failure or error of of operation in the axle counter modified.
operation in the axle component parts must not lead to
counter component any safety hazards but can solely
parts must not lead to result in transition to a
any hazards but can distinguished safe state.
slowly result in
transition to a safe
state.
9.3 NWR
The Axle counter The axle counter service life shall Agreed. Can be changed in the
service life shall not be not be less than the stipulated next revision. Codal life can be
less than 20 years. codal life. stipulated by OEM in terms of
technology obsolence.
19.1 NWR
The manufacturer shall The minimum special installation The requirement of the specialized
indicate special & maintenance tools and tools are to be decided by the
maintenance instruments required at site for Railways as per list of tools of
instruments and tools proper installation, adjustment, specific OEM.
like marking Jig for measurements and maintenance
drilling & mounting of shall be listed by supplier and to
wheel sensors etc. that be provided with Axle Counter.
may be necessary for
proper adjustment and
maintenance of
Page 44 of 94
equipment and supply
these, if so required by
the purchaser
New NWR
i) SSDAC card testing jigs to
be specified for testing
cards in the field.
ii) SSDAC shall have E-1 port
so as to connect to EI
channel directly over OFC.
iii) SSDAC shall be so
designed that the same
unit can be used as a part
of MSDAC for future
expansion.
iv) The connection from the
Axle detector to evaluator
should be direct through
suitable connectors
mounted on the evaluator.
It should not be required to
terminate on the ARA
terminal of location box for
the purpose of
measurements, as is the
present practice. There
should be test points on
the front panel of SSDAC
to measure Tx and Rx
levels. Alternatively, it may
be displayed on the
Display Panel of the
SSDAC for which scrolling
keys should be provided
(Similar to existing in data
logger).
v) Schedule of maintenance
of SSDAC to be specified.
vi) Provision for checking
software checksum.
vii) Methods of installations to
be specified with the length
i) These are standard test
equipment available in test
labs. Provision in field may not
be appropriate.
ii) Provision of E1 port on SSDAC
will necessitate bringing OFC
to the DP location. This may
not be practicable. Hence
presently RDSO is working on
provision of OFC E1
connectivity between OFC huts
of stations and using
conventional quad between
station and DP.
iii) Manufacturers utilize the same
configurations for field unit for
SSDAC and MSDAC (like
CEL/GGtronics) with some
minor changes regarding
power supply.
iv) ARA terminals are provided for
isolation purpose. For better
griping, spring loaded Wago
can be used. Level
measurements are provided in
CEL and GGtronics make
SSDAC. Provision of display
panel on SSDAC to display
analog values will require
major design changes and
interface equipment.
v) Schedule of maintenance is
issued separately based on
different system requirements.
vi) Already Displayed in reset box
vii) 5/10/15 mtrs cable is
standard for the SSDAC
Page 45 of 94
 of in-built cable between
axle detector and evaluator
is morethan 15mtrs.
viii) Axle counter Clock and
date synchronisation shall
be taken from Data
logger/GPS.
ix) Scheme for provision of
axle counter on quad cable
beyond the permissible
length of block section
shall also be formulated.
WCR
1. Eldyne make axle counters All points are vendor specific.
should have trolley protection 1. Cannot be provided in the
track circuit feature to avoid
failure due to push trolleys.
2. This equipment does not have 2. The new reset box developed
fault diagnostic indication with can display Reset status,
reset box as available with
CEL.
3. Counter is increasing every
time when button is pressed
for resetting, but Axle counter
is not being resetted due to
failure. This issue has been
discussed with the firm.
It is understood that this
modification is under approval
in RDSO. This may be
expedited.
4. Suitable lightening and surge
protection should be available
for MSDAC and SSDAC.
NCR
1. In summer the failure of
SSDAC is higher than that of in
the winter season. Therefore it
is important to make the
system suitable to work at wide
temperature variations
equipment. Specific
requirements can be discussed
with the OEM.
viii) GPS can be included. SSC
can deliberate.
ix) This is not part of
specifications.
present approved system.
systems status,
communication status, DP
status, section disturbed status
etc. In addition it stores 3000
events for scrolled display.
3. This is a feature for this
system. It can be modified
also. Specifications para 4.4
mentions that counter should
increment when Preparatory
reset LED glows.
4. It has been instructed to
provide Class ‘C’ SPD on
incoming power line to
SSDAC, Modem lines at both
ends, coming from field sensor
and on reset box cable pairs.
The SPDs to be provided
between the cores and also
from core to earth. Earth has
to be less than 5 ohms.
1. The system is already
designed to work on -10 to
+55oC.
Page 46 of 94
 environment.
2. As technical auditing of the 2. This is already mentioned in
installation is done by OEM’s the pre-commissioning
there should be provision that checklist which is required to
OEM’s check all the be filled-up before
parameters (Earthing, Cable commissioning.
parameters, power supply etc.)
before certifying the
installations. 3. Specific details can be
3. The failure of modem cards is provided for further analysis.
very high. It needs to be
improved upon to work at wide
variations of temperature
range, S/N ratio of the cable.
NR
It is noted that the performance of Specific details can be provided
SSDAC when used for Block is for further analysis. In addition,
relatively much lower as compared M/s. CEL have been given
to when it is used for Track circuit. provisional approval for a new
Modem card of SSDAC is modem card which will be more
unreliable and approx. 27% of reliable.
failures of SSADC in the current
year upto Oct’12 are due to
modem/communication failure.
Hence, design of Modem card
should be reviewed.

Page 47 of 94
 ITEM No. 1148

SUBJECT: CONFIGURATION FOR DUAL BPAC

SSC REFERENCE: Nil

RDSO FILE REFERENCES: STS/C/82nd SSC

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SN LETTER NO.

1 NFR’s letter no. N/229/518(S) dt. 22.11.2012.

2 CR’s email dt 27.11.2012
3 WR’s ‘s letter SG.158.2.82.dt 21.11.2012.

AGENDA: Deliberations on CONFIGURATION FOR DUAL BPAC

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

The dual BPAC scheme was given by RDSO vide letter no. STS/E/AC/Digital/Genl/ dtd. 27/7/2011.
This scheme is meant for use of dual SSDAC in BPAC applications. This scheme is designed for
improving reliability of BPAC working by having redundant axle counters systems working in
parallel. Vital relays of the two systems are then taken in parallel to generate final vital relay which
is used in the interlocking. There is provision of auto reset feature and each system can reset the
other faulty system automatically after a time gap of 10 seconds.
The recommendations/comments on the agenda item sent by Railways are tabulated and enclosed
for deliberations in the meeting.

Para Railway Comment’s RDSO’s Views

NFR
DAC equipment should be brought in Relay room instead of Presently approved SSDAC
location boxes to avoid requirement of power and 12c sig systems do not support this.
cables. However some new MSDAC
Reliability of dual BPAC is very poor and both are failing in systems have no electronics
NFR simultaneously. at DP.

CR
1. UFSBI do not have the provision for auto changeover for 1. This is a UFSBI issue.
diverse media connection. The supplier should be asked Diverse media switching
to develop and sense the healthy media and switchover during transmission of vital
the system automatically and indicate about the failure of data is being developed
other media. and prototype is available
for testing in RDSO lab.
2. Number of relays in UFSBI need to be reduced. 2. UFSBI is an interface for
the block relay status data
interchange. However
relays provided in BPAC
using USBI are being
contemplated for
reduction.

Page 48 of 94
WR
1. UFSBI do not have the provision auto changeover for 1. As above
diverse media connection. The supplier should be asked
to develop and sense the healthy media and switchover
the system automatically and indicate about the failure of
other media for preventive media.
2. Number of relays in UFSBI need to be reduced. 2. As above.
3. Since Block boundary in single line section is from 3. This is a Zonal circuit level
advance starter to block overlap (Other station Advance issue.
starter) and hence track circuit between points to advance
starter should not be proved in block working.
4. Induced voltage limit need to be defined as suggested by 4. The suggestion is for
WR vide letter No. SG/223/2/133 Dtd. 29/11/2011. modifications to UFSBI
specs.

Page 49 of 94
 ITEM No. 1149
SUBJECT: Backup of AFTC/DCTC with Axle Counter

SSC REFERENCE: Nil

RDSO FILE REFERENCES: STS/C/82nd SSC

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SN LETTER NO.

1 NFR’s letter no. N/229/518(S) dt. 22.11.2012.

2 WR’s ‘s letter SG.158.2.82.dt 21.11.2012.
3 NCR’s email dt.03.12.2012 & 04.12.2012

AGENDA: Deliberations on Backup of AFTC/DCTC with Axle Counter

NOTE BY SECRETARY:
A scheme for dual detection system with axle counter and DCTC/AFTC is required for IR. Zones
have been using this kind of system with their own local instructions. A scheme for this application
has been developed which is designed so that each TC is also covered by an axle counter section.
Accordingly auto reset feature for resting of axle counter if concerned TC is clear has been
incorporated. This will improve reliability and increase availability of the track detection systems as
one system functional will keep the signalling working. The dual system can also function in cases
of water logging when conventional DCTC fail.
The recommendations/comments received from Zonal Railways are tabulated and enclosed for
deliberations in the meeting.

Para Railway Comment’s RDSO’s Views

NFR
1. More than 50% failures are attributed to track 1. Can be deliberated based on
detection systems. Redundancy is the only solution to the scheme. Auto reset
improve performance. Redundancy is only possible feature for non-point zone
through DCTC in parallel with axle counters. sections has been
incorporated.
2. Auto resetting facility should be inbuilt in the system. 2. Same as above.

WR
W.R. has issued policies for resetting of Axle counter
deployed in parallel to DCTC/AFTC/other Axle counter. Noted
The scan copies of same are attached herewith.

NCR
Dual detection with above arrangement should be
provided in busy routes A, B & C) for automatic, PFTC at Noted
major/minor yards and steel girder bridges with auto
resetting arrangement. Benefit accrued by improvement
of availability improves level of safety significantly by
significantly minimizing manual intervention and is more
than very minor reduction in safety level of overall
system.

Page 50 of 94
 ITEM No.1150

SUBJECT : REVIEW OF SPECIFICATION NO. IRS : S 99/2006 FOR DATA LOGGERS

SSC REFERENCE : 82th SSC

RDSO FILE REFERENCE:

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:
SL. LETTER NO.
No.
1. RDSO’s Letter No. STS/C/82th SSC Meeting/Vol. 1 Dated 30.10.2012
2. WCR Letter No. WCR/N-HQ/110/RDSO-Corres/Sig-01Pt-VII Dated 03.12.2012
3. ER Letter No. SG.203/3/SSC/82nd Dated 29.11.2012
4. NWR By email Dated 27.11.2012
5. WR By email Dated 22.11.2012
6. NFR Letter No. N//229/5/8(S) Dated 22.11.2012
7. CR By email. Dated 27.11.2012

AGENDA: REVIEW OF SPECIFICATION NO. IRS : S 99/2006 FOR DATA LOGGERS

NOTE BY SECRETARY:
Data Logger Specification was last revised and finalised in year 2006. Based upon new
requirements being generated by railways and demand for more user friendly operating systems
along with monitoring of additional safety checks and outdoor signalling gears, several directives
were issued. Committee of officers appointed by Railway Board had also submitted their report to
Railway Board on this issue. Details of these guidelines and letters are as follows:
As per the directives of Railway Board, RDSO has vide our letter No. STS/E/Datalogger/Vol. XX
12.09.2011, has issued guidelines to Railways to address the immediate problems of non-
uniformity &non—standardization with regard to technical issues of Dataloggers.
Vide RDSO’s letter No. STS/E/Data logger Dt. 08.12.2011, Modification sheet no. RDSO /2011
/Sig /DL /002 (Rev.`0’) Dt. 08.12.2011 has been issued to Railways for common type of software
and networking schemes.
RDSO Vide letter No. STS/E/Data logger Dt. 07.02.2012, Modification sheet No. RDSO /2011 /Sig
/DL /003 (Rev.1) Dt. 07.02.2012 has issued to Railways common type of Front End Software of
Datalogger.
Based upon guidelines and instructions, specifications for data logger has been modified, and
comments received from Railways have been compiled as below:

SPN Description of SPN Railways/ Firms comments on RDSO’s View

Cl. No. Clause SPN
NWR
3.8 The system shall be “Printer” can be any type of Agreed, Same shall
capable of being connected printer e.g. inkjet, laser etc. and be incorporated in
to a printer on wireless not limited to DOT Matrix. specifications
(blue tooth)…
4.1 (a) (v) The limitation to use only Dot Agreed.
Printer 80 Col. Dot Matrix
Matrix printer may be avoided.
(optional) There may be flexibility to use
any type of printer.
4.2.2 RTU: Type-I RTU : Add item (xi)
Type-I (used for IBS, LC The RTU may be provided SPD These RTUs are not

Page 51 of 94
 gate, Auto-signal etc.) card/unit to protect against connected with
surges. external cables hence
not required.

