STS/L/SSI/526 07.11.
2012
Distributed Electronic Interlocking
I. Background
Presently, Electronic Interlocking (EI) is being used on IR as centralized system wherein all
the parts and modules of EI are placed in centralized room and through interface relays
signalling gears are connected with relay room similar to conventional panel/RRI system.
However, EI also offer a facility to be used in distributed mode wherein Object Controllers
(OCs)/dumb EI terminals can be placed near to the signalling gears. These OCs (Dumb EI
terminals) can be connected to centralize EI with redundant optical fibre and network
switches.
II. History
Presently, out of roughly 500 stations commissioned with EI over IR, approximately 56
stations have been commissioned in distributed mode but mainly with distribution of
interlocking logic also in the EI systems provided in remote locations. During recent
failures at Adityapur, Muri, Krishnanagar and at Nallapadu, it has been noticed that due to
distribution of logic in these EIs placed at remote locations complete station undergoes in
total shut down. It is also evident from the configuration of distributed EIs that reduction
in cable requirement shall be very significant.
III. Discussion
RDSO has issued guidelines vide letter no. STS/L/SSI dated 05.06.2009 regarding
configuration of deployment of EI over IRs. Further comments were invited from CSTEs
vide RDSO’s letter no. STS/L/SSI dated 11.09.2012 for use of EI in distributed mode.
IV. Comments received
RLY Comment Availability Cost reduction Items to be considered
while adopting distributed
EI with OCs in field
WR WR is of the WR has indicated WR has indicated 1. All the locations i.e.
opinion that for that this will that for a medium centralized locations and
medium and large increase in yard with two remote locations should
yard, EI system reliability of remote locations, have provision for air-
should be deployed overall signalling Railways shall conditioning, atleast of
in distributed system due to have a net saving cabinet type for reliable
arrangement signalling cables of around Rs. 1.2 working of electronics
where OCs are kept defective. crore. system kept there.
in the field with 2. 230V power supply will
entire interlocking have to be extended to
logic in a central remote locations. This
location. should be done through
power cable of sufficient
size running via atleast two
different routes.
3. Various status and
alarms of OCs in remote
locations should be
brought to the central
place for easy monitoring
STS/L/SSI/526 07.11.2012
and controlling.
4. OCs should be
connected to the
centralized places on OFC
atleast via two different
routes.
SCR SCR is of the SCR has indicated 1. Implementation of
opinion that a that the entire interlocking logic
distributed EI distributed EI should be done at central
system with OCs system with OC is location only.
near in field giving overall 2. Only dumb OCs should
location near availability at be used in the field.
signalling gears much higher 3. Communication
with interlocking level. interfaces should be
logic only in provided in dual
centralized mode is redundant mode.
preferred. 4. Communication
interfaces should have
sufficient fault diagnostics.
5. OEM’s AMC
representative should be
technically competent to
handle communication
related issues.
SR SR has indicated - - -
the preference for
use of distributed
EI system but with
complete logic
availability in
distributed systems
also.
V. In view of the above, the following important items are noted as below:-
1. As indicated, the distributed mode of EI with OCs near signalling gears shall lead to huge
saving in total signalling systems cost at station.
2. The overall system reliability as indicated by Railways is higher when OCs are used with
centralized EI with logic.
VI. Items for discussion
1. Railways suggestions for use of EI in distributed mode.
2. Use of EI in distributed mode – OC to contain interlocking logic or Not.
3. Centralized diagnostic maintenance in case of use of EI arrangement.
4. Reliable power supply arrangements in use of distributed EI.
5. Redundancy at every level to provide highest level of reliability in use of distributed EI.
6. Maintenance issues.
BY FAX No.: 0522"- 2452332
WESTERNRAILWAY
'
. Headquarters' Office,
•
, 5th Floor, S&T Deptt.,
• I
Station Building,
,/--.;~, . Churchgate,
Mumbai - 400 020.
~~
Western Railway
No. SG.217/38 (SSI) Date: 22/10/2012
Sr. ED (Signa!),
RDSO,
Lucknow.
Sub: Configuration for deployment of Electronic Interlocking (El)
Ref : Sr. EO (Signal), RDSO/LKO's Letter No. STS/LlSSI,
Dated - 11/17.09.2012
In reference to above, Western Railways is of the oprruon that for
medium and large yard, Electronic Interlocking system should be deployed in
distributed arrangement where Object Controllers (OCs) are kept in the field
with entire Int-erlocking Logic in a central location.
\
The cost benefit analysis for the distributed configuration as per
enclosed annexure shows that for the medium yard with two remote locations
for OCs, roughly 500 mtrs on either side of the centralized interlocking, there
could be saving of approximately 100 Km (for a typical midsized yard up to 50
- 200 routes) of cables, costtnq ~ 150 Lakhs (@ ~ 1.5 Lakh/Km). On the other
hand, additional items required for the remote locations in terms of power
suppJy, earthing arrangement, OFC equipments, etc., the additional cost per
location comes approximately to ~ 15 Lakhs. So in case of medium yard, with
two remote locations additional cost would be ~ 30 Lakhs, as against the
saving of ~ 150 Lakhs, Le. net saving of around ~ 120 Lakhs.
Besides savings in cost. the above configuration will also increase
reliability of the overall signalling system,because numbers of signal
incidences occur due to signalling cables getting defective. Since large
number of signal cables between central locations to remote locations will be
replaced by Optical Fibre Cable. number of signalling incidences on account of
signalling cable getting defective, will be reduced.
However, with the above configuration. following points will have to be
considered to ensure the reliability and maintainability of the system.-
1. All the locations i.e. centralized locations and remote locations should
have provision for air-conditioning. atleast of cabinet type. for reliable
working of electronics system kept there. .
2. 230V power supply will have to be extended to remote locations. This
should be done through power cable of sufficient size running via
atleast two different routes.
1
-~-~~--~----------------------------..--..,.....
3. Various status and alarms of DCs in remote locations should be brought
to the central place for easy monitoring and controlling.
4. OCs should be connected to the centralized places on OFC atleast via
two different routes.
5. It should be made clear as to who will provide the various power
supplies at the remote locations for different signalling gears like
signals, point machines and Track Circuits. If these are to be provided
I '
by Railways, then the provision of suitable power equipments (may be
the IPS, as included in the annexure), will have to be catered. In any
case, provision will also required to be made for centralized monitoring
of power supply system provided in the remote locations.
6. A:r supply in RE area should be at least 25 KVA.
Encl: As above
,..
'). \ \ \) \ ,,;-
.
(V. M. Shrivastava )
For General Manager (5&T)
W. Rly. -CCG
2
Annexure
Figs in t
Cost Benifit Analysis of Distributed Configuration with Object Contreollers in the Yard vis-
a-vis Centralized Configuratiuon
(A) Addltional. items required per Location when Object Controllers are placed in the yarc
Sr. No. Description Unit Qty Rate Amount
1 24F OFC with accessories Km 1.5 50,000 75,000
2 Masonary Structure for QC (8x3) Nos 1 200,000 200,000
3 . Power cable 25 sq mm Km 4 100,000 400,000
4 Earthing for QC Lot 1 100,000 100,000
5 Electronics for QFC Lot 1 150,000 150,000·
6 IPSfor QC Nos 1 600,000 600,000
Total for One Location 1,525,000
Total for Two Locatioons for a Medium Yard 3,050,000
r
With IPS in also AT of at least 25KVA caopacity will be required.
(B) Cable saving due to Object Controllers placed in the yard
Sr. No. Description Unit Qty Rate Amount
12C signalling cable at way side
1 Km 100 150,000 15,000,000
station
