ABB unveils DC circuit breaker for urban rail applications

Switzerland based ABB (ASEA Brown Boveri), a leading global power and automation technology firm, recently launched a high-speed DC circuit breaker suitable for use in light rail, inter-city and urban locomotives. The new DCTrac circuit breaker, designed for metro trains, trams and trolley buses maximises performance but minimises weight and maintenance needs. It needs half the space and weighs only about two thirds as other circuit breakers. The DCTrac comes in two models – DCTrac915 and DCTrac1815 – with operating currents of 1.5kA and make-break capacities of up to 30kA. They can be used maintenance-free for over 200,000 operations and can withstand temperatures ranging from frigid to humid. The DCTrac series also complies with EU norms on restrictions for hazardous substances for electrical equipment. The DCTrac915 has been installed on a pilot basis on a BE4 / 8DUEWAG Vevey tram in Geneva’s city centre and by Swiss national rail operator SBB on its Bem 550 electric multiple units (EMU).