Type-II (iv)- Type-II RTU shall also have These RTUs are for
Memory: 1000 events – non-volatile memory. instantaneous
volatile memory. collection of
point/signal current
and does not have
any time stamping
hence non-volatile
All RTU shall have inbuilt GPS memory shall not be
based clock to set their time useful.
automatically through GPS if In Type-III, which are
CMU clock is not available. used mostly for
automatic sections,
same can be
incorporated in
Specifications.
4.2.7 The equipment shall have In addition all data loggers shall Agreed, Provision
real time clock for recording also have inbuilt GPS clock and shall be made in
time at which the status of shall be used for specifications.
the particular information synchronization, if the main
has changed. The real clock of CMU is not available
time clock on data logger due to any reason.
should get synchronized
with the central monitoring
unit. The cascaded Data
logger (s) shall also
synchronize their clocks
with the real time clock of
master Data logger
4.2.19 Data logger shall be i) In the beginning it is stated It is not contradiction,
capable of working with that either inbuilt modem or though external
different transmission external modem is acceptable. modems can be used
media like underground Subsequently, it is mentioned but same shall be
telecom cable, microwave that the modem will be housed fitted within data
(Digital or Analog) and within the data logger cabinet. logger rack.
OFC. The provision of There appears to be
either inbuilt modem or contradiction.
external modem is
acceptable. The data ii) While connecting on OFC In modified
logger equipment will media 64 kbps E & M channel specifications this
continuously check the has to be used (due to Analog provision has been
modem status and give the Modem used). Due to double kept.
necessary reset as conversion the effective data
required to eliminate speed is very low (~11kbps).
modem hanging condition. It should be possible to directly
The modem will be housed interface 64kbps digital channel
within the data logger on the data logger. Therefore,
cabinet. The data logger LAN extender must be provided
shall be compatible to the in the data logger.
following media:-
Page 52 of 94
 iii) While giving the compatibility
i) Main telecom cable. with different media Ethernet Ethernet was not
ii) Quad cable port on OFC is not listed. added, same shall be
iii) Analog channel of OFC, added in modified
digital microwave or analog specifications.
microwave.
iv) Dark fiber
v) Wireless 2, 4
GHz/GSM/GPRS
4.2.20 Communication between RDSO should consider IP based Ethernet provision is
Data logger and RTU shall communication and connectivity accepted in modified
also be as per with Ethernet ports at both the specifications,
communication protocol levels i.e. from RTU to station however at many
mentioned in Cl. 4.3.9. data logger as well as from places still data
station to the CMU. Each loggers are connected
4.3.9 Communication protocol for device shall have an IP address on quad cable only
transmitting data and so as to facilitate Web access thus requiring serial
command between data and total flexibility in the connectivity also.
and CMU is given in networking.
Annexure ‘A’
This shall also facilitate
enhancing the network speed,
as the same is now limited due
to serial communication.

Suitable interfaces shall be

provided for connecting on
various media/interfaces.

All the relevant clauses

regarding communication will
need suitable modification
accordingly.
New (i) Condition Monitoring
Clause (Optional):
Suitable interfaces for condition Vibration and
monitoring of the field signalling Temperature sensing
equipment based on vibration is presently not
sensing/temperature/current etc. covered as it does not
shall be provided as optional directly provide health
items to facilitate the purchaser of signalling
in procuring the same for equipments.
monitoring condition of the field
signalling equipments based on
the actual change of such
parameters. Such devices shall
be interfaced with the Data
logger.
ii) Interoperability of various Before approval, all
make data loggers in a network data loggers are
& connectivity with CMU may be tested for compatibility
provided. with other data logger
up to FEP level.
Page 53 of 94
General ER
1. Inter-operability of different Same as above.
vendors for networking
purposes.
2. Detachment of data-logger Present specifications
from network due to its gives networking
hardware failure or media failure status also, but
problem should be sensed and when data
appear at CMU, as exception transmission has
report (Pop up indications). failed it’s not possible
to pinpoint network
failure or hardware
failure.
General WCR
a) A clarification has been Same has been
sought from RDSO, in clarified by RDSO
connection to Triggering of through its letter.
Arrival/departure of trains
through Datalogger in COA vide
this office letter no. WCR/N-
HQ/110/RDSO-Corres/Sig-01pt-
V dated 31.10.12; copy of the
same is enclosed herewith as
Annexure.
b) In data loggers, for fault Same are to be
diagnostic at many stations, the Verified by Railways.
logic inputs have been wrongly
given, resulting in false
triggering of alarms. Railway
staff should be fully authorized
to alter these logic inputs so as
to get the desired result.
c) Also, transferring of data In case of healthy
from the site to the central network and with
control/local CPU from the data guidelines of RDSO
logger takes very long time with including e1 modems
the message pending data. at in between
locations the problem
shall be solved.
d) For proper exploitation of Already covered in
the data logger, user friendly modified
alarms/fault diagnostic should specifications.
be available wherein at least for
the major circuits like signals, But this requires
points tracks etc., the data entering complete
logger should be able to clearly details of selection
pin point, the extent to which the table and all the
circuit has worked properly as relays used.
per standard design so that the
precious time is not lost in
detecting the indoor circuitry
faults.

Page 54 of 94
e) On various occasions, it Specifics of case had
has been detected that a fault been requested from
has occurred, but the data could WCR, when this issue
not be retrieved from the data was informed.
logger for that duration. All the
data before and after that event
is available, but data for that
particular event duration, is not
available. It needs further
investigation into the software
programming of fault diagnostic
features.
It is proposed that there should No Comment.
be a dedicated software team
(like CRIS) of railway officials to
develop various MIS software
for proper its exploitation by all
departments of railways.
Software development and its
corrections will be a constant
activity throughout, just like theft
for PRS etc. Reporting
systems on the lines of ICMS is
suggested.
CR Suggestions
1. As per Clause No. 4.2.10 of Agreed, same shall be
specification, secondary data incorporated in
backup shall be provided with specifications.
isolation of power supply and
data and hot pluggable by the
user. It needs to be specified
clearly the type of secondary
storage i.e. USB type only or
any other.
2. Supply voltage restriction of
24V DC for working of all type of This has been done to
RTU should not be there. keep RTU power ON
Commonly available supply of even in case of
110V AC should be used for 110VAC power
RTU. failures.
3. Wireless technology used for
networking should support
encryption/protection of data As the data
through suitable coding transmitted is not vital,
mechanism. this is not considered
necessary.
WR suggestions
1. Circuit progression report Covered.
should be made part of the
reports to be generated by Data
logger.
2. Current carrying capacity of Agreed, same shall be
contact need to be defined in incorporated.
Page 55 of 94
Para 3.3 of spec instead of
specifying that potential free
contacts capable of driving 24V
‘Q’ series relays.
NFR
The specification of RS232 to EI Agreed, same shall be
converter and switches should incorporated in
be more strict and latest. specifications.
Presently, firm is offering Anda
make converter having poor
reliability and hang problem and
D-link make switches which is
also of poor quality. Make of
switches should be restricted to
branded one as specified for
ISS (Extreme, cisco, HP, Nortel
&Junipper). Similarly, converter
and modem should be Patton
Eelctronics US made or other
branded products.

Page 56 of 94
 ITEM No.1151

SUBJECT: INTIGRITY TESTING OF INTERLOCKING USING DATA LOGGERS

SSC REFERENCE: 82th SSC

RDSO FILE REFERENCE:

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SL. LETTER NO.

No.
1. Railway Letter No. 2012/Sig/M/82nd SSC Dated 30.11.2012
Board’s

AGENDA: Discussion on use of DATA LOGGERS for Integrity testing of Interlockings.

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

As covered in SEM, all running stations needs to be verified for integrity of interlocking at specified
periods by open line supervisors and officers. This testing not only involves the functional part of
interlocking but more importantly safety aspects in interlocking. Practically this leads to testing of
complete control table as well as square sheet in a running station. As actual field gears are
connected, to test this, blocks of substantial durations are required, and in present era of heavy
traffic they are seldom possible.

Southern railway has taken an initiative by carrying out integrity testing of Interlockings of
Chavadipalyam and Pasur stations using existing data loggers and making small wiring
arrangement with an OEM of Data logger. Based upon above experience SSC may please
deliberate this issue in details.

SPN Description of SPN Railways/ Firms comments on RDSO’s View

Cl. No. Clause SPN

Page 57 of 94
 ITEM NO.1152

SUBJECT: SPECIFICATION OF LED SIGNALS (Spec. no RDSO/SPN153/2011 Rev 4.1)

SSE REFERENCE: NIL

RDSO FILE REFERENCE:

RAILWAYS' REFERENCES:
S.No. Letter No.
1. RDSO’s letter No. STS/C/82-SSC/Meeting/ Vol. I dated 27.11.2012
2. Railway Board's letter no. 2012/Sig/M/82nd SSC dated 30.11.2012
3. CR's e mail dated 27.9.2012
4 WR's e mail dated 22.11.2012
5. SCR's letter no. SG.132/3/36, Vol-III dated 5.11.2012
6. NFR's letter no. N/ /229/5/8(S) dated 22.11.2012
7. NR's letter no. 341-Sig/07/SSC Meeting dated 4.12.2012
8. ER's e mail dated 30.11.2012
9. NCR's e mail dated 3.12.2012
10. WCR's letter no. WCR/N-HQ/110/RDSO/Corres/Sig.-01 pt. VII dated 3.12.2012
11. ECOR's e mail dated 3.12.2012
12. NER's letter no.N/229/1/(82nd SSC) dated 23.11.2012
13. NWR's e mail dated 27.11.2012

AGENDA: Review of specification of LED Signals

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

1. First trial installation of LED signal (DC Lit) was done at Khatipura station of Jaipur division
of North Western Railway (then Western Railway) in October 1997 in non-RE area. Since then,
evolution of RDSO specification for LED signals is given below-
S.No. Specification / Date of LED signals covered
Amendment issue
1. RDSO/SPN/153 /1998 04.01.1999 All DC signals & AC Main Signal
2. RDSO/SPN/153/1999 24.02.2000 Only AC signals
3. RDSO/SPN/153/2002 23.04.2002 Both AC & DC signals
4. RDSO/SPN/153/2002 03.10.2002 Both AC & DC signals
(Amendment 1)
5. RDSO/SPN/153/2004 01.01.2007 Both AC & DC signals
6. RDSO/SPN/153/2011 January, Only AC signals.
Rev. 4.1 2011
Use of DC LED signals has been discontinued vide Railway Board’s letter No.
2001/SIG/SGF/12(LED) dated 07.10.2008 for future works in view of non-suitability of existing DC
LED signal for AC RE area.
2. Based on failures and experience, a revision in specification No. RDSO/SPN/153/ 2004 for
was planned and after taking comments from railways as well as vendors, the finalized revision of
the specification no. RDSO/SPN/153/2011 Rev. 41 was issued in January, 2012.
3. The improvements incorporated in the revised specifications were:
· Elimination of use with conventional ECRs to reduce heat generation.
· Inclusion of line filter to suppress electrical noise.
· Redundancy in use of rectifiers and capacitors.
Page 58 of 94
 · External load resistances of SMD type using series parallel combination.
· Removal of DC terminals.
· Removal of HMU based on railways' feedback and inclusion of fuse terminal block of 630
mA
· Fixing upper limit for illumination for Route and Shunt LED aspects.
· Use of higher temperature grade capacitors upto 105 °C.
· Provision of LED signals for use in tunnels in Metro Railway, Kolkata
· Better sealing of CRU.
· Provision of rubber gasket between LED aspect and CLS body.
· Provision for procurement of spare CRUs.

