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ABB launches prefabricated DC rail substation

ABB has introduced a range of modular substations designed to save time and money for customers working in Australia’s rail sector. 

The new ABB DC Prefabricated Rail Substations, designed specifically for rail customers, offers a simple solution for fast-tracking power to both new projects and the replacement of existing substations that are due for renewal.

The modular substations offer reliability and convenience, with each unit fully designed, tested and assembled in ABB’s factories prior to delivery to the customer’s site.

Due to their ease of transportation and minimal on-site labour requirements, the units are quick and easy to install, saving customers both time and money. 

ABB’s DC Prefabricated Rail Substations are based on the company’s popular modular substations range for the mining sector.

The proven designs are flexible and adaptable, with customers able to specify between incoming voltage and outgoing power designs, as well as customising the capacity of the unit to suit their specific operational requirements.  

Three basic rail substation models are on offer: a transportable building DC rail substation with customisable cladding options; a skid-mounted DC rail substation for installation into permanent buildings and a stackable modular design for partial substation refurbishment. 

Each unit comes preassembled with: medium voltage switchgear in either 11, 22 or 33 kilovolts; DC switchgear with a rectifier in 750VDC to 1500VDC; and a rectifier transformer with variable power options of (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 MW) and voltage (750 or 1500V output).

Each substation is also available with an ABB automation system using the latest 61850 protocol.

According to ABB Australia transmission and distribution substations sales and service manager, Patrick Naidoo, the substations are priced extremely competitively for such an innovative design.

“They are fully self-contained, and include an integrated power supply which reduces overall risk to the project,” said Naidoo.

“They are simple to order, and offer a reduction in civil works, footprint and land acquisition cost – making them ideal as an engineered package solution for engineering, procurement and construction management use.

“Further, they are consistent with ABB’s commitment to sustainable transport, by offering extremely high reliability and availability, with a design life of at least 30 years.”

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