TRACK CIRCUIT

BONDING
Safety
Precautions
Staggering:

Staggering of polarity has to be across the block joints of adjacent

Track circuits
_

AT BT
_

TR BATTERY TR
BATTERY
For track circuiting turnouts,three types of arrangements are possible:-

1.Parallel connection

2.Series connection

3.Series -Parallel connection.

Specific choice of arrangement adopted for track bonding depends upon site
conditions, zonal railway practices & required degree of safety or reliability.
 Parallel Connection Block joints on the Straight Portion

R/En
F/End

d
Feed extension
jumper TR
BATTE (two core cable or
RY
mild steel strap)

Two block joints are provided in the middle of track circuit &
feed is extended to insulated rails by means of feed extension
jumper.
Breakage of feed extension jumper will cause the track relay to
drop.
 Parallel Track Block joints on the Straight Portion
Circuit
_

R/En
F/End

d
Breakage of
Feed extension Track relay
TR drops
BATTE jumper
RY
 Parallel Track Block joints on the Straight Portion
Circuit
_

R/En
F/End

d
Feed extension
jumper TR
BATTE
RY

Any breakage on the rails

or Continuity bonds
will not get detected
 Parallel Track Block joints on the Turn Out Portion
+ Circuit

R/En
F/End

d
Feed extension
jumper
TR
BATTE
RY
Any breakage on the rails
or Continuity bonds
Will not get detected
_

+
Disadvantage of Parallel Connection
Any breakage of continuity bonds or rails on the
parallel side of the track will not get detected.

So, this type of arrangement is not desirable and

Series Connection is adopted .
 Series Track Circuit Block joints on turnout
Any breakage of continuity bonds or rails will be detected.
It requires an extra block joint , which separates the rails of same polarity.
+
+
F/End

_ TB
Feed extension _
_
jumper
_
BATTE + Feed extension
RY jumper

3rd block joint

(Separating rails of same
polarity) TB

R/En
d
TR
 Series Track Block joints on turnout
Circuit
F/End

_
Feed extension
jumper

BATTE
RY

Breakage of
rails or

R/En
continuity

d
bonds will drop
Track relay
TR
 Series Track Circuit Block joints on straight portion
Feed extension
jumper
_

R/En
d
_

TR

Feed extension
jumper 3rd Block joint
_

F/End
BATTE
RY
 Disadvantages of series track circuit:

Any failure of the third block joint which separates two same
polarity rails will not get detected.

Moreover in Series connection ,continuous path through negative

rails for traction return current is not available because of block
joint.
Hence this type of track circuit is not preferred in RE Area .

Because in RE Area negative rail is used for flow of Traction

Return Current. Any interruption to the flow of traction return
current will damage the track feed equipment.

Hence to overcome these drawbacks, Series-Parallel track circuits

are adopted
 Series-Parallel Connection
Only positive polarity rails are connected in series .

Negative polarity rails are kept in parallel.

In RE Area negative polarity rail is also used for flow of Traction Return
Current.

If its flow is interrupted, then it may damage the track circuit equipments.

Hence in order to provide multiple paths for the flow of traction return
current, negative rails are connected in parallel.

It requires negative to negative jumper to detect presence of wheel in case of

rail fracture.

In non RE also this type of arrangement is adopted to minimize cable

requirement.
Series-Parallel Track Circuit Block joints on straight portion
Negative
to
_ Negative
jumper

R/En
d
TR
Feed Extension
Jumper
_

F/End
+

BATTE
RY
Series Parallel Track Circuit Block joints on turnout

+
R/End

Negative
To
_ Negative
TR + jumper
Feed
extension
jumper

F/End
BATTE
RY
 Series Parallel Track
InCircuit
case of breakage of negative to negative jumper, track occupation in case
of
rail breakage or continuity bond breakage will not get detected.
Hence _ proper care should be taken to ensure intactness of negative jumpers.
End
Feed

R/En
d
TR
BATTER Feed Extension
Y Breakage of
Jumper
Negative
_ jumper

+ Track occupation
In case of rail
breakage will not
get detected
 Track circuit on a cross over

Both the tracks are connected in series-parallel .

