Protecting existing railway signalling terminals can present a practical engineering challenge. A 2BA Terminal Block Protective Cover needs to provide an additional barrier against accidental contact while accommodating the installation and testing requirements of existing equipment.
RSP developed Magshields, (2BA Terminal Block Covers) to address this challenge for existing 2BA terminals. The design offers a retrofit approach to touch protection without requiring the terminal blocks themselves to be replaced.
The result is a solution designed around the practical requirements of railway signalling, from installation through to ongoing maintenance.
Addressing the challenge of existing terminals
Railway signalling installations can contain equipment that has been in service for many years. Where existing 2BA terminals need additional touch protection, replacing the terminal blocks is not necessarily the only option.
Replacing terminals can disturb existing wiring and require additional work. The extent of that work will depend on the installation and its requirements.
A terminal block protective cover offers an alternative approach: fitting a cover over the existing terminal rather than replacing the terminal block itself.
This was the principle behind RSP’s development of Magshields. The covers provide an additional protective barrier for existing 2BA terminals, making them relevant to engineers, maintainers and signalling contractors working with legacy installations.
Designing for practical installation
A protective cover needs to be practical to install as well as suitable for its intended application.
Magshields are designed to fit existing 2BA terminals and can be installed using a standard 2BA nut runner, without requiring special tools.
The published average installation time is 16 seconds per cover. Across an installation containing multiple terminals, this can help reduce the time needed to fit the covers.
Because the covers fit over the existing terminals, the approach avoids replacing the terminal blocks themselves. The work required will depend on the specific installation and the applicable procedures.
Maintaining access for testing
Introducing additional protection around electrical terminals also needs to take account of inspection, testing and maintenance.
Magshields incorporate 4 mm test-point holes, allowing testing and measurement to be carried out through the designated openings with the covers fitted. This feature is intended to support access for testing without automatically requiring the covers to be removed.
The design also accommodates terminals requiring red dome nuts.
These details matter because a 2BA terminal block protective cover needs to work alongside the practical requirements of railway signalling maintenance, rather than create unnecessary obstacles to routine work.
Testing must still be carried out in accordance with the applicable procedures for the installation.
Configurations for different terminal arrangements
Terminal layouts vary between installations, so a single cover configuration will not suit every requirement.
The Magshields range includes 1-way, 2-way, 4-way and 6-way covers for different terminal arrangements. A separate cover is also available for BS714 cartridge fuse holders.
This range gives engineers and procurement teams options when identifying the appropriate cover for an existing installation.
RSP’s product information sets out the available configurations and relevant technical details. These should be checked when selecting a cover for a particular application.
Designed for railway signalling applications
Magshields were developed specifically for railway signalling use. RSP’s published technical information states that the covers are designed in accordance with NR/L2/SIG/11201 Mod B3.
The product also has Network Rail acceptance for covers for 2BA terminals and BS714 cartridge fuse holders, as specified in the relevant acceptance documentation.
For engineers and contractors assessing a requirement, it is important to select the appropriate configuration and confirm that the product and its acceptance scope meet the requirements of the intended application.
A practical retrofit approach
The development of Magshields demonstrates how a focused component design can address a specific challenge in existing railway infrastructure.
Rather than replacing serviceable terminal blocks, the covers provide an additional protective barrier over existing 2BA terminals. Their installation method, test-point access and range of configurations reflect the practical considerations involved in railway signalling maintenance.
For organisations reviewing protection arrangements on existing installations, a retrofit cover may offer an alternative to terminal replacement, subject to the circumstances and requirements of the site.
Explore terminal block protective covers from RSP
Explore the RSP Magshields 2BA terminal block covers product page for technical information, part numbers, available configurations and further product details.
Have a specific requirement? Contact RSP Rail to discuss your project with our team.