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ELECTRIFICATION PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Final Version 7 – October 2014
REVISION HISTORY:
Date Version Purpose
Mar 23, 2012 0X First issue as stand-alone document
June 15, 2012 02 Update based on Mx Submittal Review
Oct. 3, 2012 03 Update based on Mx Submittal Review
Oct 26, 2012 03 Update based on Mx Submittal Review
Corrected error in revision level (amended V03 to
Nov 12, 2012 04 read V04) and revised issue date. No changes made
to the content of the document.
December 16,
05 Update based on Mx Submittal Review
2013
April 14, 2014 06 Update based on Mx Submittal Review
October 28, 2014 07 Restore changes due to technical feedback
Parsons Brinckerhoff
2300 Yonge Street, 20th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4B 1E4
Canada
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Purpose........................................................................................................................ 6
2. Scope ........................................................................................................................... 7
3. Reference Documents ................................................................................................. 8
3.1 Normative Documents .................................................................................... 9
4. Responsibilities ......................................................................................................... 10
5. General Data ............................................................................................................. 11
5.1 General Requirements ................................................................................... 11
5.2 Hazards and Electromagnetic Interference ................................................... 13
5.2.1 Direct Contact ........................................................................................... 13
5.2.2 Indirect Contact ......................................................................................... 13
5.2.3 Lightning ................................................................................................... 14
5.2.4 Electromagnetic Compatibility ................................................................. 14
5.3 Step and Touch Voltage ................................................................................ 15
5.4 Impact of DC Traction Systems in the Vicinity............................................ 17
5.5 System Earth ................................................................................................. 18
5.5.1 Grounding Network Configuration ........................................................... 18
5.5.2 Connections............................................................................................... 20
5.5.3 Grounding Bus Bars .................................................................................. 20
5.5.4 Non-buried Grounding Conductors .......................................................... 21
5.5.5 Publicly Accessible Locations .................................................................. 21
5.6 Special Requirements for 1x25 kV AC System ............................................ 22
6. Grounding and Bonding ApplicatIOns – Traction Return Current .......................... 23
6.1 General Principles ......................................................................................... 23
6.1.1 Bonding at Insulated Joints ....................................................................... 24
6.1.2 Static Wire (Aerial Earth or Ground Wire)............................................... 24
6.1.3 Track Bonding .......................................................................................... 25
6.1.4 Return Cables ............................................................................................ 26
6.1.5 Current Return Monitoring ....................................................................... 26
6.2 Traction Power Facility Grounding .............................................................. 26
6.2.1 General ...................................................................................................... 26
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Reference Documents ........................................................................................... 8
Table 2: Durations of Maximum Permissible Touch Voltages ........................................ 16
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: General Grounding System Layout ................................................................... 19
Figure 2: Cross-Section of Two-Track Cantilever Showing Location of Static Wire ...... 25
Figure 3: Layout of a Typical Grounding Arrangement at Passenger Station Platforms . 30
Figure 4: Typical Overhead Structure Grounding and Bonding Schematic ..................... 36
Figure 5: Overhead Contact Line Zone and Pantograph Zone ......................................... 38
Figure 6: Long, Short, and Double Combs ....................................................................... 43
Figure 7: A, B, and C Bonds and Cross Bond Configurations ......................................... 51
Figure 8: Drain Bond Configuration ................................................................................. 51
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1. PURPOSE
Metrolinx intends to implement traction power electrification within the system of GO
Transit routes serving metropolitan Toronto. Studies have determined that this shall
consist of a 2x25 kV ac system delivering power to trains by means of an overhead
contact system, and collected by roof-mounted pantograph current collectors on each
train’s locomotive or electrical multiple unit (EMU) rail vehicles.
The performance specifications, 13 in all, have the purpose of establishing the basis for
electrification design such that an efficient, safe, and cost-effective installation shall
result.
The purpose of EPS-03000 Grounding and Bonding is to establish the basis to
accomplish the following:
1. Provide for the electrical safety of rail system personnel, passengers, and other
public.
