IEC 60913:2013

IEC 60913 ®
Edition 2.0 2013-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Railway applications – Fixed installations – Electric traction overhead contact
lines
Applications ferroviaires – Installations fixes – Lignes aériennes de contact pour
la traction électrique
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IEC 60913 ®
Edition 2.0 2013-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Railway applications – Fixed installations – Electric traction overhead contact

lines
Applications ferroviaires – Installations fixes – Lignes aériennes de contact pour

la traction électrique
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX XD
ICS 45.060 ISBN 978-2-83220-638-6

– 2 – 60913 © IEC:2013
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 8
1 Scope . 10
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations. 13
3.1 Systems . 13
3.2 Conductors . 15
3.3 Electrical . 15
3.4 Geometrical . 16
3.5 Foundations . 17
3.6 Structures . 17
3.7 Symbols and abbreviations . 17
4 Fundamental design data . 19
4.1 General . 19
4.2 Line characteristics . 20
4.3 Electrical power system design . 20
4.4 Vehicle characteristics . 20
4.5 Current collectors . 21
4.6 Environmental conditions . 21
4.7 Design life . 21
5 System requirements . 21
5.1 Design of electrical system . 21
5.1.1 General . 21
5.1.2 Temperature rise in conductors . 21
5.1.3 Clearances between live parts of contact lines and earth . 22
5.1.4 Clearances between adjacent live a.c. contact lines of differing
voltage phases. 23
5.2 Design of current collection systems . 24
5.2.1 General . 24
5.2.2 Elasticity and its variation . 24
5.2.3 Vertical movement of contact point . 25
5.2.4 Wave propagation velocity . 25
5.2.5 Quality of current collection . 26
5.3 Mechanical design of contact wire loads. 27
5.3.1 Permissible tensile stress σ . 27
w
5.3.2 Maximum temperature K . 28
temp
5.3.3 Allowable wear K . 28
wear
5.3.4 Wind and ice loads K . 28
icewind
5.3.5 Efficiency of tensioning devices K . 29
eff
5.3.6 Termination fittings K . 29
clamp
5.3.7 Joints K . 29
joint
5.4 Mechanical design of catenary wire loads . 29
5.4.1 Permissible tensile loading F . 29
w
5.4.2 Maximum temperature K . 29
temp
5.4.3 Wind loads K . 30
wind
5.4.4 Ice loads K . 30
ice
5.4.5 Automatic tensioning accuracy and efficiency K . 30
eff
5.4.6 Termination fittings K . 30
clamp
60913 © IEC:2013 – 3 –
5.4.7 Additional vertical load K . 30
load
5.5 Mechanical design of other stranded conductors . 31
5.6 Mechanical design of solid wires . 31
5.7 Mechanical design of ropes of non-conducting materials . 31
5.7.1 General . 31
5.7.2 Permissible tensile loading F . 31
w
5.7.3 Wind loads K . 31
wind
5.7.4 Ice loads K . 31
ice
5.7.5 Termination clamps K . 31
clamp
5.7.6 Vertical loads K . 32
load
5.7.7 Minimum bending radius K . 32
radius
5.8 Suspension systems . 32
5.9 Tensioning systems . 32
5.10 Geometry of overhead equipment . 32
5.10.1 Horizontal deflection of contact wire . 32
5.10.2 Uplift . 33
5.10.3 Variation in contact wire height . 33
5.10.4 Minimum contact wire height . 33
5.10.5 Minimum design contact wire height . 34
5.10.6 Nominal contact wire height . 34
5.10.7 Maximum design contact wire height . 34
5.11 Contact line arrangement above turnouts and crossings . 35
5.12 Overlap arrangements . 35
5.13 Specific requirements for overhead contact lines for trolleybus systems . 36
5.13.1 General . 36
5.13.2 Line characteristics . 36
5.13.3 Vehicle characteristics . 37
5.13.4 Current collector system . 37
5.13.5 Static contact forces . 38
5.13.6 Trolleybus in the vicinity of tramways . 38
5.14 Tolerances and limits . 38
6 Structures . 39
6.1 Basis of design . 39
6.1.1 General . 39
6.1.2 Basic requirements . 39
6.1.3 Design with regard to structural limits . 40
6.1.4 Classification of actions . 40
6.1.5 Reliability levels . 41
6.1.6 Models for structural analysis and resistance . 41
6.1.7 Design values and verification methods . 41
6.2 Actions on overhead contact lines . 42
6.2.1 General . 42
6.2.2 Permanent loads . 43
6.2.3 Variable loads . 43
6.2.4 Wind loads . 43
6.2.5 Ice loads . 47
6.2.6 Combined wind and ice loads . 47
6.2.7 Temperature effects . 48
6.2.8 Construction and maintenance loads . 48

