EP 20 00 04 05 SP

CABLE PITS
Version 3.0
Issued February 2012

Owner:

Chief Engineer Electrical

Approved
by:

Neal Hook
Chief Engineer
Electrical

Authorised
by:

Neal Hook
Chief Engineer
Electrical

Disclaimer
This document was prepared for use on the RailCorp Network only.
RailCorp makes no warranties, express or implied, that compliance with the contents of this document shall be
sufficient to ensure safe systems or work or operation. It is the document users sole responsibility to ensure that the
copy of the document it is viewing is the current version of the document as in use by RailCorp.
RailCorp accepts no liability whatsoever in relation to the use of this document by any party, and RailCorp excludes
any liability which arises in any manner by the use of this document.
Copyright
The information in this document is protected by Copyright and no part of this document may be reproduced, altered,
stored or transmitted by any person without the prior consent of RailCorp.

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Engineering Standard

Engineering Standard
Electrical

RailCorp Engineering Standard Electrical

Cable Pits

EP 20 00 04 05 SP

Document control
Version
2.0
3.0

RailCorp
Issued February 2012

Date
June 2008
May 2010
February 2012

Summary of change
Last Technical Review
Application of TMA 400 format
Contents of previous section on Introduction
incorporated in Scope and application. Joint bays
excluded from scope.
References updated.
Section on Design requirements renamed as
General; list of requirements expanded; some
provisions relocated to other sections.
Section on Confined space added.
Section on Dimensions added; this section includes
provisions for previous sections (deleted in this version)
on Space for persons working and Future
maintainability.
Requirement for spare ducts expressed as a
percentage of total ducts per circuit instead of a table
(section 6).
Section on Access steps renamed as Access
ladders; reference to AS 1657.
Section on fall arrest system added
Section on Design documentation added.
Order of sections re-arranged.
Minor editorial changes.

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EP 20 00 04 05 SP

Contents
1

Scope and application ............................................................................................................4

2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4

References...............................................................................................................................4
Australian and international standards......................................................................................4
RailCorp documents..................................................................................................................4
RailCorp drawings.....................................................................................................................5
Other references .......................................................................................................................5

General .....................................................................................................................................5

Location ...................................................................................................................................5

Confined space .......................................................................................................................6

Cable entries and ducts..........................................................................................................6

Dimensions..............................................................................................................................6

Provision of support for cables and joints...........................................................................7

Pulling eyes .............................................................................................................................7

10

Access ladders........................................................................................................................7

11

Fall arrest system....................................................................................................................7

12

Pit covers and access covers................................................................................................7

13

Drainage ...................................................................................................................................8

14

Ventilation................................................................................................................................8

15

Identification of cables ...........................................................................................................9

16

Other services in high voltage cable pits .............................................................................9

17

Signage ....................................................................................................................................9

18
18.1
18.2
18.3

Design documentation .........................................................................................................10

For Construction drawings ......................................................................................................10
Other design documents .........................................................................................................10
As built drawings .....................................................................................................................10

Appendix A
Cable Layout Configuration in Pits......................................................................11
Circular Pits ............................................................................................................................................11
Rectangular Pits .....................................................................................................................................11

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EP 20 00 04 05 SP

Scope and application

This document sets out the requirements for the design and construction of cable pits for
high voltage and 1500V dc cables.
The requirements of this document apply to all new cable pits, including those at
substations.
Where approved by the RailCorp nominated engineering authority, joints in underground
cables may be provided in joint bays rather than cable pits. These joint bays are
generally back filled with clean sand or other suitable material after the joints have been
made. Access covers are not provided for joint bays. This document is not applicable to
joint bays.
For more information about conducting safety risk management assessments when
assessing requirements to be considered when designing and constructing cable pits,
see RailCorp Safety Management System Element 6: Risk Management.