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2. SCOPE
The grounding and bonding system designs shall provide the means to carry electric
currents into the earth, under both normal and fault conditions, without exceeding
operating and equipment limits or adversely affecting continuity of service. Adequate
bonding shall be designed and installed throughout the entire electrified system to
provide proper return circuits for the normal traction power currents and fault currents,
with grounding connections as detailed in these criteria.
This section provides the specifications for the grounding and bonding design of all
affected sites. The sites, to be provided with grounding grids, mats, or rods, include the
traction power facility (TPF) high, medium, and low voltage (HV, MV, and LV,
respectively) switchgear, traction power transformers, autotransformers, auxiliary
transformers, disconnects, buses, cables and feeders, alternating current (ac) equipment
enclosures and pre-packaged building frames, OCS structures, and facility buildings,
including stations.
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3. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Metrolinx documents that contribute directly to the subject of grounding and bonding
requirements are listed in Table 1: Reference Documents. Established standards for
electrified railways and related topics relevant to grounding and bonding are listed in
Appendix A: Standards, at the end of this document. Other materials supporting the
understanding of this document are provided in Appendix B: Definitions and Appendix
C: Abbreviations and Acronyms.
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4. CEA report 249 D541 Simplified Rule for Grounding Customer Owned
High Voltage Substations
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4. RESPONSIBILITIES
The grounding and bonding plan, and specifications are the responsibility of the Systems
Engineering Team. It is the responsibility of all users of this document to:
Develop detailed specifications and designs based upon the principles outlined in
this document;
Support all design work with back-up calculations which shall be made available
to Metrolinx on request; and
Inform Metrolinx in the event of any conflict between the contents of this
document and any other document produced for the Metrolinx Electrification
project.
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5. GENERAL DATA
5.1 General Requirements
The grounding and bonding system designs shall provide the means to carry electric
currents into the earth, under both normal and fault conditions, without exceeding any
operating and equipment limits, without thermal degradation or mechanical breakdown,
and without adversely affecting continuity of service. Adequate bonding shall be
designed and installed throughout the entire electrified system to provide proper return
circuits for the normal traction power currents and fault currents, with grounding
connections as specified herein without affecting life and/or property.
All grounding and bonding designs shall be coordinated with the various discipline
designs, including civil, architectural, electrical and electronic, mechanical, and
plumbing, traction power supply and distribution, communications, and signalling. All
grounding and bonding designs shall be coordinated with stray current and corrosion
control measures, as well as the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and
electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements, so that the respective designs do not
conflict and render other systems ineffective. Refer to clauses 5.2.3 and 5.4 for
additional grounding and bonding requirements for lightning protection and in the
vicinity of direct current (dc) systems respectively.
Normally non-current-carrying-conductive parts, examples being conduit, cable trays,
handrails, and trackside fencing, shall be electrically bonded to provide a continuous
electrical path, and shall be permanently and effectively grounded. Grounding system
designs shall include grounding individual items, and dividing the length of normally
non-current-carrying-conductive entities into sections, with each section grounded at only
one point. Sizes of grounding and bonding conductors shall be selected in accordance
with the latest version of the applicable codes (e.g. CSA, OESC, NESC, and CEC).
Ground resistance at each grounding location shall be less than or equal to the value
specified in the applicable code.
An electrical safety analysis shall take in to account criteria for the ground potential rise
(Refer to IEEE Standard – 80). The analysis shall be undertaken to assess which normally
non-current carrying conductive parts need to be grounded and bonded, and the
appropriate method of implementation shall be identified to ensure that the touch and step
potentials are within permissible limits.
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The design of each large facility or building, such as the TPF, shall include a ground grid.
Wayside houses shall be grounded by means of one or more interconnected ground rods.
