 General introduction

 Various configurations of AFTC

 Various types of AFTC
 Application related issues
 Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC
 Achievements & references on Indian
Railways

1
 Track Circuits

 Track Circuit
• An electrical circuit of which running rails of a railway track form a part.

 Types of Track circuits

• AC Track Circuits: Used in DC Traction Area
• DC Track Circuits: Used in AC Traction Area
• Audio Frequency Track Circuits: Used in both AC and DC traction Area.

2
 Advantages of Audio Frequency Track Circuits

Joint-Less - Insulation Rail Joints not required.

Immune to harmonics - Not affected by harmonics generated by
Thyristor controlled locomotives.
Double Rail - Both Rails are available for traction return.

Immune to Traction - Can be used in AC/DC/Non RE Areas.

Longer Lengths - Hence ideal for Automatic Block signaling.

Dependency on other departments are minimized as no joints are

required for separation of track circuits.

3
 Operating frequencies of AFTC Type TI 21

Eight Operating Frequencies A - H

A & B - Paired Frequencies for FIRST Line A B A B A

C & D - Paired Frequencies for SECOND Line C D C D C

E & F - Paired Frequencies for THIRD Line E F E F E

G & H - Paired Frequencies for FOURTH Line G H G H G

For more than four tracks the above sequence is repeated.

4
Operating Frequencies - Values

Frequency Frequency
Name Value

A 1699 Hz

B 2296 Hz

C 1996 Hz

D 2593 Hz

E 1549 Hz

F 2145 Hz

G 1848 Hz

H 2445 Hz

5
 System composition of AFTC

Transmitter Generates Audio Frequency Signal

Receiver Receives Audio Frequency Signal from

Track and Picks up the Track Relay

Power Supply Unit Generates 24 V DC for Functioning of

Tx/Rx
Lightening Arrestor Protects Tx/Rx from Lightening
Surges/Spikes

Tuning Unit/Track Coupling Unit/ Interface Transmitter/Receiver with Track

End Termination Unit

Track Relay Indicates Track Occupancy

Line Matching Unit Reduces Transmission Losses

6
AFTC Modules

7
Basic operating principle of AFTC

Track Circuit Frequency B

Tx End Rx End

TU/TCU TU/TCU
B B

LA LA

Transmitter Receiver Track

B B Relay

Power Power
Supply Supply
Unit Unit

8
 Transmitter (Tx)
• Generates and Transmits Audio Frequency (AF) Signal to Track
• Principle of Frequency Shift Keying is used for Modulation
OUTPUT
AMPLIFIER
Modulated Signal
OUTPUT
4.8 Hz Square Wave FILTER
MULTIVIBRATOR TO TU/ETU/
MODULATOR TCU

MATCHING/
ISOLATING
TRANSFORMER

Corresponding Frequency A - H
OSCILLATOR

F b
F a
F b
F a

MODULATED
WAVE
f+17 f-17 f+17 f-17

9
MODULATING WAVE 4.8 Hz
Receiver (Rx)
• Receives AF Signal from Track and Picks up a Relay
FILTER AMPLIFIER FILTER DEMOULATOR

Fa LOGIC 2 SEC RELAY

INPUT
GATE DELAY CKT DRIVER
TRANSFORMER
Fa Fb Fa
TO TRACK
INPUT RELAY
FROM TRACK

Fb

FILTER AMPLIFIER FILTER DEMOULATOR

Fb

INPUT
FROM TRACK
O/P TO 2 SEC DELAY CKT

Fa After Logic Gate

Fb Fa Fb Fa

After After
filter demodulator
10
Power Supply Unit (PSU)

• Generates 24 V DC required for Functioning of Transmitter and Receiver

2-4.4 A
T5
t20
T0 COM B24
t19
0-2 A +

MOV
+ 15000 uF
110 V AC 24 V DC
T85 -

T95
-
T105

T115
N24
T125

EARTH RECTIFIER UNIT

11
Track Interfacing Units

• Tuning Unit (TU)

• Used for interfacing Rails with Transmitter/Receiver

T1

C1 C2 C1,C2
1 Capacitors

TF Transformer
2
L Inductor
L TF 3
T1-T2 are connected to rail
4
1-2 are connected to Rx
5 or Low power Tx
4-5 Connected to Normal Power Tx

3- Earthing

T2
12
• End Termination Unit (ETU)

