Flat Battery Power Supply from Schaltbau
15 March 2005 14:02
Passenger coaches are supplied with power from the locomotive via the train busbar. Inside the coaches static converters transform high voltages up to 3kV into the required lower voltages for the consumers. The necessary control voltage is provided by a vehicle battery in the coach, which also supplies other consumers with energy. This results in considerable strain of the vehicle battery during downtime and often leads to its deep discharge in the end. As a consequence, the converter cannot do its job when restarted.
Deep discharge accounts for direct costs because it is the cause of a much shorter battery life. Moreover, it affects the availability and the operating efficiency of the system as a whole. Close analysis clearly shows that costs arising from it for every coach and year amount to €900 on average. Not included in this calculation are downtime and the resulting delays which in turn result in a loss of corporate image.
Special starting circuits are available to solve the problem. All equipment used so far, comprising a high-voltage transformer and rectifier as well as an addition of auxiliary batteries, has its disadvantages determined by the system. Not so with the flat battery power supply with static converter which has been launched by Schaltbau GmbH in Munich only recently.
The device is suitable for all power supply systems and can also be used when the supply system is changed, irrespective of the differing voltages and frequencies of the respective systems.
After successful type testing, initial operational experience is now at hand. It is a confirmation of the positive input as outlined in the requirements specification, as well as of the excellent high availability of the system.
Schaltbau GmbH offers two 350W styles: ZH 1801 and ZH 1804. Both are provided with 24V / 15A and 120V / 3A DC outputs. The 500mm x 338mm x 65mm dimensioned ZH 1801 is suitable for input voltages of 1kV or 1.5kV AC or DC, whereas the ZH 1804 (350mm x 338mm x 115 mm) for input voltages of 1kV and 1.5kV AC and 1.5kV and 3kV DC (all in accordance with UIC 550).
In spite of an increased purchase price compared with existing starting circuits, this modern flat battery power supply system is of great commercial benefit, particularly with regard to multi-system coaches.
For more information on this company:
Schaltbau - Connectors, Switches and Contactors for Railway and Industrial Applications
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