Where ground grids are used, the design shall adhere to the following requirements:
1. Ground grid design shall be based on local soil resistivity under all soil conditions
that exist in practice (e.g., wet, dry, and frozen conditions) and the calculations
shall comply with IEEE standards (e.g., 80, 142, and 1100) and the
CSA/OESC/CEC/NESC rules as applicable. Ground grids shall be constructed
from an assembly of driven ground rods and bare metal conductors. A continuous
loop of the grounding conductor(s) shall surround the perimeter of each facility or
building. The perimeter fence and gates, if provided, shall be effectively bonded
with the grounding loop at frequent intervals, and within this loop, the conductors
should be laid in the form of a grid. At the cross-connections, the conductors
should be securely bonded together. Ground rods shall be installed at grid
corners, at junction points along the perimeter, and at major equipment locations.
The ground rods are to be driven vertically into the ground to not less than the
minimum depth specified in CAN/ULC-S801. Horizontal ground rods may be
required where subsurface rock or other obstructions interfere with the placement
of vertical ground rods. The ground conductors may be made of copper or other
metals or alloys that shall not corrode excessively during the expected service life.
Ground rods may be made of zinc coated steel, stainless steel, copper-clad steel,
or stainless steel-clad steel. The ground conductors shall be securely bonded to
the ground rods and to the equipment (including busbars) to be grounded. Joints
shall be exothermically welded;
2. The ground rods shall be driven to stable soil where constant conductivity
properties apply;
3. At least two grounding testing well stations shall be incorporated into the design
of each ground grid. Approval of Metrolinx shall be obtained for the locations and
number of the grounding testing wells. Each grounding testing well station shall
be connected to the ground grid by at least two grounding conductors;
4. Grounding well stations shall be located so that they are accessible to Operations
and Maintenance (O&M) personnel. Locations shall be chosen that minimize the
bonding conductor length;
5. The ground grid shall be bonded to the ac service ground electrode and the
structural steel of the facility structure;
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5.2.3 Lightning
Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge caused by an unbalanced electric charge in
the atmosphere. Each facility and exposed structure shall be provided with appropriate
lightning protection measures, based on the incidence of strikes in the area local to each
facility. Facilities and exposed structures shall be grounded in accordance with the
recommendations of the equipment manufacturer, OESC, CEC, NESC, CAN/ULC-801,
CAN/CSA – B72 – M87 Installation Code for Lightning Protection Systems and NFPA
780 - Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, as applicable.
Refer to clause 6.7: Lightning Protection for additional information.
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Other secondary components, such as cable trays, building structures and bridge steel
structures also participate in making up the overall ground network with low resistance to
ground at all locations. Connection between parts of this network is realized through
grounding bars.
Figure 1: General Grounding System Layout, presents a schematic showing the general
grounding system layout.
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The grounding system shall be continuously bonded. The grounding electrodes shall be
contained within the right of way confines. The bonding material shall be capable of
sustaining the short-circuit currents for up to the total switch-off (trip) time imposed on
the system without thermal degradation or mechanical breakdown. In particular:
The traction equipment bonding shall be capable of discharging a 15 kA fault
from the OCS within 0.5 seconds (this above value may however be revised
during the detailed engineering phase); and
The E&M equipment bonding shall be evaluated by each sub-system based on the
electrical characteristics of the piece of equipment to be grounded.
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5.5.2 Connections
The following grounding and bonding requirements shall be met.
1. Exposed grounding and bonding connections such as those at equipment,
enclosures, ground busbars, and grounding testing well stations shall be
visible and accessible;
2. Buried/underground joints in grounding conductors and connections shall
be exothermically welded. Two-hole compression-type termination lugs
shall be used to connect bonding conductors to equipment enclosures.
Connections to reinforcement steel shall be exothermically welded.
Splices in grounding conductors shall not be permitted; and
3. Equipment enclosure doors shall be bonded with flexible metal bonding
straps, instead of reliance on hinges for electrical continuity.
Where identical installations exist, the following requirements apply wherever
practicable:
1. The routing of conduit and conductors between structures and enclosures
shall not differ;
2. Conductor terminations shall be located in like manner;
3. Prescribed materials, cables, and appurtenances shall be compliant with
applicable UL and ULC standards;
4. The colour of the insulation jacket of insulated ground conductors shall
be green; and
5. Water, gas or other piping shall not be utilized as a ground electrode or
ground conductor.