+

TB TB
_

Ba
tte
ry TR 1
Feed extension
Jumper
Ba

Feed
tte
ry

extension
TR 2 Jumper

TB:Transverse bond(Used in RE Area for traction return current)

 Track Circuit of Diamond Crossing
Parallel connection

TR
_
F/End

R/End
_
Feed
BATTE Extension jumpers
RY
+
 Track Circuit of Diamond Crossing
Negative Series Parallel connection
To negative
jumper

Negative
To
BA negative
T
Feed extension RY TE jumper
jumper
_
TR

Feed extension +
jumper
 Track Circuit of Diamond Crossing
Negative Series connection
To negative
jumper

BA
TT
Y ER
TR

Feed extension
jumper
_ Negative
to negative
Feed extension jumper
+
jumper
 Track circuit on ladder layout
Parallel connection

Feed extension
jumper

TR
Feed extension
jumper

BATTER
Feed extension Y

jumper
 Track circuit on ladder layout
Series connection

BATTER
Y
TR
Feed extension
jumper
 Track circuit on ladder layout
Series Parallel connection

BATTER
Y
TR
Feed extension
jumper
 Track circuiting at Fouling marks
Block joints should be provided away from the fouling mark at a distance not less
than 3 metres(towards divergence)
This is necessary for the protection of standing vehicles.

FM 3M

In case of parallel track circuits, non-clearance of fouling mark by a vehicle

may not be detected in case of continuity bond breakage.

Hence it is advisable to use series-parallel track circuits to have fouling mark

protection on running lines.
 Dead Section
It is a portion of track circuit in which train occupancy is not detected.

Dead section occurs due to the following reasons:

1.Block joint positions are staggered .

This may happen due to :

a)Unequal rail creep, particularly in curved portion.

DS
b)Rail ends on cross over being out of square

DS
2.Track portion is excluded from track circuit

This may happen due to :

a)Due to level crossing road not allowing track

circuiting of the covered area of track.
b)Due to a bridge or culvert being under the track

BRIDGE

c)Due to a tram line passing across railway track

TR
LIN AM
E

RLY TRACK
 Dead Section

8 wheeler Trolley

a a
b
a: 1.8M in BG, b:11.7M
1.125M in MG/NG

Dead section shall not be more than 1.8M for BG or 1.125M for MG.

If it is more, then track section shall extend on either side of dead section
by more than 12M.
 TRAP CIRCUIT
It is an arrangement in which dead section track is controlled by the other two track
circuits on either side.

Cable jumper

AT BT DEAD SECTION BT CT

Cable jumper
ATR
AT CT
Bat Bat CTR BTR Bat R
R

BTR

Dead section controlling track relay BTR will pick up when AT or CT is dropped & once
picked up, it sticks through its own front contact till BT is shunted again.
 Summary
The following points can be concluded from our discussions:

1.Parallel track circuits are not preferred as breakage of rails or bonds

may go undetected.

2.Series track circuits are not widely used as failure of the block joint
separating same polarity tracks cannot be detected.
Moreover in RE Area continuous flow of traction return current through
negative rails is not possible in series tracks because of this block joint.

3.Series –parallel track circuits are mostly adopted in Railway . Flow of

traction return current through negative rail is possible as well as track
occupation in case of rail or continuity bond breakage is possible.

4.In series-parallel connection, only positive rail is connected in series.

Whereas negative rail is kept in parallel.
 4. Intactness of negative to negative jumper is to be ensured in Series-Parallel
connection. If negative jumper breaks then track occupancy will not get detected in
case of rail breakage.

5. It is advisable to use series-parallel track circuits to have fouling mark

protection on running lines.
6. Dead section shall not be more than 1.8M for BG or 1.125M for MG.
If it is more, then track section shall extend on either side of dead section
by more than 12M.

