Kevin Richardson recently responded to a request for information on railway transponders & interrogators for use in the EU. I would like to confirm his assertions and add a bit more information to that for the benefit of the requestor.
Kevin Wrote: >From: Kevin Richardson <[email protected]> >Subject: Standards applicable to transponders & interrogators >I do not believe there are any specific international standards concerning >rail transportation and associated transponders/receivers. The >requirements would therefore be derived from generic standards for safety >and EMC concerning similar radio transponders and receivers. >This type of scenario in Australia I believe would be handled as follows: >Safety would be covered by generic safety standards and in addition "Work >Safe" standards. EMC would be covered also by generic standards and the >normal requirements under the new EMC Framework in Australia. In addition, >for Australia a "Class Licence" for a low power radio transmitter would >probably be required. >> I would like to know what safety & EMC standards are >> applicable to an "RF Transponder" designed to send (and >> receive) data via RF signal from a mobile unit (railway >> wagon) to an "interrogator" located either in a railway >> station, or another mobile unit, every time the wagon >> passes by a selected point. >> >> Can anybody help me? > >Best regards, >Kevin ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- The response from Interference Technology International, U.K. Ltd is from the consulting firm which performed the EMC evaluations on the Channel Tunnel project. Martin Green is the Managing Director. His response to the message is as follows: RE: Railway Certification To my knowledge, there are no fully international standards for railway=20 transportation and associated transponders/receivers (ancillary equipment).= =20 That being said, the EU generated a series of standards under the EN50121=20 system which have been used for certification work in the EU for railway=20 systems. They are PR ENV standards and have not been published or=20 harmonised and therefore are only used in TCFs. They, however, are useful=20 for setting a baseline. As far as the specific questions are concerned,=20 typically manufacturers would apply these standards via the TCF route for=20 EMC, EN60950 for safety, and apply for type approval for the transmitting=20 element for each of the EU countries. Do not forget the frequencies are al= l=20 different. Within the EU for anything that is a radio communications=20 transmitter, but not for receivers, EMC type examination is a requirement=20 as well and the standards used would be the same as those covered above.=20 This is also beginning to apply to Australia as they have now adopted the=20 EU requirements with effect from 1 Jan 97. Regards Martin
