Signals for electric operation

Important Note: This web site has not been updated since 2003 and is therefore not up-to-date. See here.

Signals for electric operation

Marking of earthing rod
Signals for neutral sections
Pantograph signals
Signal for line separation
Signals for stations with power system change

Marking of earthing rod

day night

Erdungsstange

Catenary is shut off and grounded (Fahrleitungsabschnitt ausgeschaltet und geerdet)
If the earthing rod is mounted inside the gauge (as shown here) it serves as a ''stop'' signal for all kinds of vehicles.

Signals for neutral sections


	a	b
1			Power off main switch (announcment) (Vorsignal zum Ausschaltsignal)
2			Power off main switch (Ausschaltsignal)
3			Power on main switch (Einschaltsignal)

Column »a« shows fixed boards (which are usually illuminated at night), column »b« shows light signals. The fixed board form of the announcment signal (table cell »a1«) is not used by the Swiss federal railways but at least SOB and BLS use it.

Pantograph signals


		Lower pantograph (announcment) (Vorsignal zum Senksignal)
		Lower pantograph (Senksignal) Mainly used as an »end of catenary warning«.
		Switchable version of the lower pantograph signal (transparent signal illuminated from inside). It's for example used in the station of Vallorbe. The triangle atop the signal indicates that the signal can be ignored when dark.
		Lower pantograph (Senksignal) Narrow version mounted on a turnout signal, so it is only visible when the tournout leads to the track without catenary.
		Raise pantograph (Endsignal zum Senksignal)
		Lower pantograph revoked (Aufhebungssignal zum Senksignal) Used when there are switches between the announcment and the lower pantograph signal and the need for lowering the pantos applies only to certain branches. On the branches not concerned this board is used.

Signal for line separation

The overhead wires of the station and the open line are isolated from each other (this allows to switch them off separately). The position of the separation is indicated by the entry signal (line side) and the yellow board shown here (station side). This board is typically attached to a catenary mast.


	Signal for line separation (Streckentrennung) If the overhead wire of the open line is shut off vehicles with raised pantograph must not pass this board.

Signals for stations with power system change

Power system change signal (Umschaltsignal)
This board is located at the beginning of a neutral section between different power systems. In this example there is a change from 15 kV, 16.7 Hz to 25 kV, 50 Hz.

End signal (Endsignal zur Systemschutzstrecke)
This board is located at the end of the neutral section. In this example the 25 kV, 50 Hz system starts.

Zone protection signal (Zonen-Schutzstreckensignal)
Orange light lights up if route leads over a neutral section between different power systems. This signal is typically mounted on the ground.

Zone signal (Zonensignal)
Shows the current applied power system in switchable catenary sections. According to the signal book the following indications are possible:

0	=	catenary shut off
11	=	11000 V, 16,7 Hz
15	=	15000 V, 16,7 Hz
25	=	25000 V, 50 Hz
3-	=	3000 V DC
1-	=	1500 V DC

Zone signal (Zonensignal)
This version is used in the station of Vallorbe.

Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg-Bahn


	»End of 15 kV catenary«

This is a special version used by the SZU. One track of the SZU line between Zürich HB and Zürich Giesshübel is equipped with two overhead wires: one for AC (15 kV, 16 2/3 Hz) and one for DC. The AC wire is mounted above the center of the track (as usual) and the DC wire is mounted laterally. In Giesshübel where the DC operated Uetlibergbahn branches off the AC operated Sihltalbahn one can see this signal (it is mounted on a switch point signal).

Zone signal at the Rhätische Bahn (RhB)

In the station of Pontresina the AC operated line from Samedan meets the DC operated Bernina line. To facilitate the operation of the Bernina-Express the catenary of station track 3 can be switched to either power system. A signal is provided to show which power system is actually applied.


	AC 11 kV, 16.7 Hz is applied.
	DC is applied.
	Catenary is shut off.

(Last Update: 17.11.2002)

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day	night
		Catenary is shut off and grounded (Fahrleitungsabschnitt ausgeschaltet und geerdet) If the earthing rod is mounted inside the gauge (as shown here) it serves as a ''stop'' signal for all kinds of vehicles.