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overview
A must-attend course that will benefit all those in the rail industry who have had only a little exposure to earthing & bonding – build your confidence & appreciation of the safety, due diligence & system requirements, design parameters & operational realities.
Key Learning Objectives
- Illuminate the mislabelled ‘Black Art’ of earthing
- Discover the science and craft required to make wise decisions regarding earthing system requirements
- Discuss matters relevant to safety and earthing systems in organisations
- Appreciate the complex problems of inductive and conductive interrelationships between substation and power line earthing systems and other conductive assets such as tracks, cabling and fencing
- Recognise a coordinated approach to the design and management of power earthing systems, lightning protection systems and other rail systems
- Understand inspection and testing as imperative tools in earthing system management
- Investigate techniques for solving problems found in earthing system design, using both empirical and analytical computer based techniques
About the Course
This course provides participants with a sound basis in science and practical examples for understanding and problem solving with earthing systems in the rail environment.
The course begins with an introduction to the physics of earthing including the areas of circuit fundamentals, conductive effects, proximity, mutual earth resistance and inductive coupling.
It will then cover soil resistivity fundamentals, field testing and model assessment and derivation before moving on to empirical and analytical voltage design methods and analysis issues for typical applications.
The course includes interactive practical sessions where we will ‘see’ how specific changes and errors affect outcomes which is invaluable in turning information into understanding.
Over the course participants will be invited to present real life issues and examples they have wrestled with, which will then be analysed using the understanding and skills developed during the program.
Who Will Benefit
Course pre-requisite: Some understanding of electrical systems is required
This course will benefit:
- Those requiring an introduction to or an understanding of earthing systems in a rail environment
- Non-technical people will attain a proper awareness of the issues while electrical engineers and experienced technicians will further benefit from methods for first pass planning and review
A CPD Course
For those who have a professional status and require Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to retain your status, you can use this course to fulfil the educational requirements. Contact your association to learn how.
Testimonials
“Communicated the course information clearly and made it interesting.”
Signal Electrician, ARA Security
“Good presenter of information, encouraged discussion, answered questions well, contributed experience and outside industry knowledge.”
Manager Traction Power Maintenance, Queensland Rail
“Thorough knowledge and experiences presented well and enthusiastically. Always open to any questions.”
Graduate Overhead Engineer, KBR
“Being able to relate actual railway scenarios with someone who understands the railway environment. His enthusiasm and the fact he could answer most things without saying ‘I will have to look into that’ which a lot of presenters do.”
Professional Head OHW Systems, Novorail
Agenda
Introduction and context
- What are earthing systems
- Functions of an earthing system
- Why earthing system interest is increasing
- The importance of getting it earthing systems right
Overview of railway earthing systems
- Utility power supply
- Substations and distribution
- Traction power earthing requirements
- Bonding versus earthing
- Key hazards with the earthed infrastructure of the railway network
- Key design conflicts and challenges
Safety, human factors and zero risk
- Risk assessment and risk management
- Applicable and background safety criteria sources
- Conditions for risk
- The physiological effects and risks, AC and DC
- Human electrical models and voltage criteria
- Review of changes to earthing standards and how they’ll affect rail
Soil as part of the circuit
- Key soil electrical characteristics
- Soil electrical resistivity
- Information sources on soil
- Resistivity test methods
- Analysis techniques and model determination
Railway earthing system interactions
- Signalling
- Communications
- Low-voltage supplies
- The importance of correct coordination
Earth grids
- Key grid components and what they do
- Conductor ratings
- Earth grid resistance
- Determining earth grid performance
- Step, touch and transfer voltages
- Empirical versus analytical analysis techniques
- Strategies in earth grid design
- Common pitfalls
Earthing systems and alternate paths
- Transfer of energy
- Conductive current distribution
- Induction mechanisms in current distribution
- Inductive hazard creation including tracks, fences and other metallic paths
DC railway electrification
- Key considerations in DC bonding and earthing in a DC traction environment traction environment
- Isolated systems and earth clamps for safety and performance
AC railway electrification
- Key considerations in AC bonding and earthing in an AC traction environment
- Key considerations of booster transformers and auto-transformer systems
Earthing strategies and issues
- Separation and isolation in earthing systems
- Interconnected and common bonded systems
- Rail return systems
- Drainage and transient bonding
- Unearthed and floating systems
- Effects of various systems on touch potentials
Corrosion mechanisms and minimisation
- How stray current causes steel corrosion
- Procedures to control stray current
Lightning protection
- Introduction to lightning mechanisms and risks
- Approaches to lightning risk management
Earthing system commissioning and testing
- Benefits and risks associated
- Recommended strategies
- Test methods and equipment
- Common traps and sources of errors
Demonstration, practical examples and class participation throughout
On-site & in-house training
Deliver this course how you want, where you want, when you want – and save up to 40%! 8+ employees seeking training on the same topic?
Talk to us about an on-site/in-house & customised solution.