DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE
DIN EN 50546
; VDE 0115-546:2025-03
Railway applications - Rolling Stock - Three-phase shore (external) supply system for rail vehicles and its connectors; German version EN 50546:2024
Bahnanwendungen - Fahrzeuge - Dreiphasiges Fremdeinspeisungssystem für Schienenfahrzeuge und zugehörige Steckverbinder; Deutsche Fassung EN 50546:2024
Overview
The shore supply system is used while the rolling stock is standing still within depots and sidings location for providing power to the AC auxiliary loads (which can include battery charging) when the primary power supply (contact line) is not available or used. This document: - specifies requirements on the shore supply and to the rolling stock for safe operation on shore supply operation; - specifies the requirements to ensure compatibility of class C0 and C1 train types as given in CLC/TS 50534:2010 systems and three-phase shore power supply systems; - provides a complete system design for 63/125 A shore supplies including the interfaces (power and control loop) between shore supply and rolling stock; - specifies the requirements with regards to interoperability with AC and DC fed traction systems in order to prevent undesired stray currents and adverse interaction with signalling systems when operating on shore supply; - defines the electrical characteristics of the 63/125 A shore power supply; - defines the 63/125 A connectors and its intermateability to provide interoperability for rolling stock that is to run across borders; - defines the 600 A connector and its intermateability; - can be used for other type of rail vehicles and purposes, if agreed by the manufacturer and customer. The 600 A connector is the existing UK standard three-phase shore supply connector which has a long service history. The connectors are dimensioned using standard rolling stock cables as set out in EN 50264-3-1:2008. Examples of other usage and rail vehicles are: for example, light rail vehicles, class A train types, traction battery charging etcetera. This document - does not apply to shore supplies to move the rolling stock; - does not describe the 600 A shore supply system. The standard differs from DIN EN 50546 (VDE 0115-546):2020-12 and DIN EN 50546 Corrigendum 1 (VDE 0115-546 Corrigendum 1):2022-01 as follows: a) revision of Clause 1, "Scope"; b) revision of Clause 2, "Normative references"; c) revision of Clause 3, "Terms and definitions", with a restructuring of definitions; d) introduction of a new Clause 4, "Overview of the system"; e) Introduction of a new Clause 5, "General requirements" (revision and completion of the previous Clause 4); f) redistribution of the contents of the previous Clause 5 to other Clauses; g) update of Clause 6, "Requirements for connectors"; h) updating of Clause 7, "Tests"; i) updating of the following mandatory annexes: 1) Annex A, "Design of a connector for 63/125 A"; 2) Annex B, "Design of a connector for 600 A"; j) introduction of Annex C (informative), "Explanations of some protective devices"; k) revision and correction of the bibliography. A typical application example is the specification of two connectors that are suitable for shore supply with 63 A or 125 A and 600 A.