SIST EN 50488:2021

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 50488:2021
01-julij-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST-TP CLC/TR 50488:2007
Železniške naprave - Fiksni postroji - Električni zaščitni ukrepi za delo na
nadzemnem vodu ali v njegovi bližini in/ali njegovem pripadajočem povratnem
tokokrogu
Railway applications - Fixed Installations - Electrical protective measures for working on
or near an overhead contact line system and/or its associated return circuit
Bahnanwendungen - Ortsfeste Anlagen - Elektrische Sicherheitsmaßnahmen bei
Arbeiten an oder in der Nähe von Oberleitungsanlagen und/oder ihrer Rückleitung
Applications ferroviaires - Installations Fixes - Mesures de sécurité électriques pour le
travail sur ou à proximité d'un système de ligne aérienne de contact et/ou de son circuit
de retour associé
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50488:2021
ICS:
13.260 Varstvo pred električnim Protection against electric
udarom. Delo pod napetostjo shock. Live working
45.020 Železniška tehnika na Railway engineering in
splošno general
SIST EN 50488:2021 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 50488:2021

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SIST EN 50488:2021

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50488

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
January 2021
ICS 13.260; 45.020 Supersedes CLC/TR 50488:2006 and all of its
amendments and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical protective
measures for working on or near an overhead contact line
system and/or its associated return circuit
Applications ferroviaires - Installations fixes - Mesures de Bahnanwendungen - Ortsfeste Anlagen - Elektrische
protection électriques pour des activités de travail sur ou à Schutzmaßnahmen bei Arbeiten an oder in der Nähe einer
proximité des systèmes de lignes aériennes de contact Oberleitungsanlage und/oder ihrer zugehörigen Rückleitung
et/ou le circuit de retour associé
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-06-29. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.



European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
 Ref. No. EN 50488:2021 E

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SIST EN 50488:2021
EN 50488:2021 (E)
Contents Page

European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviated terms . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Symbols .14
3.3 Abbreviated terms .15
4 Basic principles .15
4.1 Electrical safety for work activity .15
4.2 Personnel .16
4.3 Organization .17
4.4 Communication .18
4.5 Work location .18
4.6 Tools, equipment and devices.19
4.7 Documentation for safe working .19
4.8 Signs .19
4.9 Emergency arrangements during work activity .20
5 Protective measures for work activities on or near overhead contact line system .20
5.1 General .20
5.2 Dead working .20
5.3 Working near to hazardous live parts .23
5.4 Live working.26
5.5 Electromagnetic influences .27
5.6 Environmental conditions .27
6 Working procedures for work activities on or near return circuit .27
6.1 General .27
6.2 Working on or near parts of return circuit without electrical shock hazards in normal
operating condition .27
6.3 Working on or near parts of return circuit with electrical shock hazards in normal
operating condition .28
7 Recommended distances in air for work activities .29
Annex A (informative) Method of calculation of the distances in air for working procedures .30
A.1 Calculation of the outer limit of the danger zone D .30
R
A.2 Determination of approach distances D and D .30
L A
A.3 Determination of D .31
V
A.4 Distances overview .31
Annex B (informative) Examples of physical measures to limit the movement of workers .33
B.1 General .33
B.2 Distances between physical measure and hazardous-live-part when working zone
encroaches D .34
V

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B.3 Distances between physical measure and hazardous-live-part when working zone
does not encroach D .35
V
Annex C (informative) Illustration of selection process of the protective measures.37
Bibliography .38

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SIST EN 50488:2021
EN 50488:2021 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN 50488:2021) has been prepared by CLC/SC 9XC “Electric supply and earthing systems
for public transport equipment and ancillary apparatus (Fixed installations)”, of Technical Committee
CLC/TC 9X, “Electrical and electronic applications for railways”.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2021-07-29
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) 2026-01-29
conflicting with this document have to be
withdrawn

This document supersedes CLC/TR 50488:2006 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

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SIST EN 50488:2021
EN 50488:2021 (E)
Introduction
This document provides railway specific requirements for electrical protective measures for working on or
near an overhead contact line system and/or its associated return circuit.
When developing this document, EN 50110-1, Operation of electrical installations – Part 1: General
requirements, was used as a guide. EN 50110-1 was not developed specifically to apply to the electric
traction system which have different characteristics than those commonly found in other electrical
installations.
Due to the numerous variations of organization, this document does not give any recommendations
concerning organisational structure.
Because of numerous variations in overhead contact lines with nominal voltage lower than 1,5 kV, this
document does not deal with work activities on or near these overhead contact lines and/or their associated
return circuit.
The trend in Europe is that “dead working” is more common than “live working”. In the countries where live
working on the overhead contact lines is allowed, the national regulation should state the necessary safety
rules.

