EMC & Vibration Testing...

All new or modified electronic/electrical equipment supplied to the railway industry must go through EMC assessment as required by UK law to comply with the EC Directive on EMC 2004/108/EC and the corresponding UK regulations to demonstrate that it is sufficiently electromagnetically robust to survive in the railway environment. It is also necessary to demonstrate it is mechanically robust to survive the vibrations associated with rolling stock operations.
We currently offer all the mandatory requirements of EN50155 and RIA 13 including the following testing services:
  • RIA 12 Surge & Transient Testing
  • EN50155 Over-voltage & Surge Testing
  • EN61000-4-4 EFTB
  • EN61373 Random Vibration & Shock Testing

EMC Consultancy....

RTCL has built on the reputation of its previous operation (AHEL), which has an excellent reputation in the industry in the area of EMC consultancy.  With the addition of further EMC specialists, the services offered are now unprecedented.  Key members of the team cover specialist EMC knowledge and expertise in the following areas:

Signalling/Traction Compatibility and Safety Case Production

Key Specialist - Adrian Hines CEng MIET

Over 20 years of railway experience with extensive knowledge and experience in railway EMC and in particular traction/signalling compatibility. Author for Network Rail of their EMC standards (axle counters, DC track circuits, TI21 track circuits), EMC rolling stock advisor to RSSB, Safety Case author of several major traction projects (Class 92, Class 357, Class 221, Class 357 and Regenerative braking safety case for entire AC and DC Electrostar fleet).  Also various London Underground Projects, including Victoria Line and Sub-Surface Lines Upgrade projects. Advice and EMC consultancy to a wide range of clients UK and overseas (in particular Australia and New Zealand). Member of the team responsible for implementing 3 phase drive traction onto UK railways in the early 1990’s.

EMC Testing Engineer

Key Specialist – Peter Inett BSc(CNAA) MIET

Over 18 years of Railway EMC and environmental testing experience including:

  • RIA 12 Surge & Transient Testing
  • EN50155 Over-voltage & Surge Testing
  • EN61373 Random Vibration & Shock Testing
  • EN61000-4-4 EFTB
  • Environmental testing

The major factor that marks us out is that we are born out of railway EMC experience.  We can offer insight and advice that goes beyond EMC issues to offer practical solutions from a railway perspective born out of 18 years of railway EMC testing experience

Traction Design Specialist – Harmonic Minimisation expert to ensure compatibility of trains with signalling systems

Key Specialist - Barry Cardwell CEng MIEE PhD (Sub-Contractor)

Over 20 years of railway experience offering consultancy on EMC and RAMs matters (FMEA, HAZOP & QRA) pertaining to UK traction equipment and Safety Case documentation, including Class 460 DC EMU, Class 334 AC EMU, Class 390 WCML Pendolino & Class 92 freight locomotive.

Extensive experience of electronic drive design from 1kW to 1MW, including inverters, choppers, reversible converters, GTOs, IGBTs and PWM harmonic elimination techniques.