DC Airco - AC and DC-Powered Air-Conditioning Units for Trains

DC Airco, a company based in the in the Netherlands, has specialised in energy efficient air conditioners since 1997.
It is active in 5 markets, including:

• Railway vehicles
• Defence vehicles and unmanned diesel or solar powered border patrol stations
• Underground mining refuge shelters
• Remote telecommunications stations
• Special vehicles

Energy efficient air conditioners

Some of the main features of DC Airco units include the following:

• Two thirds lower energy consumption
• No excessive power surge during start-up
• Standard rooftop / ceiling / under mount units, according to a modular system to ensure high quality combined with an acceptable cost level
• Custom-made units, possible in small and large series
• Units supplied in AC or DC voltages
• Cooling power ranges from 2.5kW to 15 kW (multiple units can be used to reach the desired cooling duty). Controlled with a PLC
• Extensive research and development ensure high-quality, low-maintenance products that last for many years

Modular system-designed products for rail, defence, telecom and mining

DC Airco manufactures a range of standard products designed according to a modular system to ensure high quality and lower cost. 20,000+ units are in use all over the world for projects in rail, defence, telecom, mining and other applications.

Railway units are designed and manufactured to meet the following EU legislation:

• EN 14813-1-2006 air conditioning for driving cabs
• EN 14750-1+2 air conditioning for suburban passenger trains
• EN 2004/108/EC; EN 50121-3-2:2006 ; EN 55011:2007/A2 ; EN 61000-4-2/6 EMC
• EN 61373 vibration and shock resistance for rolling stock
• EN 45545-2 ; NF F16-101-F2 : BS 6853 , Din 5510/2 fire resistance regulations
• EN 2006/42/EC machine safety regulations

Air conditioning control system malfunction warning

All units are designed to have minimal maintenance intervals to minimise the life cycle cost. As an option, the air conditioners can be equipped with a control system that warns the driver and or maintenance crew in case of any malfunction. This information can be given on a display or through a GSM / Wi-Fi connection.

Environmentally-friendly air conditioning units

DC Airco units have a low impact on the environment because of low energy consumption. Due to the unit's high efficiency, it uses less energy than a similar product, but with the same cooling duty. DC Airco units have minimal refrigerant losses.

The DC Airco engineers use only high-quality materials, such as special refrigerant hoses that have minimal losses, therefore minimising impact on the environment and maintenance. The refrigerant used is R134A, which has no impact on the ozone-layer, is a green house gas, but as it is inflammable it is the only safe low-pressure option.

CO2 systems have less efficiency and therefore use more power to make the same cooling, as well as requiring more recharging. Due to the higher system pressures it will also have more leaks.

Some of the railway air conditioning projects DC Airco has been involved in include:

• 1999 - Metro Amsterdam
• 2001 - Metro Amsterdam
• 2006 - FGW UK (class 165/166)
• 2007 - FGW UK (class 165/166)
• 2008 - FCC UK (class 313)
• 2008 - Nexia UK (class 153)
• 2008 - Nexia (class 156)
• 2008 - Southern (class 456)
• 2008 - Tata Steel NL
• 2009 - FGW UK (class 143)
• 2009 - FGW UK (class 150)
• 2009 - FGW UK (class 153)
• 2009 - FGW UK (class 158)
• 2009 - Nexia (class 317)
• 2009 - FCC UK (class 317)
• 2010 - Southern (class 313)
• 2010 - Thai Railways (GE locs)
• 2010 - FCC UK (class 313)
• 2010 - GBRF UK (class 66)
• 2010 - GBRF UK (class 66)
• 2010 - EMD UK (class 66)
• 2011 - Arriva UK (class 158)
• 2012 - FGW UK (class 150)
• 2012 - FGW UK (class 150)
• 2012 - FGW UK (class 153)
• 2012 - FGW UK (class 165)
• 2012 - Eurotunne (Krupps)
• 2012 - Lihuania Rail (DR-AM)
• 2012 - Grindrod South Africa (NRE loc)

Other non - Railway clients include but are not limited to:

• Telecom: Alcatel, BP Solar, Ericsson, Emerson, Nokia Siemens, Thales, Saudi Aramco
• Defence: Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, EADS security and defence, Saab
• Mining: Several global mining companies