BS EN 50345:2009 pdf free download – Railway applications – Fixed installations – Electric traction一Insulating synthetic rope assemblies for support of overhead contact lines.
The supplier shall provide a safety case for insulating synthetic ropes with novel or innovative features not previously used within the railway environment. The safety case shall quantify any additional risks and indicate how these risks are controlled.
Whenever a waterproof termination is specified, the manufacturer of the termination shall produce an extra assembly guide.
6 Testing
6.1 General
The necessary tests and the elements to which these tests are to be applied are given in Annex D.
6.2 Design tests for rope types
6.2.1 General
The design tests are intended to verify the suitability of the design materials and the method of manufacture. When an insulator is submitted to the design tests, the results shall be considered valid for the whole class of the insulator which are represented by the one test and have the same named characteristics.
The design tests shall be performed on three specimens.
The following tests shall be performed for each class of test:
— breaking test;
— endurance test;
— electrical test (dry power frequency withstand voltage test and test of tracking and erosion for housing);
— flammability test.
6.2.2 Test specimens and preliminary tests
6.2.2.1 Product identification and labels
Each synthetic rope shall be marked with the name or trademark of the manufacturer, the year of manufacture and the diameter of the rope. These identifications shall be printed every metre legible and indelible. For a correct identification, see Clause 7.
6.2.2.2 Visual check and dimensions (drawing)
The dimensions of the tested synthetic ropes shall be checked in accordance with the relevant drawings, taking note of any special tolerances. In addition, the rope sheath shall be checked visually in order to detect any surface defects such as cracks, grooves, inclusions, etc.
6.2.2.3 Breaking test
For this test the sample lengths shall be at least equal to 1,0 m.
The test samples shall be subjected to a tensile load by a testing machine. The tensile load shall be increased from zero, smoothly with an extension rate between 10 % and 20 % of the gauge length per minute, up to the mechanical failure of the synthetic rope.
6.2.3 Dry power frequency withstand voltage test
For this test the creepage distance shall be equal to 1,0 m.
This test is performed on insulators and conducted in two parts to allow the comparison between a dry sample and one which has been immersed in water.
The test shall be performed in accordance with EN 62217:2006, 9.2.3.
The samples shall be tested before the immersion in horizontal or 45 °inclination position, after immersion the samples shall be tested in horizontal and 450 position.
The same tests shall be repeated on samples after their immersion in water according to HD 588.1 S1:1991, Table 1, for a minimum period of 100 h. The test samples shall be dipped completely including the end terminations.
The test is fulfilled if the power frequency withstand voltages of Table 1 are achieved for all samples before and after the immersion.
The purchaser may request an additional test if necessary.