UNE-EN 50124-1-2017 PDF

Full title and description

STB UNE-EN 50124-1-2017 — Railway applications — Insulation coordination — Part 1: Basic requirements — Clearances and creepage distances for all electrical and electronic equipment. The document specifies principles and minimum values for air gaps (clearances) and surface distances (creepage) and gives general dielectric test requirements to ensure safe insulation design across signalling, rolling stock and fixed installations.

Abstract

This standard establishes requirements for insulation coordination in railway equipment: selection, dimensioning and correlation of insulation to match electrical stresses and environmental conditions, while avoiding unnecessary over-dimensioning. It covers clearances, creepage distances, environmental factors (pollution degree, altitude), voltage definitions, and dielectric test guidance; it excludes distances through solid or liquid insulation, gases other than air, and air at non-atmospheric pressure.

General information

• Status: Current.
• Publication date: 2017 (EN approved February–March 2017; UNE/AENOR national publication shown as 11 August 2017).
• Publisher: AENOR (UNE adoption of the CENELEC EN 50124-1:2017).
• ICS / categories: 29.080.01 (Electrical insulation in general); 29.280 (Electric traction equipment); 45.020 (Railway engineering).
• Edition / version: EN 50124-1:2017 (UNE-EN adoption, superseding earlier 2001 edition and associated amendments).
• Number of pages: Approximately 57 pages (national copies list 57–58 pages; some distributor catalogues show 57–64 depending on front matter).

Scope

Applies to electrical and electronic equipment used in railway signalling, rolling stock and fixed installations. Specifies requirements for clearances and creepage distances and provides general requirements for dielectric (type and routine) tests used to demonstrate compliance with insulation coordination. The document does not address distances through solid or liquid insulation, gases other than air, air at non-atmospheric pressure, or equipment used under extreme environmental conditions. Product-specific standards may set different requirements where justified for safety or reliability (for example signalling-specific rules).

Key topics and requirements

• Principles of insulation coordination: correlation of insulation levels within and between items to match electrical stresses and environment.
• Minimum clearances (air gaps) and creepage distances (surface paths) for functional, basic, supplementary and reinforced insulation.
• Voltage definitions and ratings (rated insulation voltage Un, rated impulse voltage Ui) used to determine spacing.
• Environmental and installation factors: pollution degree, macro-environment classifications and altitude correction factors.
• Dielectric and impulse test guidance (type and routine tests) and measurement/verification methods (see informative annexes).
• Notes on exclusions and interaction with product-specific railway standards (e.g., signalling, overhead contact systems).

Typical use and users

Used by railway equipment manufacturers, electrical and systems design engineers, certification and test laboratories, safety and maintenance engineers, and standards committees to define and verify safe insulation spacing and test levels for onboard, signalling and fixed-installation equipment.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside other insulation and railway standards such as EN 50124-2 (Overvoltages and related protection), EN 50163 (traction supply voltages), EN 50122-1, EN 50129 (signalling safety), IEC 60664 series (insulation coordination for low-voltage equipment), IEC 60060-1 (high-voltage test techniques) and material/test standards such as IEC 60587.

Keywords

insulation coordination; clearances; creepage distances; railway; rolling stock; signalling; dielectric tests; pollution degree; altitude correction; rated impulse voltage; Un; Ui.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: EN 50124-1:2017 (adopted as UNE-EN 50124-1:2017) is the European/generic railway standard that defines basic requirements for insulation coordination — mainly minimum air clearances and creepage distances and related test guidance for railway electrical and electronic equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers selection and dimensioning rules for insulation (clearances and creepage), environmental considerations (pollution, altitude), voltage definitions and dielectric test recommendations. It excludes distances through solid/liquid insulation and gases other than air and does not cover air at non-atmospheric pressure.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Railway equipment manufacturers, electrical design engineers, test laboratories, certification bodies, maintainers and safety engineers use the standard to design, verify and demonstrate safe insulation practices for rolling stock, signalling and fixed installations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition is the current EN 50124-1 version (it supersedes the 2001 edition and related amendments). Some national catalogues show ongoing reviews or amendments (check your national standards body for the latest national adoption/corrigenda).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 50124 is a multi-part series; Part 1 covers basic requirements (clearances/creepage), Part 2 covers overvoltages and related protection, and other related documents and national adaptations exist.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Insulation coordination, clearances, creepage distances, dielectric tests, railway, pollution degree, altitude correction, rated impulse voltage (Ui), rated insulation voltage (Un).