BS EN 50341-1-2012 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN 50341-1:2012 — Overhead electrical lines exceeding AC 1 kV - Part 1: General requirements - Common specifications. This European (CENELEC) standard sets out general technical, safety and environmental requirements for the design, construction, testing and operation of new overhead electric lines with nominal system voltages above 1 kV (including specific provisions for lines up to and including 45 kV).

Abstract

Part 1 of EN 50341 provides common specifications and general requirements applicable to overhead electrical lines (design, mechanical and electrical clearances, supports, conductors, earth wires/OPGWs/OPCONs, testing, maintenance and safety). It clarifies the field of application, interaction with National Normative Aspects (NNA) and exclusions (for example certain railway catenary systems and closed electrical areas). The document was issued as the 2012 edition of the EN 50341-1 series.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded (replaced by EN 50341-1:2013 in national collections).
• Publication date: 1 May 2012 (EN publication / national adoption dates vary—BS adoption shown as BS EN 50341-1:2012).
• Publisher: CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization); published/adopted by national bodies such as BSI for the UK.
• ICS / categories: 29.240.20 (Power transmission and distribution lines).
• Edition / version: EN 50341-1:2012 (adopted nationally as BS EN 50341-1:2012).
• Number of pages: Approximately 250 pages (edition and national publications list ~250 pages).

Scope

This Part 1 standard applies to new overhead electric lines with nominal system voltages exceeding AC 1 kV and rated frequencies below 100 Hz. It explicitly covers covered conductor and overhead insulated cable systems with voltages exceeding 1 kV up to and including 45 kV and addresses design, construction, safety, environmental considerations and interaction with National Normative Aspects (NNAs). It is not intended for overhead electric lines inside closed electrical areas (see EN 61936-1) and excludes certain railway catenary systems unless referenced by other standards.

Key topics and requirements

• General design and construction requirements for new overhead lines (mechanical strength, electrical clearances, supports and foundations).
• Specification of conductor, earth/ground wire (including OPGW/OPCON) and fitting requirements.
• Clearance, insulation and creepage distances; safety distances to public and property.
• Requirements for testing, inspection, maintenance and operational safety procedures.
• Environmental and siting considerations including vegetation and right-of-way management.
• Interaction with National Normative Aspects (NNA) where national committees specify the extent of application to existing lines or impose additional requirements.

These topics form the common (Part 1) requirements that are then complemented by more specific Parts, national annexes or further technical parts within the EN 50341 series.

Typical use and users

Primary users are transmission and distribution utilities, power system planners, consulting and design engineers, testing and certification bodies, infrastructure owners and national standards committees. The standard is used when designing new overhead lines to ensure conformity with safety, operational and environmental good practice and to harmonize basic requirements across national implementations.

Related standards

EN 50341-1 is the common/general part of the EN 50341 family. Related documents include other parts of EN 50341 (technical and voltage-specific parts), national normative aspects (EN 50341-3 series and national annexes), EN 61936-1 (high-voltage installations — safety for closed electrical areas), IEC 60826 (design criteria of overhead transmission lines) and earlier/replaced documents such as EN 50423-1. The 2012 edition was followed by an updated EN 50341-1:2013 edition which superseded the 2012 publication in many national collections.

Keywords

Overhead electrical lines, high voltage, transmission lines, distribution lines, conductors, OPGW, OPCON, clearances, design requirements, CENELEC, National Normative Aspects (NNA).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: EN 50341-1:2012 (adopted as BS EN 50341-1:2012 in the UK) is the Part 1 general/common specifications standard for overhead electrical lines above 1 kV, setting out design, construction, safety and environmental requirements for new overhead lines.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers general requirements for the design and construction of new overhead lines (mechanical and electrical aspects, clearances, conductors and earth wires including optical ground wires, testing, maintenance and safety), and defines the interaction with National Normative Aspects. Some systems and locations (for example closed electrical areas or specific railway catenaries) are excluded or handled by other standards.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Transmission and distribution utilities, system and civil/structural engineers, standards committees, designers of overhead line components and testing/certification organizations use the standard when planning or specifying new overhead lines.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The EN 50341-1:2012 text was later withdrawn/replaced in many national catalogs and superseded by EN 50341-1:2013; users should check the currently endorsed national version (for example BS EN 50341-1:2013 where applicable) and any National Normative Aspects that apply in their country.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 50341-1 is Part 1 (general/common specifications) of the EN 50341 series, which includes further parts and national normative aspects addressing voltage ranges, detailed technical rules and additional requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Overhead electrical lines, high voltage, conductors, earth wires, optical ground wires (OPGW), clearances, design requirements, National Normative Aspects (NNA), CENELEC.