– 4 – 60913 © IEC:2013
6.2.9 Accidental loads. 48
6.2.10 Special actions . 48
6.3 Types of structures and related load cases . 49
6.3.1 Load cases and load combinations . 49
6.3.2 Type of structures and application of load cases . 50
6.3.3 Partial factors for actions . 52
6.4 Design of cross-span supports and structures . 53
6.4.1 Analysis of internal forces and moments . 53
6.4.2 Analysis of resistance . 54
6.4.3 Material partial factors . 54
6.4.4 Verification of resistance . 55
6.4.5 Verification of serviceability . 55
6.4.6 Material for structures . 55
6.4.7 Corrosion protection and finishes . 56
6.5 Foundations . 56
6.5.1 General . 56
6.5.2 Design of foundations . 56
6.5.3 Calculation of actions . 57
6.5.4 Geotechnical design . 57
6.5.5 Structural design . 59
6.5.6 Partial factors for foundations . 60
6.5.7 Verification of stability . 60
6.5.8 Calculation of displacements . 61
6.5.9 Materials for foundations . 61
6.5.10 Structural details . 62
6.5.11 Protection against corrosion and weathering . 62
6.5.12 Electrical design . 62
6.5.13 Installation of foundations . 63
7 Component requirements . 63
7.1 General . 63
7.1.1 Design life . 63
7.1.2 Component identification . 64
7.1.3 Corrosion and erosion . 64
7.2 Supporting assemblies . 64
7.3 Contact wire . 64
7.4 Other conductors and ropes . 64
7.5 Tensioning devices . 65
7.6 Mechanical midpoints . 65
7.6.1 General . 65
7.6.2 Catenary wire fixed points . 65
7.6.3 Contact wire fixed points . 65
7.7 Droppers . 66
7.7.1 Mechanical requirements . 66
7.7.2 Electrical requirements . 66
7.8 Clamps and line fittings . 66
7.8.1 Mechanical requirements . 66
7.8.2 Electrical requirements . 67
7.9 Electrical connectors . 67
7.10 Insulators . 67

60913 © IEC:2013 – 5 –
7.11 Sectioning devices . 67
7.11.1 Definition . 67
7.11.2 Mechanical requirements . 67
7.11.3 Electrical requirements . 68
7.12 Disconnectors and drives . 68
7.13 Protection devices . 68
7.13.1 Covers and obstacles . 68
7.13.2 Surge protection devices . 68
7.14 Specific components for trolleybus systems . 68
7.14.1 General . 68
7.14.2 Turnouts and crossings . 69
8 Testing . 69
8.1 General . 69
8.2 Support assemblies . 69
8.2.1 Type test . 69
8.2.2 Random sample test . 78
8.2.3 Routine test . 79
8.3 Contact wires . 79
8.4 Other conductors . 80
8.5 Tensioning devices . 80
8.5.1 Tests required . 80
8.5.2 Type tests for tensioning devices with balance weights . 80
8.5.3 Type tests for tensioning device without balance weight . 81
8.6 Mechanical midpoints . 81
8.7 Droppers . 82
8.7.1 Tests required . 82
8.7.2 Mechanical fatigue test . 82
8.7.3 Mechanical tests . 83
8.8 Clamps, splices and other fittings . 84
8.9 Electrical connectors . 84
8.9.1 General . 84
8.9.2 Mechanical fatigue tests . 84
8.10 Insulators . 85
8.11 Sectioning devices . 85
8.11.1 Type test . 85
8.11.2 Field test . 86
8.11.3 Sample tests . 86
8.11.4 Routine tests . 87
8.12 Disconnectors and drives . 87
8.13 Surge protection devices. 87
8.14 Specific components for trolleybus systems . 87
8.15 System test . 87
8.15.1 Demonstration of conformity . 87
8.15.2 Acceptance tests . 88
8.15.3 Commissioning tests . 88
9 Minimum documentation . 89
9.1 General . 89
9.2 System specification . 89
9.3 Basic design . 89

