general overview of <strong>the</strong> multipole connec<strong>to</strong>r production for industrial purposes and accessoriesFire Safety Standards for <strong>the</strong> railway industrygeneralThe most advanced fire safety standards for <strong>the</strong> railway industry are <strong>the</strong> French standards:- NF F 16-101 Matériel roulant ferroviaire – Comportement au feu – Choix des matériaux- NF F 16-102 Matériel roulant ferroviaire – Comportement au feu – Choix des équipements électriqueswhich, in turn, refer <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> test methods described in <strong>the</strong> following standards:- NF X 70 100 Analyse de gaz de pyrolyse et de combustion- NF X 10 702 Détermination de l'opacité des fumées en atmosphère non renouvelée<strong>the</strong> latter being very similar in methods <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> following American standards:- ASTM E 662 Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials- ASTM E 162 Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source.Equally as popular is <strong>the</strong> use of Bombardier Transportation <strong>to</strong>xicity specifications:- SMP 800-C Toxic Gas Generation.In Italy, since 2006, for installation on board of rolling-s<strong>to</strong>cks, certification of conformity <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> new Italian railway standards (listed below) is required:- UNI CEI 11170-1:2005 Trains and trams – Fire safety guidelines for trains, trams and guide vehicles – General principles- UNI CEI 11170-2:2005 Trains and trams – Fire safety guidelines for trains, trams and guided vehicles – Design recommendations – Fire containment measures –Indication, moni<strong>to</strong>ring and evacuation systems- UNI CEI 11170-3:2005 Trains and trams - Fire safety guidelines for trains, trams and guided vehicles – Assessment of effect of fire on materials – Acceptable limitspublished by UNI and CEI <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r on 30/11/2005, in <strong>the</strong> delayed completion of <strong>the</strong> European standard relating <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> effect of fire on materials <strong>to</strong> be installed on boardof rolling-s<strong>to</strong>cks, standard EN 45545, divided in 8 sections, only some of which have recently been published, after 16 years in <strong>the</strong> making, whilst <strong>the</strong> most crucial sectionsare still unfinished due <strong>to</strong> disagreements between <strong>the</strong> member countries (because of strong national interests, protectionism of domestic industries) especially inFrance, Germany, United Kingdom and Italy.To date, this planned standard, <strong>to</strong> be published as a simple TS (Technical Specification) and <strong>to</strong> be complied with on a voluntary basis, cannot yet be used and, as for <strong>the</strong>implementation of <strong>the</strong> Directives for <strong>the</strong> railway industry (interoperability of high-speed and conventional railways), <strong>the</strong> current national standards in force in <strong>the</strong> single EUmember states are regarded as equivalent in terms of safety.For Italy, <strong>the</strong> requirements for materials relating <strong>to</strong> electrical connec<strong>to</strong>rs are contained in <strong>the</strong> 2nd schedule “Acceptability criteria for electrical and electronic materials andcomponents” at <strong>the</strong> application “All o<strong>the</strong>r applications including inflammable materials” (all applications o<strong>the</strong>r than electric cables). For <strong>the</strong>se applications, four tests arerequired <strong>to</strong> be carried out on <strong>the</strong> materials:- The materials being affected by a small flame according <strong>to</strong> EN ISO 11925-2 with, according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> risk levels, for LR1 and LR2, a resistance <strong>to</strong> fire of <strong>the</strong> material of15s; for LR3 and LR4, a resistance of 30s.- Smokiness in compliance with French standard NF F 16-101 with IF better or equal <strong>to</strong> F2 for all risk levels. The material we use is classified as F1 (better than F2)according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> tests we carried out.- Fume optical density measurement, in compliance with French standard NF X 10-702 (from NF F 16-101) with values ≤ 100 for all risk levels LR1…4.