RSE Enclosures – Fire protection for rail vehicles

Electrical systems on and in railway vehicles are subject to special protection classes for fire protection reasons. The fire on the French side of the Mont Blanc tunnel more than 20 years ago showed just how important this fire protection is in areas where people are being transported. Since then, standards for fire protection projects have been significantly improved.
Today, a fire in a railway vehicle has become extremely unlikely. Nevertheless, compliance with the necessary safety standards is still a key aspect in the design and construction of railway vehicles.
What to do if there is still a fire? swibox answers this question with the innovative sandwich construction of the RSW enclosure series. Standard and special enclosures made of aluminium and stainless steel guarantee protection from E30 to EI30.

"E" vs. "EI"

swibox RSE enclosures have been successfully tested and certified “E” and “EI” in accordance with DIN EN 45545-3 and DIN EN 1363-1.

E classification

Room closure over a certain period of time
No passage of flames from the side facing the fire to the side facing away from it
The flame is applied according to the standard temperature curve. The entire test is carried out in accordance with EN 1363
Example: “E30”: The test specimen withstands the test for 30 minutes, there is no flame formation on the side facing away from the flame

EI classification

Room closure as for test criterion “E”
Additional thermal insulation “I”
Measurement of the temperature on the side of the test specimen facing away from the flame.
The temperature must not exceed 200° C (180° C above room temperature).
Example: “EI30”: The test specimen withstands the test for 30 minutes.

DIN EN45545

The rail-based transport of people and goods is a central element of European transport policy and is to be further expanded in future for climate policy and environmental reasons. The safety of passengers and staff is always a priority, especially in the unlikely event of a fire on a train. Alongside heat and direct flames, toxic gases are the greatest source of danger that must be avoided. The EU standard DIN EN 45545 regulates how to deal with sources of danger in rail transport so that the greatest possible safety can be guaranteed. The standard differentiates between operating and design classes.

Operating class

The operating class determines where a component is installed in rail transport. This takes into account how easily and quickly a possible evacuation can take place.
1 = above-ground operation
2 = Tunnel < 5 km
3 = Tunnel > 5 km
4 = No lateral evacuation possible

Construction class

The design class considers the rail vehicle itself and weights possible hazards.
N = Normal/standard operation
A = Automatic operation (no staff for emergencies)
D = Double-decker vehicles with increased passenger volume
S = Sleeping car

Hazard class

DIN EN 45545 defines three hazard classes, from HL1 (simple) to HL3 (complex).

Construction class N
Operating class 1
Operating class 2
Operating class 3
Operating class 4

Construction class N
HL1
HL2
HL2
HL3

Construction class A
HL1
HL2
HL2
HL3

Construction class D
HL1
HL2
HL2
HL3

Construction class S
HL1
HL2
HL3
HL3

RSE enclosure with room closure E30

RSE-I30W2

swibox RSE-I30W2 enclosures made of stainless steel are robust standard enclosures and have been specially developed for use in industrial and outdoor areas. Water, dust, heat, cold or mechanical shocks – the swibox-RSE I30W2 enclosures are designed for such environmental conditions.
The body is edged and seam-welded. The enclosures fulfil the fire resistance requirements of EN 45545-3 and provide a room closure of up to E30. They are therefore ideally suited for use in vehicle construction. In addition, the enclosures meet the requirements of DIN EN 45545 for railway applications.
swibox RSE-F30W2 enclosures have been tested as a system. This means that they can be used with the cable entry system from Roxtec and the connectors from Phoenix Contact without further testing.

Technical Data

Fire resistance: EN45545: E30
Protection class: IP66
Impact resistance: IK10
Protective insulation: I
Continuous operating temperature: max. +110°C
Continuous operating temperature: min. -40°C
Cover material: AISI 304 / AISI 316
Material enclosure: AISI 304 / AISI 316
Gasket material: Silicone
Housing colour: 400 pre-ground stainless steel
Closure: Stainless steel sash lock
Fire test MPA Dresden P No. 20220061

Enclosure types

Project profile (german online)

RSE-I30W4

swibox RSE-I30-W4 aluminium enclosures are robust standard enclosures and have been specially developed for use in industrial and outdoor applications. Water, dust, heat, cold or mechanical shocks – the swibox RSE-I30W4 enclosures are designed for such environmental conditions.
The enclosures fulfil the fire resistance requirements of EN 45545-3 and guarantee a room closure of up to E30. They are therefore ideally suited for use in vehicle construction. In addition, the enclosures meet the requirements of DIN EN 45545 for railway applications. The paint finish also fulfils the requirements for HL3 in accordance with EN45545.
The swibox RSE-I30W4 enclosures have been tested in the system. This means that they can be used with the cable entry system from Roxtec and the connectors from Phoenix Contact without further testing.

Technical data

Protection class: IP66
Impact resistance: IK09
Protective insulation: I
Continuous operating temperature: max. +100°C
Continuous operating temperature: min. -40°C
Continuous operating temperature with special seal: max. +140°C
Continuous operating temperature with special seal: min. -50°C
Cover material: Aluminium type EN AC-AISi9
Material enclosure: Aluminium type EN AC-AISi9
Material screws: Stainless steel V2A
Housing colour: RAL7001
Approved for applications according to EN 45545
Fire test MPA Dresden P No. 20220061
Paint finish EN 45545 HL 3: DB-ST-AU-17-52391-068-1.1

Enclosure types

RSE enclosure with room closure and EI30 thermal insulation

RSE-F30W2

swibox RSE-F30W2 enclosures made of stainless steel are robust standard enclosures and have been specially developed for use in industrial and outdoor areas. Water, dust, heat, cold or mechanical shocks – the swibox RSE F30W2 enclosures are designed for such environmental conditions.
The body is edged and seam-welded. The enclosures fulfil the fire resistance requirements of EN 45545-3 and provide a room closure of up to EI30. This makes them ideal for use in vehicle construction. In addition, the enclosures meet the requirements for HL 3 in accordance with DIN EN 45545 for railway applications.
swibox RSE-F30W2 enclosures have been system tested. This means that they can be used with the cable entry system from Roxtec and the connectors from Phoenix Contact without further testing.