References

2.1

Australian and international standards

AS 1657:1992
AS/NZS 1891.4:2009
AS 2865:2009
AS 3996:2006
AS 4799:2000

2.2

Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders Design,

construction and installation
Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices Part 4: Selection, use
and maintenance
Confined spaces
Access covers and grates
Installation of underground utility services and pipelines within
railway boundaries

RailCorp documents
EP 20 00 00 03 SP
EP 20 00 03 01 SP
EP 20 00 04 02 SP
EP 20 10 00 02 SP
EPD 0013
EPE 0002
ESC 540
ESM 102
SMS-06-FM-0038
SMS-06-GD-0035
SMS-06-PR-0240
SMS-06-SW-0254
SPG 0705
TMD 0001

RailCorp
Issued February 2012

Above ground cable installation systems

HV and 1500V dc cables Joints and terminations
Underground installation configurations for high voltage and
1500 Vdc cables
High voltage cable
Technical reviews
Mains Installation (OHW, HV Aerial Lines, HV and 1500V
Cables) Design Competencies and Authorities
Service installations within the rail corridor
Communication Outdoor Cabling Standard
Confined Space Identification and Assessment Checklist
Confined Spaces
Working at Heights
Physical Restraint Systems (Anchorages)
Construction of Cable Routes and Signalling Civil Works
CAD and Drafting Manual

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2.3

RailCorp drawings
EL 0024639

2.4

EP 20 00 04 05 SP

Underground cables Under track crossing arrangement

Other references
NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001

General
Cable pits are generally provided for:
Cable joints
Pulling of cables during installation
The requirements for cable pits are determined from the following considerations:

Gradient and depth of the duct line

Changes in route direction
Maximum allowable pulling tension of the cable
Minimum bending radii of cables
Maximum length of cable on a drum
Joints in cable
De-rating of cables
Protection of all cables in the same pit
Construction and maintenance of the cable installation
Cross bonding requirements, if any
Provision for future cable installations
Requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulation
Water table levels
Drainage arrangements
Presence of other services in the vicinity, eg Signalling and Communication cable
routes
Vehicular and pedestrian traffic at the cable pit location
Proximity to tracks

The internal surfaces of cable pits shall be smooth, chemically inert and as far as
practical impervious to water.

Location
The location of cable pits shall comply with the requirements of ESC 540 and AS 4799.
Cable pits shall not be located within three metres from the nearest rail of any track.
The design of cable pits shall be coordinated with that of the drainage system, as well as
other services such as Signalling and Communication cable routes. Cable pits shall be
designed and located such that access to other RailCorp infrastructure will not be
impeded, unless prior agreement by the relevant maintainer has been obtained.
The standard RailCorp cable construction as set out in EP 20 10 00 02 SP is such that
the cables are not suitable for immersion in water for extensive time periods. Cable pits
shall therefore be designed so that the cables are at a level that is well above the water
table. Information on relevant water table levels shall be provided by the Designer at or
before the Preliminary Design Review.
Cable pits shall be located to allow for safe access of persons and plant to the pits for
construction and maintenance of the cables in the pit.

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Confined space
As far as practical cable pits shall be designed so that they are not confined spaces.
Refer to the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, AS 2865, SMS-06-GD0035 and SMS-06-FM-0038 for the definition and identification of confined spaces.
Where it is not practical to do so, the design and installation of the cable pit shall comply
with the relevant requirements applicable to confined spaces. Hazards involved in
working in a confined space should be minimised at the design stage and during the
initial installation of equipment.