Railways were requested to send their comments on this specification vide RDSO's letter at
reference 1 above. Comments received are compiled below for deliberations in the meeting.

SN Clause Existing Suggestion/ remarks by RDSO’s remarks

no. clause Rly.
1 6.1.22 Sensing of NWR: Sensing of Clause 3.2 summarily mentions that
illumination, if illumination if used. This below 40% of nominal illumination,
used, shall appears to be at variance LED signal should behave as below:
activate after with Clause 3.2. Blanking mode: should extinguish
signal lighting Non Blanking Mode: should remain
unit is lit but with <40mA current ensuring
completely lit ECR drop.
to prevent
hunting. The clause 6.1.22 is merely to
ensure that illumination sensing
should not activate during the
process of illumination, to prevent
hunting.
2 6.2.6 An MOV or NWR: Component rating,
Gas Discharge Lightning & surge As a primary protection, an MOV of
Tube of rating protection devices shall rating 200V clamping level has been
200V shall be be modified in the current used in the specification. Besides, a
there at the regulators to avoid line filter has also been added to
input of the CR failures during reduce the effect of electrical noise
to take care of monsoon/lightning. To be in input line.
power surges. deliberated. However, for proper protection in
WR: Supplier should lightening prone areas, the working
specify the surge group on LED signals submitted its
parameter which can be report on 4.10.2010 and
withstood by their product recommended external class D
NFR: Suitable surge lightening and surge protection
protection need to be as per extent norms for every
added for protection of aspect in lightening prone areas.
CRU and LED signal. Another working group formed on
CR: Suitable surge Surge protection schemes has given
protection mechanism to recommendations for many
be devised for avoiding signalling items. However, few items
failure/blanking of LED like LED signal, TF charger were not
signal in lightening prone studied by the group.
area.
ER: The arrangement for

Page 59 of 94
 lightening protection for
CRU should be specified
in detail.
NR: Characteristics of
MOV at the input of
current regulator should
be specified to ensure
that standard MOV is
used by the vendors.
WCR: Item 3:MOV
should not be used as it
fails in short circuit, which
will allow the current flow
in the circuit and ECR
may pick up, while there
may be no light on the
signal. Also there should
not be any other
component in the circuitry
of the CRU, which will
extend a short circuit in
the cable. In place of
MOV, a GD tube will be a
better option.
Item no. 6:The type of
spike protection devices
to be provided, if any,
should be clearly
specified with complete
specifications
3 6.4 The electronic NR: It specifies use of
components, industrial/military grade
switches and components for electronic
connectors components, switches
used shall be and connectors. There
of Industrial should be some test/
grade and checks specified in the
shall comply specification so as to
Cl. 5.1 of check that components
RDSO/ being used are industrial/
SPN/144/2006, Military grade at the time
as applicable. of acceptance tests.
The operating WCR:Item 2: The
temperature temperature range should
rating of the be -10°C to +85 °C,
capacitors which is as per the
used shall be industrial grade
upto 105 deg. components as has been
C or more. The specified under para 6.4
connectors
used for
interconnection
between
Though an MOV may fail creating a
short, such condition can occur
otherwise also due to any possible
leakage or short in the cabling
system. It is not an unsafe situation,
though undesirable.
MOVs have fast response time as
compared to GD tubes.
The main advantage of a GD tube
is to bear larger surge currents but
the response of GD tube is slower
and they are not much effective for
high frequency surges.
Railway Board has been requested
vide RDSO’s letter dated
25.10.2012 for continuance of the
working group formed for surge
protection schemes to give
recommendations for LED signals
and Track feed chargers.
It specifies that the connectors
between CRU and Aspect unit shall
be Military grade. All other
connectors, switches and electronic
components are to be of industrial
grade.
The datasheet of the components
used is checked during type test to
verify use of suitable grade
components.
The temperature range specified in
cl. 5.1 of RDSO/SPN/144/2006 is -
40 °C to +85 °C. Besides capacitors
used are kept operable upto 105
°C.
Page 60 of 94
 current
regulator and
LED signal
lighting unit in
case of main
signals shall
be of military
grade.
4 12.0 WARRANTEE NWR: Warranty of The clause for 60 months’ warranty
The supplier Current Regulators shall has been kept to enforce the
shall give a be given for codal life of importance of quality product in the
warrantee of LED signal units. minds of vendors. Presently, lifetime
60 months for WCR: Warrantee period warranty is not a usual practice with
all types of of the item should be any signalling equipment as
LED signal same as the life of the warranty adds to the initial cost of all
lighting units, unit itself. This will avoid supplies whereas all supplied
current complications in the field equipments do not fail. It may be
regulators & for maintenance and more appropriate to go for repairs
other supplies repairs of the units, after warranty in case of failures OR
except fuses. though it may initially cost opt for AMC.
a little more A codal life of 6-8 years (or on
conditional basis for LED signals
used with conventional ECR) has
been proposed by the working
group in their report submitted to
Railway board on 4.10.2010.
General Comments
5 NWR RDSO may consider reduction of the Earlier, upper limits of illumination
illumination for route LEDs and Shunt were not specified for Route and
LEDs. Shunt Signals prior to revision of
specs. In the absence of upper limit
of illuminations, route and shunt
aspects with upto 150 Lux were
supplied in past.
Presently, the illumination level are
as below with restriction on upper
limit also:
RED : 150 Lux, -10% +40%.
YELLOW: 175 Lux, -10% +40%.
GREEN : 150 Lux, -10% +40%.
ROUTE : 50 Lux, -10% +40%.
SHUNT : 30 Lux, -10% +40%.
Reduction in illumination in route
and shunt may cause difficulty in
day time and in foggy weather.
6 WR In order to avoid ingress of water in unit the A rubber gasket has already been
LED unit should have gasket as a part of included vide clause clause 6.1.16
unit. viz.,
“A gasket made of EPDM (Ethylene
Propylene Diene Monomer)-20
rubber shall be provided and pasted
on the rim with the help of Anaerobic
adhesive to the LED unit.”
Page 61 of 94
7 WR Composite Signal unit fitted with LED units Such units can be developed.
need to be developed, which may be However, in case of failure of LED
stackable as required for different aspects. signal/CRU, the entire unit will need
to be replaced which may be
costlier, inconvenient as well as time
consuming.
Presently, LED signals are being
housed in CLS units which were
designed for filament lamps. These
units provision for double lens, bulb
holder and light cone etc. which are
not required for LED signal. Present
CLS units are prone to water
ingress also. RDSO is revising the
specification of FRP based CLS
units suitable specifically for LED
signals for better housing and
mounting. Comments will be taken
from zonal railways on revised draft
of this specification.
8 CR Distance limit for working in RE area
without cutting-in relays need to be
specified as LED signal gets lit above 60
Volt only
9 WR Distance limit for working in RE area
without cutting-in relays need to be
specified as LED signal gets lit above 60 Dealt in item1162
Volt only.
10 SCR The issue of distance for direct feeding
length for LED based signal needs to be re-
examined by the SSC especially in view of
the introduction of Modified CRU which do
not require HMU.
11 CR A & AG markers are extensively used on Agreed. A para will be included for
railways for which specification needs to be specification for A and AG markers.
developed.
12 NR There are 21000 Main LED signals of The design of CRU has already
various makes installed on NR. It has been been improved. Further
noted that approx. 3-4% of signal failures improvements, if required, may be
every year are on account of Current considered based on performance
regulators getting defective. Design of feedback of the signals supplied as
current regulators is required to be per revised specification.
reviewed to reduce failures.
13 NR To prevent ingress of dust and water, IP-67 Current regulators are hermetically
type of protection should be specified for sealed and during type tests, rain
current regulators test is done (water sprayed for one
hour from 8 showers) with back
cover open as per clause 8.1.1 (as
per IS: 9000) to simulate worst site
conditions. Dust test is also
specified.
Additionally, a rubber gasket has
been added in the specification
Page 62 of 94

14 WCR Item 1: Working with only LED ECRs will
pose a no. of problems in
installations:
1. Inter-changeability with existing units will
be lost. Thus in case of a failure of
existing LED unit, the ECR will also have
to be replaced which will increase the
failure duration manifolds.
2. In case of Siemens installations, it will
not be possible to provide ECRs in the
signal groups. M/s Siemens should be
made ready to take up the modifications
of the groups and the terms may be
decided before the decision is finalized.
15 WCR Item 4: The voltage rating of the capacitor
should be more than double that of normal
incidence peak voltage
16 WCR Item no. 5: The current regulator should be
hermetically sealed.
17 WCR Item no. 7: The following tests should also
be included in the Acceptance Test.
a) Climatic test as per clause 8.1, 8.1.1
and 8.1.2. This may be done on a small
sample, picked up from field supplies
occasionally as an assurance of consistent
between unit and the CLS housing
to prevent water ingress.
IP-67 protection is considered
appropriate where equipment
housing is subjected to water in
normal working circumstances
which is not the case with LED
signals. Besides, IP-67 protection
may require different terminals and
bigger body or the CRU.
Provision of proper gasket and
closure of back cover of CLS
housing is adequate for proper
functioning of LED signals.
For using conventional ECRs with
LED signals, most of the power is
required to be wasted in dummy
load as heat which may affect
reliability due to temperature rise in
the unit. In view of this, directives
were issued by Railway Board also
vide letter no.2003/SIG/CLS (LED)
dated 26.3.2004 to use only LED
ECRs for reliable working of LED
signals. However, several
installations, on date are still with
conventional ECRs which is
potentially affecting the reliability of
LED signals over IR.
As regards to Siemens installations,
Signal groups of Siemens with LED
ECRs have been approved by
RDSO in 2007 which can be used
with LED signals.
Clause 6.4 of the specification
includes the suggestion. It says:
“…….The voltage rating of
capacitors should be more than
double that of normal incidental
peak voltage.”
Clause 6.1.7 of the specification is
exactly what is suggested by the
railway. It says:
“Body of LED signal lighting unit
& current regulator shall be
hermetically sealed.”
Climatic tests require variety of
climatic chambers and it takes
considerable time to complete
climatic tests. It is not feasible to do
climatic tests during acceptance.
Climatic tests of samples collected
from field after supply is not feasible
Page 63 of 94
 quality maintenance. for incorporation in the specification.

