BS EN 50702-2021 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN 50702:2021 — Railway applications. Rolling stock. Conductor rail current collectors (shoegear): Characteristics and tests. This document specifies the characteristics, marking and the tests required for current collectors designed to pick up current from third‑ or fourth‑rail systems, including associated fuses and short‑circuit devices; it is the British adoption of EN 50702:2021.

Abstract

This standard defines technical requirements, performance characteristics and type/test procedures for conductor‑rail current collectors (shoegear) used on rolling stock. It covers mechanical, electrical and environmental characteristics, mandatory markings and a battery of tests to verify safe current collection, structural integrity, weak‑link behaviour, corrosion protection and compatibility with third‑ and fourth‑rail systems. The standard explicitly excludes roof pantographs.

General information

• Status: Current / active (national adoptions in several countries as EN 50702:2021).
• Publication date: 2021 (BS adoption listed 12 May 2021; EN reference year 2021).
• Publisher: European standard EN 50702:2021 (CENELEC); published nationally as BS EN 50702:2021 by BSI in the UK (and adopted by other national bodies).
• ICS / categories: 45.060 (Railway engineering — tractive stock / rolling stock).
• Edition / version: EN 50702:2021 (adopted as BS EN 50702:2021) — first EN edition 2021.
• Number of pages: Approximately 32 pages (national PDFs may vary slightly by publisher).

Scope

Specifies the tests and characteristics for conductor‑rail current collectors (shoegear) used to collect current from third or fourth rail systems on railway rolling stock, together with requirements for associated fuses and short‑circuit devices. The document sets out dimensional/working range requirements, electrical performance criteria, mechanical force and mass limits, required marking and a structured set of type and routine tests. It does not apply to roof pantographs.

Key topics and requirements

• Technical requirements for collector geometry, gauge and working range (clearances and allowable travel).
• Electrical values and current‑carrying performance, including requirements for associated fuses and short‑circuit protection.
• Force and mass limits, mounting and bogie load considerations (maximum allowable forces transmitted to bogie/vehicle).
• Collector shoe materials, wear characteristics and requirements for corrosion protection.
• Weak‑link / sacrificial element specifications to protect equipment in overload conditions.
• Marking and identification requirements for components.
• Type and routine tests (mechanical, electrical, environmental, endurance, impact and compatibility tests) and a normative list of referenced tests.

Typical use and users

Used by rolling stock designers and manufacturers, component and shoegear manufacturers, test laboratories, vehicle acceptance authorities, procurement teams and maintenance engineers involved in third‑ or fourth‑rail transit systems (metros, suburban and some urban railways). It is referenced in design specifications, supplier contracts and type‑approval testing.

Related standards

Normative and informative references commonly associated with EN 50702 include standards for environmental and mechanical testing and electrical safety such as EN 50125‑3, EN 61373 and EN 60112 (among others cited in the standard's bibliography and normative references). National adoptions may list additional harmonized or national application documents.

Keywords

conductor rail; current collector; shoegear; third rail; fourth rail; rolling stock; tractive stock; tests; fuses; short‑circuit protection; weak link; marking; corrosion protection.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: A European standard (EN 50702:2021) adopted nationally (e.g., BS EN 50702:2021) that defines characteristics and test methods for conductor‑rail current collectors (shoegear) used on rolling stock.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Mechanical, electrical and environmental characteristics; marking; required tests (type/routine) for current collectors that operate on third‑ or fourth‑rail systems; and requirements for related fuses and short‑circuit devices. It excludes roof pantographs.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Rolling stock and component manufacturers, test houses, procurement and acceptance teams, vehicle maintainers and railway safety/technical authorities working with third‑ or fourth‑rail systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: EN 50702:2021 is the current 2021 edition and has been adopted nationally in multiple countries (e.g., BS EN 50702:2021). Users should check their national standards body for any subsequent amendments or corrigenda.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone EN addressing conductor‑rail current collectors but references and complements other railway and electrotechnical standards (environmental, mechanical and electrical test standards) that together form the normative framework for rolling stock component testing.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Conductor rail, current collector, shoegear, third rail, fourth rail, rolling stock, tests, weak link, fuses, short‑circuit.