Install overhead line equipment wiring
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to install overhead line equipment (OLE) contact wire and associated wiring such as catenary, along track conductors, droppers and headspans.
The definition of OLE is an arrangement of wires, suspended over the railway line, for supplying electricity to electric trains, together with associated fittings, insulators and other attachments including feeders, autotransformer feeders, overhead line switches, jumpers and return conductors. This equipment together with its structures, foundations, lineside switching stations is described collectively as Overhead Line Equipment. To prove competence in this standard you shall need to demonstrate your ability to complete the wiring installation, renewal, enhancement or modification activities in accordance with current working instructions.
You will be required to determine, from the drawings and specifications, what has to be done and how best it can be achieved safely, within the time frames allowed and appropriate to the environment and site conditions.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and provide an informed approach to applying wiring selection, running out, termination, splicing and tensioning procedures. You will understand the principles and processes associated with the installation of the wiring and their application. You will know about the ways of handling wire, the means of fixing it into position, tensioning, as well as the care and use of the tools and equipment in adequate depth to, provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring the finished wiring is produced to the required specification. You will understand the safety precautions required when working at height and with wiring components and their associated tools and equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the safe installation of the wiring and the associated terminating and tensioning activities to be undertaken and to report any problems with the component parts, equipment or wiring activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with minimum supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 maintain safe working practices and comply with all relevant health and safety regulations, directives, and guidelines
P2 follow all relevant drawings and specifications for the installation being carried out
P3 use the correct tools, plant and equipment for the installation and check that they are in a safe and usable condition and are fit for purpose
P4 install, position and secure the wiring and components in accordance with the drawings and specification
P5 confirm that all necessary connections, fittings and components are secure and complete
P6 address problems within your control and report unresolved issues
P7 check installation is complete and that all wiring and components are free from damage
P8 check that completed installation conforms to the drawings and specification
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the relevant health and safety regulations, directives, guidelines, and safe working practices and procedures as defined by your organisation
K2 the requirements for a safe system of work and the limits applicable
K3 how the activity may affect the safe operation of the railway
K4 what procedures need to be followed, to confirm operational and personal safety, is maintained during the work
K5 the general electrical hazards associated with working on and around overhead line equipment
K6 how to prevent personal injury and injury to others during the work
K7 the hazards associated with wiring activities (such as lifting and handling wire drums, working at height, tensioning wires and radial loads) and how the risks can be minimised
K8 the personal protective equipment (PPE) that you need to use for the activities that you are undertaking
K9 the correct methods of moving, lifting, handling, straightening and supporting wires and associated components
K10 the documentation and certification that supports the installation activities (such as overhead line specifications, work/task instructions, inspection/test plan, height/stagger sheet, dropper schedules)
K11 the purpose of the different types of design drawings used in OLE wiring installation (such as layouts, cross section diagrams, OLE system design range (such as OLEMI))
K12 how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with
K13 the construction methodology for the wiring installation being undertaken
K14 how the OLE is designed to function under normal operating conditions
K15 what each of the wiring component parts contribute to the overall operation of the system
K16 how to identify the range of cables used in wiring installation and what determines their suitability
K17 what terminology and methods are used to identify OLE wiring and to describe the operational status of the wiring
K18 how to use the tools, plant and equipment needed for the wiring installation process and how to check that maintenance checks are in date and any calibration certificates are available
K19 the torque loading requirements of the components or connectors and what to do if these loadings are exceeded or not achieved
K20 the methods of securing the wiring components and connections safely
K21 the types of tools and equipment used to position, secure, terminate and tension the wiring (such as torque wrenches, winches , tensioners,tension gauges/meters)
K22 the procedure for the safe disposal of waste materials and redundant wiring
K23 what the limits of your responsibility and authority are
K24 who is responsible for taking equipment out of operational service and handing the equipment back to operational service
K25 wiring activity reporting documentation
K26 reporting lines and escalation procedures
K27 industry protocols relating to communication of important safety information
K28 how to complete records and confirm that they are retained and preserved
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Activities carried out during the installation will include the following:
- adhere to safety briefing instructions, risk assessments, control of substances, safe system of work and other relevant safety standards
- checks to ensure currency of installation documentation (such as drawings, layouts, instructions, manufacturers' data, settings and other documentation)
- obtain authority before carrying out the installation activities
- dispose of waste items in accordance with the project plan
- leave the work area in a safe condition
Types of personal protection equipment could include:
- safety harnesses
- safety helmets
- approved high visibility clothing
- approved safety footwear
- gloves
- safety eyewear
- ear protection (as appropriate)
- other specific equipment
Types of design drawings and specifications used to interpret wire run requirements will include:
- layouts
- cross sections
- OLE system design range (such as OLEMI) (as appropriate)
- height/stagger sheet
- dropper schedules
Types of wiring activities to be carried out will include:
- recovery of wire
- running out wire
- splicing of conductors
- wire termination
- wire tensioning
5. Types of wiring to be installed or renewed could include:
- catenary wire
- auxiliary wire (as appropriate)
- contact wire
- contenary wire
- auto transformers feeder
- return conductors
- earth wire
6. Types of wiring components to be installed or renewed could include:
- droppers
- jumpers
7. Types of specialist plant and equipment used will include:
- drum carriers
- winches
- tensioners
8. Checks on the wiring being installed will include:
- checking that the installed wiring complies with the installation specification
- checking position and tension
- making visual checks for completeness and freedom from damage
- checking locking devices
9. Recording and reporting procedures could include the following:
- installation record
- hand over document
- other specific recording document