- Toxicity measurement, in compliance with Italian standard CEI 20-37/7, with T ≤ 2 for all risk levels LR1…4.TestsIn 2006, we carried out labora<strong>to</strong>ry tests approved by <strong>the</strong> French Railways SNCF, according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> above mentioned French standards NF F 16-101 and NF F 16-102, <strong>the</strong>material we use in our connec<strong>to</strong>rs, which has been found <strong>to</strong> belong <strong>to</strong> class F1 (Index Fumée I.F. ≤ 20) as well as a <strong>to</strong>xicity index (Index Toxicité Fumée) I.T.C. = 20.Both <strong>the</strong>se values meet <strong>the</strong> requirements set out by <strong>the</strong> French standards and by <strong>the</strong> Italian standard UNI CEI 11170-3 schedule 2, which relates <strong>to</strong> electrical connec<strong>to</strong>rs.We have also commissioned a qualified North American labora<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>to</strong> carry out tests compliant with American standards, which have confirmed compliance with <strong>the</strong>requirements set out by <strong>the</strong> US Federal Transit Administration “Recommended Fire Safety Practices for Rail Transit Material Selection” for methods ASTM E 662 (NFPA258) (fume specific optical density), ASTM E 162 (ASTM D3635) (surface inflammability flame propagation index) and Bombardier Transportation SMP 800-C (fumesand gases <strong>to</strong>xicity).Test reports are available on request (please contact our Sales Offices).All requirements have been met.The connec<strong>to</strong>rs are suitable for use with alternate or direct current and facilitate <strong>the</strong> manufacture of sectional electric parts in complex machineryand installation and maintenance, in conformity with <strong>the</strong> European standard EN 60204-1. The connec<strong>to</strong>rs are designed for heavy duty industrialapplications.4
EnclosuresA large number of enclosure versions are available with different combinations of component materials, each one suitable <strong>to</strong> a specific installation: normal environmentalconditions, high temperature environments, aggressive environments and environments that require electromagnetic compatibility. The principal parts are made in die castaluminium alloy with a coating of epoxy-polyester powder or in self-extinguishing <strong>the</strong>rmoplastic (CK and MK series). They are resistant <strong>to</strong> impacts and strong mechanicalstress. The coupling stability and protection against accidental opening are assured by single or double closing devices comprising levers, springs and pegs in stainlesssteel or entirely in plastic (CK and MK series). Sealing is assured by special gaskets that protect <strong>the</strong> contact groups inside <strong>the</strong> enclosures against dust and aggressiveagents. In general, <strong>the</strong> coupled enclosures with <strong>the</strong> appropriate connections guarantee an IP66 (CEI EN 60529) degree of protection. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> majority ofenclosures successfully complete <strong>the</strong> high pressure hot water jet test required by standard DIN 40050 - 9 with IP69K classification. A special, IP68 protection rated seriesis also available.generalOur enclosures have been certified by UL as Recognised Components for <strong>the</strong> USA and Canada (E mark) as accessories of our set of UL and CSA certified connec<strong>to</strong>rinserts (file UL E115072, file CSA 082270_0_000).The certification has been achieved by successfully completing several tests carried out in compliance with standard ANSI/UL 50 (Enclosures for Electrical Equipment)which is equivalent <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> North American voluntary standard NEMA 250 (NEMA = National Electrical Manufactures Association) and <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> equivalent Canadian standardCSA C22.2 No.94 (Special Purpose Enclosures) for safety levels used in North America and required by <strong>the</strong> local installation codes (ex.: NFPA 70 National Electrical Codein <strong>the</strong> US, CSA system standards for Canada); more specifically:- Type 12 (= NEMA 12): for indoor use, similar <strong>to</strong> IP54 protection rating in compliance with standard IEC/EN 60529;- Type 4 (= NEMA 4): for outdoor and indoor use, similar <strong>to</strong> IP66;- Type 4X (= NEMA 4X): for outdoor and indoor use, such as Type 4 + corrosion resistant, similar <strong>to</strong> IP66 protection rating.The certification includes all <strong>the</strong> enclosures belonging <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Standard (grey), W (green), R (red), S (EMC) and G (IP68) series of all sizes, with Pg, ISO and NPT cableexits, all special versions referable <strong>to</strong> standard types, as well as CKA enclosures.For fur<strong>the</strong>r information, please contact I.L.M.E. <strong>SpA</strong>.5
Change language