• Used for interfacing Rails with Transmitter for Center Fed

Application

T1 T1

C- Capacitor
C1 C2 C3 C1 C2
1 1
TF- Transformer
R R
2 2 L- Inductor
T 3 T 3
L1
F F are connected to rail
4 4 T1-T2
L2 L1
1-2 are connected to Rx
5 5 or Low power Tx
4-5 Connected to
Normal PowerTx
3- Earthing
T2 T2
END TERMINATION UNIT END TERMINATION UNIT
FREQUENCY A,C,E,G FREQUENCY B,D,F,H

13
• Track Coupling Unit (TCU)

• Used for interfacing Rails with Transmitter/Receiver

1 9
TO TRACK
C 2.2 50W

Programming Link
C Capacitor
4
9-10 Connected to
Track
5 1-2 Connected to Rx
4-5 Connected toTx

Programming Link

10
TO TRACK

14
 Line Matching Unit (LMU)
 Used when Distance of Tx to TU is > 30 m.
 Reduces Transmission losses.

LMU Tx SIDE LMU TU SIDE

Lo Ho Ho Lo

10 V AC 90 V AC 90 V AC 10 V AC

Lo Ho Ho Lo

Lo - Lo - Connected to the Transmitter Lo - Lo - Connected to TU/ETU/TCU

Ho - Ho - Connected to the outdoor cable
Ho - Ho - Connected to Cable from Transmitter
going to TU/ETU/TCU

15
Lightening Arrestor (LA)

• Protects Transmitter/Receiver from Lightening and High Voltage spikes

TU TU

GD
TUBE

MOV 1 MOV 2

TU -Tuning Unit
Tx -Transmitter
Rx/Tx Rx/Tx
Rx -Receiver
MOV -Metal Oxide Varistor
GD Tube-Gas Discharge Tube
16
Application of AFTC Type TI 21 on Straight Line

Tuned Zone Tuned Zone Tuned Zone

19.5 m 19.5 m 19.5 m

TU A TU B Track Circuit B TU B TU A Track Circuit A TU A TU A

Receiver Transmitter Receiver Transmitter Receiver Transmitter

A B B A A A

17
Functioning of Electrically Separated Joint

19.5 m

Tuned Zone

Track Circuit A Electrically Separated Joint Track Circuit B

T1 T1

Pole Arm Pole Arm

C1 1
C2 C2 C1
1

2
Zero Arm TF 3 2
TF L Zero Arm
L 3
4
From 4
Tx A From
5 Tx B
5

T2 T2

18
Tuning Unit A Tuning Unit B
 Rail Voltages on Tuned Zone

Tx Rx
Tuning Unit "A"
Electrically Separated Joint Tuning Unit "B"

19.5 m

TUNED ZONE

6.5 V
6.3 V
Frequ
e ncy “ “ B”
A” ency
Frequ

0.7 V 0.65 V

19
 Balancing of Traction Return Current - Z Bond

T une d Z o ne

F re q u e n c y F re q u e n c y
'A ' 'B '

` Z ' B O N D ( M .S . S tra p o f c ro s s
s e c tio n 5 0 x 6 m m )
T U ' T U '
A ' 'Z ' B o n d F i x i n g C la m p B '

Advantages of Z bond over impedance bonds: More than

500 AFTC
No copper hence no theft using Z bonds
are in
No oil hence no maintenance operation
over Indian
Lighter in weight and hence easy to handle Railways.

20
 Decentralized Configuration
Tuned Zone Tuned Zone Tuned Zone
19.5 m 19.5 m 19.5 m

TU A TU B Track Circuit B TU B TU A Track Circuit A TU A TU B

LA LA LA LA
LA
LA

Tx B Rx B R Rx A Tx B
R Rx A Tx A
R

PSU PSU PSU

Track-side Location Box Track-side Location Box Track-side Location Box

21
 Salient Features of Decentralized Configuration

• TX, RX, R, LA and PSU are mounted in LOCATION BOXES near track.

• TU/ETU/TCU are mounted ADJACENT to TRACK.

• 35 Sq. mm Cu or 50 Sq. mm Al Cable is used to connect TU/ETU/TCU to Rails.

• 2 x 2.5 Sq. mm Cu Cable is used for feeding Signal from Tx to TU/ETU/TCU

• Internal wiring is done using 1.5 Sq. mm multi-strand Cu Wire.

