TracFeed® TAS Rx - Rail Power Systems

Solid-insulated 25 kV switchgear for 50/60 Hz traction power supply

TracFeed® TAS Rx

Compact and climate-friendly

At the interface between power generation and the overhead contact line system, this innovative traction power switchgear is an asset for both operators and the environment. TracFeed® TAS Rx is the world’s first type-tested switchgear with full solid insulation. 100% free of the climate-damaging insulating and greenhouse gas SF₆, it combines the advantages of environmentally friendly air-insulated switchgear assemblies with the compact dimensions and modularity of gas-insulated switchgear assemblies. TracFeed® TAS Rx is designed to meet the requirements of all 1- and 2-pole systems (50/60 Hz) in long-distance and regional railways with a rated voltage of 25 kV. Thanks to its wide range of modules, both simple and complex supply concepts can be realised.

Your advantages at a glance

Climate-friendly thanks to SF₆-free solid insulation
Modular range of configuration options to suit your requirements
Intuitive operation on the front of the panel
Standardised safety x flexible expansion of the low-voltage compartment
Easy to install and maintain locally

Good for the climate: SF₆-free insulation

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) would be the perfect insulator thanks to low space requirements if it did not also happen to be one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Over a period of 100 years, one kilogramme of SF₆ is just as harmful to the climate as around 25.2 tonnes of CO2.* SF₆ takes around 3,200 years to become ineffective in the atmosphere due to the sun’s high-energy UV radiation. One of Rail Power Systems’ primary goals is to protect the environment in which we live, to produce our products sustainably and to conserve resources for everyone.

* Status at the end of 2023

The product at a glance

Panel view shows the arrangement of the poles

Air-insulated 15 kV switchgear for 16.7 Hz traction power supply – avoids use of the harmful greenhouse gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
Can be used with all feeding types, including autotransformer (AT) and booster systems
Made in Germany: Development and production in Germany
Maximum security
Used by DB, among others

A switchgear for 25 kV rated voltage

TracFeed® TAS Rx can be used with 50/60 Hz traction power systems:

1-pole switchgear (TracFeed® TAS R1P27) in conventional 1 x 25 kV systems or booster systems for direct feeding of the contact line.
2-pole switchgear (TracFeed® TAS R2P27) in 2 x 25 kV autotransformer systems for direct feeding of the contact line

Compliance with railway-specific standards

Type-tested, metal-partitioned switchgear in accordance with EN 62271-200 and EN 50152
Design and output are specially adapted to the requirements of the railway industry
High level of personal safety, as no pressurised partitions are used
The gas-free design means that you can use your own personnel for assembly and maintenance. No special training is required

Minimum dimensions

Compact design and small dimensions (400 mm panel width) enable reduced dimensions of the substation structure (up to 50% possible) and significant cost savings
Low project-specific engineering requirements

Climate and environmentally friendly

First traction power switchgear in Europe with complete epoxy resin insulation (solid insulation) for the railway industry
Complete omission of harmful greenhouse gases (e.g. SF6) or gas mixtures
Clean, sustainable solution for an environmentally friendly future
TracFeed® TAS Rx fulfils the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol

Innovative technology

1-pole and 2-pole switchgear panels can be positioned next to each other in a switchgear assembly
The solid insulation of TracFeed® TAS Rx provides a robust and reliable solution for the specific requirements of the railway industry, while remaining easy to install
Ensures efficient power supply of rail traffic

Production and assembly

Easy to install and maintain

TracFeed® TAS Rx is a factory-manufactured and type-tested switchgear. Each panel is composed of different modules and represents an individual switchgear panel. Installation on site is based on joining the individual switchgear panels to form a complete switchgear assembly. This minimises installation times.

Low-voltage compartment

Flexible expansion of the low-voltage compartment is possible according to individual project-specific requirements
The protective device, control unit or other operating elements can be installed directly in the door
Standard heights of 350 mm or 650 mm

Operating characteristics and maintenance

Principle circuit diagram

The switchgear is easy to operate:

Intuitive operation thanks to a circuit diagram on the front of the panel
Circuit breakers and disconnectors or earthing switches can be switched on and off electrically or by hand
Manual operation is possible if the auxiliary power supply is interrupted

Maintenance

Type-tested, factory-assembled and routine-tested switchgear panels reduce the time and effort required for assembly and commissioning on site
Reduction of packaging waste, use of recyclable materials
Individual modules are easy to replace
Minimum operating and life cycle costs thanks to the use of galvanised, stainless steel and durable components
Low maintenance costs

All-round safe operation

The switchgear assembly is completely metal-enclosed and can be connected directly to the substation’s earthing system. To ensure maximum personal safety and low electromagnetic field strengths, both the phases and the individual functional compartments are partitioned by metal in a pressure-resistant manner.

