FS Class E402
Encyclopedia
E402A/B is a class of electric locomotive
s mainly used on high speed passenger trains by the Italian railway company FS Trenitalia.
locomotives and chopper
type traction, FS had abandoned the rheostatic-type system in favor of the new one.
At the beginning of 1990s, FS studied, in collaboration with Ansaldo Trasporti, a new locomotive that united all the features of electronic chopper system plus the possibility to reach high speeds (200 km/h) and haul heavy trains.
The result was class E402.
A total of six prototypes have been built (E402.000 - 005), which have seen a long phase of experimenting runs in formation with important and heavy trains before finally entering active service.
The prototypes differ from the standard units because of the edgy shape of the driving cabin, similar to the one of E632/633
locomotives, while the others have a more aerodynamic one.
Class E402 has been the first Italian locomotive fitted with three-phase motors feed by inverters; from their conceivement to active service a long period had passed (the first maquette was built in year 1985).
At this time, 40 units are in service, (units 006-045), plus four prototypes (001 - 005) for a total of 45 units.
This locomotive, unlike its predecessor, is able to run under different voltages, the Italian standard 3 kV DC and the new high speed lines at 25 kV AC. Further, units 139-158 are able to run under French 1,5 kV DC (at half power), and are classified as E402BF (F stands for Francia, France). They mount a single ATR90 pantograph and two single arm pantographs for use on French network (1,5 kV DC and 25 kV CA), and French safety systems (Vacma, radio, KVB). Curiously they haven't been authorized to go to Ventimiglia and Modane stations, which are on the border with France, and have 1,5 kV DC catenary.
E402BF, also, can be used to remote command another locomotive of the same class, but not to be remote commanded from driving coach; on normal E402B, this is reversed.
Today both classes are often seen hauling Intercity, sometimes freight, services and are the only locomotives able to be remote commanded by Z1 driving cars via TCN
, allowing push-pull services.
The auxiliary equipment (fans, compressors ecc.) are fed at 450 V 60 Hz AC voltage produced by two 210 kVA
static converters.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
s mainly used on high speed passenger trains by the Italian railway company FS Trenitalia.
History
After the good results of the experiences made with FS Class E632FS Class E632
The FS E632 and E633 are two classes of Italian railways electric locomotives. They were introduced in the course of the 1980s.The locomotives are nicknamed Tigre .-History:...
locomotives and chopper
Chopper (electronics)
A chopper circuit is used to refer to numerous types of electronic switching devices and circuits. The term has become somewhat ill-defined, and as a result is much less used nowadays than it was perhaps 30 or more years ago....
type traction, FS had abandoned the rheostatic-type system in favor of the new one.
At the beginning of 1990s, FS studied, in collaboration with Ansaldo Trasporti, a new locomotive that united all the features of electronic chopper system plus the possibility to reach high speeds (200 km/h) and haul heavy trains.
The result was class E402.
A total of six prototypes have been built (E402.000 - 005), which have seen a long phase of experimenting runs in formation with important and heavy trains before finally entering active service.
The prototypes differ from the standard units because of the edgy shape of the driving cabin, similar to the one of E632/633
FS Class E632
The FS E632 and E633 are two classes of Italian railways electric locomotives. They were introduced in the course of the 1980s.The locomotives are nicknamed Tigre .-History:...
locomotives, while the others have a more aerodynamic one.
Class E402 has been the first Italian locomotive fitted with three-phase motors feed by inverters; from their conceivement to active service a long period had passed (the first maquette was built in year 1985).
At this time, 40 units are in service, (units 006-045), plus four prototypes (001 - 005) for a total of 45 units.
E402B
E402B represent an evolution of the class E402, with different driving cabins and equipment. 80 units have been built (numbered 101-180).This locomotive, unlike its predecessor, is able to run under different voltages, the Italian standard 3 kV DC and the new high speed lines at 25 kV AC. Further, units 139-158 are able to run under French 1,5 kV DC (at half power), and are classified as E402BF (F stands for Francia, France). They mount a single ATR90 pantograph and two single arm pantographs for use on French network (1,5 kV DC and 25 kV CA), and French safety systems (Vacma, radio, KVB). Curiously they haven't been authorized to go to Ventimiglia and Modane stations, which are on the border with France, and have 1,5 kV DC catenary.
E402BF, also, can be used to remote command another locomotive of the same class, but not to be remote commanded from driving coach; on normal E402B, this is reversed.
Today both classes are often seen hauling Intercity, sometimes freight, services and are the only locomotives able to be remote commanded by Z1 driving cars via TCN
Train Communication Network
The Train Communication Network is a hierarchical combination of two fieldbus systems for digital operation of trains. It consists of the Multifunction Vehicle Bus inside each coach and the Wire Train Bus to connect the MVB parts with the train control system...
, allowing push-pull services.
Technical details
Both locomotives have four asynchronous three-phase motors, but the traction circuit is different:- E402A has two three-phase invertersInverter (electrical)An inverter is an electrical device that converts direct current to alternating current ; the converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, and control circuits....
and two choppers (one per bogie) which can feed the motors with a variable voltage ranging from 0 to 4200 V, depending on catenary voltage (from a minimum of 1200 to 4000 V) - E402B uses a rectifierRectifierA rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current , which periodically reverses direction, to direct current , which flows in only one direction. The process is known as rectification...
when under 25 kV and choppers when under 3 and 1,5 kV which feed the two water-cooled GTOGate turn-off thyristorA gate turn-off thyristor is a special type of thyristor, a high-power semiconductor device. GTOs, as opposed to normal thyristors, are fully controllable switches which can be turned on and off by their third lead, the GATE lead.-Device description:...
inverters.
The auxiliary equipment (fans, compressors ecc.) are fed at 450 V 60 Hz AC voltage produced by two 210 kVA
Volt-ampere
A volt-ampere is the unit used for the apparent power in an electrical circuit, equal to the product of root-mean-square voltage and RMS current. In direct current circuits, this product is equal to the real power in watts...
static converters.