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6.2.1 General
The TPF grounding system shall comply with IEEE 142 and all local regulations, and
shall ensure that step and touch potentials remain within permissible limits during normal
operation as well as under fault conditions. All relevant local geotechnical data shall be
considered in the design of the building grounding system.
The rail return path of the 2x25 kV ac autotransformer feed TES consists of the static
wires (aerial ground wires), the running rails, and cable connections from static wires and
running rails to the traction power facilities. All of these are grounded as detailed below.
The static wire is connected at regular intervals to the running rails via impedance bonds
and to the grounded centre tap of the secondary winding of each traction power
transformer and the grounded centre tap of the winding of each autotransformer. The
static wire runs alongside the catenary to interconnect the OCS supporting structures and
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brackets, such that all normally-non-current-carrying metallic supports of the OCS are at
the same ground and track reference potential.
The traction return current causes a voltage rise in the running rails and static wires, due
to the impedance of these conductors, resulting in a voltage between the running rails and
static wires and the surrounding ground or other grounded metallic parts (touch voltages).
These touch voltages need to be limited to acceptable values. Hazards due to touch
voltages shall be minimized by means of adequate grounding and bonding measures.
In addition to the impedance bond connections at TPFs, further periodic connections
between the static wires and the rails through impedance bonds may be needed based on
the traction power load flow simulation results and the touch/step analysis. The design
shall determine the required spacing of impedance bonds and interconnections to the
rails, which must also be coordinated with requirements for compatibility with the
signalling system.
The ground grid at each traction power facility and the centre tap of the secondary of
main power transformers and the centre tap of autotransformers shall be connected to the
rails through impedance bonds, and to static wires through two independent connections.
Each return cable shall be sized to carry the maximum load current, thereby allowing for
the failure of one return cable. The connection to the running rails shall be through
impedance bonds.
All buried/underground joints in grounding conductors and connections shall be
exothermically welded. Splices in grounding conductors shall not be permitted.
All normally-non-current-carrying conductive parts of manholes, handholes, pull boxes,
splice boxes; metallic raceways and cable tray systems shall be bonded and grounded.
Where insulated cables are used within the TES, they shall be specified and manufactured
in accordance with the appropriate electrical standards that are applicable to the working
environment – voltages, operating and fault currents – to which they shall be subjected.
Cable shields shall be grounded at one end only to minimize the possibility of setting up
circulating current paths.
An electrical safety analysis as described in clause 5.1 shall be undertaken.
The grounding and bonding system for the TES shall not be electrically connected to any
non-traction power facility electrical grounding system.
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equipment enclosures. These enclosures shall not be interconnected with the TES
grounding and bonding system.
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Provisions shall be incorporated in the platform design such that all normally-non-
current-carrying metallic structures and miscellaneous metallic items within 2.5 metres (8
feet) from the edge of the platform (including any OCS poles) shall be isolated from the
static wire and shall be bonded directly to the platform reinforcement. The platform
reinforcement-bonded metallic items shall be isolated from the facility and utility
grounds.
For existing stations in aerial structures, a counterpoise shall be installed along the entire
length of each platform with the conductor buried in earth and extending a minimum of
20 metres (65 feet) beyond the ends of the platform, and other steps shall be taken as
described above for at-grade stations.
The grounding design shall ensure that the maximum permissible touch voltages, as
specified in Table 2: Durations of Maximum Permissible Touch Voltages are not
exceeded and, without exception, the resistance to ground shall not exceed 5 ohms.
Subject to field-testing during construction, it may be necessary to install supplemental
ground rods outside the limits of the platform, which can be attached to the platform
grounding system to satisfy the touch voltage requirements.
Elevated Access Platforms at Service Sidings
Metallic parts of elevated access platforms such as those for rooftop equipment
inspection and maintenance at service sidings shall be electrically interconnected and
shall be connected to the rails through an impedance bond at one end only to minimize
step and touch voltages between the access platform and the vehicles. Provisions shall be
incorporated into the platform design such that all metallic structures and miscellaneous
metallic items within 2.5 metres (8 feet) from the edge of the platform (including any
OCS poles) shall be isolated from the static wire and shall be bonded directly to the
platform. The platform-bonded metallic items shall be isolated from any facility or utility
grounds.