This will minimize the possibility of dilution

of quality by the vendor subsequent to the
approval.
18 WCR Item no. 9: Documentation: Complete set Clause 10.0 of the specification
of documents may be supplied with each says-
set of 10 units, rather than with every unit. “DOCUMENTATION:
Following documents shall be
supplied with each set of 10 units
subject to a minimum of 1 set of
documents: -……….” Thus, the
suggestion of the railway is
already incorporated.
19 WCR Inter-changeability:- It is necessary to Agreed. The design of the LED
have inter-changeability of current signals by different vendors has so
regulators and LED units amongst the far been different since beginning.
vendors. The inputs, outputs and Vendors have been advised to
connectivity may be defined so that the develop design of CRU with 4 LED
current regulators of any make can work arrays, no optical feedback and in
with LED unit of any other make. built isolation transformer. The
entire circuit is to be designed a
fresh by most vendors. A change in
specification will soon be drafted.
20 WCR In the signal LED current regulators, the At present, there is no HMU in the
satisfactory working of the current revised specification.
regulators should be depicted with some Design alteration towards putting an
LEDs at the site itself so that the ESM who LED indication at site may not be
is available at the signal unit itself is able to useful as the Aspect unit rarely fails
immediately contact as to whether the LED and in most cases, only CRU fails.
aspect is faulty or current regulator is faulty Instead, it may be considered by the
without seeing the HMU. committee for development of
scheme for redundancy of CRUs
with common Aspect unit so that if
one CRU fails, the other takes over.
This will be a quantum leap towards
obtaining high availability.
21 WCR It appears that a large number of failures Latching of LED unit does not take
are caused by the latching of the unit (for place due to fluctuation in supply
achieving the blanking /non-blanking voltage in the normal operating
functions relayed with percentage of range of 110 V± 25% for main
illumination) due to momentary appearance signals. However, if due to some
of conditions for it, which might occur due transient conditions, the operating
the system glitches for electromagnetic parameters go out of specified
interference. Many of the current regulators voltage/ current range, the LED
are found working again when they are signal extinguishes (for blanking
tried again after failure. A kind of resetting mode).
phenomenon takes place on the This safety feature is specified in
replacement and the current regulator clause 6.1.2 and is not auto
starts working again. Thus to avoid such restoring. No timing has been
cases it is suggested that ‘the feasibility of specified for automatically activating
adjusting the timing for latching should be the LED signal as it may possibly
examined so that it is so adjusted that after result in unsafe working.
Page 64 of 94
 seizing the condition of latching, the unit will This problem is expected to reduce
wait for one minute for so before activating with the inclusion of line filter in the
the latching. During this one minute it will modified design.
repeatedly check for the conditions of
latching and activate the latching only in the
condition prevail after the lapse of one
minute period’.
NFR Comments sent on specs. No. RDSO/SPN/`53/2004 (already revised)
22 NFR HMU is taking lot of space in CT rack and HMU has been eliminated in the
should be dispensed with, as ECR is revised specification of LED signals
sufficient to give indication about failure of no. RDSO/SPN/153/2011 Rev. 4.1
LED signal. Failure of HMU is also very
high especially fuse of HMU is blown in no.
of cases.
23 NFR Earthing scheme need to be specified for Specific earthing is not needed for
LED units LED signals. However, in RE areas,
the signal unit needs to be earthed
for LED signal as well as for filament
lamps.
24 NFR Suitability in RE areas is not mentioned in Clause 1.1 of the specification
RDSO specs. Also AC immunity of LED mentions suitability for RE areas.
signals is not mentioned. Whether cutting in Since DC lighting clause has now
relays are essential for LED units. been removed, there is no need for
any AC immunity. However, as per
clause 6.1.9, “Signal Lighting units
shall not light upto 60 V.”
Comments on Requirement of
Cutting in relays and distance for
direct feeding of signals are there
separately.
25 NER NO COMMENTS Acknowledged

OTHER ISSUES: Presently specification no. RDSO/SPN/153/2011 Rev. 4.1 issued in January,
2012 is covering LED signals for Main as well as subsidiary signals. Provision for LED signals for
Metro Railway, Kolkata has also been included.
Parallely, another specification no. RDSO/SPN/199/2010(draft) is in place for Main signals only.
This new specification for integrated type of LED signal Lamps was framed with a view of ease of
inter-changeability of LED signals among different vendors. The circuit of CRU has been integrated
in integrated type of LED lamps whereas CRU is a separate module in RDSO/SPN/153/2011 Rev.
4.1. Technical features in both the specifications are almost same whereas provision for only
main signals is there in RDSO/SPN/199/2010. Presently, 4 vendors have been permitted to
supply 500 no. of LED signals.
Deliberation on the need of both specifications is proposed.
Report of the working group on LED signals sent to RB on 4.10.2010 has recommended:-
· Development of 5 W LED signal alongwith compatible low pick up ECR and other
improvements.
· Codal life of 6-8 years or on conditional basis in case of use with conventional ECRs.
· Provision of class D lightening & surge protection as per extant norms in lightening
prone areas.

Page 65 of 94
 ITEM No. 1153

SUBJECT: Electric Lifting Barrier with & without hand generator (Specification No.
RDSO/SPN/208/2012)

SSC REFERENCE: Nil

RDSO FILE REFERENCES: STS/C/82nd SSC meeting

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SN LETTER NO.
1 RDSO’s letter No. STS/C/82th SSC Meeting/Vol. 1 dt.30.10.2012
2 Railway Board's letter no. 2012/Sig/M/82nd SSC dt.30.11.2012
3 CR’s letter no. By email dated 27/11/2012
4 NWR’s letter no.SG/158/4/MSG/TCSG/Vol-I dt.07.05.10
5 NCR email dt. 3.12.2012
6 ECoR’s email dt. 03.12.2012
7 WR’s letter no. No. SG 158/2/82 dt.22.11.2012
8 NR’s letter no. 341-Sig/07/SSC meeting dt.04.12.12
9 NER’s letter no. N/229/1/(82nd SSC) dt. 23.11.2012
10 ER’s email dt. 30.11.2012.
11 NFR letter no. N//229/5/8(S) dt.22.11.2012
12 SR letter no. SG.190/SSC/82 dt.30.11.2012
13 SER Letter No. S&T/SIG/4/65/82/M/Pt-1/4683 dt.26.11.2012.
14 SCR letter no. SG.132/3/36, Vol-III dt.05.11.2012
15 WCR letter no. WCR/N-HQ/110/RDSO-Corres/Sig-01Pt-V dt.26.06.2012.

AGENDA: Electric Lifting Barrier with & without hand generator (Specification No.
RDSO/SPN/208/2012)

NOTE BY SECRETARY: After various failures reported by Railways time to time, the specification
of Electric Lifting barrierRDSO/SPN/180/2005 Amd1 for Electric Lifting Barrier with hand generator
backup and IRS: S 41/70 with Amd.2 for Electric Lifting Barrier without hand generator were
reviewed and combined into one and include option for operating voltage and requirement with
hand generator or without hand generator in the same specification. In addition, lot of reliability
improvement measures have been incorporated. Further interactions have been held with the
suppliers and based on comments received on the draft amendment from existing vendors and
Railways, a new specification no. RDSO/SPN/208/2012 has been issued.

The major modifications incorporated in the specification are as under –

i) Provision of GI octagonal boom as per RDSO drg. RDSO/S 11600 instead of
Aluminium boom.
ii) Provision of motorized or Solenoid based locking/ unlocking arrangement for boom and
its detection arrangement by using sturdy limit switch(s) /magnet proximity switch/
circuit controllers with redundant contacts and related modifications in the control
panel.
iii) Powder coating of all the mechanism cases and boom made mandatory to reduce
corrosion.
iv) Use of stainless steel nuts and bolts to reduce corrosion. Provision of rubber grommets
at cable entrance in mechanism cases to prevent chaffing of insulation of cables.
vi) Sheet thickness for mechanism case standardized as CRC of 1.6mm thickness.
Page 66 of 94
 vii) Use of hard chrome electroplated or powder coated main shaft to prevent rusting/
worning out.
viii) Modifications in control panel indications, switches and circuits for Emergency
operation.
ix) Introduction of certificate of fitness of installation by OEM for each Electric lifting
barrier being commissioned.
x) Provision of adequate spares and tool kit with each set of Electric lifting barrier.
Zonal Railways comments received on the specification are tabulated for deliberations in the
meeting.

SN Cl Existing clause Suggestion/ remarks RDSO’s remarks

no. by Rly.
1 4.8 The operating mechanism shall NWR It may also be This provision is
be so designed that if the boom is clarified that during already incorporated.
obstructed during operation, it operation of boom, if the
shall stop and on removal of the power fails during mid
obstruction shall assume the position of boom, it shall
position corresponding to the be possible to operate
control apparatus, unless the boom further by
protective devices have operated. hand generator.
2 4.11 A separate fracture segment shall CR Role of fracture All the four sections of
connect the boom with the segment and its design to GI octagonal boom
mechanism near the pivot. be elaborated. work as fracture
Fracture segment mounting shall segment. In case of
be of such a design that it can be mighty hit, any section
replaced easily and quickly. In can be replaced from
case of a mighty hit, it shall allow sleeve with the help of
for the break of the segment nut & bolt.
without endangering mechanism
itself. Any one section of the
boom acts as fracture segment.
3 5.1 Type Rated Normal Max. NFRCurrent If the counter weights
(a) Volt (max.) rated consumption of motor are properly adjusted
(w/o Opt. current needs to be reduced for to nullify the torque,
hand current better performance. then current taken by
gener AC 110 V 2.5A 4A motor will not exceed
ator) DC 24V 4A 7A the limit as specified in
DC 110V 1.0A 1.8A specification.
5.1 Type Rated Normal Max.
(b) Volt. (max.) rated
(with Opt. current
hand current
gener DC 24V 3A 5A
ator) DC 110V 0.7A 1.2A
4 5.2 For both types of Barriers, time of NCR Speed of Time of operation of
operation of the lifting barrier operation may be the lifting barrier has
shall be less than 12 seconds at reduced for smooth already been
rated voltage and maximum 20 operation and also to increased from 10 to
seconds at 75% of rated voltage decrease the impact of 12 seconds.
at the motor terminals. momentum of the lock
post and on boom.

