COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Colour Light Signal is a signal which displays lights of different colours, depending
upon the aspect of the signal to be conveyed to the driver. It is a sleek equipment fitted on a
post. With increase in Railway Electrification and other modernization works, use of colour
light signals is increasing day by day on Indian Railways.

2.0 SALIENT FEATURES OF COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL

„ Colour light signal displays the same aspect during day and night.

„ Colour light signal gives information of next signal in advance to the driver i.e. gives
prewarning to control the speed of train.

„ Colour light signals have multiple units, depending upon the aspects to be conveyed.
Two aspect signal has two unit , three aspect has three unit and four aspect has four
unit.

„ Each aspect consists of a doublet lens arrangement, a lamp holder and a transformer.
Recently RDSO have also developed and standardized LED based CLS units
wherein lenses, lamp holder and transformer are not required.

„ The colour light signal unit is painted in black colour. The post is painted in white
colour except for second distant signal, where post is painted with black & yellow
strips alternatively at the interval of 300 mm.

„ The normal aspects of a colour light stop signal are shown in fig. 1. In any stop
signal, Red aspect is provided at bottom only.

YELLOW

GREEN GREEN

YELLOW
YELLOW

RED RED

THREE ASPECT STOP SIGNAL FOUR ASPECT STOP SIGNAL

FIG.NO.1

3.0 ADVANTAGES OF COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL

„ No moving part, hence virtually maintenance free.

„ Light weight structure, hence fast and easy installation.
„ Better visibility particularly during night and foggy weather.
„ Day and night aspects are same.
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4.0 MAIN PARTS OF COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL

Signal unit consists of following parts:-

4.1 Outer lens

The diameter of outer lens is

213 mm. The outer surface
of
lens is plane and inner
surface is stepped as shown
in fig. The stepped lens
enables better use to be made
of the light emitted and Outside plane
increases its transmittance surface
value. Stepping also reduces OUTER LENS
the weight of the lens FIG. NO. 2
4.2 Inner lens

The diameter of inside lens

is 140 mm. Inside lens is a
coloured lens i.e. Green or
Yellow or Red. In each
aspect of colour light
signal, inner lens and outer Outside stepped
lens are provided as surface
doublet combination for INNER LENS
good visibility. FIG. NO. 3

4.3 Frame

It is provided for each aspect of signal. The lenses are properly secured with jointing
compound/gland packing asbestos on the frame. A hood is also attached to the frame. L
bracket on which lamp holder is fixed is also mounted on the frame. Frame is made of
Aluminum alloy casting. To prevent theft of these units, RDSO have developed these parts
in FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) also.

4.4 Lamp holder

Transformer
110/12V AC
Lamp holder is made of PBT. It is provided
for fixing the lamp. It has three grooves to
accommodate lamp pins. At the bottom, it
Lamp holder
has two phosphor bronze contact springs
L - bracket which firmly make the connection with
lamp pole. The lamp feed wires are
terminated on two bolts as shown in fig
above.
FIG.NO.4

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4.5 ‘L’ bracket

‘L’ bracket is provided for each aspect in signal unit. Lamp holder is mounted on it. It has
two vertical and two horizontal oblong holes. At the time of focusing the lamp, the lamp
holder can be moved horizontally for horizontal adjustment as well as vertically for vertical
adjustment.

4.6 Lamp

TRIPLE POLE LAMP

FIG. NO. 5

Generally three types of lamps are used in Colour Light Signals :

„ Single filament lamp 12V, 24 W

„ Double filament lamps 12V, 33W
„ Triple pole lamps 12 V, 24 W and 12 V, 33W

Auxiliary
filament

Main filament

DOUBLE FILAMENT LAMP SINGLE FILAMENT LAMP

FIG. NO. 6

Each signal lamp has three pins, which hold the lamp correctly in its position. Before putting
into service, lamps are tested to avoid its premature fusing in field.

4.7 Hood
Hood
Hood is provided to
prevent entry of
light/external light on
signal lens. It increases
contrast and visibility Mounting
socket or
tripod
turn table
FIG. NO 7

COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL JULY’ 1999

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4.8 Cover

Cover is provided with gasket to prevent entry of water/dust inside the compartment. It is
locked to prevent outside interference.

4.9 Ventilator

Ventilation is provided to prevent the over-heating of transformer and lamp.

4.10 Mounting socket/Tripod Turn Table

To adjust the position of signal unit as per geographical condition (up/down gradient,
curvature etc.) for correct alignment of signal.

4.11 Sighting aperture

For correct alignment during focusing of signal.

4.12 Cable termination box

Tail cable from location box to signal is terminated in it. Wiring is done for individual
aspect from cable termination box. A pad lock is provided in terminal box to prevent outside
interference.
4.13 Signal Transformer
Signal transformers are of
„ 110/12 V for all stop signal.
3 4
2 5
0V 1 6
0V
0..5 V Secondary
1.0 V winding side 7 8
Primary
13V
winding side
14.5 V

16 V SIGNAL TRANSFORMER
110 V RDSO DRG. NO.. SA 23014/M

FIG. NO. 8

Secondary side Primary side

1- 0 volt 7- 0.0 volt
2- 0.5 volt 8- 110 volt
3- 1.0 volt
4- 13.0 volt
5- 14.5 volt
6- 16 volt

Normally the transformer has two windings, primary winding and secondary winding.

COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL JULY’ 1999

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5.0 FOCUSING ARRANGEMENT FOR COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL

Cover

Yellow aspect

Red aspect
Ventilation hole

Cable termination
box

Mounting socket

Signal Unit
FIG. NO. 9

To ensure good visibility, it is essential that lamp is focussed to align the beam of light
towards the driver. Red aspect is kept at driver’s eye level.

„ For the purpose of sighting, all signals are provided with lugs drilled with small
apertures at the bottom of the unit. These two holes are aligned in the direction from
which signals are to be sighted.

„ The mounting socket is fixed on the post with three bolts, the entire unit can be tilted
either vertically or horizontally for correct alignment of the beam of light.

„ For focussing of individual aspect, ensure that the inner and outer lens are parallel
and fixed properly in their position.

„ Keep the main filament of bulb at the center of inner/outer lens by proper adjustment
of the lamp holder.

„ To improve the visibility at close range or on curve, use spread light lens.

„ When the Driver stops very close to signal, signal aspect may not be visible to him.
To overcome this problem a prism is molded in the outer lens for close-up
indication, which diverts a part of the light as subsidiary beam from the main light
beam. This should be carefully adjusted to left/right of the track depending on the
location of signal.

COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL JULY’ 1999

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6.0 LAMPS USED IN COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL

6.1 Lamps mostly used in colour light signal are tabulated below :

SR. REF. RATING RATING PURPOSE

NO. TYPE VOLT WATT

1 SL 5 12 4 Repeaters and Indicators,

multilamp type route
indicator with parallel
connection.
2 SL18 12 24 Multi aspect colour light
signal.
3 SL 21 12 Main 24 Multi aspect Colour Light
filament Signals.
16 Auxi. 12
filament
4 SL33 110 25 Direction type route
indicators.
5 SL35 A 12 24/24 (Triple pole with/parallel
filaments) multi aspect
colour light signals.

6.2 Triple pole lamps

Fusing of signal lamps constitutes about 5% of total signal failures. To avoid cases of
blanking of signals and to improve the reliability of signal lighting system, RDSO has
developed a triple pole lamp. Triple pole lamp has two identical filaments, one filament acts
as stand by and starts glowing automatically when the first filament fails. An audio visual
indication can be given at the station so that maintainer can go & replace the lamp as shown
in a typical fig. no.10.

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Distant Inner Distant Home Starter

5

1 km. 1 km. BD
BRAKING DISTANCE

HR DR
110/12

DMECR
HR DR

1 OHM
15 W
DMECR

DR

HMECR
DR

1 OHM
15 w HMECR

HR

RMECR
HR

1 OHM
15 w RMECR

A typical Triple Pole lamp circuit

FIG. NO. 10

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6.3 Pre-testing of signal lamps

Signal lamps must be tested before they are provided on signal. A record of testing of lamps
should be maintained as per table given below.

TABLE FOR BULB TESTING

Type Firm’s Lot Manu. Date of Testing Total Bulbs

Sr. of Name No. Date no. of fused
no. lamp bulbs during
for Testing
Testing
Start Finish

7.0 MAINTENANCE OF COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL LAMPS

Following are the instructions for maintenance of signal lamps.

„ Lamps must be replaced with similar lamps, unless a conscious decision is taken to
replace it with a different lamp.

„ When replacing lamps, check that the pins in the base are turned to the end of the slots
in the receptacle and forced in to place by the contact spring.

„ Lamp voltage should be less than 11 Volts.

„ Lamp should be checked carefully to ensure that it does not have any black/white spot,
if there is any, it should be replaced.

„ Lamp holder should be checked to ensure that contact pressure is sufficient to prevent
intermittent failure.

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8.0 DO’s and DON’Ts

8.1 Do’s

„ Always replace the lamp on due date.

„ Replace the lamp during morning period as experience shows that mostly bulbs fuse
during first 5 hours.

„ Lamp condition should be checked for any blackish/whitish spot, if so observed, such
lamps should be immediately replaced.

„ Signal transformer should be checked for its firm connection and its heating.

„ Clean the lenses and bulbs to ensure proper visibility.

„ Check the gasket, specially before monsoon and replace, if found defective.

8.2 Don’ts

„ Forget to replace the lamp before due date.

„ Forget to provide M-Seal before monsoon to avoid the possibility of leakage.

„ Forget to take the NO LOAD CURRENT of signal transformer. No load current to be

within 15 mA for the cascading to be effective.

„ Forget to close and lock the CLS unit cover after completion of work.

COLOUR LIGHT SIGNAL JULY’ 1999