As part of the plan approval procedure (PAP), safety certificates play a key role in the Federal Office of Transport’s evaluation of planned electrical installations. Enotrac supports Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe (BVB) in several infrastructure projects by providing safety expertise and well-founded concepts for earthing and return currents. Ensuring electrical safety is always the primary focus
About the project
In recent years, BVB has planned and implemented various infrastructure projects involving the design and construction of new stops, catenary systems and other electrical installations. BVB carries out the design of the electrical installations itself. However, for PAP dossiers, additional safety-related documentation is required which goes beyond the scope of the planning itself. This includes, in particular, the safety report for electrical installations and an earthing and return-current concept that complies with the relevant standards.
Our contribution
Enotrac is responsible in these projects for preparing a comprehensive safety report on electrical installations for BVB in accordance with the guidelines of the Association of Public Transport. This report contains all the information required under the Ordinance on the Construction and Operation of Railways, as well as a detailed risk analysis for construction and operation.
In addition, the Enotrac team assesses in each case whether an expert inspection is necessary.
Another key component of our service is the development of project-specific earthing and return-current concepts, which take account of the interconnection of different earthing systems, measures to protect against hazards caused by stray current, and the handling of components in the overhead contact line zone and in the current collector zone.
In close consultation with Industrielle Werke Basel, the requirements for standard-compliant lighting at the tram stops are also defined. The resulting measures are incorporated into both the safety report and the technical report. For the latter, the Enotrac team provides specific text modules on the topics of earthing and return conductors, which are integrated into the project documentation.
This collaboration with Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe encompasses a wide range of exciting projects. Among the projects supported are the Peter Merian Weg and Postpassage, the adaptation of the Aeschenplatz stop to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and the PAP dossiers for Marktplatz, Messeplatz, Heiliggeistkirche, Bauhinweglein and the catenary renewal on the lower Rebgasse. Larger infrastructure projects, such as the PAP for St. Jakobsstrasse to Zeughaus or for the Dreirosen Rhine Tunnel, are also part of the portfolio. Particularly noteworthy is the project to replace the overhead lines between Bundesstrasse and Neubadstrasse, which required consideration of the complex interfaces between various earthing systems and tram stop infrastructure. This diversity demonstrates the wide-ranging application of our safety engineering expertise in an urban environment.
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Client
Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe (BVB)
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Period
June 2022 – today
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Location
Various projects in Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