Page 67 of 94
5 5.3, For Barriers with Hand NWR During site The motor used in
5.7.1 Generator, the Hand generator operation of hand barriers are of 90W
& should have rating of 2 times the generators, it is seen and the motor used in
5.7.2 rated current of each barrier that hand generator is hand generator is of
motor so that both barriers of a required to be operated twice the rating i.e.
gate can be powered by 1 hand at very high speed to 180W. To generate
generator simultaneously. generate desired 50-70rpm rotation is
The Hand generatorof adequate voltage which is not very difficult and it
capacity shall provide power practically difficult. It is also depends on the
simultaneously to both the motors requested to review maintenance of the
of one set of barriers. The design of hand hand generator. Till
generator shall be coupled to a generator assembly. date no failure/
sealed type very low difficulty has been
maintenance gear unit to multiply reported by Railways.
slow rate of approx. 50-70 rpm
rotation of crank handle to
approx. 1500 rpm to run the
electrical motor. The rotational
speed of 1500 rpm of motor shall
be translated into displacement
for closing / opening of the
barrier.
6 5.4.4 The boom shall be painted CRRetro-reflective paint It is easier to place the
alternately with 300-mm bands of should be used for retro reflective sheet
black and yellow colour and painting the boom over the boom and
additionally provided with instead of additional can be replaced in
luminous stripes (reflective tape) luminous stripes as they short duration.
as per RDSO Drg. No. RDSO/S are removed by
11600. trespassers
7 5.4.1 The boom of the barrier shall be NR There are total 48 Octagonal shape is
& light in construction and extend nos. of Electric lifting better than circular
5.4.2 across full width of the road. Its barriers installed on NR shape in terms of
structure in successive sections out of which 24 are strength and to take
of boom shall be such that it does provided with GI wind pressure.
not create any unbalance in the octagonal boom.
system and can withstand wind
pressure. The boom of the It is observed that the
barrier shall be made of mechanical strength of
galvanized iron sheet and Al & GI booms provided
octagonal in shape with with ELB is not
telescopic structure conforming to adequate and boom
RDSO drg. No.RDSO/S 11600. gets bend even with
passing of rickshaw/
cattle beneath the
boom. In case of
breakage of boom by
road vehicle, it is noted
that after welding,
cracks are developed
and the boom breaks
itself after some time.
Design of boom needs
to be reviewed so that
Page 68 of 94
 the boom’s mechanical
strength is close to that
of mechanical lifting
barrier boom.
NR Boom strength Gauge of GI sheet of
measurement test all four section of ELB
should be incorporated are tested during the
in the specification and inspection.
this test should be
conducted at the time of
inspection during
acceptance test on few
samples of the lot
offered for inspection.
NCR Improve strength Gauge of second
of boom in the vertical section of GI sheet of
plane. octagonal boom
NCRBoom materials increased from 22 to
should be more strong 20 and put on trial.
made of alloy.
8 5.4.6 When the gate is closed to road CR The height of boom The mechanical
traffic, clearance between the from the road level is to arrangement of gear
road surface and the boom shall be kept between 0.8m assembly and motor in
be 0.8 to 1m. This shall be to 1m. However due to pedestal is fixed. To
ensured by Railway at the time of road construction work make it adjustable, it
installation of Electric lifting this height can often be will simply complicate
barrier. The road surface level not maintained so the mechanism.
shall be maintained as per para height adjustment Already a range of
904-Annexure 9/1 of IRPWM. mechanism for boom 0.2m is provided for
may be revised adjustment purpose.
accordingly for min.+/- Initially Rlys should
0.2m. keep height of boom
from road level 1m so
that adjustments may
be done further.
9 5.4.8 In the boom lock post, either NWR Number of There are already
motorized or locking lever & contacts in Boom 04nos. of spare
solenoid based locking/ unlocking locking and detection contacts available.
arrangement for boom shall be arrangement shall be
used with provision of redundant increased to have
contacts for boom lock double cutting feature in
proving/closing. locking circuits. At least
2 working and one
spare contact shall be
provided.
ERAs there are In the present
repeated failures, specification both type
reported by the users, of locking have been
for solenoid based improved by the
locking, motorised vendors and are very
locking should be robust.
standardized for boom
locking arrangement.
Page 69 of 94
The easy accessibility of
the motor should also
be ensured for
maintenance and
replacement.
NFR Motorized boom It is a very specific
locking is giving problem and it has
problem as spindle is never been reported
getting jammed in by any other Railway.
between nylon roller
during summer. There
was no electrical
movement, locking is to
be done manually. All
the spindle were
grinded at site and
pressure of roller was
reduced. Now working
satisfactory.
NFR Lot of failures of Being a safety
boom locking detection equipment, positive
still there due to boom locking should
mishandling of boom by always be done.
public at large. Either Which can be
detection contact achieved only by
should be kept on using the contacts of
pedestal side and there lock post as well as
should be no contact on pedestal to ensure
stop post side similar to that the boom is
arrangement available completely closed and
in MLBs. locked.
NFRmechanical lever To make the
based boom locking mechanical lever
should be preferred based boom locking it
over motorised or will not possible
magnetic boom locking without rodding. ELB
which is still not was developed to
developed up to avoid the rodding
satisfactory level. which was difficult to
maintain.
NWR Carbon bushes Carbon brushes are
attached to thin springs not very fragile this
used in motorised boom has been checked &
locking arrangement (in found it was due to the
Global make) are misalignment of circuit
causing serious controller at non
maintenance issue due commissioned gate.
to breakage / chipping These items should be
off. The arrangement done carefully at the
should be rugged. time of installation.
NCR Fitting assembly of It has been properly
magnet and reed switch fitted on U bracket
should be made in with the help of two
Page 70 of 94

10 5.9 WiringThe conductors for the
internal wiring shall be insulated,
stranded and be of copper having
a cross sectional area not less
than 2.5 Sq. mm and not less
than three strands. Both ends of
each separate conductor shall be
labelled and provided with an
eyelet of suitable type.
11 5.10. Push button switches, selector
7 switches having electrical &
mechanical life of atleast one
million operations shall be used.
factory and to be fitted nuts and if the groove
in groove. is made on the locking
lever, it will deteriorate
the strength of locking
lever. Therefore it is
provided on L shaped
angle.
NCR Magnets should It can be easily
have clear marking of checked at the site
polarity to avoid with the help of two
confusion at sight. magnets.
NWR Provision of Pre- Pedestal, lock post &
wired location box shall control panels, all are
be made with ELB so pre-wired. It required
that only power supply only connection of
and signal cable is signalling cable and
required to be remaining portion of
connected. the wiring of Railway
circuits only.
ERWiring diagram All the internal wirings
should be standardized. are vendor specific.
If not, possible, wiring
diagram of each
manufacturer should be
approved by RDSO.
NWR Terminals This needs to be
provided in ELB shall be discussed.
suitably designed such
as to accommodate
conductors of power
cables/ multiple cores of
signalling cables used
for power supply.
WR Design for coupled As on today, both the
gates needs to be booms are electrically
developed to overcome coupled and it is
the existing problems of always better to check
reed switch/ CB. the closing and
locking of both the
booms separately by
using separate reed
switch/ CB as it is a
safety device.
NFR Limit switches, Earlier Reed switches
reed switches still giving were encapsulated in
trouble. Nylon roller plastic body, where
should not be used as now days it is
due to heat, friction is encapsulated in
increasing. Aluminium die cast
with spring support for
wire and is more
robust.
Limit switches is
Page 71 of 94

12 11.0 COMMISSIONING & NWR Warranty clause
WARRANTY shall be modified as
Electric Lifting barrier shall be Electric Lifting barrier
commissioned only if the shall be commissioned
installation is certified fit by the only if the installation is
OEM. Electric Lifting Barrier certified fit by the OEM.
complete including its sub- Electric Lifting Barrier
systems shall be under warranty complete including its
for a period of 24 months from sub-systems shall be
date of supply or 12 months from under warranty for a
the date of commissioning, period of 24 months
whichever is earlier. Warranty will from the date of
cover all defects in design, commissioning.
material,workmanship except Warranty will cover all
damage of boom/ sub-system defects in design,
due to outside interference. material, and
workmanship except
damage of boom / sub-
system due to outside
interference.
13 ---- ------- NFRELB should not be
used in non RE area
and where reliable
power supply is not
available. NF Railway
facing problem as no. of
LC gates are working
only on DG sets
14 ---- ------- NCREach component of
the ELB should have
Parts Code and it
should be compatible.
Otherwise, for small
problem complete gate
needs to be replaced.
15 ---- ------- NCRThere should be
factory default setting
for all components
including counter
weights.
16 ---- ------- NR In order to prevent
boom damage by road
vehicles during closing,
stepper motor may be
used for closing the
boom so that boom
operates in steps.
certified to operate
10x10*6 operation, in
life cycle test, it was
tested for one lakh
operation.
If an additional
warranty is required,
Railway may include
as a part of tender.
24/110V DC with hand
generator is
developed to operate
the system is case of
power failure. This
power can be
generated easily by
cranking the hand
generator.
Mostly the
components are being
used of standard
make and easily
available in the
market.
It depends on the
number of section
used. It is one time
activity at the time of
installation only.
Motor operates with
push button on control
panel, at the release
the push button; motor
stops at same instant
which may be used at
the time of closing of
Page 72 of 94
 boom against the road
vehicles.
17 ---- ------- NCRPower operatedELB was developed to
winch may be provided avoid the mechanical
to regulate speed and operation. To provide
direction of operation. power mechanical
Just like Ordinary Motor steering, it will be
Car mechanical steering difficult to maintain
is upgraded by Power and will also be costly.
Steering.
18 ---- ------- NR In view of It is vendor specific
standardization of design.
design amongst
vendors, drawing of
pedestal, boom lock
post and control panel
should be incorporated
in the specification.

Page 73 of 94
 ITEM No. 1154

SUBJECT: Amendment 3 to IRS:S 89/93 for Track Feed Battery Charger

SSC REFERENCE: Nil

RDSO FILE REFERENCES: STS/C/82nd SSC meeting

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SN LETTER NO.
1 RDSO’s letter No. STS/C/82th SSC Meeting/Vol. 1 dt.30.10.2012
2 Railway Board's letter no. 2012/Sig/M/82nd SSC dt.30.11.2012
3 CR’s letter no. By email dated 27/11/2012
4 NWR’s letter no.SG/158/4/MSG/TCSG/Vol-I dt.07.05.10
5 NCR email dt. 3.12.2012
6 ECoR’s email dt. 03.12.2012
7 WR’s letter no. No. SG 158/2/82 dt.22.11.2012
8 NR’s letter no. 341-Sig/07/SSC meeting dt.04.12.12
9 NER’s letter no. N/229/1/(82nd SSC) dt. 23.11.2012
10 ER’s email dt. 30.11.2012.
11 NFR letter no. N//229/5/8(S) dt.22.11.2012
12 SR letter no. SG.190/SSC/82 dt.30.11.2012
13 SER Letter No. S&T/SIG/4/65/82/M/Pt-1/4683 dt.26.11.2012.
14 SCR letter no. SG.132/3/36, Vol-III dt.05.11.2012
15 WCR letter no. WCR/N-HQ/110/RDSO-Corres/Sig-01Pt-V dt.26.06.2012.

AGENDA: Amendment 3 to IRS:S 89/93 for Track Feed Battery Charger

NOTE BY SECRETARY- Several complaints on high charging current given by the charger has
been reported by Zonal railways which was causing damage to the batteries due to overcharging.
Chargers were also damaged due to lightening/surges. To solve the above problem and other
issues, amendment 3 was issued by this office incorporating following reliability improvement
measures.

1. Maximum temperature rise above ambient temperature for Transformer & choke should be
50 deg. C and for silicon diode, Zener diode & resistors should be 20 deg. C.
2. The charger output voltage shall be maintained between 1.6 V to 1.9 V at 2.5A for 40 AH
battery & 1.6 V to 1.9 V at 5A for 80AH battery.
3. DC output rms ripple should be not more than 5%.
4. Isolated metal case encapsulated diode type bridge rectifier module with suitable heat sink
arrangement should be used for rectification. PIV minimum 400 V
5. Operating range of solid state industrial grade components are -25 deg. C to +85 deg. C.
6. Provision of MOVs at AC input of charger in both common & differential mode for surge
suppression.
7. All electrical components other than transformer shall be de-rated atleast 50% of the rated
value

