Home Forums General Discussion Code Questions ETS & ESLD

Looking for some input on how everyone looks at the rationale of requirements of ETSD and ETSLD.

Although it doesn't spell it out in the code (we have adopted A17.1 B44 2016), when performing an ETS test, the car or cwt is allowed to strike the buffer but not compress it enough to trip the buffer switch. If we use reduced stroke buffers and have an ETSLD then it can strike the buffer at or below rated speed which would fully compress it. The code says that if the controller has an ETSLD function than the ETS function is not required (2.25.4.2). If the ETSLD is allowed to replace the function of the ETS than why can the ETSLD perform a buffer strike but the ETSD cannot?

thoughts?

Where did you come up with the buffer switch not tripping, this is the first time I'm hearing this interpretation of the test. Once a ETS is tripped, all circuits are disables and the buffer switch would not make a difference. The ETSD is not meant to stop the buffer from being struck, but remove the power from the motor and set the machine brakes so buffer is struck at a the lowest speed possible. You just need to be able to verify the etsd is tripping before the buffer switch.

you are allowed to strike the buffer during ETS/ETSL..where i work we try to setup it up so the car stops in the door zone, but this is not a code requirement. it can be difficult to achieve this on older equipment so generally set up the brake so it doesn't fully compress the buffer. again, not a code requirement.