Cable entries and ducts

Cable entries or ducts entering the pit shall be in the form of a bellmouth, smooth and
free of sharp edges to prevent damage to the cable during installation and subsequent
operation of the cable.
Cable entries into circular pits shall be positioned to be tangential to the pit as shown in
Appendix A.
Cable entries into rectangular pits shall be positioned to the side of the pit as shown in
Appendix A.
Where ducts or ground line troughing enters a cable pit, the ducts or ground line
troughing shall be encased in concrete for a distance of 300 mm from the pit to hold the
ducts or ground line troughing securely in position.
The height of cable entries and ducts shall be such that the cable is at least 300mm
above the floor of the pit at the entry.
Spare cable entries or ducts shall be provided for future use. The minimum number of
spare entries or ducts for HV and 1500V dc cables shall be 30% of the total for each
circuit. Where there are project specific requirements for additional spare cable entries or
ducts that are not associated with any specific circuit, and unless otherwise specified,
such cable entries or ducts shall be of the same size as the largest one provided for the
pit.
Spare cable entries and ducts shall be provided at or above the same level as those
housing cables.
Cable entries or ducts shall be sealed to prevent the ingress of soil, water and dangerous
gases into the pit.

Dimensions
The pit shall be of sufficient size to provide a safe work and rescue environment under
the Occupational Health and Safety Act for the activities to be performed in the pit.
The dimensions of a cable pit shall be suitable for the planned installation as well as
designed future construction and maintenance activities. These should include, but not
limited to
Minimum bending radii consideration, including those for possible future cable
installation utilising the spare ducts
Space requirements for installation and maintenance of cable joints
Allowance for future cable joints for repairs to the cable installation, if required by
the maintenance strategy for future cable faults.

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Provision of support for cables and joints

The principles set out in document EP 20 00 00 03 SP shall generally apply to the
support of cables within cable pits. Cables and joints within the pit shall be properly and
securely supported by suitable cable cleats / clamps and permanent racking. Timber
supports shall not be used.

Pulling eyes
Pulling eyes shall be provided as close as possible to the pulling alignment of the cable in
all pits constructed for the purpose of pulling in cables. Pulling eyes shall be located as
shown in Appendix A and shall:
be suitably located opposite the cable entries or ducts in the pit wall to assist with
the installation of cables
have a safe working load not less than three (3) times the maximum allowable
pulling tension of the cables to be installed
The safe working load of each pulling eye shall be clearly and permanently labelled on or
adjacent to the pulling eye.

10

Access ladders
Access ladders complying with AS 1657 shall be provided for entry to and egress from
the pit. Clearance requirements around the access ladder shall comply with the
requirements of AS 1657. Future cable installations utilising the spare cable entries and
ducts shall be considered in determining the clearance requirements.

11

Fall arrest system

Where a fall arrest system is required during entry and egress, anchorage points suitable
for attachment of two persons and complying with AS/NZS 1891.4 and SMS-06-SW-0254
shall be provided.

12

Pit covers and access covers

Removable covers shall be provided for all cable pits.
Cable pit covers and access covers shall be flush with the surrounding finished surface
on platforms, access roads or other areas subject to pedestrian or road traffic. At other
locations the top of the cable pit shall be 300 mm above the surrounding ground level to
prevent the ingress of water and silt. Refer to section 4 for the requirements for cable pit
locations,
Cable pit access covers may, in some instances, also be the cable pit covers. However
on large cable pits it will be necessary to install access covers within the cable pit cover
as the cable pit cover will be too large and heavy to be moved without cranes or other
lifting equipment.

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Cable pit access covers shall:

comply with AS 3996
be removable without the need for lifting appliances such as cranes etc
be of sufficient mechanical strength for the environment in which they are installed
and loading conditions to which they may be subjected
be designed to resist the ingress of water
be vermin proof
require the use of specialised tools, keys or locking systems to gain access to the
cable pit
Cable pit covers and access covers located at trafficable areas within the rail corridor
shall be designed for road vehicle loads in accordance with ESC 540.

13

Drainage
Adequate drainage shall be provided to discharge water from the pit. The arrangement
shall be coordinated and integrated with the drainage system in the area. The drain shall
be vermin proof.
Where it is impractical to provide drainage, the pit shall be provided with a sump suitable
for the placement of a sump pump. The floor of the cable pit shall be suitably graded
towards the sump. The minimum depth of the sump pit shall be 300mm.