The grounding design shall ensure that the maximum permissible touch voltages, as
specified in Table 2: Durations of Maximum Permissible Touch Voltages are not
exceeded. Subject to field-testing during construction, it may be necessary to install
supplemental ground rods outside the limits of the platform, which can be attached to the
platform grounding system to satisfy the touch potential requirements.
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A grounding electrode conductor sized in accordance with the applicable code between
the service equipment ground bus and metallic water and gas pipe systems, building steel,
and supplemental or made electrodes shall be provided. A grounding electrode conductor
shall also be provided for jumper-insulated joints and bolted (non-welded) joints in the
metallic piping.
The steel columns shall be bonded to the reinforced steel within the building foundation.
Conductive piping systems shall be bonded to the building grounding system. Bonding
connections shall be made as close as practical to the equipment ground bus.
Within a building, the grounding cable shall, where possible, be embedded in or
underneath the floor slabs. The grounding electrode system shall be attached and bonded
to normally-non-current-carrying conductive entities within the building.
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For the Mx electrification project, the following values have been retained:
X = 4 metres;
Ih = 8 metres
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for the concrete structures. To provide electrical continuity at the “sliding end’, the two
outer girders shall each be connected by an exothermically welded flexible jumper (of
sufficient length to allow for expansion and contraction of the girders) to a grounding
plate that is connected to the reinforcement steel (within the bridge pier or abutment).
Where non-ballasted track is installed on the steel support structures, flexible jumpers
shall be exothermically welded between the track slab grounding plates and the steel
support girders.
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If a structure contains multiple layers of rebar within 300 mm (1 foot) of a running rail,
each layer shall be treated in one of the above configurations.
If a structure contains multiple layers of rebar, layers that are greater than 300 mm (1
foot) from any running rail can be grounded in any pattern that satisfies the safety
requirements for grounding and bonding.
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plates, electrically bonded to the reinforcing steel, shall be provided at no more than 3
metres (10 feet) from each end of, and in each niche/recess in, trench and retaining wall
structures, and at intervals not to exceed 65 metres +/-3 metres (200 feet +/- 10 feet) for
all structure types. Systems elements, including signalling and communications cubicles
or houses, wayside power control cubicles, and facilities electrical equipment, shall be
grounded to these plates.
For long trenches or retaining wall segments, particularly those cut into rock, the need for
additional grounds or additional along-track ground wires to meet the ground resistance
requirements and to minimize the possibility that rail potentials may cause unacceptable
touch voltages shall be determined and incorporated into the design as needed. If any
additional ground conductors are laid at low level adjacent to the track or along the
walkways, these conductors shall also supplement the grounding capability of the system
and enhance fault detection and control in the event of a broken wire condition. In order
to provide a sufficiently low ground resistance, it may be necessary to install a ground
grid at or near one or both of the ends of the trench or retaining wall segment.
For existing trenches, along-track counterpoises shall be laid in place of interconnecting
reinforcement bars. All other details are similar to those for new trenches described
above.
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Where the reinforcing rods in the tunnel structures can be interconnected longitudinally,
such as in cut-and-cover construction, or the tunnel is built in sections (with gaps along
the length), each section shall be connected to the return circuit static wire, or the sections
shall be connected together and then connected to the static wire, using grounding plates
mounted at the interior surface of the tunnel as detailed above for the aerial structures.
To facilitate grounding of the track slab, grounding plates, electrically interconnected to
the structure reinforcement, shall be installed in the face of the walkway.
Grounding plates, which shall be electrically bonded to the static wire, shall be provided
at no more than 3 metres (10 feet) from each end of, and in each niche or recess in
tunnels and at intervals not to exceed 65 metres +/- 3 metres (200 feet +/- 10 feet).
