The European standard "EN 50149 Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electric traction - Copper and copper alloy corrugated contact cables" describes the properties of copper and copper alloy cables with cross sections of 80 mm², 100 mm², 107 mm², 120 mm², and 150 mm² for use in overhead contact lines. This standard specifies product specifications, test methods, inspection procedures, and ordering and delivery conditions for the cables.
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:
According to this standard, cable identification should consist of:
For material identification, the drawstock or intermediate bar stock must be copper, a copper-silver alloy, or another copper alloy as defined in EN 1977. The annex to this standard provides definitions of drawstock or intermediate bar stock for some possible cable compositions (Annex B). When quoting, the user must clearly specify the desired or available materials. For environmental reasons, the use of copper-cadmium alloys is not recommended.
In terms of appearance and condition, cables must be free of any defects (such as roughness, splinters, seams, inclusions, or cracks) that could affect the mechanical and electrical characteristics specified in this standard or cause difficulties during installation and operation. The surface must be clean and free of foreign matter such as oxide residue or sulfide formed during the manufacturing process, or pickling residue. The color of the metallic luster surface may change due to atmospheric influences immediately after manufacturing. This is acceptable.
In general, all cables made from alloys must be clearly identified. For normal and high-strength copper and copper-silver, copper-cadmium, copper-magnesium, and copper-tin alloys, the identification method should be by means of identification grooves, as shown below. For other alloys, the identification method (grooves or another method) should be agreed upon between the purchaser and the manufacturer. The identification grooves should be arranged as shown in the figure provided in the standard. The center of the center circle should lie on the projection circle of the contact wire. The connection between two consecutive arcs should not form a straight line.
Normal and high-strength copper cables do not have identification grooves. Silver-plated copper alloy cables must have two identification grooves in the upper lobe of the cable, as shown in the figure. Cadmium-plated copper alloy cables must have one identification groove in the upper lobe of the cable, as shown in the figure. Magnesium-plated copper alloy cables must have three identification grooves in the upper lobe of the cable, as shown in the figure. Tinned copper alloy cables must have one identification groove, positioned at a 24-degree angle, in the upper lobe of the cable, as shown in the figure.
Regardless of the cable cross-section used, the dimensions of the compression grooves must comply with type A or B given in the figure. This standard details the following nominal cross-sections: 80 mm2, 100 mm2, 107 mm2, 120 mm2, and 150 mm2. Profiles are of two main types: circular profile and flattened profile. Cable configurations must comply with the table and are defined as combinations of profile shape, nominal cross-section, and compression groove type. The dimensions of each configuration are shown in Annex A.
For the alloys listed in Annex B for electrical properties, the resistivity of the cable at 20°C should not exceed the values in the table. For other copper alloys, the values should be as agreed upon between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
In short, the EN 50149 standard ensures the safety, reliability, and performance of cables used in fixed railway installations. This standard focuses specifically on cables designed for use in electric traction systems installed on overhead contact lines, return circuits, and traction substations. These cables play a crucial role in transmitting power from substations to trains, and therefore their quality and durability are critical.
This standard applies to:
EN 50149 outlines various technical and performance requirements, including:
Manufacturers must perform a series of type and routine tests to demonstrate compliance with the EN 50149 standard. These may include:
CE marking is often associated with compliance and quality assurance systems are often required during production.
Cables that meet the EN 50149 standard are used in the following areas:
Consequently, the EN 50149 standard plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, durability, and efficiency of power cables used in railway electrification systems. Compliance with this standard helps railway operators and manufacturers deliver a reliable infrastructure that can withstand the harsh conditions of modern railway operations.
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