Page 74 of 94
Zonal Railways comments received on the specification are tabulated for deliberations in the
meeting.
SN Cl. Existing clause Suggestion/ remarks by RDSO’s remarks
no. Rly.
1. 2.9 Potential free contact – NFR potential free contact As per exiting
To extend audio/visual available in charger should specification contact of
alarm at remote place also operate in case of relay (potential free
whenever charger failures of input supply to TF contact) is available
output fails with AC charger or charger switch is inwhen output of the
input being available. off condition. charger fails with AC
Potential free contact input being available.
shall be NC (back) For 110V AC input it can
contact of a relay. also be checked at IPS.
ECoR A uniform procedure It is already given in the
may be suggested by RDSO specification.
to connect potential free
contacts (in para 2.9 (v) of a
group of Track Feed battery
Chargers
to Data logger for monitoring
purpose.
Following components NWR It has been observed It is very difficult to
shall be provided on that normally the charging maintain and monitor the
the front panel as current remains high (Boost charging status
shown in drawing no. charge) leading to the battery frequently. In
SDO/RDSO/TFBC/001. getting over charged and amendment 3 of IRS:S
i) An ON/OFF becoming dry. To avoid this, 89/93, the charger
Rotary switch the following addition is output is maintained
(CAM type)............
suggested as sub-clause at between 1.6 to 1.9V/cell
ii) .......... 2.9 (ix) :- to prevent overcharging.
iii) ..........
iv) ......... 1.9 (ix) – A rotary knob for
viii) A green terminal selection of the charging
marked ‘Earth’ for current shall be provided
earthing of rating in the front panel.
15A and having
similar size as
mentioned for Red
and Black
terminals.
--- NR It is noted that track
charger supplies high
charging current to the battery
even in charged condition due
to which batteries are getting
overcharged leading to their
early damage.
--- ECoR Track feed chargers
are available for 5 Amps and
10 Amps for 40 AH and 80 AH
batteries. However, it is found
that while using 5 Amp
Page 75 of 94
 chargers with 40 AH & 10
Amp with 80 AH batteries
charging current are found on
higher side, which resulting in
frequent topping of the
secondary cells. In this
specification there is no
provision of proper current
control. Only cell selection
switch is available. Provision
of trickles or boosting
charging, which were
removed from earlier
specification, may be
reconsidered. Especially in
RE area, when battery is fully
charged, charging rate should
be as per requirement. There
is no provision for such
adjustment in present Track
feed chargers.
2. 2.15 Transformers and CRcopper winding wire It is typographical error
inductors/ chokes used confirming to IS:13720 (Pt.3) and will be corrected.
shall be vacuum shall be used for winding
impregnated and shall transformers. However this
be of natural air-cooled specification is for textile. It
type and shall conform may be corrected as IS:
to IS: 6297. Class F or 13730 (Pt.III).
higher grade insulating
material as per IS:
1271 and polyester
enamelled copper
winding wire
conforming to IS:
13720 (Pt. 3) shall be
used for winding
transformers and
inductors/ chokes.
3. --- --- NFR Reliability needs further All the reliability
improvement. improvement has
already been covered in
amd3. further
improvement may be
undertaken as per the
field report.
4. --- --- NWR Provision of fuses of In amendment 3, it is
suitable rating in input of included that the
T.F.B. charger shall be made. provision of MOVs at
ER In built protection with GD charger input in both
tube should be common and differential
providedalongwith MOVR(GD mode. MOVs are more
tube are being used reliable for surge
externally in ER & SER) suppression.
Page 76 of 94
5. --- --- WR Suitable selection In Amd. 3 of IRS:S
(Strapping) may be added to 89/93, the charger o/p is
for output charging current of maintained between 1.6
5/10Amp to 1.9V/cell to prevent
overcharging.
6. --- --- WR Ammeter shall be This will further increase
provided on charger to avoid the size of Track feed
the disconnection of wires for battery charger & cost.
current measurement as well
as indication of charging.
7. --- --- CRAmmeter shall be provided
on charger to avoid the
disconnection of wires for
current measurement as well
as indication of charging.
8. --- --- ERA digital displayfor showing
the current should be
included.
9. --- --- ECoR 1+1 configuration for It will increase the cost
TFBC for standby mode may as well as space
be explored for reliability requirement in the
improvement. location box.
10. --- --- NR Reliability performance is For improvement of
low for track chargers reliability in TFBC
supplied by M/s Epsilon already amd 3 has been
Inspections needs to be issued incorporating all
tightened. reliability improvement
measures.

Page 77 of 94
 ITEM NO.1155

SUBJECT: REVIEW OF SPECIFICATION OF FUSE AUTO CHANGEOVER SYSTEM(Spec. no

RDSO/SPN/209/2012 Rev 0)

SSE REFERENCE: NIL

RDSO FILE REFERENCE: STS/C/82-SSC

RAILWAYS' REFERENCES:
S.No. Letter No.
1. RDSO’s letter No. STS/C/82-SSC/Meeting/ Vol. I dated 27.11.2012
2. Railway Board's letter no. 2012/Sig/M/82nd SSC dated 30.11.2012
3. CR's e mail dated 27.9.2012
4 WR's e mail dated 22.11.2012
5. SCR's letter no. SG.132/3/36, Vol-III dated 5.11.2012
6. NFR's letter no. N/ /229/5/8(S) dated 22.11.2012
7. NR's letter no. 341-Sig/07/SSC Meeting dated 4.12.2012
8. ER's e mail dated 30.11.2012
9. NCR's e mail dated 3.12.2012
10. WCR's letter no. WCR/N-HQ/110/RDSO/Corres/Sig.-01 pt. VII dated 3.12.2012
11. ECOR's e mail dated 3.12.2012
12. NER's letter no. N/229/1/(82nd SSC) dated 23.11.2012
13. NWR's e mail dated 27.11.2012

AGENDA: Review of newly developed specification of Fuse Auto Changeover System.

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

A considerable no. of signal failures due to blowing of signalling fuses have been observed which
affect train traffic. In a view to reduce the down time and to observe the status of various fuses, a
new specification for Fuse Auto Changeover System has been developed after an Expression of
Interest was invited by RDSO for development of this new specification. The system has one
standby fuse for every signalling fuse. The standby fuse automatically comes in signalling circuit in
case the main fuse is blown. Provision for status monitoring both for main as well as standby fuse
has been done in the system. Remote audio visual extension of alarm is also extended for
immediate attention of the maintenance personnel. Provision for sending SMS separately for main
and standby fuse blown events to designated GSM numbers is also made.
Railways were requested to send their comments vide RDSO's letter at reference 1 above.
Comments received are compiled below for deliberations in the meeting.

SN Cl. Existing clause Remarks by Railways RDSO’s remarks

no.
1 4.5 The cables and wires used
shall be neatly secured in
position by bunching &
strapping. Only copper
wires shall be used inside.
The gauge of wires used
should be adequate
such that the current
density should not
NER: Gauge of wire used,
insulation and grade
should be specified.
NR: IS/IEC specification of
cables and wires to be
used should be specified
The clause is regarding
wires to be used inside the
module. Gauge of wire used
inside the system may be
different for different
purposes depending upon
the design. There may be
some places inside
modules carrying more
Page 78 of 94
 exceed 3 Amps/mm².
The colour scheme used
for wiring shall conform to
normal conventions and
shall be shown in the
Instruction manual.
2 4.7 The following components
shall be provided on the
Power Card Module of the
system.
i) POWER ON Indication
ii)…………..
3 4.8 Tapping taken out for
monitoring the status of
fuse shall load the system
to the minimum possible.
In any case, the current
drawn for the monitoring
purpose shall not be more
than 3 mA for each fuse
4 WR: Distance between
5 Additional Clause 1.13 (a)
6 5.2. The switches and push
1 buttons used shall be of
high quality and
performance. These shall
be able to withstand >
50000 operations.
NR: Type of ON/OFF
Switch, i.e., Toggle type or
push button type should
be specified
NER: Max length of
tapping taken out for
monitoring the status of
the fuse should be
specified.
Main and stand by fuse
need to be installed need
to be specified. As some
times it has been
observed that due to
distance changeover takes
time and causes failures.
NER: System should be
able to measure the
current passed through
the fuse at the time of fuse
blown off so that the cause
of fuse blown off can be
established.
NR: The switches and
push buttons used should
have life of minimum 1
million operations instead
of 50000 operations.
currents and some with less
current. A general
description is therefore
used for required current
density.
However, it is proposed to
specify that the wires to be
used shall be single strand,
as per IS 694 of grade 1100
volts.
Provision of ON/OFF switch
was in earlier draft only
Switch has been eliminated
from the specs in view of
comments received that unit
will stop functioning if
someone switches OFF the
unit. Switching off of the unit
is not required at all.
There may be a possible
delay in changeover time if
the distance between main
and standby fuse is more.
However, presently
adequate feedback and
experience is not there so
as beyond what distance,
such system causes
signalling relays to drop
before standby fuse being
in circuit.
In view of it, it is suggested
that while installation, the
distance be kept to the
minimum possible and
based on experience
gained in this regard, such
distance may be decided
subsequently.
Incorporation of facility of
current measurement
continuously will make the
system extremely complex.
Moreover, the purpose of
the system is only to
provide redundancy to the
fuses.
The system, once installed
has to be ON always in
general switches/ push
buttons will only be required
in case of fuse blowing
case, Even assuming 1
Page 79 of 94

7 6.6 Six no. of potential free
& contacts shall be provided
6.7 on rear side for initiation of
remote Common Audio
Visual Alarm or any other
utility. These contacts
should normally be in
MAKE condition.
On the failure of any main
fuse, suitable LED
indication should glow and
buzzer of the unit should
give audio alarm.
Simultaneously two no. of
potential free contacts out
of six should also break for
initiation of Common
Audio Visual Alarm. If any
of the Standby fuses also
blows along with its main
fuse, the other pair of
potential free contacts
shall also break for taking
out Audio Visual Alarm
again. The remaining 2 no.
of potential free contacts
may be used for extending
SMS for main and standby
fuse blowing.
8 12 WARRANTEE:
The supplier shall give a
warrantee of 24 months
from the date of supply for
the equipment supplied
under this specification.
General comments
9 NWR Earthing and lightening protection / surge protection
arrangements required for SSDAC to be specified.
Moreover, specification to cover the system capability
against fuse blown due to lightning and other surges
for both main and stand by.
operation per day (which
anyway will never be the
case), the total switch
operations would only be
3650 in 10 years of service.
NWR: Specification to be Common Alarm for
modified for inclusion of datalogger logging may be
additional alarm for fuse taken through potential free
blown off to Data logger contacts used for controlling
for remote monitoring. SMS generations using one
external repeater relay.
Provision for more no. of
contacts in the system will
require more relays on the
small sized PCB which will
be difficult to accommodate.
NWR:To be modified as:- Since the supplier is
The supplier shall give a responsible immediately
warrantee of 24 months after supply of the
from the date of equipment, the warranty
commissioning for the from date of supply is
equipment supplied under appropriate. Moreover, the
this specification. supplier may not be the
agency which actually does
the installation.
Suitable condition may be
incorporated in the works
tender for warranty after
installation/ commissioning.
The purpose of the system
is to provide redundancy to
in- circuit fuses to take care
of fuse blown off cases
which are due to cases of
Page 80 of 94
 momentary over current.
Surge protection is not in
the scope of this
specification.
10 WR In packaging: All the modules should be fixed in Agreed. The clause may be
housing in such a way that there should not be any incorporated.
space left for entry of rodent.
11 WR Screw less terminal should be provided on the Clause 5.2.4 of the
changeover unit to connect the stand by fuse wires. specification is
reproduced: “All current
carrying terminals shall be
of copper or brass and shall
be plated for protection
against corrosion. Good
quality connectors
preferably screwless type
shall be used at the rear of
the system to facilitate
external wiring.”
12 NFR This specification is only valid for G type fuses. The specification will
Recently RDSO permitted use of WAGO type provide redundancy to main
disconnect terminal type fuse blocks. Scope of work fuse of NDT type as well as
should also cover such fuses with auto changeover G type. However, the
system. standby fuse has been kept
as G type only to save
space in the system.
The system will be
suitable for disconnect
type fuse blocks also as
they use G type fuses.
13 NFR Since spare fuse wiring for changeover system In any signalling circuit,
specified by RDSO draft specs. Is normally not drawn correct wiring and its
in approved circuit diagrams and thus having lot of integrity is essential.
mistakes. It was found at site that multiple fuses are
connected to one circuit due to mistake in wiring. The Discussion with the vendor
wiring integrity cannot be ensured as a practice. has been done and
Hence wiring free disconnect terminal type auto disconnect type of auto
changeover system should be included in the scope. changeover system will be
Also, it is difficult to do alterations in wiring whenever evaluated and usefulness of
work is being done in circuit modification. it will also be decided
subsequently.
14 NFR The draft specification should be generalized and The specification is a
should permit further development in this field. generalized one and
improvements required may
be deliberated.
15 NFR Auto changeover system should not be restricted to For the sake of
32 units box. Specs should permit any unit as per standardization and
requirement of the railways for any type of fuse. uniformity, it is essential
that the no. of fuses in a
module is fixed, else a
variety of systems in
different sizes and
capacities will appear.
Page 81 of 94
16 NFR The auto changeover fuse developed by Safeconnect Discussion with the vendor
is wiring free and can be mounted along with main has been done and
fuse on DIN rail on concerned relay rack only. disconnect type of auto
Separate jumper wiring is not required. It is available changeover system will be
in the unit of one fuse. evaluated and usefulness of
17 NFR Disconnect terminal fuse auto changeover is available it will also be decided
in one unit and 2 fuse units box which can be used in subsequently.
outdoor circuits also for TPRs and TRs. Scope should
cover this aspect also.
18 ER No comments Acknowledged.