Ground connections for facility services within tunnels shall provide an exposed ground
conductor, sized per Code (OESC/CEC), parallel to each track for the complete length of
the tunnel and interconnected by at least two connections to the ground grid of each
building (e.g., ventilation structures, portal facilities, sump pump structures) associated
with the tunnel structure. Where the tunnel structure design includes cross passages,
emergency shafts, or other ancillary spaces, the ground conductor shall be extended into
these spaces. The ground conductors shall be located to avoid accidental contact by
personnel.
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opening in the fence. Fence posts at openings in the fence shall be bonded to form a
continuous path, and gates shall be bonded to support posts with flexible metal bonding
straps to eliminate reliance on hinges for electrical continuity.
Fences shall be made electrically continuous and grounding conductors shall be
exothermically welded to fence posts and to any fence material support members (top and
bottom) between posts. Metallic fences inside the Overhead Contact Line and
Pantograph Zone shall be electrically bonded to the static wire and segmented
(electrically insulated) at intervals such that the touch voltage does not to exceed the
limits specified in Table 2: Durations of Maximum Permissible Touch Voltages.
Metallic fences (and gates) outside the Overhead Contact Line and Pantograph Zone, up
to a distance of 10 metres (32.80 feet) from the outermost rail of the electrified tracks, per
Canadian Standards CAN/CSA-C22.3 No.8-M91, shall be bonded to form a continuous
path in the same manner as detailed above. These fences (and gates) will, however, not
be electrically bonded to the static wire. Ground electrodes shall be installed on either
side of a gate or other opening in the fence, and at intermediate locations, based on local
soil resistivity and worst-case projected potentials. Grounding conductors shall be
exothermically welded to fence posts and driven ground electrodes. The requirements of
OESC/CEC shall be met.
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connected to railway ground grids, grounding conductors, static wires, or the rails, and
shall be independently grounded by means of driven ground rods. Grounding conductors
shall be exothermically welded to fence posts and driven ground electrodes.
In cases where fences are purposely electrified to inhibit livestock or wildlife from
crossing the fence, site-specific insulating measures shall be designed and implemented.
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close to the equipment or structure as possible. If the structure design prevents the use of
ground rods, the design shall include grounding plates and grounding conductor to which
the signal equipment shall be grounded.
The ground resistance shall not exceed 15 ohms as measured from equipment to ground.
The base of a ground-mounted signal mast or dwarf signal shall be bonded to the traction
return system by direct connection to the neutral leads of an impedance bond adjacent to
the signal. There shall be no other electrical connections between the signal mast and
other structures, or other rails or neutral leads, unless specifically called for on the plan as
part of an “A” or “B” point (see below).
Signal bridges or cantilever structures at a location that is not an “A” or “B” point (see
below) shall not be electrically connected to any neutral leads or any portion of any track
structure that is part of the signal system. These structures (bridge or cantilever) shall be
bonded to the nearest structure that is bonded to the static wire return system, preferably
at both ends of the bridge spanning multiple tracks.
Signal bridges or cantilever structures at a location that is an “A” or “B” point shall be
electrically connected to the neutral leads and any portion of any track structure that is
part of the signal system associated with the “A” or “B” point. These structures (bridge
or cantilever) should be aerially connected to the nearest structure that is bonded into the
static wire return system, preferably at both ends of any bridge spanning multiple tracks.
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1. A "C" point is defined as a location with impedance bonds that bypass insulated
joints on one track but with no cross-bonding to adjacent impedance bonds or
tracks, or to the OCS static wires.
2. A drain bond is an impedance bond installed to connect the rails to traction power
facilities, such as substations, switching stations, and paralleling stations, where
no insulated joints exist in the tracks near the traction power facility. At such
locations, the neutral leads of the drain bonds shall be connected directly to the
traction power facility return bus. Drain bonds shall also be used at stations for
connecting the platform counterpoise or grounding system to the rails where there
is no adjacent “A” or “C” bond to which the platform grounds could be
connected.
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The purpose of cross-bond locations ("A” and “B” points) is to minimize touch voltages
on the rails to values that are less than the limits specified in Table 2: Durations of
Maximum Permissible Touch Voltages. Cross-bond locations shall include a minimum
of two track circuits between them and should, if practical, be located not less than 1.8
km (6,000 feet) apart but not more than what the permissible touch potentials shall
permit.