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EN 50488:2021 (E)
1 Scope
This document provides requirements for electrical safety for:
• dead working on an overhead contact line system;
• working activities near an overhead contact line system when it is live.
It applies to all work activities in relation to electrical hazards only.
This document is applicable to overhead contact line systems with the following nominal voltages and
configurations:
• 1,5 kV and 3 kV DC;
• 15 kV, 2x15 kV, 25 kV and 2x25 kV AC.
It also provides requirements for work activities that can give rise to electrical hazards from the return circuit.
This document does not cover electrical risk arising from:
• live working on overhead contact line systems (live working can be carried out according to national
requirements, regulations and practices);
• working on or near other electrical sources or electrical systems connected to or close to the OCL
system and its return circuit.
If there are no other rules or procedures, the principles described in this document can be applied to
overhead contact line systems with other nominal voltages.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 50122-1:2011, Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical safety, earthing and the return
circuit - Part 1: Protective provisions against electric shock
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1 General
3.1.1.1
charged
qualifies an entity having non-zero electric charge
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-113:2011, 113-06-26]

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3.1.1.2
contact line
conductor system for supplying electric energy to vehicles through current-collecting equipment
Note 1 to entry: This includes all current-collecting conductors and conducting rails or bars, including the following:
• reinforcing feeders;
• cross-track feeders;
• disconnectors;
• section insulators;
• over-voltage protection devices;
• supports that are not insulated from the conductors;
• insulators connected to live parts;
• droppers;
• auxiliary catenary wires;
• stitch wires;
• along-track feeders;
but excluding other conductors, such as earth wires and return conductors.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-811:2017, 811-33-01, modified – "Along-track feeders" has been added in the note
1 to entry]
3.1.1.3
contact line system
support system and contact line supplying electric energy to vehicles through current-collecting equipment
Note 1 to entry: The contact line system can comprise:
• the contact line,
• masts and foundations,
• supports and any components registering the conductors,
• cross-spans or cables,
• tensioners,
• other along track conductors such as feeders, earth wires and return conductors when supported from the
same masts as the contact line,
• conductors connected permanently to the contact line for supplying other electrical equipment such as
lighting, signal operation, point control and point heating.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-811:2017, 811-33-59]

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3.1.1.4
dead, adj
DEPRECATED: de-energized, adj
at an electric potential equal to or not significantly different from that of earth at the work location
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-21-09, modified – ”worksite” has been replaced with “work location”,
Note 1 has been removed]
3.1.1.5
electrical danger
risk of electrical injury when electrical energy is present in an electrical installation
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-07]
3.1.1.6
electrical hazard
potential source of harm when electric energy is present in an electrical installation
Note 1 to entry: The term “harm” in this context relates to damage to either persons and/or electrical installations.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-05, modified – The note 2 to entry and the source ISO-IEC Guide
51:1999 have been removed]
3.1.1.7
electrical injury
any physical damage (including death) to a person caused by electric shock, electric burn, electrical
explosion or arcing, or from fire or explosion initiated by electric energy
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-08, modified – The Note 1 to entry has been removed]
3.1.1.8
electrical installation,
assembly of electrical equipment forming the overhead contact line system and its associated return circuit
used for distribution and/or use of electric energy
3.1.1.9
electrical risk
combination of the probability of the hazard arising and the severity of the harm when electric energy is
present in an electrical installation
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-06, modified – The note 1 to entry and the source ISO/IEC Guide
51:1999 have been removed]
3.1.1.10
hazardous-live-part
live part which, under certain conditions, can give a harmful electric shock
Note 1 to entry: In case of high voltage, a hazardous voltage may be present on the surface of solid insulation. In such
a case the surface is considered to be a hazardous-live-part.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-826:2004, 826-12-13, modified – The Note 1 has been added]

