BS EN 50121-3-2:2016+A1:2019

What is BS EN 50121-3-2 - Apparatus on railway rolling stock about?  

BS EN 50121 is a series of the European standards on railway applications that discusses electromagnetic compatibility so as to ensure an adequate level of emissions and immunity for rolling stock apparatus. 

BS EN 50121-3-2 is the second sub-part of the third part of the BS EN 50121 series of documents that specifies emission and immunity aspects of EMC for electrical and electronic apparatus intended for use on railway rolling stock.  

BS EN 50121-3-2 applies for the integration of apparatus on rolling stock. 

BS EN 50121-3-2 define limits and test methods for electromagnetic emissions and immunity test requirements in relation to conducted and radiated disturbances. 

The interior environment of railway rolling stock and the external environment of the railway, as well as interference to the apparatus from equipment such as hand-held radio transmitters, are all taken into account by BS EN 50121-3-2. 

Note: BS EN 50121-3-2 does not apply to transient emissions when starting or stopping the apparatus. 

Who is BS EN 50121-3-2 - Apparatus on railway rolling stock for? 

BS EN 50121-3-2 on railway application is applicable to: 

• Manufacturers of railway rolling stock 
• Designers and users of electrical equipment 
• Railway engineer 
• Mechanical engineer 

Why should you use BS EN 50121-3-2 - Apparatus on railway rolling stock? 

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) between electrical and electronic systems is an essential requirement for the reliable and safe operation of the train. 

BS EN 50121-3-2 ensures limits and test methods to represent essential electromagnetic compatibility requirements for railway rolling stocks apparatus. 

The emission restrictions set forth in BS EN 50121-3-2 ensure that disruptions caused by equipment used on railway rolling stock do not reach a level that would prohibit other equipment from functioning properly. 

The immunity requirements are mentioned in BS EN 50121-3-2 to ensure a sufficient level of protection for rolling stock equipment. 

Overall, BS EN 50121-3-2 guides you through the EMC in railways that ensures the generic performance of signalling, traction, telecommunications and radiocommunications systems. 

In this way, the railway industry endeavours to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents occurring through electromagnetic emission and immunity characteristics of that equipment through identification processes and risk mitigation. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 50121-3-2:2016+A1:2019 supersedes BS EN 50121-3-2:2015. BS EN 50121-3-2:2016+A1:2019 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 50121-3-2:2015. These include: 

• Clarification of scope  
• Set dated normative references 
• New definition of ports and clarification  
• Emission requirement extended in the frequency range 1 GHz to 6 GHz  
• Immunity requirement extended in the frequency range 5,1 GHz to 6 GHz.