Railway Applications — Electromagnetic Compatibility (series 50121-1...5)

Scope

Six-part CENELEC series specifying electromagnetic compatibility limits and test methods for the whole railway system: emission to the outside world, rolling stock at train and apparatus level, signalling and telecommunications apparatus, and fixed power supply installations. Harmonised under the EMC Directive, it is the standard EMC conformity evidence used by vehicle manufacturers, IMs and assessors in authorisation; its IEC twin is the 62236 series.

EN 50121 is a six-part CENELEC series specifying the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) limits and test methods applicable across the entire railway system, covering emissions from the railway system to the outside environment, EMC performance of rolling stock as a whole and of apparatus fitted to rolling stock, and EMC requirements for signalling and telecommunications equipment and for fixed power supply installations. Each part addresses a distinct interface or piece of equipment, so that a complete railway system -- from trackside power supply through signalling to on-board electronics -- can be shown to be electromagnetically compatible with its environment and with itself. The series is harmonised under the EU's EMC Directive, meaning that demonstrated compliance with EN 50121 gives a presumption of conformity with the Directive's essential requirements, making it the standard EMC conformity evidence vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure managers and assessors rely on during authorisation. Its international counterpart is the IEC 62236 series, which mirrors the structure and test methods of the European series for markets outside the CENELEC area. All parts of the series are currently under revision, with the 2016/2017 editions as amended by A1:2019 remaining the applicable reference pending publication of updated parts.