Other safety characteristics

Integrated mechanical and electrical interlocks to protect people and the system against incorrect operation
Capacitive voltage display for reliable indication of the correct voltage status
Metal parts that are not part of the primary circuit are continuously connected and earthed
The individual assemblies and the entire switchgear panel are designed for maximum personal safety
To ensure the highest quality and safety, each assembly undergoes extensive testing, both during production and during the final routine panel tests
Arc fault tested

Technical data

TracFeed® TAS Rx

Insulation system	Solid and SF₆-free
Rated frequency	50/60 Hz
Rated voltage (Un) 1 pole and 2 poles	25 kV
Rated voltage (U_Ne) 1 pole and 2 poles	27.5 kV
Rated lightning impulse voltage to earth and between poles over isolating distance	200 kV 220 kV
Rated power frequency withstand voltage to earth and between the poles over the isolating distance	95 kV 110 kV
Rated current Rated continuous current (Ir) (EN IEC 62271-200:2021), alternative labelling (CLC/TS 50152-4:2021) Load class IB: Base current IB / overload current	1,250 A 910 A/ 2,000 A (for 5 min/ 1 h)
Rated short-time current (I_k)	up to 25 kA /3 s
Rated peak withstand current (I_p)	up to 63 kA
Installation	Indoor
Installation height	< 1,000 m above sea level
Ambient temperature	-5 °C to +40 °C
Humidity	< 95%
Housing protection type, general	IP3xD
Control compartment, open door Control compartment, closed door	IP3xD IP4x
Height	2,320 mm
Depth	1,250 mm
Width	400 mm
Weight	approx. 900 kg

Standards

Switchgear assembly, general	EN 62271-1, EN 62271-200, CLC/TS 50152-4 EN 50124, EN 50163
Vacuum circuit breaker	EN 62271-100, EN 50152-1
Disconnector/earthing switch	EN 62271-102 EN 50152-2
Voltage transformer	EN 61869-2 (EN 60044-1), EN 50152-3-2
Current transformer	EN 61869-3 (EN 60044-2), EN 50152-3-3

2-pole TracFeed®TAS R2P27 for Autotransformer (AT) systems

1-pole TracFeed®TAS R1P27 for Contact Line systems

Modular versatile configuration

TracFeed®TAS Rx is based on a modular system. All modules have epoxy resin insulation with a metallised, earthed surface. Thanks to its modularity, a wide variety of system concepts can be realised efficiently and economically. A circuit diagram on the front of the panel shows the respective configuration of the switchgear panel.

Current and voltage transformer module

Positioning at the outlet or on the busbar
The transmission ratio, accuracy class and rated power are determined on a project-specific basis
Transducer available for measuring, counting and protection purposes x Current transformer in toroidal design
Voltage transformer as a plug-in system with a metallised surface

Circuit breaker module

Circuit breakers fulfil the requirements of the railway standard EN 62271-100 and EN 50152-1
Circuit breaker with vacuum chamber, epoxy resin insulation and metallised surface
Spring-operating mechanism installed on the front of the panel
Low number of movable parts ensures a long service life and a high number of switching cycles
Operation locally or via remote control, manual emergency operation is always possible
Mechanical position indicators on the front of the panel
Mechanical interlocks vs. 3-position switches

3-position switch module

Combined earthing switch and disconnector
Motorised or manually operated drive
Short circuit-proof earthing of the cable connection by means of a closed circuit breaker
3-position switch can be extended to up to 4 positions
Direct earthing of the busbar is possible with a 4-position switch

Other modules and options

Cable connection module with cable plug sockets, size 2, 2 XL or size 3, 3 XL (according to EN 50181)
Busbar connections for quick installation and extension of the switchgear
Surge arrester for primary circuit and cable shields
Capacitive voltage indicators x control unit and protection devices can be integrated
Cable entry from below or behind
Painted front doors and side walls

Example of switch panel configuration

View of circuit-breaker module

Your solution from a single source

TracFeed® TAS Rx is designed for the specific requirements of modern one- and two-pole 50/60 Hz 25 kV traction power supply systems. The product can be used with all types of feeders, including AT and booster systems. Due to frequent, but mostly temporary short circuits in the overhead contact line system, the traction power switchgear is essential for safe electrical railway operation. TracFeed® TAS Rx protects people from dangerous contact and step voltages, the environment from harmful emissions and the railway equipment from undue stress.

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