Testing times

By Stefaan Volkaert

Problems that arise when testing ultra high-speed DC breakers are currently of great concern to those involved in the construction of rail networks. They are particularly concerned about the difference between having at their disposal complete test equipment giving satisfactory results on site, compared to the testing bench of manufacturers.

STEVO Electric provides a mobile high-current generator - which has been on the market since 2004 - for adequately testing high-speed DC breakers in the transport sector, i.e. trains, subways, trams and trolleys, concerning not just infrastructure but traction substations and rolling stock too. Since 2004, STEVO Electric has been marketing the BALTO 6.000A system - up to 13.000A of capacity in a master/slave version - worldwide in several traction domains (traction substations and rolling stock) to which high-speed DC breakers are applied. Moreover, STEVO Electric maintains long-term contacts with manufacturers of high-speed DC breakers, which are essential for homologations used for testing the equipment in question.

Nowadays the railway networks - whether a tram or a train network - are in a period of full growth. The networks have deployed a number of innovative techniques that deliver more powerful performance increases that take into account the crucial character of the fast circuit breakers, giving the ultimate protection. This ultimate protection must be provided alongside routine maintenance and test runs - among which are tests of release (threshold IDS). Often the owners have to modify the IDS threshold or to replace the system of release with another range of adjustment. In order to carry out these modifications and consequently ensure a durable exploitation of the equipment, the need for testing equipment is essential.

What the future holds

Relative to the current design of the BALTO system, the market requires more performances in the fields of transport, efficiency and usefulness. To match those requirements, identified during multiple demonstrations and discussions not only with the manufacturers but in particular with the managers and owners of rail networks, STEVO Electric took the decision to develop an innovative new system - BALTO 30.000A - based on a list of demands. It is hoped that the new system will be available in the second part of 2010.

Biography:

Stefaan Volkaert is the general manager and founder of STEVO Electric, which was set up in 1999 to distribute high and low voltage equipment for the energy sector in the Benelux region.  Its contacts in the transport industry expressed a need for mobile test equipment for testing high-speed DC breakers used in infrastructure - including in substations and in rolling stock applications and it developed test equipment for high- speed DC breakers. Its aim is to now develop test equipment for all kinds of electromagnetic circuit breakers as well as test equipment for AC Vacuum Circuit Breaker 50Hz and 16Hz2/3 for traction vehicles.

To find out more visit www.STEVOELECTRIC.BE or contact