Where cross-bonds are more than 1.8 km (6,000 feet) apart:
1. Distance between cross-bond locations shall be not less than 167 percent of the
length of the longest track circuit, any portion of which lies between the cross-
bond points.
2. Conversely, the total length of any track circuit, any portion of which is between
the cross-bond points, shall not exceed 60 percent of the distance between the
cross-bond points.
3. The ideal arrangement shall be two equal length track circuits between cross-bond
points, each 50 percent of the total distance between them.
Where the cross-bonds are up to a maximum of 1.8 km (6,000 feet) apart:
1. There shall be a minimum of three track circuits between the “A” and “B” point
cross-bond locations.
2. Distance between cross-bond locations shall be not less than 250 percent of the
length of the longest track circuit, any portion of which lies between the cross-
bond points.
3. Conversely, the total length of any track circuit, any portion of which is between
the cross-bond points, shall not exceed 40 percent of the distance between the
cross-bond points.
4. The ideal arrangement would be three equal length track circuits between cross-
bond points, each 33.33 percent of the total distance between them. The total
distance shall be as close to 1.8 km (6,000 feet) as possible.
5. In no case shall a distance of less than 0.9 km (3,000 feet) between “A” point
cross-bond locations be permitted.
The “percent ratio” shall be calculated for any given section between cross-bond
locations as D (XB) divided by D (LTC), where D (XB) is the distance between cross-
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bond points defining the section and D (LTC) is the length of the longest track circuit in
the section. This is the 167 percent figure for cross bonds more than 1.8 km apart or 250
percent figure for cross bonds up to a maximum of 1.8 km apart.
Where “drain” bonds constitute an “A” point at other than insulated joint locations, the
“D (LTC)” shall be the total length of the longest track circuit in the section including
any portion of that track circuit outside the limits of the section defined by the cross-bond
points.
Cross-Bonding at Interlockings
To reduce the possibility of flashover of insulated joints in crossovers, cross-bonding
shall be placed as close to interlocking crossovers as practical. If possible, an “A” point
shall be placed at one of the interlocking home signal locations at each interlocking. This
shall be done consistently with these design criteria and the need to place an “A” point at
each substation, switching station, or paralleling station return bus location.
Only one impedance bond shall be provided at the fouling insulated joints on the turnout
track, located on the side of the joints away from the switch points. The neutral leads on
this impedance bond shall be tied to the neutral leads between the impedance bonds
located at the adjacent insulated joints on the main or straight track.
If there are no insulated joints on the main or straight track within approximately 6
metres (20 feet) of the fouling insulated joints on the turnout track, then a second
impedance bond may be used on the turnout track at the fouling insulated joints, located
on the switch point side of these joints and the neutral leads of the two impedance bonds
at these joints connected in the usual manner. In this case, the neutral leads of the
impedance bonds on the turnout track must not be connected to the neutral leads on the
main or straight track.
Connections to Platform Grounding Systems
Counterpoises for at-grade station platforms shall be connected to the rail through the
neutral leads of an impedance bond at one end of the platform only. The preference is to
connect to the neutral leads of an “A” point. If it is not practicable to attach to an “A”
point, the counterpoise shall be connected to the neutral leads of a “C” point. If this is
not practicable, a drain bond shall be installed. Each platform shall have an independent
counterpoise and impedance bond. The interconnection between the impedance bond
neutral leads and the counterpoise conductor shall be an exothermic weld, which shall be
made in a hand hole interface box.
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Platforms located on aerial structures shall be grounded as identified above and shall be
connected to the track through the neutral leads of an impedance bond at one end of the
platform only, and with the same order of preference as detailed above. Each platform
shall have an independent grounding system and impedance bond. If the impedance
bonds used for this purpose are either “C” points or drain bonds, the location becomes a
“B” point as the platform counterpoises on structures are attached to the structure and
therefore both tracks shall be connected together through the neutral leads of the
impedance bonds.
