BASIC APPLICATION GUIDELINES & PROGRAMMING
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5-40
SIG-00-22-02 JUNE 2022 (Revised September 2022)
Version: B.1
5.7
Wiring Requirements
WARNING
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE RAILROAD’S OR AGENCY’S APPROVED
WIRING OR INSTALLATION GUIDELINES MAY LEAD TO POSSIBLE
UNSAFE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM.
5.7.1 Battery Wiring
Battery wiring to the GCE should be #10 AWG stranded minimum and twisted in pair. The wires
are connected to the shelter battery surge suppression panel. For proper battery surge
protection, the battery surge suppression panel should be wired as shown in Figure 2-2.
5.7.2 Case Wiring
Case wiring to the GCE should be #16 AWG stranded. See Section 2 for further information.
5.7.3 Track Wiring
Table 5-1 Maximum Distances for Track Wire by AWG Size
WIRE SIZE
DIAMETER (INCH)
DIAMETER (MILLIMETER)
MAXIMUM DISTANCE (FT./M)
14 AWG
0.0641
1.628
2000/609.6
13 AWG
0.0720
1.828
2500/762.0
12 AWG
0.0808
2.053
3100/944.9
11 AWG
0.0907
2.305
4000/1219.2
10 AWG
0.1019
2.588
5000/1524.0
Equipment connections to the rails should be as short as practical (preferably less than a 100 ft.
{30.5 m} pair) and should be #9 AWG or #6 AWG. For lengths of 100 – 300 ft. (30.5 – 91.4 m),
use #6 AWG. If the lengths exceed 300 ft. (91.4 m), Receiver Rail to Line Coupler, 7A377-1-f,
Receiver Rail to Line Coupler, 7A377-2-f, or Transmitter Rail to Line Coupler, 7A399-f, should
be used. The 7A377-1-f, 7A377-2-f, or 7A399-f couplers must be emplaced in a weatherproof
shelter that is positioned as close as possible to the track, but no more than 100 ft. (30.5 m)
from the track. Track wires should be plug connected or welded to the rails.
Typically, the maximum distance between the Line to Receiver Coupler, 7A388 and the
Receiver Line-to-Rail Coupler, 7A377-1-f or 7A377-2-f, or the Line to Receiver Coupler, 7A388
and the Transmitter Line-to-Rail Coupler, 7A399-f is 2000 ft. (609.6 m), when using #14 AWG
stranded wire. Table 7-1 provides the maximum distance possible between the Couplers for 10
AWG through 14 AWG, inclusive.