UIC 558 railway connectors

UIC 558 series

UIC 558 connector with aluminium base housing and composite plug for the remote control line between coaches

In brief. The UIC 558 connector links the remote control and data line between the coaches of locomotive-hauled trains: doors, lighting, public address, passenger information. Painted aluminium base housing, composite plug, 18 crimp contacts (13 contacts in its UIC 568 version), 110 V, IP 67, −50 °C to +120 °C. The Ethernet version falls under IRS 50558. We supply the original part or a Form-Fit-Function alternative, with a reply within 48 working hours.

Below: the variants and their compatibility, the link with IRS 50558, and what we need to quote.

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What is a UIC 558 connector used for?

It carries control signals and data from one vehicle to the next on a locomotive-hauled passenger train. Harting cites lighting, door opening, audio announcements and digital data. Destination indicators and driving from a driving trailer also use this line. The base housing is mounted on the coach, the plug at the end of the inter-vehicle cable. That is the whole point: coaches of different ages can be coupled in the same train.

13 or 18 contacts: which variant, which compatibility?

The number of contacts follows the history of the cable. The original line, standardised by UIC leaflet 568, had 13 conductors. To add the train communication network bus (TCN, IEC 61375) and side-selective door control, an 18-conductor cable was adopted: this is the UIC 558 version. It remains compatible with coaches that have not been upgraded: a 13-contact plug engages in an 18-contact socket.

Variant	Standard and cable	Compatibility
13 contacts	UIC leaflet 568, UIC 568 cable	Mates with an 18-contact socket
18 contacts	UIC leaflet 558, UIC 558 cable (5 additional conductors for the TCN bus and side-selective door control)	Accepts a 13-contact plug
IT version (Ethernet)	IRS 50558	See our IRS 50 558 page

Our standard system covers the 13- and 18-contact versions; we do not offer the 22-contact + earth version that Harting has added to its range. Another requirement of the family: the two halves must separate on their own, without damage, if two coupled vehicles move apart. Harting sets this release at 500 N. A replacement part without this breakaway function could turn a shunting incident into a torn-out connection.

What are the specifications of the UIC 558 connector?

Values for the Explorea solution, 13- and 18-contact versions.

Specification	Value
Base housing	Painted aluminium, insert with 13 or 18 crimp contacts
Plug	Composite, removable insert, 13 or 18 crimp contacts
System	Breakaway (separates under tensile load)
Cable	UIC 568 (13-contact version), UIC 558 (18-contact version)
Operating voltage	110 V
Operating temperature	−50 °C to +120 °C
Salt spray resistance	250 h
Ingress protection	IP 67
Fire and smoke	EN 45545-2

Manufacturers do not all publish the same values. TE Connectivity states 110 V DC, IP 67, 500 h salt spray, −50 °C to +120 °C. The Harting 09 58 018 1011 18-contact plug kit shows 60 V and 10 A rated, IP 69 mated. Only the original part number tells you what is fitted to your rolling stock.

UIC 558 or IRS 50558: which standard applies?

IRS 50558 has replaced UIC leaflet 558. According to the UIC, its 2nd edition (1 November 2022) carries over all the requirements of leaflet 558 and adds the train Ethernet bus. It is the same family; what distinguishes our two pages is the variant. The 13- and 18-contact versions carry signals, the IT version of IRS 50558 adds Ethernet; it is described on our IRS 50 558 page.

Standard	Scope
UIC 568	13-conductor remote control cable (13-contact version)
UIC 558 (replaced by IRS 50558)	Remote control and data cable for RIC coaches (18-contact version)
IRS 50558, 2nd edition (1 November 2022)	Interfaces of the remote control and data line, IT version with Ethernet
IEC 61375	Train communication network (TCN)
IEC 61373, category 2	Shock and vibration (cited by Harting)
EN 45545-2	Fire protection: fire and smoke requirements for materials, mandatory for every component fitted to a train

Your UIC 558 connector is no longer made: what do we do?

We first look for the original part in the dormant stock held across our network in Europe and Asia. The original connectors we come across most often are made by Schaltbau, ERA Contact and Harting. Failing that, we reverse-engineer a Form-Fit-Function alternative that reproduces the envelope, pin-out and breakaway function.

Patrick Roseleur, founder of Explorea, worked at Deutsch/CKB (TE Connectivity) and served as rapporteur to CENELEC for EN 50467, the standard on connectors for rolling stock. That standard was replaced in 2023 by EN IEC 62847, which European manufacturers do not yet refer to.

To quote, send us:

the original part number and manufacturer, read from the part or the parts list;
the number of contacts and a photo of the contact face;
a photo of the marking and the cable;
a drawing or an extract from the parts list, if you have one;
the quantity and the rolling stock concerned (coach series, locomotive, driving trailer).

All you have is an engraved number? Run a search by part number.

Frequently asked questions about the UIC 558 connector

What is the difference between UIC 558 and UIC 568?

The number of contacts. UIC leaflet 568 covers the 13-contact version and its 13-conductor cable; UIC leaflet 558, the 18-contact version and its 18-conductor cable. Since 1996, the number 568 has also designated a leaflet on public address and telephone systems in RIC coaches. For a connector, always state the number of contacts.

Does a 13-contact plug work in an 18-contact socket?

Yes, by design: the 18-conductor cable was developed to remain compatible with coaches fitted with the 13-contact version. The 13-contact plug engages in the 18-contact socket and its signals pass through. The five additional conductors of the 18-contact version serve the TCN bus and side-selective door control.

Does the UIC 558 connector carry Ethernet?

No. The 13- and 18-contact versions carry control signals and the TCN bus. Train Ethernet entered the standards with the 2022 IRS 50558 and falls under its IT version. For a data link, see our IRS 50 558 connector: 8-pole Ethernet module and 16 signal contacts.