7. When dead section cannot be avoided, Trap Circuit arrangement is used .

8. Staggering of polarity across block joints of adjacent tracks is to be ensured.

Precautions :

Following points are to be remembered during maintenance of track circuits:

1.Boundary of track circuit in each point shall be more than 3 metres to avoid under
wheel operation in case of non signaled movement.

2.Signal replacement track boundary should start 10 metres from foot of the signal. If
it is kept nearer to the signal, in long hood position driver may see RED aspect.

3.Continuity bonds at the nose of cross over must be provided between all rails.

4. Staggering of polarity in the complete yard is to be planned at the time of making

bonding diagram.

5.Rails at the nose of the cross over shall always be of negative polarity.
 6. Track circuit must not fail in unsafe side. Actual TSR of track should be well above
0.5 ohms. Otherwise it can lead to non detection of motor trolley & other light
weight vehicles.
7. Armour of track lead cable should be properly cut & flowered so that it does not
short the track & body of TLJB.

8. 6 mm dia bond pin holes are drilled using 7.25 mm dia drill beat for connection of
track lead cables to the track.

9. Pin brazing of track lead cables can be done for better connectivity.

10.Intactness of jumpers & continuity bonds must be ensured.

 Thank You
For your patient hearing
 TRACK CIRCUIT
BONDING
For track circuiting at turnouts, depending on the
mode of connection between the rails of different
track circuit portions three types of arrangement are
possible, viz.

1. Parallel connection

2. Series connection and

3. Series - Parallel connection.

Specific Choice of arrangement adopted depends on

site condition, Zonal railways practices, Required
Degree of safety/ Reliability etc.
 Track bonding procedures
1) The Relay End Should be Towards Train first shunting
direction

2) Positive Rail always In series for avoid dead section in

breakage of Rail or bonding

3) Negative Rail is always Parallel for more traction return paths

4) In point Zone The Nose must Be selected For Negative

bonding because series bonding is not possible if selected as
positive Rail

5) Insulation Joints to be Provided Beyond the Fouling mark and

not less than 3 Meters from FM.
 PARALLEL CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE
TURNOUT
In this arrangement , two block joints are provided in
the middle of track circuit and the feed is extended on to
the insulated rail by means of a small two core cable or a
mild steel strap called 'Feed extension jumper'. This
makes it possible for a vehicle to shunt the track relay
while on the parallel portion of the track circuit.

Disadvantage: Removal of certain portion of a rail in the

track circuited area may not be detected in this type of track
circuit. Hence this type of arrangement is not favored.
T
R
T
R
 It is preferable to have the block joints in the middle on a less
used track to increase their life of insulation as shown below.
 SERIES CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE
TURNOUT

Type 1: With Block Joints on Straight

portion
Type 2 :-With Block Joints on Diversion
 Bonding arrangement shown in above requires
negative to negative jumper to detect presence of train
in case of rail fracture. But open circuit failure of this
jumper may not get detected.

Hence care should be taken for checking the

integrity of this jumper. This arrangement requires one
extra block joint (marked as ‘A’) which separates the
rails of same polarity, whose failure goes undetected in
normal course.

Hence, this Series arrangement is not favored

much.
 SERIES - PARALLEL CONNECTION OF
TURN-OUT
In this arrangement of track circuit, only positive
polarity rails are connected in series while keeping
rails of negative polarity in parallel, to provide
multiple paths for traction return current, so as to
prevent traction current from passing through the track
circuit equipment and interfere with its working if any
path is interrupted.

In non-RE areas also, this arrangement is sometimes

adopted to minimize cable requirement.
Type 1 : Block Joints on Straight Portion, Feed end on
Diversion
Type 2: Block Joints on Straight Portion, Feed end on Straight.
Type 3: Joints on Diversion, Feed end on Diversion

Here block joints are provided on the turnout and the

track circuit ends of the two roads are joined by means
of two cable jumpers.
 Type 4: Minor Modification to Type
3

This bonding arrangement requires negative to negative jumper to

detect presence of train in case of rail fracture. But open circuit
failure of this jumper may not get detected. Hence care should be
taken for checking integrity of this jumper.
 Type 5: Minor Modification to Type 4.

