EN 61373 Railway Applications - Railway Vehicle Equipment - Shock and Vibration Tests

The European standard "EN 61373 Railway applications - Rolling stock equipment - Shock and vibration tests" describes the testing requirements for equipment designed for use on rolling stock, which is subject to high vibration and shock inherent in the railway operating environment. To ensure acceptable equipment quality, tests of acceptable duration simulating service conditions throughout the expected service life are required.

This standard specifies requirements for random vibration and shock testing of pneumatic, electrical, and electronic equipment and components incorporated into railway vehicles. Random vibration testing is the only method used for validation of equipment or components.

The test methods described in this standard are intended to verify the ability of the equipment to be tested to withstand environmental vibration conditions typically expected for railway vehicles. To ensure the best possible results, the values ​​given in this standard are derived from actual in-service tests conducted by various railway companies worldwide.

This standard excludes spontaneous vibrations because they are specific to the application involved. Technical judgment and experience are required for the application and interpretation of this standard. This standard is suitable for production and verification purposes, but does not exclude the application of other development tools (such as sinusoidal excitation) that provide a predetermined level of mechanical and operational reliability.

The test levels applicable to the equipment to be tested are determined solely by its location on the railway vehicle (i.e., mounted on the wheelset, bogie, or car body). These tests are performed on prototypes to obtain production-related information on performance under random vibrations. However, for certification purposes, tests must be performed on equipment from regular production.

The test values ​​specified in this standard are divided into three groups, depending solely on the location of the equipment within the vehicle:

• Group 1 Body mounted:
  • Class A: Body-mounted, low exposure level equipment (e.g. passenger compartments).
  • Class B: Body-mounted equipment with a higher exposure level (e.g., underfloor or ceiling-mounted)

Class B should generally be used because it is not clear where the equipment will be located.

Group 2: Bogie-mounted: Includes cabins, subassemblies, equipment, and components to be mounted on the bogie of a railway vehicle. They are subject to more severe vibration and impact compared to Group 1.

• Group 3 Axle-mounted: Includes subassemblies, equipment, and components or assemblies to be mounted on the wheelset assembly of a railway vehicle. Subject to excessive mechanical stress. Less common in electronic equipment.

Each group specifies different test profiles for shock and vibration levels based on realistic railway service conditions.

This standard (IEC 61373), subsequently developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), is designed to ensure the consistency and reliability of equipment used in railway vehicles. Railway environments are inherently challenging due to their constant exposure to mechanical stresses such as track movement, track irregularities, braking, and acceleration. The equipment installed on trains (including control systems, communication devices, passenger information systems, and more) must withstand these conditions to maintain performance, safety, and durability.

This standard provides a uniform test method for assessing the durability of such equipment. It ensures that the devices operate safely and accurately throughout their expected lifespan under real-world railway conditions. This standard applies to all electrical, electronic, and electromechanical equipment designed for use on railway vehicles. These include:

• Control panels
• Electronic circuits
• Passenger systems
• Traction and auxiliary systems
• instrumentation

This standard does not cover equipment designed for fixed installations, i.e. signalling equipment located along the track.

The EN 61373 standard includes two basic types of mechanical testing:

• Random vibration testing: Simulates the continuous vibrations encountered during normal train operations. It is applied to three mutually perpendicular axes (X, Y, Z). Its duration is typically 5-10 hours per axis. It is performed using a vibration testing system.
• Shock testing: Simulates short-duration mechanical shocks from events such as rail joints, switches, or emergency braking. It typically consists of three shocks in each direction per axis. Shock profiles are defined in terms of acceleration, duration, and waveform (usually a half-sine).

The pass/fail criteria for these tests are:

• No physical damage
• Continuity of electrical performance
• Protection of the assembly
• No loss of functionality or data

The EN 61373 standard is important because it plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and longevity of electrical and electronic equipment used in railway vehicles. The key reasons for this standard's importance are:

• Railway environments are harsh: Railway vehicles are constantly exposed to:
  • Vibrations from rails and wheels
  • Impacts caused by braking, coupling or rail irregularities
  • Extreme weather conditions, dust and debris (depending on installation location)

This standard ensures that equipment can withstand these mechanical stresses and continue to operate safely and reliably.

• Ensures safety and compliance: Equipment failures on railway systems can lead to service interruptions or, worse, safety hazards. This standard helps:
  • Identifying design weaknesses before they are rolled out in the real world
  • Reducing the risk of mechanical failure on board
  • Meeting regulatory requirements and industry standards
• Standardizes testing across the industry: This standard ensures a consistent testing method. This ensures:
  • Ensures that manufacturers, railway operators and test laboratories speak the same language
  • Clear pass/fail criteria for vibration and shock resistance
  • Provides fair comparison of equipment regardless of brand or country
• Supports global market access: This standard is compatible with IEC 61373, making it internationally recognized. Compliance can lead to:
  • Increases the export potential of railway products
  • Meets the supply requirements of railway operators worldwide
  • Simplifies certification for cross-border railway systems
• Increases product quality and durability: By designing equipment to meet this standard,
  • Manufacturers produce more durable products
  • Operators experience less breakdowns, repairs and downtime
  • Systems last longer and save money throughout the product lifecycle

Consequently, the EN 61373 standard is a crucial part of ensuring the mechanical reliability of railway equipment. By simulating real-world shock and vibration, the standard provides a benchmark for durability, helping manufacturers and operators reduce maintenance costs, increase safety, and improve operational reliability.

Our organization, which has been operating for many years and meticulously follows global developments in science and technology, conducts testing, measurement, and analysis in a wide range of areas for businesses across all sectors with a skilled team and extensive infrastructure. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 61373 Railway Applications - Railway Vehicle Equipment - Shock and Vibration Testing standard.