NR NR/L2/ELP/27801 ISSUE 1 PDF

This document defines the specific requirements for portable earthing equipment used on Network Rail’s 25 kV a.c. systems.

These specific requirements, in addition to the general requirements of BS EN 61230:2008 Live working – Portable equipment for earthing or earthing and short circuiting, cover the following types of portable earthing equipment that are used by Network Rail as part of their 25 kV a.c. isolation of overhead contact and distribution systems:

 a. Short portable earths (commonly also known as DEP portable earths);

 b. Long portable earths;

 c. Temporary earth continuity jumpers.

Insulated earthing poles, used to apply and remove portable earthing equipment, as well as, portable earthing equipment used for construction and testing of overhead line equipment are outside the scope of this standard.

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to define the functionality and performance requirements for 25 kV portable earthing equipment such that, when devices are maintained, stored and operated correctly, the risk of staff being subjected to an electric shock is mitigated should an electrical isolation be inadvertently re-energised or become charged.

In turn this helps Network Rail demonstrate compliance with Regulation 13 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.