Page 82 of 94
 ITEM NO. 1156

SUBJECT:Specification for DWC Duct

SSC REFERENCE: 82nd SSC

RDSO FILE REFERENCE: STS/E/Cable Laying Practices/Vol.III

RAILWAY’S REFERENCE:

S.No. Letter No.

1. RDSO’s letter No STS/C-82ndSSC/Vol.I Dated: 30.10/1.11.2012
2. Rly Board’s letter No. 2012/SIG/M/82nd SSC Dated: 30.11.2012
3. NWR e-mail
3. ER letter No.203/3/SSC/82nd Dated 29.11.2012
4. NFR letter No. N/229/5/8/(S) Dated: 22.11.2012
5. WCR e-mail
6. ECoR e-mail
7. NCR e-mail
8. NR letter No.341-Sig/07/SSC meeting Dated 04.12.2012

AGENDA: Adoption of specification for DWC Duct.

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

As per directives of Railway Board issued vide letter No. 2004/SIG/A/WR/1 dated 27.4.2010, draft
specification for DWC Duct for use in laying of underground signalling cables was sent to Railways
for comments/remarks vide RDSO’s letter No. STS/E/Cable Laying Practices dated
9.6.2011.Based on the comments/remarks received from Railways, RDSO specification No.
RDSO/SPN/2004/2011 Ver. 1.0 was finalized and circulated to Railways vide RDSO’s letter No.
STS/E/Cable Laying Practices dated 13.10.2011.
The item was proposed to be discussed in the 82nd SSC so that based on the comments received
from Railways and deliberations during SSC, a decision could be taken to formally adopt this
specification.

The comments of the Railways along with RDSO’s remarks thereon are enclosed.

Page 83 of 94
 SPECIFICATION FOR DOUBLE WALLED CORRUGATED HDPE DUCT FOR SIGNALING CABLE
(SPECIFICATION NO. RDSO / SPN/ 204/2011 VER. 1.0)
Clause No. & Description Comments/Remarks of Zonal Railways Remarks of RDSO
4.0 NWR: With IP 67 grade of
General requirements DWC HDPE duct do not have any protection available to the
perforation / holes due to which once HDPE duct and its
water enters into it, it remains accessories (clause 6.1)
accumulated inside which can lead to there is no chance of water/
slow deterioration of cable insulation. dust ingress. The addition
Therefore, following addition is suggested may not be
suggested as sub-clause at 4.9:- feasible practicably at site.

4.9:- Suitable glands / outlets shall be

Annexure B
Item No.1.6
The deflection is calculated
with the inner diameter but the
measurement of the outside
diameter may be sufficient. In
case of doubt, it will be
necessary to measure the
inner diameter.
Annexure C
provided at uniform interval over the
length of the DWC duct to facilitate
draining of accumulated water in case of
requirements.
ER :
DWC pipes are used in a split condition at
many places like split RCC pipe. But
mechanical rigidity of split DWC pipe is
very poor in comparison to RCC pipe.
Additional design modification to use in a
split condition may be included.
ECoR:
Where signal cables are more, drawing of
these cables through DWC pipes will be
difficult. Specification shall include the
provision for Half split DWC pipes.
NFR:
1. Pipes must be fire retardant type
separate colour for fire retardant pipe
should be there.
2. Split pipe of higher dia should also be
available for main cable laying
WCR:
Compression Test: Agreed.
-It should be modified as follows:
The deflection shall be calculated with
the inner diameter only.
WCR:
In addition to impact Test Apparatus [as
shown in Fig-1 on page no. 22],
shovel/pick axe etc. may also be
prescribed for testing strength, as it has
been found that presently the DWC pipes
Splitting/ cutting of DWC
pipes are not recommended
for use. However, half split
DWC pipes may have to be
covered in the existing
specification if feasible, or
through a separate
specification if considered
necessary.
1. The pipes shall be tested
to resistance to flame
propagation (Cl.6.9).
2. Dimensions are given in
table 2 (Cl. 6.1). HDPE of
other dimensions if needed
may be specified by the
purchaser (Cl.6.3 &16.1)
Standard test procedure
(clause 6.6) has been
adopted. However, severity
to enhance the impact
strength shall be considered
Page 84 of 94

Annexure H
Item No.2.3
The assembly tested for
numeral 6, shall be deemed to
have passed the test if there is
no ingress of dust visible to
normal or corrected vision
without magnification.
are not able to withstand the impact of to withstand such impacts.
shovel and pick axes, which are the tools
normally used in the vicinity of the track.
WCR:
It should be modified as : the assembly As per IS-12063, IP 67 level
tested for numeral 8, shall be deemed to of protection available is
have the test if there is no ingress of dust considered adequate.
visible to normal of corrected vision
without magnification. (here, in place of
numeral 6, numeral 8 is recommended as
it may yield better test performance).
WCR:
The DWC pipe does not provide the This Issue is related to the
required protection to the cables. cable laying practices
Whenever earth work takes place, the guidelines. The options for
DWC pipe gets damages along with the use of GI/ RCC/ DWC/CI
cable. It should be done away with. We pipes etc. Is indicated in the
should use only GI or RCC pipe guidelines as per SEM.
However, using GI or RCC
in place of DWC may be
decided by Rlys.
WCR:
Duct should not be made mandatory. It It has not been made
should be tried at a few stations and after mandatory. The Issue is
an experience of 4-5 years we should related to the cable laying
take it further. The reasons are as guidelines wherein various
follows: options like use of
i) Cost is very high GI/CI/DWC/RCC pipes are
ii) In-situ duct is difficult. Readymade available for use by Rlys.
pieces will settle down and the duct
will become uneven and broken,
putting undue stress on cable.
iii) Cables become theft prone
iv) More vulnerability to fire etc. if the
covers are missing with time.
WCR: The issue is related to cable
On bridges /culverts the cable should be laying guidelines (covered
taken in GI troughs rather than in pipes, in para 10.3, and drawings
to make them theft proof. GI troughs at Annexures 16 & 17 of
when filled with bitumen make the cable guidelines on signalling
cutting extremely difficult. The troughs cable laying).
should be taken upto a depth of 1.2
meters on the entry/exit to the bridge by
suitable bending. The portion also to be
filled with bitumen.
Page 85 of 94
12.2
Inspection and testing shall be carried out
by the inspecting authority nominated by
the purchaser to ensure that all the
requirements of this specification are
complied with for the acceptance of the
materials offered by the supplier for
inspection.
12.3
The purchaser or his nominee shall have
free access to the works of the
manufacturer and to be present at all
reasonable times and shall be given
facilities by the manufacturer to inspect
the manufacturing of the duct at any
stage of manufacture. He shall have the
right to reject whole or part of any work or
material that does not conform to the
terms of this specification or any
equivalent specification or requirement
applicable and may order the same to be
removed / replaced or altered at the
expense of the manufacturer. All
reasonable/complete facilities considered
necessary by the inspecting authorities
for the inspection of the ducts shall be
supplied by the manufacturer free of cost.
14.0
The manufacturer shall warrant the
material covered by this specification to
be free from defects in design, material
and workmanship under ordinary use and
service, his obligation under this warranty
being limited to replace free of cost those
parts which shall be found defective.
ECoR:
In para 12.2. & 12.3 it is not Sources shall be
clear whether the material will be developed and the item
inspected by RDSO or not. To will be inspected by
proper quality control RDSO RDSO.
should inspect the material.
NR:
It is noted that there are no
approved vendors for DWC
HDPE duct. Hence, approved
vendors list should be issued for
the specification and the item
should be inspected by RDSO to
ensure its quality.
NCR:
In major yard as there is a large This issue is related to the
no. of cable so pulling of cable cable laying guidelines
through duct will be very (covered in para 6.2 of
inconvenient and post guidelines on signalling
installation maintenance will be cable laying).
very difficult. So it is suggested
to provide machinery cable duct
within the outer most points. For
minor yards where few cables
are crossing the track duct may
be suitable.
NR
In Clause 14.0 regarding Agreed. Shall be suitably
Warranty, there is no time limit incorporated in the
defined. It is suggested that specification.
warranty should be at least 24
months from the date of
commissioning.
Page 86 of 94
 ITEM No. 1157

SUBJECT: PVC insulated Underground Unscreened signalling cable for Railway Signalling,
IRS S -63/2007 amd 3

SSC REFERENCE: Nil

RDSO FILE REFERENCES: STS/C/82nd SSC

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SN LETTER NO.

1 NFR’s letter no. N/229/518(S) dt. 22.11.2012.

2 CR’s email dt 27.11.2012
3 WR’s ‘s letter SG.158.2.82.dt 21.11.2012.

AGENDA: Review of cable specification i.ePVC insulated Underground Unscreened signalling

cable for Railway Signalling.

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

The Specification IRS S 63/2007 was issued in 2007. After this 3 amendments have been issued.
The first amendment covers inclusion of temperature in loss of mass test of PVCin Acceptance test,
Dry IR for power and signalling cables were separated and wet IR was modified for signalling cable.
The second amendment covers changes to routine tests in conductor diameter, corrections to
typographical errors in conductor diameter and in flammability test decomposed length was added.
The third amendment covers revision to acceptance test sampling plan.
Some Railways have indicated use of jelly filling for increasing insulation in waterlogged areas and
also use of Quad cable for signalling applications.
The recommendations/comments on the agenda item received from Railways are tabulated and
enclosed for deliberations in the meeting.

Page 87 of 94
Para Railway Comment’s RDSO’s Views
NFR
1. Insulation of power cable should also be 1. IR depends upon the Conductor dia
increased at par with signalling cable. and the outside dia of the conductor
insulation. Hence if conductor dia
increases, the IR goes down.
Formulae for this is :-
IR= K.log10(D/d), (M.ohms/1000ft)
K= insulation material constant
D= outside dia of conductor
insulation
d= diameter of conductor

2. Aluminum conductor power cables not 2. Aluminum conductors are covered

covered under IRS specifications. Need to be under IS 1554 part I which along
covered. Al conductor power cables are widely with IRS S 63/ 2007 can be used for
used in the Railways. power cable of Al conductors.

CR
1. Jelly filled cable should be used for signalling 1. PE insulation is not suitable for high
applications, as they have jelly filling and temperatures and is costly in
Polythene insulation which gives added comparison to PVC. Also PE is not
advantage of higher insulation in waterlogged flame retardant, hence PVC has
conditions. been preferred.
2. Existing signalling cable specification should
be modified accordingly.

WR
1. 4Quad/6Quadx1.4 mm Dia Jelly filled cable
with RDSO spec: ITS: TC 30-2005 should be
used for signalling applications, as they have
jelly filling and Polythene insulation which
gives added advantage of higher insulation in Can be deliberated.
waterlogged conditions.
2. Immunizations level is added advantage which
will reduce the requirement of cutting in relay.

