When a train enters a new catenary system, not only the supply of the traction current converters in the locomotive or drive unit have to be adapted: the voltage, the type of current and the frequency also change for the train line that supplies the passenger cars with electricity.

The on-board converters supply the necessary voltage for each consumer of a passenger car: whether it is the air conditioning, the battery charger and lighting or the power sockets for the passengers’ electrical devices.

High-voltage consumers such as converters or heaters that are unable to automatically adapt to changing voltage systems are either consecutively or simultaneously switched on depending on the train line, to ensure that they are supplied with the correct operating voltage. Schaltbau provides two strong components to deal with this regrouping:

The ZH1114 voltage selector monitors the train line. If it detects a new UIC voltage (1 / 1.5 / 3 kV AC or 1.5 / 3 kV DC), it triggers the high-voltage changeover unit and its high-voltage contacts enable the consumers to be load-free and reliably regrouped. The servomotor of the changeover unit remains active until it has triggered the desired switching combination and it has been signalled. The contactor is electrically locked when switching over in order to rule out failures.

Features of the voltage selector and high-voltage changeover unit system:

• CE-certified, EMC-tested microprocessor controls
• Measurement range up to 6 kV DC and 5 kV AC (16.7 … 50 Hz)
• Exclusion of switching errors and switching under load
• Determined function in the overlapping areas
• Avoidance of unnecessary grouping procedures

Voltage selectors and changeover units are not only used in passenger cars but also for electric multiple units equipped with converters that can only be operated with a maximum of 1.5 kV. These vehicles have multi-voltage capability thanks to technology made by Schaltbau.