Electromagnetic compatibility and lightning current impacts in the railway equipment buildings

Abstract

The paper deals with the problems of the electromagnetic compatibility from the viewpoint of lightning current impacts on the electric and electronic railway equipments (mainly interlocking and telecommunications equipments) placed in the existing railway buildings. The main parts of these systems are remote controlled interlocking systems, station and open line interlocking systems, railway crossing systems and telecommunications systems like electronic fire warning systems, video systems, passenger information systems, remote and local diagnostic systems, public address systems, TRS and GSM-R radio systems and others. The paper contains summary of history of lightning safety measures and analyses the present state and its imperfections and gives new possibilities of placing of electric and electronic equipments in existing buildings respecting lightning strike problems. It focuses on the main problem of electric and electronic equipments from the viewpoint of lightning danger, i.e. insulating inner conductors against outer parts of lightning rod conductor and keeping enough distance and also proposes possible solution - using distant/insulated lightning rod and more measures (administrative, implementing and operational) and explains the principles of insulated (high-voltage) bonding conductors at railway applications.