Achieving Electromagnetic Compatibility
For any project, demonstrating that EMC has been achieved is an essential requirement, in order to comply with applicable legislation, as well as technical and contractual requirements.
Permarail has a clear understanding of how the EMC Assessment must be coordinated with and integrated into the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning phases of a project. Based on our experience we can identify the EMC scope which will be required for your project. We take responsibility to act as your EMC consultant for the entire duration of the project, delivering all of the required EMC activities, working closely with the design and commissioning teams.
We will undertake the work and compile the EMC documentation that will be required at various stages of the project. An example process is outlined below.
The compilation of an EMC Strategy at the start of the project. Identify and explain the directives and relevant standards to be used by the project. Identify the emitting and victim equipment (new and residual) as well as the coupling mechanism between them.
Identify the requirements for EMC tests at the equipment level and system level.
Site surveys to assess the environment and the neighbours to the project from which site-specific hazards are identified.
Carry out baseline EMC Testing.
The Initial Hazard Assessment to assess generic hazards.
Prepare the EMC Control Plan.
Compile EMC guidelines for site installations and layouts.
Compile the Hazard Log describing the risk, consequence, control measures and hazard mitigations as well as the initial and residual scores and the references for the hazard closeout.
Carry out post-commissioning EMC site testing.
The issue of the project file with the conformity statement.
There are many common EMC requirements that Permarail routinely helps projects demonstrate compliance with:
EMC Directive
Ref 2014/30/EU, passed into UK law as the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016. This legislation regulates the electromagnetic compatibility of electrical and electronic equipment and sets out the essential protection requirements for emissions and susceptibility.
EMF Directive
Ref 2013/35/EU, passed into UK law as the Control of EMF at Act 2016. This legislation places duties on employers to assess and mange risks to workers and the public associated with electromagnetic fields. The basic requirement is for an EMF exposure assessment & risk assessment with other requirements depending on the findings of the assessment.
EN 61000 series - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
The EN series of standards for EMC, covering general requirements, requirements for specialist equipment, compatibility limits and testing and measurement techniques.
EN 50121 series - Railway applications. Electromagnetic compatibility
The main standard for the railway industry to meet the essential requirements of the EMC Directive (Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016). This series of standards covers the management of EMC, interfaces between rolling stock and infrastructure, requirements for train-borne apparatus, emissions from the railway to the outside world, measurement techniques, signalling and telecommunication apparatus and fixed power supply apparatus and installations.
EN 50122 series - Railway applications. Fixed installations. Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit
The standard gives the requirements for protective provisions for electrical safety in fixed installations, for example earthing and bonding requirements, touch voltage limits, protective provisions against the effects of stray current, as well as protection against adverse effects of the mutual interaction of AC and DC traction systems.
London Underground standards
S1222 - EMC
S1193 - EMC with LU signalling assets
G222 - Guidance on electromagnetic compatibility
Network Rail company standards
NR/L1/RSE/30040 - EMC Strategy for Network Rail
NR/L2/RSE/30041 - Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Assurance Process
ENA Engineering Recommendations G5/5
The purpose of G5/5 is to set out design limits for harmonic voltages in order to ensure that compatibility limits set by the relevant IEC standard are not exceeded when new loads are connected. In the railway environment, harmonic-generating equipment is widespread therefore harmonic assessments are routinely required for new or existing electrical installations and designs to protect all parties from poor electrical environments.
What we can do for your project
We have extensive experience and understanding of the above standards and the practical implementation of the requirements to enable us to help your project achieve effective EMC management and demonstration of compliance and conformity.