BS EN 50443:2011

What is BS EN 50443 - Effects of EMI on pipelines about?

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can disrupt electronic devices, equipment, and systems that are used in critical applications. BS EN 50443 discusses effects of electromagnetic interference on pipelines caused by high voltage a.c. electric traction systems and/or high voltage a.c. power supply systems.

The presence of a.c. power supply systems or of a.c. electric traction systems may cause voltages to build up in pipeline systems, running in the close vicinity, due to one or more of the following mechanisms:

• Inductive coupling
• Conductive coupling
• Capacitive coupling

Such voltages may cause danger to persons, damage to pipelines or connected equipment or disturbance to the electrical/ electronic equipment connected to the pipeline.

BS EN 50443 applies to all metallic pipelines irrespective of the conveyed fluid, e.g., liquid or gas, liable to be interfered by high voltage a.c. railway and high voltage a.c. power supply systems.

BS EN 50443 is applicable to all new metallic pipelines and all new high voltage a.c. electric traction systems and high voltage a.c. power supply systems and all major modifications that may change significantly the interference effect.

Note: BS EN 50443 does not apply to:

• All aspects of corrosion
• The coupling from a.c. railway and power supply systems with nominal voltages less than or equal to 1 kV
• Interference effects on the equipment not electrically connected to the pipeline

Who is BS EN 50443 - Effects of EMI on pipelines for?

BS EN 50443 on effects of EMI on pipelines is useful for:

• Manufacturers of electrical equipment/systems
• Network operators
• Universities
• Accredited test houses and testing authorities
• Consultants
• Electromagnetic engineers
• Mechanical engineers
• Electrical engineers
• Electricians
• Network users
• Installers / maintenance crews
• Deliverers
• Product development / innovation teams
• Quality control personnel

Why should you use BS EN 50443 - Effects of EMI on pipelines?

EMI, when in the radio frequency spectrum, is a disturbance generated by an external source that affects an electrical circuit by electromagnetic induction, electrostatic coupling, or conduction. BS EN 50443 gives limits relevant to the electromagnetic interference produced by high voltage a.c. railway and power supply systems on metallic pipelines.

Limits are relevant to the interference which can be tolerated on the metallic pipeline, by the equipment connected to it and by persons working on them or in contact with them.

BS EN 50443 deals with the situations where these effects may arise and with the maximum tolerable limits of the interference effects, taking into account the behaviour of the a.c power systems both in normal operating condition and/or during faults.

BS EN 50443 establishes:

• The procedure for evaluating the electromagnetic interference
• The interference distance to be considered
• The types of coupling to be considered for operating and fault conditions of the high voltage a.c. electric traction systems and high voltage a.c. power supply systems
• The configurations to be considered for both metallic pipeline and high voltage a.c. electric traction systems or high voltage a.c. power systems
• The limits of the voltages due to the electromagnetic interference
• Information on interference situations, calculation methods, measuring methods, mitigation measures, management of interference

BS EN 50443 guidelines help you to assess for effects of EMI on pipelines which enables you to mitigate risks and ensure the smooth functioning of the surrounding or affected spaces.