Successful test operation in the drive control of South African suburban trains. The four CT contactors per train unit are laterally mounted directly behind the current collector (3000 volts DC).

A completely new and unique concept is implemented in the CT1000: a sophisticated but simply designed system combines the benefits of electromagnetic and permanent-magnetic blowout technology. This design has a number of advantages which directly benefit the user:

Regardless of the direction of the current

Thanks to the mirror-image design the CT contactor functions regardless of the direction of the current. Unidirectional or bidirectional direct current or alternating current can be switched with the same device.

Low-wear, compact design

The arcs dwell for an extremely short time in the contact zones because they are already ignited in a powerful permanent magnetic field. Burn-up on the contacts is thus kept to a minimum.

The arc itself activates the electromagnetic fields that blow it into the arc chute. Thus the coils only need to feed high current for a minimal amount of time and can therefore be relatively lightly constructed. No additional mechanical or electrical elements are required (advanced contacts, wires, etc.). Thus wear-sensitive components can be omitted and the design remains relatively straightforward and compact.

No critical current range

The invention also shows its strengths in its ability to reliably switch off lower currents at high voltage: if the power of the electromagnetic blowout field is not sufficient, the arcs are stretched by the influence of the permanent magnet and thereby extinguished. The critical current range – typical for purely electromagnetic blowout concepts – is not present in the CT.

Easy to install and modular

The CT contactor is relatively compact in comparison to others of its class. It is designed for straightforward integration in the current circuit.

The design and the dimensions of the contactor enable multi-pole systems to be constructed.

A technically efficient and economically viable product has grown up from the CT concept that can be used in all kinds of railway networks throughout the world.