CE-351
Lecture: Interlocking
Dr. Ankit Gupta
Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi
Lecture Outline
🞂 Interlocking
🞂 Principles of Interlocking
🞂 Methods of Interlocking
Interlocking
🞂 Definition:
◦ An arrangement of signals, points and other
appliances so inter-connected by mechanical or
electrical locking that their operation takes place
in a pre-determined sequence to ensure that
conflicting movement of signals and points do not
take place and train runs safely
◦ The signal and interlocking system is so designed
that the failure of any equipment results in the
turning on of the signal, thus ensuring train
safety.
Interlocking
🞂 Necessity:
◦ Increase in number of points and signals
◦ Increase in speeds (high speeds tracks)
◦ This makes the arrangement of points and signals
foolproof. Their locking eliminates the possibility
of conflicting movements of trains.
◦ Helps in proper and safe working of the system.
Interlocking
🞂 Interlocking Principles:
◦ It should not be possible to turn a signal off unless
all points for the line on which the train is to be
received are correctly set, all the facing points are
locked, and all interlocked level crossings are
closed and inaccessible to road traffic.
◦ This means that points should be set and
each facing point is locked
Interlocking
🞂 Interlocking Principles:
◦ The line should be fully isolated before the signal
is turned off, i.e., no loose wagons should be able
to enter this line.
◦ After the signal has been turned off, it should not
be possible to make adjustments in the points or
locks on the route, including those in the isolated
line. Also, no interlocked gates should be released
until the signal is replaced in the ‘on’ position
Interlocking
🞂 Interlocking Principles:
◦ It should not be possible to turn any two
signals off at the same time, as this can
lead to conflicting movements of the trains.
◦ Wherever feasible, the points should be so
interlocked as to avoid any conflicting
movement.
Interlocking - Methods
🞂 Methods of Interlocking:
◦ Based on the functions to be performed
●Key interlocking
●Mechanical or electrical methods of interlocking of
signals
●Track circuiting
Interlocking – Methods
🞂 Key interlocking
◦ Simplest method of interlocking
◦ Provided with standard I interlocking with speed
limit below 50 km/hr
◦ For an example of a main line and a branch line,
points can be set for either of the two
◦ The point has two keys
●Key A: to be taken out when the point is set and
locked for main line
●Key B: taken out when point is set and locked for
loop line
Interlocking - Methods
🞂 Key interlocking (Indirect Locking)
◦ At one time only one key can be taken out
(depending upon which route is to be set)
◦ Lever frame operating the signals has two levers.
Lever for main line can be operated by only key A
and similarly lever for loop line can be operated
by only key B.
◦ Therefore, if main line points are set and locked
then key A is released and used for unlocking
main line signal thus bringing it to lower position.
Interlocking - Methods
🞂Mechanical Interlocking
◦ It works with lever frames connected by wire to
the signals and points
◦ It requires lesser staff and improves safety as
compared to key interlocking
Interlocking - Methods
🞂 Mechanical
Interlocking
Interlocking - Methods
🞂 Electrically operated interlocking
◦ In this the points and signals are worked from one
integrated mechanism in a signal cabin which features a
display of the entire track layout with indications of
sections that are occupied, free, set for reception or
dispatch, etc.
◦ The interlocking is by electrical circuitry - relays and
switches in older electrical or electro-pneumatic systems,
and computerized circuits in the newer electronic
systems.
Interlocking - Methods
🞂 Panel Interlocking (PI) is the system used in
most medium-sized stations on IR. In this, the
points and signals are worked by individual
switches that control them.
🞂 Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) is the system
used in large and busy stations that have to
handle high volumes of train movements. In this,
an entire route through the station can be
selected and all the associated points and signals
along the route can be set at once by a switch for
receiving, holding, blocking, or dispatching trains.
Interlocking - Methods
🞂 In recent years interlocking accomplished by
modern integrated electronic circuitry instead of
electromechanical relay systems has come into
use (Solid State Interlocking ('SSI').
🞂 By year 2006, SSI was in place at 100 stations in
India. SSI equipment is manufactured by RDSO.
219 stations now have RRI installations and the
number of stations with Panel Interlocking has
risen to 2,911. (Year 2006)