Page 88 of 94
 ITEM NO. 1158

SUBJECT:Guidelines for Signalling Cable Laying (Ver. 1.0)

SSC REFERENCE: 82nd SSC

RDSO FILE REFERENCE: STS/E/Cable Laying Practices

RAILWAY’S REFERENCE:

S.No. Letter No.

1. RDSO’s letter No STS/C-82ndSSC/Vol.I Dated: 30.10/1.11.2012
2. Rly Board’s letter No. 2012/SIG/M/82nd SSC Dated: 30.11.2012
3. WR e-mail
3. CR e-mail
4. NFR letter No. N/229/5/8/(S) Dated: 22.11.2012

AGENDA: Adoption of Guidelines for Signalling Cable Laying.

NOTE BY SECRETARY:

Based on Railway Board’s letter No.2011/SIG/SF/1 dated 24.8.2011 and decision taken during the
CSTEs’ Conference held at New Delhi on 2.9.2011, RDSO was asked to issue guidelines for
Signalling Cable Laying which may be uniformly adopted by Zonal Railways. As the cable laying
practices differ from Railways to Railways and due to the local situations in Railways, RDSO vide
letter No. STS/E/Cable Laying Practices dated 12.9.2011 requested Railways to send their
suggestions along with the practices adopted by them. Based on the feedback obtained from the
Zonal Railways, RDSO had finally issued the guidelines for Signalling Cable Laying vide letter No.
STS/E/Cable Laying Practices dated 31.10.2011. The guidelines broadly include the following:

1. Planning for cables, routes, laying of cables underground, above ground, track crossing, road
crossing, bridges/culverts, near to sleeper, entry of cable at relay room, cabin, location boxes
etc., termination, testing, and supervision.

2. Special requirements in 25KV AC areas.

3. Necessary drawings.

In light of above, it was decided to include this item as one of the agenda items for discussion in 82nd
SSC & after deliberations/discussion thereon by SSC members along with changes as considered
necessary, it can be broadly adopted by Railways to ensure uniformity in Signalling Cable Laying
practices all over the Indian Railways.

The comments of the Railways along with RDSO’s remarks thereon are enclosed.

Page 89 of 94
 GUIDELINES FOR SIGNALLING CABLE LAYING

Para No. & Description Comments/ Remarks of Zonal Remarks of RDSO

Railways
6.1 CR:
Manual trenching is Mechanized trenching may be Joint procedure order for
recommended for laying of adopted at wayside Stations even undertaking digging work in
signalling cables in the station between Home signal to Home the vicinity of underground
yards from Home to Home signal and it shall be defined with signalling, electrical and
signal and mechanized fool proof protection to avoid tele-communication cable
trenching is recommended from damages to existing working cable shall be followed (JPO. No.
Home to distant signal and system. 1/SG/2004). Decision for go
beyond into block/automatic in to for mechanized
section. trenching at specific
locations may be decided
by Rlys
6.2 CR:
Under road/platforms/railway Additional para to be added Shall be added.
tracks/difficult terrain etc., regarding jointing ends of RCC
trench less horizontal ducts/Trunking covers.
directional drilling (HDD)
method may be adopted under
the supervision of competent
staff for laying of GI/DWC-
HDPE pipe. Both ends of
GI/DWC-HDPE pipes shall be
closed properly using
accessories and the pits shall
be properly backfilled. There
shall be no damage to the
road/platform/tracks or any
such structures etc. enrooted
during or after the HDD
operations.

Page 90 of 94
7.1.5
The cable laid parallel to the
track shall be buried at a depth
of minimum 1.0 metre (top most
cable) from ground level. A
sketch No. SDO/CABLE
LAYING/003 showing cable
trench is enclosed (Annexure-
6). While those laid across the
track must be minimum 1.0
metre below the rail flanges.
However, in case of rocky soil,
the depth may be reduced
suitably. When it concerns the
laying of tail cables which serve
the track apparatus etc. the
depth shall not be less than
0.50 metres. In theft prone
areas the cables may be laid at
a depth of 1.2 metres with
anchoring at every 10 metres.
7.1.7
Normally, not more than 12
cable are to be laid in one
trench as it shall be difficult to
attend failure at a later date. At
a moderate size station with
electrical signalling installation,
generally the numbers of cable
are more up to home, it is
recommended that cables are
laid in RCC duct up to home
signal on both side of the
station and may be extended up
to distant, if required. This will
also help later for laying of
additional cable later without
carrying out trenching.
7.1.8(iii)
At each end of the main cable
an extra loop length of 6 to 8
metre shall be kept.
7.3.1
RCC, masonry or any other
approved type of ducts may be
used for laying the cable. The
ducts shall have suitable covers
and shall rest on walls of duct.
8.2(iv)
Cable laid across the track must
WR:
Agreed to as depth of Cable The cable depth of
trench as per sketch no. minimum 1m has been
SDO/CABLE Laying/003 incorporated in the
(Annexure-4) is 1.0 meter. The guidelines looking to the
depth of trench should be 1 meter requirements of the railway
below the ground surface and the in general. Deviations in
top most layers should not be less minimum trench depth if
than 80 cm below the ground any, may be decided locally
level. by railways.
The Track crossing of Main Minimum trench depth of
Signalling cables and tail cables 0.5m for tail cables has
shall be done through DWC-HDPE been kept looking to the
pipes (ISI marks) of required size fact that at many places, it
at the depth of 1 meter below the may not be feasible to get
ground / cess level. minimum 1m depth for tail
cable.
CR:
Depth of cable trench should be Agreed. Already
standardized to 1.2 m so that top incorporated in the
layer of cable remains minimum guidelines Para 7.1.5. It is
1m. also clear from the drawing
No. SDO/ CABLE
LAYING/003.
CR:
In major yards limit of not more Limiting laying of up to 12
than 12 cables in one trench cables normally in one
needs to be removed. trench is to facilitate
attending of failures/ faults
at a later date. However,
laying more than 12
numbers of cables in one
trench may be decided as
per site requirements by
railway.
WR:
At each end of the main cable an Guidelines for 6 to 8 meter
extra length of 4 to 5 meter have been taken from SEM
should be kept. Para 15.16.
CR:
Covers may be specified and If the size of duct is suitably
designed in such a way that it selected, this situation shall
doesn’t put its own weight on not arise.
cable beneath it.
WR:
Cable laid across the track must Agreed
Page 91 of 94
be 1.0 metre (minimum) below
the rail flanges.
8.2(iii) & 9.1
iii) The cable is laid in
concrete/GI/CI/PVC/DWC-
HDPE pipes or suitable ducts or
in any other approved manner
while crossing the track.
9.1
The cable is laid in
concrete/GI/CI/PVC/DWC-
HDPE pipes, suitable ducts or
in any other approved manner
while crossing the road at the
depth of 1 metre from the
ground level. It shall extend 1
metre (minimum) on each side
of the road keeping in view the
future increase of width of the
road.
9 WR:
Road Crossing
13.2
There are three types of cable
markers in use in different
Zonal Railways:-
(a) Cast iron Tablet type
cable markers.
(b) Concrete cable markers.
(c) Electronic Markers
18.1
The cable termination of
signalling cables shall be
undertaken by providing
suitable location boxes/junction
boxes on approved type
termination.
be 1.0 meters (minimum) below
the ground / cess level.
WR:
The GI pipe for track & road The option of GI pipe has
crossing should be avoided as also been kept to have
cases of cable cut due to corroded flexibility for the individual
GI pipe have been experience on site situation. However, Rly
W. Rly. DWC pipes should be may use as per their
used. requirement.
The trenchless horizontal Already covered in
directional drilling (HDD) method excavation and back-filling
as given in Para 6.2 may also be of trenches for under road/
included under this heading along platforms/tracks etc. in Para
with recommended depth. 6.2. It shall be included in
suitably in Paras 9 & 8 also.
WR:
Electronic Cable Markers are also Already added in Para 13.2.
being used at certain locations.
WR:
The screw less terminals may also Approved type termination
be used like Wago / Phoenix may be adopted. Specific
make may also be used as per make, if any, may be
Railway’s practice. decided by Railway.
CR:
The screw less terminals like
Wago / Phoenix make may be
used as per Railway’s practice.
NFR:
1. Tail cables must be laid in DWC Already covered in Para 12.
pipe near track area.
2. Track leads should be used
underground under pipe similar
to use for axle counter track
devices.
Page 92 of 94
 ITEM NO.1159 (Presentation by WR)

SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY POINT MACHINES & ISSUES FOR IRS: S 64

SSE REFERENCE: NIL

RDSO FILE REFERENCE:

RAILWAYS' REFERENCES:
S.No. Letter No.
1. RDSO’s letter No. STS/C/82-SSC/Meeting/ Vol. I dated 27.11.2012
2. Railway Board's letter no. 2012/Sig/M/82nd SSC dated 30.11.2012
3 WR's e mail dated 22.11.2012

AGENDA: Inclusion of few improvements in specifications of Electric Point Machines and Electric
Point Motor & adoption of new technology point machines.

NOTE BY SECRETARY:
Western Railway has suggested development of point machines based on new technologies like
in-sleeper point machines and hydraulic point machines. Some improvements like epoxy coating of
the point motors and development of IP67 compliant point motors have also been suggested. The
suggestions given are summarised below along with RDSO’s remarks:-

No. RLY. RLY’s proposals RDSO’s remarks

Point Machine, IRS- S-24:
Epoxy coating of contact assembly and
1
motor should be part of specifications.
Machine should be developed for
multiple drives to ensure smooth
functioning of thick web switch or for
2 higher speed turnout.
WR
Point Machine Motor with IP67 sealing
need to be developed to avoid failures
3
in monsoon
Present Electric Point Machines (IRS-S-
24) is based on more than 60 years old
technology. During track machine
operation ground connections are
WR required to be disconnected, which is
4
time consuming and generally not
possible thereby imposing a restriction
on track machine operation. Hence
there is a need to adopt In-Sleeper type
of point machines.
In flood prone areas adoption of
5 Hydraulic Drive Point machines need to
be evaluated
Agreed. Amendment will be issued by
RDSO.
Trials were done in the past for double
drive mechanism with single machine.
However, these could not succeed as
adequate butting of switch rails could
not be done. A detailed study of the
mechanism being used in developed
countries need to be studied.
The issue is under evaluation.
Vendors have been advised to
develop IP 67 point motor using oil
seal bearings.
Preliminary discussion with vendors
has been done and they have been
advised to submit technical details and
samples for evaluation. M/s. Siemens
is likely to bring one machine shortly
after customisation from standard
gauge to BG.

Page 93 of 94
 ITEM No. 1160

SUBJECT: Scheme for use of IPS at LC gate.

SSC REFERENCE: Nil

RDSO FILE REFERENCES: STS/C/82nd SSC meeting

RAILWAYS REFERENCES:

SN LETTER NO.
1 RDSO’s letter No. STS/C/82th SSC Meeting/Vol. 1 dt.30.10.2012
2 Railway Board's letter no. 2012/Sig/M/82nd SSC dt.30.11.2012

AGENDA: Scheme for use of IPS at LC gate

NOTE BY SECRETARY
Schemes for interlocked LC gates for RE, Non RE and IBS has been provided in the specification
RDSO/SPN/165/2012 of IPS. These schemes are based on the 110V DC bus arrangement which
are bigger and costlier .To reduce the size and cost one UPS based scheme for LC gates has also
been proposed vide this office letter dt 09.02.12. This scheme was approved by Railway Board for
field trial vide letter no. 2005/Sig/SGF/12(IPS) Vol-I dt 26.03.12. Further, one more cost effective
scheme of 24V DC bus based Mini IPS was discussed with approved vendors of IPS during
meeting. The prototype model of Mini IPS is under development for the gates where load is around
500VA.

Page 94 of 94