EN 50155:2026

Overview

EN 50155:2026 is a key European standard developed by CLC for the railway sector, specifically addressing electronic equipment installed in rolling stock. This standard sets out requirements for control, regulation, protection, diagnostics, and energy supply components on railway vehicles. EN 50155:2026 defines the environmental, electrical, and operational conditions that electronic systems and components must withstand to ensure safety, reliability, and durability in the demanding conditions of railway service.

The applicability of EN 50155:2026 extends to all electronic equipment comprising electronic and associated components like sensors, connectors, printed circuit boards, and semiconductor drive units used within rolling stock subsystems, such as external doors, on-board European Train Control System (ETCS) functionality, and wheel slide protection. While it covers hardware requirements for safety-related systems, specific software safety integrity practices are managed under EN 50716.

Key Topics

EN 50155:2026 encompasses core requirements for the following areas:

• Environmental Conditions: Specifies resilience to temperature extremes, humidity, altitude, shock, vibration, and atmospheric pollutants.
• Electrical Performance: Defines voltage supply ranges, tolerance to interruptions, surges, battery supply characteristics, and integration with vehicle power supplies (DC and AC).
• Reliability & Maintainability: Outlines expectations for component lifespan, fault tolerance, diagnostic functions, and ease of maintenance using built-in or special test equipment.
• Design & Construction:
  • Mechanical protection and material requirements for components and assemblies.
  • Guidelines for layout, mounting, protective coatings, and identification of parts.
  • Insulation, wiring, cooling, and fire performance aligned with applicable safety standards such as EN 45545-2.
• Documentation & Testing:
  • Comprehensive requirements for datasheets, user manuals, installation, and commissioning documentation.
  • Specification of type tests, routine tests, investigation procedures, and performance verification.

Applications

EN 50155:2026 is essential for:

• Rolling Stock Manufacturers: Ensuring all onboard electronic equipment meets the latest European railway standards for performance and safety in passenger and freight trains, metros, trams, and light rail vehicles.
• System Integrators: Validating the integration of subsystems such as door controls, ETCS, and traction electronics according to standardized electrical and environmental criteria.
• Component Suppliers: Designing and certifying electronic modules and assemblies, including sensors and programmable devices, for suitability in railway environments.
• Railway Operators and Maintainers: Assessing compliance during procurement, operation, and maintenance, ensuring reliability, maintainability, and interoperability across fleets.

By following EN 50155:2026 requirements, stakeholders improve the dependability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance of electronic rail equipment, facilitating safe operation and minimizing downtime and costs.

Related Standards

EN 50155:2026 works in conjunction with several related railway and electronic standards:

• EN 50716 - Specifies software development and documentation requirements for on-board railway equipment.
• EN 61287-1 - Covers complete semiconductor drive units and power converters for rolling stock.
• EN 45545-2 - Sets fire protection requirements for materials used in railway vehicle interiors.
• IEC 60571 - International reference for electronic equipment on rail vehicles.
• EN 50121 series - Addresses electromagnetic compatibility in railway applications.

Understanding and applying EN 50155:2026 in combination with these standards enables consistent, interoperable, and compliant solutions for modern railway electronic systems, supporting safety, reliability, and efficiency across the European rail industry.