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3.1.1.11
live part,
conductor or conductive part intended to be energized in normal use
Note 1 to entry: This concept does not necessarily imply a risk of electric shock.
Note 2 to entry: By convention, this does not include the running rails and parts connected to them.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-811:2017, 811-36-23]
3.1.1.12
nominal voltage,
value of the voltage by which the electrical installation or part of the electrical installation is designated and
identified
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-826:2004, 826-11-01]
3.1.1.13
operation
combination of activities including work activities necessary to permit an electrical installation to function
Note 1 to entry: The operation includes such matters as switching, controlling, monitoring and maintenance.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-02 modified – The Note 1 to entry has been modified for the scope
of this document; the Note 2 to entry has been removed]
3.1.1.14
overhead contact line
catenary
OCL
contact line placed above or beside the upper limit of the vehicle gauge and supplying vehicles with electric
energy through roof-mounted current collection equipment
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-811:2017, 811-33-02, modified – Abbreviated term “OCL” has been added]
3.1.1.15
protective measure
measure intended to achieve adequate risk reduction, implemented:
• by the designer (inherent design, safeguarding and complementary protective measures, information
for use) and
• by the user (organization, safe working procedures, supervision, training, permit-to-work systems,
provision and use of additional safeguards, use of personal protective equipment)
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-903:2013, 903-01-17]
3.1.1.16
reinforced insulation
insulation of hazardous-live-parts which provides protection against electric shock equivalent to double
insulation
Note 1 to entry: Reinforced insulation may comprise several layers which cannot be tested singly as basic insulation or
supplementary insulation.
[SOURCE: IEC 61140:2016, 3.10.4]

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EN 50488:2021 (E)
3.1.1.17
return circuit
all conductors which form the intended path for the traction return current and the current under fault
conditions
Note 1 to entry: The conductors can be for example:
• running rails;
• return conductor rails;
• return conductors;
• return cables.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-811:2017, 811-35-01]
3.1.1.18
(effective) touch voltage
voltage between conductive parts when touched simultaneously by a human or livestock
Note 1 to entry: The value of the effective touch voltage may be appreciably influenced by the impedance of the person
or the livestock in electric contact with these conductive parts.
Note 2 to entry: The conductive path through the human body is conventionally from hand to both feet (horizontal
distance of 1 m) or from hand to hand
[SOURCE: IEC 61140:2016, 3.8.1, modified – The Note 2 has been added]
3.1.2 Personnel, organization and communication
3.1.2.1
designated person in control of an electrical installation
EI
person who has been designated to be the person with direct management responsibility for the operation
of an electrical installation
Note 1 to entry: All or parts of this responsibility may be delegated to others as required.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-10, modified – The note 2 to entry has been removed]
3.1.2.2
designated person in control of an electrical installation during work activities
EW
person who has been designated to be responsible for the electrical installation and for creating and
maintaining an electrically safe work environment at the work location during the work activities
Note 1 to entry: This person has to judge the possible effects of the work activities on the electrical installation or parts
of it which are in his or her responsibility and the effects of the electrical installation on persons carrying out the work
activities. Some of these duties can be undertaken by different persons (see 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3).

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3.1.2.3
designated person in control of a work activity
WA
person who has been designated to be the person with direct management responsibility for the work
activity
Note 1 to entry: Parts of this responsibility may be delegated to others as required.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-09, modified – The note 2 to entry has been removed]
3.1.2.4
(electrically) instructed person
person adequately advised or supervised by electrically skilled persons to enable him or her to perceive
risks and to avoid hazards which electricity can create
[SOURCE: IEC 61140:2016, 3.31]
3.1.2.5
notification
messages or instructions which are either verbal or in writing associated with operation of any electrical
installation
[SOURCE: EN 50110-1:2014, 3.2.7]
3.1.2.6
ordinary person
person who is neither a skilled person nor an instructed person
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-826:2004, 826-18-03]
3.1.2.7
(electrically) skilled person
person with relevant education and experience to enable him or her to perceive risks and to avoid hazards
which electricity can create
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-195:1998, 195-04-01]
3.1.3 Zones and distances during work activities
3.1.3.1
danger zone
in the case of high voltage, area limited by the minimum clearance around hazardous-live-parts without
complete protection
Note 1 to entry: Entering the danger zone is considered the same as touching hazardous-live-parts.
Note 2 to entry: The outer limit of the danger zone is denoted as the distance D (see Annex A).
R
[SOURCE: EN 61140:2016, 3.35, modified – The Note to entry 2 text is added to clarify the concept’s usage
within this document]