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closets, the busbar shall be bonded to the ac grounding electrode and the nearest
structural steel member.
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APPENDIX B: DEFINITIONS
Aerial Ground See Static Wire
(Earth) Wire
Bonding A low impedance path obtained by permanently joining all
normally-non-current-carrying conductive parts to ensure electrical
continuity and having the capacity to conduct safely any current
likely to be imposed on it
Catenary Mathematical term to describe the shape of a cable sagging under
its uniformly distributed weight and used in railroad electrification
to describe a system consisting of two or more conductors, hangers
and in-span hardware of an overhead contact system, including
supports.
Contact Wire An overhead wire with which the pantograph or other current
collector is designed to make contact, also called “trolley wire”.
Cross Bond – Rail Electrical bond that interconnects the running rails of the same
to Rail track
Cross Bond – Track Electrical bond that interconnects tracks
to Track
Disconnect Switch A no-load interrupting type electrical switch for disconnecting
electrical power from a line section
Earth (Ground) Conductive mass of the earth, the electric potential of which at any
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Electromagnetic The force field that extends outward from any moving electrical
Field (EMF) current, consisting of both a magnetic field and an electric field
Electromagnetic An electrical emission or disturbance that causes degradation in
Interference performance or results in malfunctions of electrical or electronic
equipment, devices, or systems
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Integral Transverse Connections from the static wire to the rails, including the cross-
Bond bonds from track to track. They shall be provided at intervals,
which shall be compliant with the track circuits operation on one
hand and with touch and step voltage on the other hand.
Messenger Wire The wire from which the contact wire or auxiliary messenger is
suspended by means of hangers in a catenary.
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Return Circuit Conducting elements that carry return current from its origin to a
substation
Static Wire (Aerial A wire, usually installed aerially adjacent to or above the catenary
Ground Wire) conductors and negative feeders, that connects OCS supports
collectively to ground or to the grounded running rails, to protect
people and installations in case of an electrical fault. In an ac
electrification system, the static wire forms a part of the traction
power return circuit and is connected to the running rails at
periodic intervals and to the traction power facility ground grids.
If mounted aerially, the static wire may also be used to protect the
OCS against lightning strikes. It is sometimes termed “aerial
ground wire”.
Step Voltage The difference in surface potential experienced by a person
bridging a distance of 1 metre (3’- 3”) with the feet, without
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2. Impedance bonds,
3. Static wires, and buried ground or return conductors,
4. Rail and track bonds,
5. Return cables, including all return circuit bonding and
grounding interconnections,
6. Ground, and
7. Because of the configuration of the autotransformer
connections, the NF.
Traction Power TPS is an electrical installation where power is received at high
Substations (TPS) voltage and transformed to the voltage and characteristics required
at the OCS for the nominal 2x25 kV system, containing equipment
such as transformers, circuit breakers, and sectionalizing switches.
It also includes the incoming high voltage lines from the power
supply utility.
Traction Power TPSS is the railway traction distribution network used to provide
Supply System energy to Metrolinx electric trains, which comprises incoming
(TPSS) high voltage supplies, traction power substations (TPS) at which
power is converted from high voltage to nominal 2x25 kV railway
traction voltage to the overhead contact system (OCS), other
traction switching facilities including switching stations (SWS)
and paralleling stations (PS), and connections to the OCS and the
traction return and grounding system.
Traction Return The sum of the traction currents returning to the traction
Current substation.
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m metre
MIL Military
mm millimetres
MV Medium Voltage
CEC National Electrical Code
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NESC National Electrical Safety Code
NF Negative Feeder
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
O&M Operations and Maintenance
OCS Overhead Contact System
OESC Ontario Electrical Safety Code
PS Paralleling Stations
rms root mean square
RTB Return Traction Bar
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (System)
SWS Switching Stations
TES Traction Electrification System
TPF Traction Power Facilities
TPS Traction Power Substations
TPSS Traction Power Supply System
UL Underwriters’ Laboratories
ULC Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada
V Volts
WPC Wayside Power Cubicles
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