– 6 – 60913 © IEC:2013
9.4 Installation design . 89
9.5 Installation and maintenance . 89
Annex A (informative) Current-carrying capacity of conductors . 90
Annex B (informative) Structural details . 91
Annex C (informative) Geotechnical soil investigation and soil characteristics . 92
Annex D (informative) Information on uniformity of elasticity of OCL within a span
length . 94
Annex E (normative) Special national conditions . 95
Bibliography . 96

Figure 1 – Relationship between contact wire heights and pantograph operating position . 35
Figure 2 – Position of return wire in relation to right-of-way . 37
Figure 3 – Wind action on lattice steel structures . 46
Figure 4 – Definition of drag factors for double channel structure . 47
Figure 5 – Description of dimensions and minimum conductor lengths . 76
Figure 6 – Potential measuring points at a connecting clamp and a butt joining clamp . 77
Figure 7 – Potential measuring points at a T-type infeed terminal . 77
Figure 8 – Example of a tensioning device measurement test . 81
Figure 9 – Example of a dropper test cycle . 83
Figure 10 – Example of a dropper tension test assembly . 84
Figure 11 – Example of a test cycle for an electrical connection . 85

Table 1 – Temperature limits for material mechanical properties . 22
Table 2 – Electrical clearances . 23
Table 3 – Clearance between differing phases . 24
Table 4 – Contact force . 27
Table 5 – Factor K for contact wires . 28
temp
Table 6 – Factor K for contact wires . 28
icewind
Table 7 – Factor K for stranded conductors . 29
temp
Table 8 – Factor K for stranded conductors . 30
wind
Table 9 – Factor K for stranded conductors . 30
ice
Table 10 – Factor K for ropes of non-conducting materials . 32
radius
Table 11 – Contact wire gradients . 33
Table 12 – Important parameters to assist in the definition of tolerances and limits . 39
Table 13 – Recommended values for factor C for different structure types . 47
str
Table 14 – Summary of load cases to be considered for each type of structures . 52
Table 15 – Summary of partial factors for actions . 53
Table 16 – Recommended values for partial factors γ for steel material . 54
M
Table 17 – Recommended values for partial factors γ for concrete structures . 54
M
Table 18 – Recommended values for partial factors γ for foundations . 60
M
Table 19 – Tightening torques M for regularly used bolts . 71
t
Table 20 – Examples of bolt connections . 71
Table 21 – Assignment of the strength of bolt and nut . 72

60913 © IEC:2013 – 7 –
Table 22 – Conversion factor for tightening torques . 72
Table 23 – Minimum conductor lengths . 76
Table A.1 – Continuous current-carrying capacity of conductors and contact wires . 90
Table B.1 – Recommended dimensions of connections and edge distances of jointing

components . 91
Table C.1 – Geotechnical characteristic parameters of some standard soils according to
EN 50341-1:2001, Annex N for Europe . 93
Table D.1 – Uniformity u of elasticity . 94
Table E.1 – Typical tolerances of overhead contact line system . 95

– 8 – 60913 © IEC:2013
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
RAILWAY APPLICATIONS – FIXED INSTALLATIONS –
ELECTRIC TRACTION OVERHEAD CONTACT LINES

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60913 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 9: Electrical
equipment and systems for railways.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1988. It constitutes a
technical revision of the initial standard based on European standard EN 50119.
The main technical changes with regard to the previous edition deal with:
– fundamental design data,
– system requirements,
– structures,
– components requirements,
– testing
for overhead contact line design.

