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Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 526 531

CUE2016-Applied Energy Symposium and Forum 2016: Low carbon cities & urban
energy systems

EMC in Rail Transportation


Luan Xiaotiana, Zhu Haijingb, Qiu Bob,*, Han Bochongb
a
Civil Aviation Management Institute of China, Beijing 100102, China
b
He Bei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China

Abstract

Rail transportation engineering is a field involving complex electromagnetic environments. Therefore

electromagnetic compatibility design is an important part in the construction of track mass transportation engineering.
In this paper, based on the study of related papers published in recent years, we give a review of the current
techniques of EMC design in the rail transportation field, and summarize the achievements and drawbacks in it.

2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Selection under
Peer-review and/orresponsibility
peer-reviewofunder responsibility
the scientific ofofCUE
committee the Applied Energy Symposium and Forum, CUE2016: Low carbon
cities and urban energy systems.

Keywords: rail transportation, EMC, design and test

1. Introduction

In recent years, rail transport such as urban subway, light rail, electrical multiple unit has been
developing rapidly, among which the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design is particularly
important. Based on the study of published references in recent years, this paper made a review and
summary of EMC of rail transport. The first part of the paper will introduce the development of EMC
design combined with current international standards; the second part will introduce the design and test
methods referred in the reference; the third part will introduce some specific application of EMC design
and the fourth part will be the conclusion.

2. The Current EMC Standard Analysis and Development Situation

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +8622-60438244; fax: +8622-60435718.

E-mail address: qiubo@hebut.edu.cn.
This work is supported by the fund of Hebei Scientific Supporting Plan 15212105D

1876-6102 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Applied Energy Symposium and Forum, CUE2016: Low carbon cities
and urban energy systems.
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2016.12.089
 Luan Xiaotian et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 526 531 527

There are similarities but also differences of the EMC test and design standards of railway vehicle
industry at home and abroad, so this part will first introduce and analyze various EMC test standards
involved in the railway vehicle industry, based on the content of reference [1][2][3][4][5], for a better
understanding and application of current standards in different regions of the world.
In [1], Xu first outlined the standards associated with EMC test of rail vehicle, namely the European
standard EN 50121, the international standard IEC 62236, the international standard IEC 60571, Japanese
standard JIS E5006 as well as the national standard GB/T 24338, and introduced usage of these standards
in the domestic railway projects. In [2], the author focused on the analysis of the European standard EN
50121-1: 2006. In [3] it emphasized the features of EMC standards of the European rail transit, analyzed
the differences between the series of these standards and related CISPR and IEC basic standards as well
as the causes of these differences, and summarized the deficiencies of the series of standards.
In [4] it pointed out the international railway EMC standard mainly follow IEC62236-1 ~ 5, and
outlined focus of each concrete standard in the aspects of radiation emission limits and immunity
requirements. In [5] it placed emphasis on EMC test and analysis based on the general requirements of
metro trains. In [6] it introduced the latest progress and developing trend of typical EMC.
The research work of EMC on the rail transit in China started late, but has been developing rapidly.
The strengthening of study of relevant laws and regulations and the analysis and understanding of
standards will promote the research in this aspect of manufacturers and domestic colleges and universities,
so as to form a virtuous cycle of production, promote each other.

3. EMC Design and Testing

3.1. EMI and Protection

Rail transport is in the electromagnetic disturbance source environment; meanwhile, the train itself is
electromagnetism sensitive equipment and system, so it is an important work of rail transport to prevent
the electromagnetic interference. Pantograph-catenary system, as a special equipment to provide electrical
energy to trains, is one of the interference sources that cannot be ignored. In [8], electromagnetic
interference on the pantograph-catenary system are measured and analyzed, and the test methods defined
in GB/T 24338. 2 are optimized and improved. In [9], the reasons, features and harms of pantograph-
catenary disconnection were analyzed in detail. Pantograph-catenary disconnection model was established
by use of AC electromagnetic transient software, and features of electromagnetic disturbance on
pantograph- catenary are analyzed and studied.
In [10] it introduced anti-interference measures of computer monitoring system in substations of rail
transport so as to suppress interference. Effective measures to prevent interference are put forward from
the aspects of the design, manufacturing, assembly and installation site of equipment in substations.
In recent years, a large number of new technology and new product have been appearing constantly,
which made EMC of motorcycle environment more and more complicated and salient. Cable is the link of
all kinds of electrical equipment. The improper selection and connection will lead to the deterioration of
the electromagnetic environment and the control device failure, which will also cause electromagnetic
interference. In [11], different kinds of cables and different kinds of connection methods of earth wire in
shield layer were tested and analyzed respectively, so that anti-interference performance of various
cables are concluded, which is helpful for reasonable selection of the locomotive cables.
In addition, the shielding and grounding measures can isolate or reduce electromagnetic field produced
by the interference sources so that of the effect of sensitive equipment from interference sources can be
reduced. In [12], to solve the problem of electromagnetic shielding for urban rail vehicles, different
528 Luan Xiaotian et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 526 531

interference factors, transmission of interference sources, and their corresponding shielding and
grounding were briefly discussed.
!
In [13][14] , it also studied electro- magnetic interference with different objects,
and provided many beneficial points.

