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Style Q Plug-in Relays

relays and the method of coding
which ensures that non-compatible
relays may not be plugged in.
To fully realise the interchangeability
advantages offered by application of
this system, care must be taken in
circuit design to see that only the
specified characteristics of relays are
relied on for correct circuit
functioning — for example, nonspecified timings are not measured in
production and may vary from one
manufacturer to another, and may
also vary with the same
manufacturer’s relays, as the result of
design revisions.
Typical Q relay
General Information
The Style “Q” range of plug-in relays
were developed to meet the British
Rail 930 Series of Specifications, and
have been proven in use in many
countries for more than twenty years.
The wide range available covers
almost every railway signal relay
need.
This section details the range of Style
“Q” relays at present manufactured in
Australia. The range is constantly
increasing and enquiries for types not
listed are welcomed.
BR930 Series Specifications
These Specifications were originated
in the late 1950s/early 1960s by an
IRSE Miniaturisation Committee, and
were subsequently adopted by British
Rail and issued as BR Specifications.
The objective was to create a range of
relays smaller and lower in cost
than(the then) standard plug-in relays
and to ensure interchangeability
between manufacturers, while
maintaining maximum design
freedom. The result has been wide
standardisation and major cost saving
in railway signalling.
The BR 930 Specifications lay down
the major mechanical details
affecting interchangeability for relay
and plugboard. They also lay down
relevant operating characteristics for
Coil resistance of line relays is
another parameter which may vary —
only maximum power consumption is
specified and actual resistance may
be selected by the manufacturer
within that limit.
Pin codes
An important part of the Style Q relay
concept is the allocation of pin codes
to relays. Five basic contact
combinations are available, covered
by two interlocking pin codes:
Contacts
Code
12F 4B
8F 8B
2
8F 4B
6F 6B
2
4F 4B
2
Datasheet 3A
Contact Layouts
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
R1
R3
A
B
C
D
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
B
F
F
B
B
F
F
COIL
B
COIL
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
R2
R4
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
B
B
B
B
B
F
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
F
B
B
B
COIL
COIL
COIL
COIL
COIL
12F 4B
8F 8B
This pattern was adopted because:
8F 4B
2. An 8F 4B relay has all contacts in
the same positions as a 12F 4B
but one vertical stack of contacts
is omitted, so no danger can
result by substitution of one for
the other. Similarly, a 6F 6B relay
is an 8F 8B with one vertical
stack of contacts omitted, and a
4F 4B is an 8F 8B with two
vertical stacks omitted.
1. 12F 4B and 8F 8B combinations
have some contact positions in
which contacts in the same
position are changed from front
to back contacts; therefore,
safety considerations require a
different pin code.
6F 6B
B
B
B
COIL
COIL
COIL
4F 4B
3. It allows the use of a variety of
contact combinations in new
signalling installations to
minimise initial cost but only
two, 12F 4B and 8F 8B, are
required as spares for subsequent
servicing.
General Specifications
Glossary of Terms
The specifications below apply to all
Style Q Relays unless varied by the
detailed specifications included in the
data sheets for individual relays.
Operate condition
the condition of the relay when all
front contacts are just made.
Maximum number of contacts
16 (8 each on twin relays)
Contact material
– moving
– fixed
Silver
Silver impregnated graphite
Contact pressure
28-50 g
Contact lift
0.5 mm (min)
Change-over gap
0.4 mm (min)
Contact resistance
0.2 Ω (max)
Contact rating
– carrying
– switching (dc) resistive
– switching (dc) lnductive
3 A (max)
25 VA-125 V (max)†
9 VA-125 V (max) †
†
These ratings may be doubled for ac.
Note: Contact ratings may be exceeded at the cost of reduced contact life.
Coil resistance
As specified ±10% at 20°C
Relay life
106 operations at rated loading of
contacts
AC immunity (where applicable)
1000 Vrms
Packaging
Packs of 10
Page 2
Full Operate condition
the condition of the relay when
the armature has completed its
maximum travel.
Release condition
the condition of the relay when all
front contacts have opened.
Full Release condition
the condition the relay assumes
when de-energised.
Front Contact
a contact which is made when the
relay is energised.
Back Contact
a contact which is made when the
relay is de-energised.