14

Ventilation
The pit shall be designed to:
avoid the build up of any contaminants or combustible atmospheres;
facilitate the use of portable ventilating equipment by providing adequate access
and ventilating openings in the pit cover
When the entire top area of the pit is not covered by cable pit access covers, two access
openings shall be provided at diagonally opposite ends of the pit as shown in Figure 1 for
safe access and ventilating purposes.

Figure 1 - Cable pit cover provided with access and ventilation openings.
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15

EP 20 00 04 05 SP

Identification of cables
All cables entering and exiting a pit shall be positively identified by corrosion resistant
tags with the cables owner, voltage and designated feeder number clearly shown by
engraving or embossing. The tags shall be securely attached to the relevant cable with a
corrosion resistant securing system.
All high voltage cables within shared pits shall be suitably identified as high voltage cable
in a permanent manner, i.e. by binding the cable with a suitable plastic warning tape in
accordance with the requirements of SPG 0705.

16

Other services in high voltage cable pits

Communication cables and high voltage and 1500V dc cables shall not be in the same
pit. Refer to ESM 102 for separation requirements between Communication cables and
high voltage and 1500V dc cable pits.
The installation of low voltage and signalling cables with high voltage cables should be
avoided. However, if it is necessary to locate all services in the same pit, the high voltage
cable(s) shall be grouped and identified as specified in Section 15. Signalling or low
voltage cables shall be physically separated by a continuous rigid barrier.
High voltage cable joints shall not be located in cable pits with signalling services, low
voltage cables or other utility services.
Other services shall not be installed in high voltage and 1500V dc cable pits unless prior
approval has been granted by the RailCorp Nominated Engineering Authority.
For the purpose of this section pilot wire and DTS fibre optic cables associated with a
high voltage feeder are considered as part of the high voltage cables.

17

Signage
Suitable signs shall be installed in a prominent position where applicable:

RailCorp
Issued February 2012

Confined space signage in accordance with AS 2865

Fall arrest system anchorage points signage in accordance with AS/NZS 1891.4
Safe working load of each pulling eye
Warning sign for the presence of gas cables in the pit
Danger High Voltage warning sign

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18

Design documentation

18.1

For Construction drawings

Design drawings for Electrical aspects of cable pits shall comply with TMD 0001
Sections 1, 2 and 4, and include details of the following:

Geographical location of the pit

Drainage arrangements
Plans and sections showing relevant dimensions
Arrangement of cable entries and ducts, including duct sizes and identifications of
cables in each duct
Arrangement for segregation of services
Arrangements for support of cables and joints
Cable runs through the pit with bending radius for each cable
Provision for access and egress
Pulling eyes
Anchorage for fall arrest systems, if applicable
Signage

Structural design of cable pits shall be documented separately in another set of drawings
complying with TMD 0001 Sections 1, 2 and 3.

18.2

Other design documents

The Designer shall provide the following documents to support the design as shown on
the For Construction drawings:
Relevant water table levels at the cable pits (see section 4)
Proposed maintenance strategy demonstrating the adequacy of the cable pit
locations and dimensions for repairing future cable faults (see section 7)
The Designer shall provide other documents and calculations to support the design
drawings as required by the RailCorp nominated engineering authority.

18.3

As built drawings
A full set of drawings, as listed in section 18.1 and showing the as-built configuration of
the cable pit(s), shall be provided for acceptance by the RailCorp Nominated Engineering
Authorities within 4 weeks of commissioning of any of the cables in the pit.

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Appendix A

EP 20 00 04 05 SP

Cable Layout Configuration in Pits

Circular Pits

Acceptable but not preferred. Rectangular pit is the preferred arrangement

Pulling eyes shall be installed opposite the cable entry and exit positions as indicated on
the diagram by the symbol o

Rectangular Pits

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