| Abstract |
Multi-system locomotives and high-speed trains are gaining increased importance- especially for
Europe’s common market. Up to four different railway supply systems (AC 15 kV/16 2/3 Hz,
AC 25 kV/50 Hz and 1.5 kV DC, 3 kV DC) are installed throughout Europe. From the technical side,
multi-system locomotives are implicating a lot of challenges. In the past many designs suffered from
high weight of the electrical equipment, complexity of the power circuit and restricted performance.
As a key point for major improvements the development of powerful 6.5 kV-power semiconductors
(GTOs, IGBTs, diodes) has been initiated since several years.
These semiconductors enable the use of standard two-level inverters operating directly off the 3 kV
DC line. Combined with the well established modular power converter concept using two-level half
bridges, a simplified and uniform main circuit and control structure becomes possible. The significant
advantages of this technical concept and its stability for the future (6.5 kV - IGBT) are explained
together with the application in new multi-system locomotives. |