Percentage Release
the release value as a percentage
of the operate value
ie Percentage Release =
Release Value / Operate Value * 100
Datasheet 3A issue 2.0
Relay Groups
The range of Q relays can be divided
into the following broad groups:
Single Relays
contain one relay only in each
enclosure and are the most simple
group.
Twin Relays
contain two independent relays
within one enclosure, each driving
half the contacts.
Relay Units
incorporate a diverse selection of
electronic timers, flashers, etc,
each mounted in the same
standard enclosure.
Guide to Style Q Relay Types and Related Specifications
Single
Twin
Standard
AC Immune
Standard
AC Immune
Type of Relay
Style
BR Spec
Style
BR Spec
Style
BR Spec
Style
BR Spec
Neutral
QN1
930
QNA1
931
QNN1
960
QNNA1
966-F6
QND2
930
–
–
QNND1
960
–
–
QS2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Neutral slow operate
–
–
QSPA1
933
QNNSl
963
–
–
Neutral slow release
–
–
963
–
–
–
–
934
–
932
QNNSl
Biased
QSRA1
QSRA4
QBA1
–
–
QBBA1
961
Biased contactor
–
–
QBCA1
–
–
–
–
Magnetic latched
QLl
935
–
943
966-F4
–
–
–
–
–
Track
QT1
938
QTA1
Timers – slow operate
– slow operate
– slow release
Transformer/Rectifier Units
QCJ1
QTD5
QTD4
QXR1
949
–
–
–
Flashers
QDF1
QDF2
QDF3
QR5
QR9
–
–
–
–
–
Neutral double wound
Neutral special for long lines
Others
–
–
–
–
–
939
966- F2
–
QTD1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
DC
Normal Release
AC
Slow Release
Normal Release
Slow Release
Type of Relay
Style
BR Spec
Style
BR Spec
Style
BR Spec
Style
BR Spec
Lamp proving
QN3
–
QEC1
QSR3
940
–
QECX7
QECX8
QUCX1
–
–
942
QECX5
–
Style Q Plug-in Relays
Page 3
Single Relays
General
The Style Q relay is built on a robust
thermoset base moulding into which
up to four vertical contact stacks may
be fitted. Contact springs are
separated by glass-filled
polycarbonate spacer blocks and are
insulated from the contact stack
securing screw by a nylon tube. Each
vertical contact stack can carry up to
four independent contacts, which
may be front or back according to
how they are assembled. Each outside
stack also carries two coil connectors.
The magnet assembly is mounted on
the base moulding below the
contacts and consists in its simplest
form of an “L” shaped heel-piece, a
core with retaining nut to hold the
heel-piece onto the base moulding,
and an armature. The armature pivots
on the front face of the heel-piece
and is located by a phosphor bronze
pivot plate. Reliable and consistent
release is assured by a fixed phosphor
bronze residual pin rivetted into the
armature face. The coil is wound on a
separate bobbin which is
subsequently fitted over the core. A
label fitted to the coil indicates the
number of turns and nominal
resistance. Actual resistance is within
±10% of nominal value. Wire of not
less than 0.1 mm diameter is used for
coils.
Contact springs are phosphor bronze
and the rear ends form the plug
contacts which engage with the
plugboard on which the relay mounts.
The front ends carry the contact tips
which are silver impregnated graphite
(SIG) for the fixed contacts and silver
for the moving contacts. The silver
contacts are rivetted and soldered to
their springs. SIG contacts are
attached by clips and the rear face
soldered to the spring.
The moving springs are driven from
the armature by operating arms
blanked from synthetic resin bonded
fabric (SRBF) sheet. The fixed springs
are supported in their correct
locations by adjustment cards
blanked from SRBF sheet which are
supported at the lower end by a
bracket which is rivetted, with the
pivot plate, to the heel-piece. At the
upper end the cards are retained by
support springs which also provide an
Page 4
Typical single Q Relay (Style QBA1)
upper bearing for the operating arms
to slide in.
Low rate contact springs are used so
that the pressure of the fixed contact
against the adjustment card is nearly
the same as the final contact
pressure, ensuring very little change
in contact pressure with wear over
the life of the relay.
Armature release torque is provided
by a combination of a low-stressed
helical spring, gravity, and front
contact pressure.
