Product Bulletin
WESTRACE Surge Protection Devices
30th November 2013 Issue 0.1
1 Applicability
All WESTRACE MkI and WESTRACE MkII installations.
2 Information
Siemens Rail Automation is pleased to announce an improved range of Surge Protection Devices
(SPDs) specifically for use on WESTRACE input and output circuits.
The WESTRACE Application Manuals recommend primary surge protection be fitted on all circuits
extending outside of the location case or signal equipment room that houses the WESTRACE.
This is to protect from electrical transients coupled into the external wiring and that are typically
generated from lightning, overhead wiring and switching inductive loads.
Transient voltages may have sufficient energy to damage the internal circuits of the WESTRACE
input and output modules. The surge protection devices will reduce the let-through energy of
most transient pulses to a safe level that can be handled by the modules.
The new devices offer many advantages. They

protect against standard transient waveforms (1.2/50 µs Voltage, 8/20 µs) current up to
20 kA without damage and sacrificially above 20 kA

stop current flow (follow on current) after the transient has finished

provide a lower let through voltage than alternative devices

indicate the state of the input or output with multi-colour LEDs

indicate the condition of the SPD when the input or output is ON

provide a low impedance to the earth connection to minimise let though voltage

fail sacrificially for very high energy transients to protect the WESTRACE

fit within the same envelope as existing SPD

have no dominant failure modes that could connect either line to earth
Siemens Rail Automation Pty Ltd
P Locked Bag 66 South Melbourne 3205 Street 380 Docklands Drive Docklands Vic 3008 Australia
T +61 3 9616 9000 F +61 3 9616 9001 E enquiries.asiapacific@invensysrail.com
ABN 78 000 102 483
L:\T&t\Bulletins\WESTRACE Surge Protection.docx
www.rail-automtion.com/index.php/downloads
30th November 2013
Issue 0.1
Page 2 of 2

mount on both DIN and G rail

comply with IEC 61643-1, 11 & 21
The SPDs are currently available for 50 Vdc and 100 Vac circuits. They plug into polarised bases
to prevent insertion of an incorrect device.
They fully meet WESTRACE requirements for surge protection devices.
You can download the data sheet from
http://www.rail-automation.com/downloads/1491o5POe5X0l525.pdf
3 What do I need to do?
You don’t need to change protection on existing installations unless you consider them
vulnerable to damage.
Siemens Rail Automation recommend using the new SPDs as protection on all new WESTRACE
input and output circuits.
The new SPDs will require both a new base and new protection module.
We recommend that you include in your spares holding as SPDs may catastrophically fail while
protecting the WESTRACE modules.
4 Type Approval
You may need to type approve these devices prior to use.
Siemens can assist with appropriate material or directly
prepare type approval applications. Please contact us to
discuss any requirements.
5 Caution
All Surge Protection Devices, and the equipment that they
protect, must be properly installed, connected and earthed to
provide effective protection. Siemens can provide advice or
training on appropriate measures.
Siemens Rail Automation Pty Ltd
P Locked Bag 66 South Melbourne 3205 380 Docklands Drive Docklands Vic 3008 Australia
T +61 3 9616 9000 F +61 3 9616 9001 E enquiries.asiapacific@invensysrail.com
ABN 78 000 102 483
L:\T&t\Bulletins\WESTRACE Surge Protection.docx
www.rail-automtion.com/index.php/downloads