• Signaling Cable from/to Tx/Rx is terminated inside location box on M-6 terminals

22
Centralized Configuration
Tuned Zone Tuned Zone Tuned Zone
19.5 m 19.5 m 19.5 m

TU A TU B Track Circuit B TU B TU A Track Circuit A TU A TU B

LMU TU LMU TU
Side Side
LMU TU
Side

0.9 mm Dia Quad Cable

Cable Termination Rack

LA LA LA LA LA LA

LMU Tx
LMU Tx LMU Tx
Side
Side Side

R Rx A Tx B R Rx B Tx A R Rx A Tx B

PSU PSU PSU

23

Centralized Equipment Room

 Salient Features of Centralized Configuration

• Line Matching Unit is used to reduce Transmission Losses.

• TX, RX, R, LA, LMU-Tx Side and PSU are located in a Centralized Equipment Room.

• TU/ETU/TCU and LMU TU-Side are located Adjacent to Track.

• 35 Sq. mm Cu or 50 Sq. mm Al Cable is used to connect TU to Rails.

• 0.9 mm dia 4 Quad Cable is used for feeding from Tx to TU/ETU/TCU

and fromTU/ETU/TCU to Rx.
• Quad Cable from Outdoor is terminated on CT Rack in equipment Room

• Internal wiring is done using 1.5 Sq mm Multi-strand Cu cable.

• Easy maintenance and fault-finding since all equipment are located

at the same place.
24
End Fed Track Circuit
Track Circuit Frequency B

Tx End Rx End

TU/TCU TU/TCU
B B

LA LA

Transmitter Receiver Track

B B Relay

Power Power
Supply Supply 110 V AC
110 V AC
Unit Unit

 AFTC Signal is fed from one end and received at the other end.

 As per Railway Board Guide Lines maximum length of End Fed AFTC should be
450 m for better maintenance.

25
 Center Fed Track Circuit
Track Circuit Frequency B

Rx-1 End Tx End Rx-2 End

TU/TCU ETU TU/TCU

B B B

LA LA LA

Receiver-1 Track Transmitter Receiver-2 Track

B Relay-1 B B Relay-2

Power Power Power

Supply 110 V AC Supply 110 V AC Supply 110 V AC
Unit Unit Unit

 AFTC Signal is fed from CENTER and received at both the ends.
 As per Railway Board Guide Lines Center Fed AFTC should be
used for track circuits of length 450-700 m for better maintenance.
 Relays of Rx-1 and Rx-2 are connected in series to feed TPR.
 End Termination Unit is used at Tx end for center feeding. 26
 Point Zone Track Circuit With One Turn Out
AFTC JUMPER
35 mm sq Cu cable
or MS Strap

TU/TCU TU/TCU
B B

LA LA

Receiver-1 Track Transmitter

B Relay-1 B

Power Power
Supply 110 V AC Supply 110 V AC
Unit LA Unit

Receiver-2 Track
B Relay-2

Track Relays of Rx-1 and Rx-2 are proved in serie s

Power
Supply 110 V AC 27
Unit
Point Zone Track Circuit with Two Turn Outs
Track Relay-3

AFTC JUMPER
Receiver-3 LA 35 mm sq Cu cable or MS Strap
B
TCU
B
Power
Supply 110 V AC
Unit

TU/TCU TU/TCU
B B

LA LA

TCU B
Receiver-1 Track Transmitter Track
B Relay-1 B Relay-2

LA
Power Power
Supply 110 V AC
Supply 110 V AC
Unit Unit
Receiver-2
B

Power
Track Relays of Rx-1, Rx-2 and Rx-3 are proved in series Supply 110 V AC
Unit
28
Interfacing with other track circuits

TU/TCU
B
Track Circuit B TCU B DC Track Circuit

MS Strap
Traction Rail
Interfacing with Non Track Circuited area

Non track
TU/TCU
B
Track Circuit B TU B Circuited Area

17.8 m MS Strap
OR
35 Sq. mm
Cu Cable

29
 Interfacing with AFTC other than PAIRED frequency

Traction Rail

TU/TCU TU/TCU
B Track Circuit B TCU B TCU D Track Circuit D D

MS Strap
Traction Rail

30
 Tuned Zone Ratios
Pole Zero Ratio
(TU of Track (Adjacent TU) greater
Circuit under than
Test)
Tx ACEG Rx BDFH 10:1
Tx BDFH Rx ACEG 15:1
Rx ACEG Rx BDFH 10:1
Rx BDFH Rx ACEG 15:1
Tx ACEG Tx BDFH 6:1
Tx BDFH Tx ACEG 9:1
Rx ACEG Tx BDFH 6:1
Rx BDFH Tx ACEG 9:1
• Measure the Voltage on TU of Track circuit to be tested. This is the POLE
Voltage.
• Measure the voltage on the ADJACENT TU. This is the ZERO Voltage.
• Calculate Pole Voltage/Zero Voltage.
•This value should be GREATER THAN value specified in the above
31
table.
 Gain setting for TI 21 receiver
1H
GAIN determines the sensitivity of
Receiver for a particular Input signal 1

level
1L
3H
Gain = 390 where V= The voltage across the
V
1  resistor at gain setting 13 in mV. 3

Current flowing up = 1 + 9 = 10 3L
9H
Current flowing down = 3
Thus gain = 10 – 3 = 7
9
Note: Negative gain cannot exist.

