ECH and PWM — rectifiers and PWM converters for DC traction substations
Power conversion equipment for traction substations of DC electrified railways and metros. The ECH rectifier is cooled by heat pipes with pure water and works without heating down to −20 °C. The IGBT PWM converter regulates the voltage in the contact network.
- ECH Eco rectifier
- rectifier with heat-pipe cooling on pure water, without perfluorocarbons (PFC)
- Operation without heating
- down to −20 °C
- ECH installation area
- 46% smaller (compared with the previous version)
- PWM converter
- IGBT-based, voltage regulation in the DC contact network
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
The ECH series rectifier (Eco rectifier) converts the alternating current of the supply network into direct current for the contact network of a traction substation. Its distinctive feature is a cooling system on heat pipes filled with pure water. Unlike earlier designs with evaporative cooling, it does not use perfluorocarbons (PFC), which are greenhouse gases. The heat pipes carry heat from the valves to the heat sink passively, without pumps in the cooling circuit. The rectifier feeds direct current into the contact network, so the voltage at the train's current collector depends on the stability of its operation.
The rectifier works without heating at temperatures down to −20 °C, which allows it to be installed in cold-climate regions. According to the manufacturer, the installation area is reduced by 46% compared with the previous version. A smaller area matters when the substation is placed in a cramped metro room or at a station where there is almost no free space. The ratings for a specific substation are determined by calculating the line load, taking into account the traffic profile and the number of trains.
The IGBT PWM converter is intended to raise the overall efficiency of the DC traction system by regulating the voltage in the contact network. It works with a power factor equal to unity and a low level of current harmonics, which reduces the effect of the traction load on the supply network. Voltage regulation in the contact network keeps it at the required level regardless of load changes when trains accelerate or brake. Such converters are in operation on the Tsukuba Express line in Japan. The equipment is designed for the DC of the contact network, so it is selected by the line voltage and the substation load.
The equipment complements the B-CHOP regenerative energy storage system from the same manufacturer: the rectifier feeds current into the contact network, and the battery system takes the surplus while trains brake. Power and voltage ratings are selected for the substation project and clarified with the manufacturer, so they are not given in the catalog. Applications are traction substations of DC electrified railways and metros.
Technical specifications
| ECH Eco rectifier | rectifier with heat-pipe cooling on pure water, without perfluorocarbons (PFC) |
|---|---|
| Operation without heating | down to −20 °C |
| ECH installation area | 46% smaller (compared with the previous version) |
| PWM converter | IGBT-based, voltage regulation in the DC contact network |
| PWM converter mode | power factor 1, low harmonics |
| Example application of the PWM converter | Tsukuba Express (Japan) |
Request a price and lead time
ECH and PWM — rectifiers and PWM converters for DC traction substations. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Questions and answers
What cooling does the ECH rectifier have?
A system on heat pipes filled with pure water. It does not use perfluorocarbons (PFC), which are greenhouse gases.
Down to what temperature does the ECH work without heating?
Down to −20 °C, so the rectifier can be installed in cold-climate regions. The installation area is 46% smaller than in the previous version.
What does the PWM converter give at a traction substation?
It regulates the voltage in the DC contact network and works with a power factor of 1 and low current harmonics. Such converters are in operation on the Tsukuba Express line.
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