60913 © IEC:2013 – 9 –
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
9/1745/FDIS 9/1773/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 10 – 60913 © IEC:2013
RAILWAY APPLICATIONS – FIXED INSTALLATIONS –
ELECTRIC TRACTION OVERHEAD CONTACT LINES

1 Scope
This International Standard applies to electric traction overhead contact line systems in heavy
railways, light railways, trolley busses and industrial railways of public and private operators.
It applies to new installations of overhead contact line systems and for the complete
reconstruction of existing overhead contact line systems.
This standard contains the requirements and tests for the design of overhead contact lines,
requirements for structures and their structural calculations and verifications as well as the
requirements and tests for the design of assemblies and individual parts.
This standard does not provide requirements for conductor rail systems where the conductor
rails are located adjacent to the running rails.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE Normative references are made to ISO and IEC standards. For some necessary references, ISO and IEC
standards do not exist. In these cases, references are made to European Standards which are normative for Europe
according to EN 50119. For non-European countries these references are only informative and listed in the
bibliography.
IEC 60050-811, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 811: Electric traction
IEC 60071 (all parts), Insulation co-ordination
IEC 60099 (all parts), Surge arresters
IEC 60099-1, Surge arresters – Part 1: Non-linear resistor type gapped surge arresters for a.c.
systems
IEC 60099-4, Surge arresters – Part 4: Metal-oxide surge arresters without gaps for a.c.
systems
IEC 60168, Tests on indoor and outdoor post insulators of ceramic material or glass for
systems with nominal voltages greater than 1 000 V
IEC 60273, Characteristics of indoor and outdoor post insulators for systems with nominal
voltages greather than 1 000 V
IEC 60305, Insulators for overhead lines with a nominal voltage above 1 000 V – Ceramic or
glass insulator units for a.c. systems – Characteristics of insulator units of the cap and pin type
IEC 60383 (all parts), Insulators for overhead lines with nominal voltage above 1 000 V

60913 © IEC:2013 – 11 –
IEC 60433, Insulators for overhead lines with a nominal voltage above 1 000 V – Ceramic
insulators for a.c. systems – Characteristics of insulator units of the long rod type
IEC 60494 (all parts), Railway applications – Rolling stock – Pantographs – Characteristics and
tests
IEC 60494-1, Railway applications – Rolling stock – Pantographs – Characteristics and tests –
Part 1: Pantographs for mainline vehicles
IEC 60494-2, Railway applications – Rolling stock – Pantographs – Characteristics and tests –
Part 2: Pantographs for metros and light rail vehicles
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60660, Insulators – Tests on indoor post insulators of organic material for systems with
nominal voltages greater than 1 000 V up to but not including 300 kV
IEC 60672-1, Ceramic and glass insulating materials – Part 1: Definitions and classification
IEC 60672-2, Ceramic and glass insulating materials – Part 2: Methods of test
IEC 60672-3, Ceramic and glass-insulating materials – Part 3: Specifications for individual
materials
IEC 60850, Railway applications – Supply voltages of traction systems
IEC 60889, Hard-drawn aluminium wire for overhead line conductors
IEC 60947-1, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 1: General rules
IEC 61089, Round wire concentric lay overhead electrical stranded conductors
IEC 61109, Insulators for overhead lines – Composite suspension and tension insulators for
a.c. systems with a nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V – Definitions, test methods and
acceptance criteria
IEC 61232, Aluminium-clad steel wires for electrical purposes
IEC/TR 61245, Artificial pollution tests on high-voltage insulators to be used on d.c. systems
IEC 61284:1997, Overhead lines – Requirements and tests for fitting
IEC 61325, Insulators for overhead lines with a nominal voltage above 1 000 V – Ceramic or
glass insulator units for d.c. systems – Definitons, test methods and acceptance criteria
IEC 61773, Overhead lines – Testing of foundations for structures
IEC 61952, Insulators for overhead lines – Composite line post insulators for a.c. systems with
a nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V – Definitions, test methods and acceptance criteria
IEC 61992 (all parts), Railway applications – Fixed installations – DC switchgear
IEC 61992-1, Railway applications – Fixed installations – DC switchgear – Part 1: General

– 12 – 60913 © IEC:2013
IEC 61992-4, Railway applications – Fixed installations – DC switchgear – Part 4: Outdoor d.c.
disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and earthing switches
IEC 61992-5, Railway applications – Fixed installations – DC switchgear – Part 5: Surge
arresters and low-voltage limiters for specific use in d.c. systems
IEC 62128 (all parts), Railway applications – Fixed installations
IEC 62128-1:2003, Railway applications – Fixed installations – Part 1: Protective provisions
relating to electrical safety and earthing
IEC 62128-2:2003, Railway
...