For gain of 13 the track circuit will operate 9L

for current above approx. 15 mA
1 ohm resistor
From TU/ETU/TCU

32
Train Shunt Resistance
 It is the Maximum value of resistance when connected to the rails at the
Receiving End of the track will cause the relay to drop.
 TSR is Minimum at Receiving End and Maximum at Transmitting End.
 As TSR INCREASES, Reliability DECREASES while Safety INCREASES.
 As TSR DECREASES, Safety DECREASES while Reliability INCREASES.
 Track circuit should never be left with TSR < 0.5 Ohm at Receiving End.
 Value of TSR in Tuned Zone is 0.15 Ohm
 As Gain INCREASES, TSR DECREASES and as Gain DECREASES, TSR
INCREASES.

33
 Criteria for Feeding using 4 Quad Cable

4 Quad cable of 0.9 mm dia is be used

Separate Quad Cables are used for Tx and Rx

For Transmitter:
• Single Pair is used for feeding distances up to 1 Km.
• Pairs are doubled for feeding distance greater that 1 Km.
For Receiver:
• Single Pair is used for feeding distances up to 2 Km.
• Pairs are doubled for feeding distance greater that 2 Km.

For Feeding distances < 300 m 2x2.5 Sq. mm Signaling cable can be used
instead of quad cable.
The distance of nearest location box (where quad cable is terminated)
from TU/TCU/TCU should not be greater than 100 m.

34
Criteria for Distribution of Frequencies in Quad Cable

While using Single Pair

• Individual Circuits should use Opposite conductors.
• 1&1 form One circuit while 2&2 form another circuit.
•Equipment of same frequency should be allocated in Opposite quads (eg. Quad 1 & Quad 3)

1 2 3 4
Quad 1 Quad 2
2 1 4 3

5 6 7 8
Quad 4 Quad 3
6 5 8 7

1a 1b 2a 2b

While using Double Pair Quad 1 Quad 2

1b 1a 2b 2a
• Individual circuits use all 4 conductors, using opposite conductors in
3a 3b 4a 4b
parallel. I.e. 1a & 1a form one side of one circuit,
Quad 4 Quad 3
1b & 1b form the return side of the same circuit.
3b 3a 4b 4a
• Equipment of same frequency should be allocated in Opposite quads (eg.
Quad 1 & Quad 3)

35
Collection of Traction Return Current at Sub Station
Sub Station Earth

Tx-TU Rx-TU

Impedance Bond

Rail Earthing - No
Part of Rail should be directly connected to earth.
Rail can be earthed through center tap of Impedance Bond

Impedance Bond

Tx-TU Rx-TU

36
 Connection of OHE Mast to Outer Rail

As per current practice OHE Mast is connected to outer rail to earth the OHE
mast.

It does not have any effect on performance on AFTC but may adversely affect
Broken Rail protection of outer rail.

More than 600 AFTC Type TI 21 working satisfactorily in various sections of

Indian Railways where OHE Mast is connected to outer rail.

37
 Dos and Don’ts of AFTC Type TI 21

For decentralized version (when LMU is not used) ensure that the maximum distance
from Tx to TU/ETU/TCU is not greater than 30 m and for Rx to TU/ETU/TCU the maximum
distance is not greater than 350 m.

TU B Track Circuit B TU B

2x2.5 Sq. mm
Cu Cable <=350 m
<=30 m

R Rx B
Tx B

Location Box
Location Box
38
Dos and Don’ts of AFTC Type TI 21

Between track-circuits of same frequency pair on different Lines, there

should be a minimum separation of two lines.

A B A B A
A B A B A

A
D

B
C

A
D

B
C

A
C

E
D

F
C

E
D

F
C

E
} Separation of
Two Tracks

A B A B A

39
Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC Type TI 21
5 kHz axle counter detector head shall not be installed
(a) Within 200 m of ‘A’ frequency Transmitter (Tx)

TU/TCU/ Axle Counter

TU/TCU Track Circuit A ETU
A Head
A

200 m 200 m

TxA

(b)within 100 m of ‘E’ and ‘G’ frequency

Transmitter (Tx).