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EN 50488:2021 (E)
3.1.3.2
ergonomic distance
D
E
distance in air added to D , to take into account expected and inadvertent movement and errors in
L
judgement of distances while performing work
[SOURCE IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-21-13, modified – "D " and “expected and” have been added, "the
E
electrical distance" has been replaced by DL, the Note 1 to entry has been removed]
3.1.3.3
minimum approach distance
D
A
minimum distance in air to be maintained during work activity between any part of the body of a worker,
including any object (except tools appropriate for live working) being handled directly, and any part(s) at
different electric potential(s)
Note 1 to entry: In this document the minimum approach distance is measured from the nearest hazardous-live-part.
Note 2 to entry: Insulating part of the insulators are typically considered as live part. Exceptions are the parts of synthetic
ropes which are further away from live parts than the creepage length (according to EN 50345) with a minimum of 1 m.
Note 3 to entry: This concept does not apply when protective devices according to 5.3.2 are used.
Note 4 to entry: lowest value of minimum approach distance is named D (see Annex A)
L
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-21-11 – modified – “During work activity” was added in the definition;
note 1 to entry to note 3 to entry have been modified; note 4 to entry has been added]
3.1.3.4
vicinity zone
limited space outside the danger zone where specific precautions are taken to avoid encroaching into the
danger zone
Note 1 to entry: Encroaching into the danger zone will create an electrical hazard.
Note 2 to entry: The outer limit of the vicinity zone is denoted as the distance D (see Annex A).
V
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-21-04, modified – ‘live working zone’ has been replaced by ‘danger
zone’, notes 2 to entry has been reworded and note 3 to entry has been removed]
3.1.3.5
work location
any site, place or area where a work activity is to be, is being, or has been carried out
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-26-03, modified –The note 1 to entry has been removed]
3.1.3.6
working zone
three-dimensional space describing the physical limits of movement necessary during a work activity
Note 1 to entry: The outer limit includes intended movements during a work activity, but excludes
unintended movements. Unintended movements are included in the ergonomic distance DE (see Annex A).
Note 2 to entry: This term can be applied to a person involved in the work activity, including any object (except tools
appropriate for live working) being handled directly by them. The term can also be applied to machinery and equipment
operated by a person involved in the work activity (e.g. for lifting, materials handling, etc.).

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3.1.4 Working
3.1.4.1
authorization
formal approval in writing or instruction
[SOURCE: EN 50110-1:2013, 3.4.9]
3.1.4.2
dead working
work activity on one or more sections of an electrical installation, which is dead, carried out after having
taken all measures to prevent electrical danger
[SOURCE: EN 50110-1:2013, 3.4.8, modified – “electrical installations” has been replaced by “one or more
sections of an electrical installation”, “are neither live nor charged” has been replaced by “is dead”]
3.1.4.3
earthing
connecting parts of the contact line to the earth for the purpose of electrical safety during dead working
3.1.4.4
isolation
function intended to disconnect and maintain for reasons of safety adequate clearance from any source of
electric energy
Note 1 to entry: Isolation can involve one or more parts of the electrical installation.
[SOURCE: IEC 61140:2016, 3.41 modified – Note 1 to entry has been added]
3.1.4.5
live working
live work
activity in which a worker makes contact with energized parts or encroaches inside the live working zone
with either parts of his or her body or with tools, devices or equipment
Note 1 to entry: Live working is performed using specific methods such as:
• hot stick working,
• insulating glove working,
• bare hand working,
• use of live line tools (e.g. to remove objects from and for inspection on overhead contact line),
• use of live line height and stagger gauges.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-21-01, modified – Note 1 to entry has been replaced, Railway
examples added in Note 1 to entry; Notes 2 and 3 to entry have been deleted]
3.1.4.6
short circuiting
connecting parts of the contact line to the return circuit for the purpose of electrical safety during dead
working

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3.1.4.7
work activity
form of work where there is the possibility of an electrical hazard
[SOURCE: EN 50110-1:2013, 3.4.1, modified – “Electrical or non-electrical” has been removed]
3.1.4.8
working near hazardous-live-parts
activity in which a worker with part of his or her body, with a tool or with any other object can enter into the
vicinity zone without encroaching into the danger zone
Note 1 to entry: New term and definition derived from IEC 60050-651:2014, 651-21-02
3.1.5 Protective devices
3.1.5.1
physical measure
part used to limit worker’s movements in a way which helps ensure the approach distance is respected
during work activity
Note 1 to entry: This measure reduces the worker’s dependence on judgement to ensure they respect the approach
distance.
3.1.5.2
(electrically) protective barrier
part providing protection against contact by a human or livestock with a live part from any usual direction
of access
[SOURCE: EN 61140:2016, 3.13]
3.1.5.3
protective device
part used during work activity to physically prevent a person or object they are using from entering the
danger zone
Note 1 to entry: These measures do not depend upon a worker’s judgement to prevent entry into the danger zone.
Note 2 to entry: Examples include, electrically protective barrier, electrically protective obstacle, a physical reach
limiting device or equipment.
3.1.5.4
(electrically) protective obstacle
part preventing unintentional contact by a human or livestock with a live part, but not preventing such
contact by deliberate action
[SOURCE: EN 61140:2016,
...