The transparent polycarbonate cover
is retained by two nuts which also
retain the handle. These are attached
to a stainless steel strap which
conveys the tension of retaining the
cover to the relay base preventing
stress in the working parts of the
relay. Plastic seals are fitted into the
handle to prevent unauthorised
access.
A clip-on label is provided on the
front face of the cover for circuit
function or similar information.
On the rear face of the relay below
the contacts, five coding pins are
provided to prevent the relay being
fitted to an incorrect plugboard.
These pins are retained by a plate
which is also sealed. All parts which
are insulated from other parts are
tested to 1000 Vrms. This also
includes tests between windings on
double-wound coils.
Datasheet 3A issue 2.0
Twin Relays
Typical Twin Q Relays
General
Style “Q” Twin relays provide two
completely independent relays within
a single “Q” relay enclosure. Each
relay provides a maximum of 8
independent contacts. They offer
considerable savings of both cost and
space when contact requirements can
be kept within these limits. They offer
special advantages in building
geographical sets.
Construction
Style QNN1
The construction of twin “Q” relays
closely follow what is already
described for single relays. Base,
contacts, cover, handle, etc, are
identical and the only differences are
in the magnet assembly.
The simplest twin relay magnet
assembly consists of the usual ‘L’
shaped heel piece which is fitted with
two separate cores and two
independent armatures, each of
which drives two of the four stacks of
contacts. Each coil is wound on a
separate bobbin which is
subsequently assembled to its core.
Relay Units
Style QBBA1
Typical Q Relay Units
General
A wide variety of equipment can be
conveniently housed in Style Q relay
enclosures, including timers, flashers,
transformers, rectifier feed units,
capacitor slugging units, etc.
Construction
It is not possible to give a general
description as construction methods
used vary widely according to the
particular components to be housed.
Electronic components are usually
mounted on printed circuit cards and
wired to tags assembled to the relay
base in positions normally occupied
by relay contacts. The usual coding
pins are provided on the rear of the
unit to ensure only the correct unit is
plugged in.
Style QTDS
Special Units
Special units can be designed to meet
specific requirements if justified by
demand.
Style QCJ1
Style Q Plug-in Relays
Page 5
Style Q Relay Plugboards
Style ‘Q’ Relay Plugboards are onepiece thermoset mouldings, fitted
with removable crimp type
connectors. These connectors provide
for both wire and insulation support
for one or two wires each. Connectors
are suitable for soldering if desired.
gives details of its associated relay.
Crimped Connections
Each plugboard is mounted on racks
or chassis by two screws of 5 mm
diameter.
Recommended cable is size
9/0.3 mm, with a maximum OD of
3 mm.
The following tools are available:
It is recommended that crimping tools
should be checked at frequent
intervals (approx. 400-1,000 crimps)
by making two sample crimps using
minimum possible compression of the
tool. These should then be subjected
to a “pull out” test by holding the
connector in a vice and pulling the
wire with a spring balance. The ‘Q’
relay connector crimp must withstand
a pull of 9 kg (20 lb).
The relay is retained on the plugboard
by a wire clip which engages in a
groove in the top of the relay handle.
A paper label fixed to the plugboard
Front: showing code pin positions
Plugboards are supplied in packs of 5
or bulk packs of 100.
Part
Description
4790/0
Crimping tool for connectors
J4489M/1
Removal tool for connectors
AM227-20/1
Retaining clip tool
Rear: showing terminal numbering
No bending or
twisting of tool
needed
Assembly of connectors into Style Q Plugboard
Page 6
Connector with removing tool in position for withdrawal
Datasheet 3A issue 2.0
Mounting
Mountings for Style Q Relay plugboards
The diagram shows maximum density mounting centres but the vertical
spacing is usually increased to allow space for wiring forms.
Style Q Plug-in Relays
Page 7
Datasheet 3A issue 2.0
Physical Dimensions
56 mm
M5 (2BA)
Clearance Hole
180 mm
28.6 mm
16 mm
127 mm
117.5 mm
120 mm
M5 (2BA)
Clearance Hole
Plugboard
21 mm
Siemens Rail Automation Pty Ltd
ABN 78 800 102 483
Level 7, 380 Docklands Drive, Docklands,
Victoria 3008, Australia
T +61 3 1300 724 518
E rail-components.au@siemens.com
W www.siemens.com.au/rail-components
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