TU/TCU
TU/TCU/ Axle Counter
E/G
Track Circuit E/G ETU Head
E/G

100 m 100 m

40
Tx E/G
Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC Type TI 21
(c) within 5 m of any Tuned Zone
Tuned Zone
19.5 m

Track Circuit B TU B TU A Track Circuit A

Axle Counter
Head

5m 5m

(d) within 15 m of ETU/TCU

Axle Counter
TU/TCU Track Circuit TCU/ETU Head

15 m 15 m

Tx/Rx 41
Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC Type TI 21

(d) It is preferable to install a Receiver rather than Transmitter adjacent to Axle counter section.

AWS track magnet should not placed in the tuned zone.

Tuned Zone
19.5 m

Track Circuit B TU B TU A Track CircuitA

AWS
Magnet

42
 Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC Type TI 21
Tuned zone should not be located in a level crossing /bridge/check rails. Tuning Unit (TU) can however be located
on either side of the level crossing, but with the tuned zone reading away from the crossing
Tuned Zone

19.5 m

Track Circuit B TU B TU A Track Circuit A

Tuned Zone
19.5 m

Track Circuit B TU B TU A Track Circuit A

It is recommended that track circuits containing level crossings are in normal power mode with the
43
Receiver located near to the level crossing.
 Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC (General)
Maximum TWO Transmitters or EIGHT Receivers of different frequencies can be connected to the
same power supply unit.
Rx-E Rx-F

Rx-C Rx-A

Rx-D
PSU Rx-B
Tx-A PSU Tx-B

Rx-G Rx-H

All the Receivers of the same track circuit (Point Zone and Center Fed), can be
connected to the same power supply unit.

Tx and Rx of the same frequency should never be connected to the same PSU.

Current Rating of 1 PSU 4.4 A Fuse for Tx 3.0 A r.m.s

Current drawn by 1 Tx 2.2 A (Max) Fuse for Rx 0.6 A
Current drawn by 1 Rx 0.5 A (Max) Fuse for PSU 1.6 A
44
 Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC (General)

• Track circuits Less than 200 m should be connected in Low power mode and track circuits more than 200 m
should be connected in Normal power mode.

•Point Zone Track circuits, Track circuits having Z Bonds and Track circuits using TCU in Transmitter
are always connected in Normal Power Mode.

• Normal Power Track circuit feeds about 40 W Power in the track while a Low Power Track circuit
feeds about 3 W Power in the track.

• For Normal Power Track circuits Cable from Transmitter is connected to 4&5 terminals of
TU/ETU/TCU.
• For Low Power Track circuits Cable from Transmitter is connected to 1&2 terminals of
TU/ETU.
• For both Normal Power and Low Power Track circuits Cable from to Receiver is connected
to 1 & 2 terminals of TU/ETU/TCU.

45
 Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC (General)

 No Receiver (Rx) should be positioned less than 200m from a normal power Transmitter (Tx) of the same frequency or
50m from a low power Transmitter (Tx) of the same frequency.

Tuned Zone
Tuned Zone
19.5 m
19.5 m

Rx A Tx B Rx B Tx A Rx A

120 M (LP) 300 M (NP)

140 M

 This is not applicable if Insulation joints or Z Bond are present between these track circuits.

46
 Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC (General)
For double rail track circuit there should be no traction bonding between adjacent rails

Tuned Zone Tuned Zone

19.5 m 19.5 m

Track Track Track

Tx A Rx A Rx B Tx B Rx A Tx A
Circuit A Circuit B Circuit A

Traction Bondings

Track Track Track

Rx C Tx C Rx D Tx D Rx C Tx C
Circuit C Circuit D Circuit C

Tuned Zone Tuned Zone

19.5 m 19.5 m

47
 Do’s and Don’ts for AFTC (General)

Cross Bonding between parallel tracks can be done by connecting center tap of Impedance Bonds

Tuned Zone Tuned Zone

19.5 m 19.5 m

Track Track Track

Rx A Tx A Rx B Tx B Rx A Tx A
Circuit A Circuit B Circuit A

Track Track Track

Rx C Tx C Rx D Tx D Rx C Tx C
Circuit C Circuit D Circuit C

Tuned Zone Tuned Zone

19.5 m 19.5 m

48