InnoTrans 2018: PLUTON introduced its solutions at the world's largest rail trade fair in Berlin.
From 18 to 21 September 2018 in Berlin took place the 12th and the world's largest International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, where PLUTON exhibited innovative solutions for railway industry. InnoTrans 2018 became a meeting point for representatives of railway industry from around the world for experience exchange in the field of innovative technologies, products and solutions at the railway market.
3062 companies from 61 countries exhibited their achievements and innovations. In total, about 160 thousand experts from more than 100 countries, including 25 high-ranking business delegations from 18 countries, have visited InnoTrans 2018. More than 400 innovations in the world's railway industry were introduced at InnoTrans.
PLUTON representatives exhibited at the PLUTON booth innovative solution, which attracted active attention of InnoTrans trade visitors — AFB arc-free ultra high-speed DC circuit breaker as part of DC switchgear.
Application of arc-free interruption concept in DC circuit breaker provides the following significant benefits in comparison with a circuit breaker with standard switching and arc interruption. AFB circuit breaker has no arc interruption contacts, and as a result, no need for their periodic replacement. Also, there is no need for main contacts replacement because of no wear up to the expiry of vacuum interrupter mechanical life, as well as no need of contacts inspection after emergency currents interruption with unlimited number of trippings. AFB circuit breaker is characterized by increased mechanical/electrical wear resistance of vacuum interrupter — 50000 switchings to maintenance (including short circuit current interruption), and due to this maintenance is not required for a long period. AFB circuit breaker provides high-speed power contacts opening (opening time is < 1 ms) and possibility of circuit breaker di/dt tripping before short-circuit current setting reaching.
The solution is based on application of principle of power circuit interruption in vacuum. Arc starts between contacts upon their opening, and is interrupted by power, stored in precharged high-voltage capacitor. Capacitor discharge current is switched in antiphase to the main current of power circuit. The arc is interrupted at the moment, when currents algebraic sum is zero. Afterwards the contacts open and interrupt power circuit.
This principle allowed eliminating plasma ejection upon opening and apply half the size of work space in comparison with a circuit breaker with standard switching and arc interruption. In addition, no damaging effect of arc significantly reduces fire risk. Environmental safety when applying of this solution is provided due to no contaminating and toxic combustion products, as well as due to no combustion products deposits on circuit breaker components and switchgear units.
AFB arc-free circuit breaker is equipped with intelligent control, protection and diagnostics system which provides complete all-sufficient control of circuit breaker and its components, and fulfills all necessary functions, including protection, as well as remote control and measurement.
Application of AFB arc-free circuit breaker allowed PLUTON experts to create a conceptually new design of switchgear characterized by compact size, the lowest maintenance, operational reliability and personnel safety.
Further, DC switchgears and compact withdrawable "diode-diode" rectifiers with intelligent control, exhibited on PLUTON booth, received much attention from InnoTrans visitors.
PLUTON traction network monitoring and protection system SMTN-3, which provides continuous monitoring of current and voltage parameters in traction network and traction network protection against short circuit current and harmful overloads, was introduced within the framework of trade fair too. Besides, due to web interface technology the system makes possible to obtain data about traction network operation for the further analysis of emergency processes.
Trade fair visitors got acquainted with operator control solutions in the field power supply systems automation, and in real-time remotely via web interface control the equipment exhibited on PLUTON booth.
Within 4 days of the trade fair PLUTON representatives hold negotiations with potential partners, leading representatives of railway companies and regular Customers regarding further cooperation and implementation of new technologies, as well as had a lot of meetings to exchange experience and technologies with experts in various fields.
We were glad to take part in the significant event in the field of railway industry, and are very grateful to all participants and visitors of our booth for their attention to our products and solutions. We are looking forward to further mutually beneficial and long-term cooperation!