3.2. The EMC Design

Rail transport system is in a complex electromagnetic environment, to guarantee the normal and safe
work, EMC shall be taken into full consideration, and necessary measures shall be taken. Therefore, the
EMC design of rail transport is a very important work. It runs through the whole process of rail transport
including its design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance. It is system engineering.
In [14][17], the basic concept of EMC and EMC test projects were systematically elaborated, the
current status of EMC in vehicle electronic control devices in rail transport is introduced and the
importance of EMC is emphasized. Reference [18] also introduced the particularity and content of EMC
design in urban rail system in theoretical level, including the EMC management, the EMC prediction
analysis, the EMC design, and the EMC test, etc.
The three basic elements for electromagnetic interference production are interference sources,
distribution channel and interference objects. In [19][20][21] through the analysis of the three elements
and the basic principle of electromagnetic interference inhibition, it studied and introduced the commonly
used EMC design techniques and measures to improve the performance of railway vehicles, involving the
equipment's reasonable layout, cable type selection and installation standard, filtering technology, and
application of grounding and shielding technology, which is the beneficial reference for EMC of railway
vehicles.
[22] mainly described the EMC design of train traction system and signal system, discusses the design
of reducing harmonics generated by interference sources, track return line, current sharing and L-C filter
parameters, and puts forward the method for EMC design of train and signal system: Dual-track current
returning and sharing design is adopted to reduce the interference of returning current harmonics on track
signals, and L-C filter parameters are reasonably designed to reduce harmonic current within track circuit
frequency range of track returning current, and isolating, shielding, grounding and other measures are
comprehensively combined to reduce the harmonics in track returning current, so as to ensure the EMC of
train and signal system.
Based on the detailed analysis of EMC current status and basic principle, the work from
[23][24][25][26] concluded the EMC basic design principle and methods from the perspective of design,
and put forward a new design method and idea on the basis of measures such as inhibiting interference
source, cutting off transmission route of electromagnetic interference and improving the anti-interference
ability of devices and systems. These references provided the EMC design proposal for the next step of
specific system design. In addition, in [27][28][29][30], it proposed EMC design ideas and steps on
different levels. With the continuous development of electronic technology, and the interference of
electromagnetic environment in various industries, EMC design principles will also need to be perfected
gradually in the process of design and application.

3.3. Analysis and test

In the design of EMC, field measurement and tests should be carried out under normal working
conditions, including the minimum distance between strong and weak current equipment, reasonable
layout of each equipment room for saving floor area and other aspects. Software and hardware tools can
be used to establish simulation analysis models, which can provide necessary theoretical references for
 Luan Xiaotian et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 526 531 529

EMC test. In [4][7][31][32] and [33], simulation models were established to provide basis for the layout
and EMC of rail transit rooms. [4] selected the high-speed EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) as the research
object and conducts a thoroughly theoretical analysis and research on EMC by means of theoretical
analysis and modelling simulation; [7] used Simulink to establish the simulation models, providing
theoretical basis for the EMC design of electric railway. [31][32][33] and other papers adopted CST
software to establish mathematic simulation models for each strong current equipment in rail transit
system, so as to simulate and calculate the electromagnetic radiation layout conditions, and the calculated
values are compared with the measured values, which has certain guiding significance for the equipment
layout of rail transit construction.
[34] described the common testing items, principles and methods of railway communication and
signal products in EMC tests, and it puts forward some applicable improvement schemes which can
provide reference for product research and test personnel. While [35] started with the EMC tests of 6
kinds of common trains and describes relevant tests corresponding to the general requirements of EMC,
then it puts forwards the testing methods and results for interference test and anti-interference test of
metro vehicle's EMC, respectively. In [36], the author analysed the impact of equipment layout and cable
laying on signal cable by means of EMC test and analysis, and then verifies the optimal measures for the
EMC design of railway vehicles by means of tests.
! [36][39][40][41] and other papers also described some researches on EMC
tests; especially, [40] introduced and analyzes the key problems for EMC tests of signal electronic
products. Modeling simulation and EMC test provide more reliable basis for rail transit construction.

4. Applications of EMC in Rail Transit

Based on the analysis of interference mechanism and basic theory, the EMC design can be applied to
detailed rail transit construction, which is the ultimate purpose and significance of this study.
In [42], the author put forward corresponding EMC solutions for the design of Dalian Jinzhou
Transit vehicles according to the design principle and relevant standards of EMC; Reference [43] put
forward solutions for EMC problems of permanent magnet DC motor which is used to drive the
automatic door; [44] analyzed the electromagnetic environment of metro vehicles in details according to
the structure and working principle of Vehicle On-Board Diagnostics System, which makes all EMC
testing items of the Vehicle On-Board Diagnostics System meet the requirements of Industry Standards
issued by Ministry of Railways; [45] put forward detailed control schemes and improvement measures for
the EMC of metro vehicles with linear motors according to the EMC requirements and testing results of
linear motor vehicles of Guangzhou Metro Line 4 Project, so that the EMC requirements are reached and
operation status is well; [46] solved the EMC problems between AC-50Hz 25kV vehicles and sensitive
medical equipment by means of tests and rectification and improvement.

5. Conclusion

With the development of domestic rail transport, EMC problems attract more and more attention.
However, the existing EMC theories and methods have many defects in the study and analysis of rail
transport problems. In addition, the domestic research in this field concentrated on some colleges and
universities related to traffic and research institutes such as Academy of Railway Science, which limit the
development of EMC study.
This paper analyzed current status of EMC study in rail transportation, concluded the recent
achievements, and reviewed the related work in recent 10 years.
530 Luan Xiaotian et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 526 531

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