This arrangement is in wide use. Further examples in this notes will be

based on this arrangement.
 PARALLEL CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE
TURNOUT
In this arrangement , two block joints are provided in
the middle of track circuit and the feed is extended on to
the insulated rail by means of a small two core cable or a
mild steel strap called 'Feed extension jumper'. This
makes it possible for a vehicle to shunt the track relay
while on the parallel portion of the track circuit.

Disadvantage: Removal of certain portion of a rail in the

track circuited area may not be detected in this type of track
circuit. Hence this type of arrangement is not favored.
 It is preferable to have the block joints in the middle on a less
used track to increase their life of insulation as shown below.
 SERIES CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE
TURNOUT

Type 1: With Block Joints on Straight

portion
Type 2 :-With Block Joints on Diversion
 Bonding arrangement shown in above requires
negative to negative jumper to detect presence of train
in case of rail fracture. But open circuit failure of this
jumper may not get detected.

Hence care should be taken for checking the

integrity of this jumper. This arrangement requires one
extra block joint (marked as ‘A’) which separates the
rails of same polarity, whose failure goes undetected in
normal course.

Hence, this Series arrangement is not favored

much.
SERIES - PARALLEL CONNECTION OF
TURN-OUT
In this arrangement of track circuit, only positive
polarity rails are connected in series while
keeping rails of negative polarity in parallel, to
provide multiple paths for traction return current,
so as to prevent traction current from passing
through the track circuit equipment and interfere
with its working if any path is interrupted.

In non-RE areas also, this arrangement is

sometimes adopted to minimize cable
requirement.
Type 1 : Block Joints on Straight Portion, Feed end on
Diversion
Type 2: Block Joints on Straight Portion, Feed end on Straight.
Type 3: Joints on Diversion, Feed end on Diversion

Here block joints are provided on the turnout and the

track circuit ends of the two roads are joined by means
of two cable jumpers.
 Type 4: Minor Modification to Type
3

This bonding arrangement requires negative to negative jumper to

detect presence of train in case of rail fracture. But open circuit
failure of this jumper may not get detected. Hence care should be
taken for checking integrity of this jumper.
 Type 5: Minor Modification to Type 4.

This arrangement is in wide use. Further examples in this notes will be

based on this arrangement.
1) The Relay End Should be Towards Train first shunting direction

2) Positive Rail always In series for avoid dead section in breakage

of Rail or bonding

3) Negative Rail is always Parallel for more traction return paths

4) In point Zone The Nose must Be selected For Negative

bonding becouse series bonding is not possible if selected as
positive Rail

5) Insulation Joints to be Provided Beyond the Fouling mark and

not less than 3 Meters from FM.
 Requirements of good ballast

• Tough and wear resistant

• Hard to resist abrasion and attrition

• Non-porous and non-absorbent of water

• Durable and should not get pulverised due

to weather

• Cubicle having sharp edges

• Cheap and economical

Circuit breaker trips in 300msec

QSPA1 pick up time - 540 to 600msec

• Shelf Type Track Relay 0.4V / 40 ma
6080 mA, 1/2 Cells

• QT2 1.158 to 1.4 V / 103 to 117ma

1.5V, 140mA, 3 Cells

• QTA2 1.4 V /120 to 140 ma 1.4V,

140mA, 3 Cells

• QBAT 1.73 to 1.75 V / 140 to 175 ma

1.75V, 175mA, 3/4 Cells
Sleeper rest on a bed of stones called “Ballast”
(Broken stones ,gravel , moored or any gritty material )

– Distributes load over a greater area to "formation”

– Provides elastic & resilient bed

– Helps to maintain track to level & line

– Helps in drainage.

– Longitudinal & lateral stability to track