RSE-F30W2

Technical Data

Fire resistance: EN45545: EI30
Protection class: IP66
Impact resistance: IK10
Protective insulation: I
Continuous operating temperature: max. +110°C
Continuous operating temperature: min. -40°C
Cover material: AISI 304 / AISI 316
Material enclosure: AISI 304 / AISI 316
Gasket material: Silicone
Fire protection: Intumescent with thermal insulation
Housing colour: 400 pre-ground stainless steel
Closure: Sash lock stainless steel
Fire test MPA Dresden P No. 20181118
Fire test MPA Dresden P No. 20171213

Enclosure types

Project profile (german online)

RSE-F30W4

swibox RSE-F30-W4 aluminium terminal enclosures are robust standard enclosures and have been specially developed for use in industrial and outdoor applications. Water, dust, heat, cold or mechanical shocks – the swibox RSE-F30W4 enclosures are designed for such environmental conditions.
The enclosures fulfil the fire resistance requirements of EN 45545-3 and ensure a room closure of up to EI30. This makes them ideal for use in vehicle construction. In addition, the enclosures meet the requirements of DIN EN 45545 for railway applications. The paint finish also fulfils the requirements for HL3 in accordance with EN45545.
The swibox RSE-F30W4 enclosures have been tested in the system. This means that they can be used with the cable entry system from Roxtec and the connectors from Phoenix Contact without further testing.

Technical data

Fire resistance EN 45545: EI30
Protection class: IP66
Impact resistance: IK09
Protective insulation: I
Continuous operating temperature: max. +100°C
Continuous operating temperature: min. -40°C
Continuous operating temperature with special seal: max. +140°C
Continuous operating temperature with special seal: min. -50°C
Cover material: Aluminium type EN AC-AISi9
Material enclosure: Aluminium type EN AC-AISi9
Material screws: Stainless steel V2A
Fire protection: Intumescent with thermal insulation
Housing colour: RAL7001
Approved for applications according to EN 45545
Fire test MPA Dresden P No. 20220061
Paint finish EN 45545 HL 3: DB-ST-AU-17-52391-068-1.1

Enclosure types

Project profile (german online)

RSE Polycarbonate enclosure

RSE-I00W0

The RSE-I00 enclosure series is made of a newly developed, impact-resistant and weatherproof polycarbonate and fulfils the requirements for fire behaviour in accordance with EN 45545 for hazard class HL3. The material is also self-extinguishing in accordance with UL94V-0/5VA. The cover screws are made of stainless steel.
The swibox-RSE-I00 series demonstrates its superiority particularly in areas of application with an increased risk of corrosion. With a seamlessly foamed-in 2-component polyurethane seal, it achieves protection class IP66/69. The enclosures can easily withstand cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner or short-term immersion. This makes them ideal for use in vehicle construction, tunnelling or classic plant engineering. The enclosures also meet the requirements of DIN EN 45545-2 for railway applications.

Enclosure types

Technical data

Fire behaviour EN 45545: HR3
Protection class: IP66/69
Impact resistance: IK10
Protective insulation: II
Rated insulation voltage: 750 V
Continuous operating temperature: max. +100°C
Continuous operating temperature: min. -40°C
Cover material: Polycarbonate
Material enclosure: Polycarbonate
Gasket material: Polyurethane
Material screws: Stainless steel V2A
Housing colour: RAL7001
Flame protection: V-0/5VA
Seamless foamed seal
Suitable for outdoor use
Suitable for indoor use

System components for RSE enclosures

Roxtec

Sealing solutions for cables, pipes and conduits
Roxtec cable and pipe seals benefit equipment manufacturers, system builders and end users. The space-saving Roxtec seals are easy to integrate and easy to install. Feed pre-assembled cables of different sizes through each cut-out, assemble your cabinet or machine in the factory and only do the finishing touches on site.

To Roxtec-Website

Phoenix Contact

Components from Phoenix Contact are used wherever systems and products in railway vehicles need to be supplied with power or signals and data need to be distributed. Our products are characterised by reliability and safety. They are also suitable for installation in confined spaces.

To Phoenix Contact-Website

Heavy-duty connectors for the railcar junction
The HEAVYCON HPR and ADVANCE enclosures are specially designed for outdoor use on rail vehicles. Thanks to their robust design with IP68/IP69K protection, they protect the built-in fixed-pole or modular contact inserts. The connectors fulfil the increased requirements of the railway industry. They ensure a permanent and interference-free connection of electrical cables and data transmissions both in indoor applications and at wagon junctions.

Moulded M12 cables for rolling stock
The M12 RAIL series from Phoenix Contact includes sensor/actuator cabling in A-coding, Ethernet and PROFINET cabling in 4-pole D-coded design and X-coded cables for high data rates (10 GBit/s). These materials fulfil the fire protection requirements of DIN EN 45545-2 and can therefore be used in rail vehicles without any problems.

To Phoenix Contact-Website