Typical controls and their labels on a more complex NW-YPHP yard power system. Note
that this system features a control power keyswitch with a padlockable transparent
cover so that even when padlocked it is possible to see the position of the locked switch.

All versions of the YPHP are equipped with a three phase power monitor that will shut off the power feed in the event of phase imbalance, or improper phase rotation. As required to safely operate any HEP system, all systems are also equipped with a trainline control loop safety.

Options:

• Ground fault detection - required for units above a certain size, but safety should always be of highest concern. (The wayside power unit shown at far right includes exterior test and reset switches relating to the ground fault protection system, as well as other controls and indicators.)

• Stainless steel enclosure (illustrated on system on near right) or powder coated mild steel (far right) enclosures may be required or desirable in various situations.

  

• A variety of control layouts may be provided, depending on the requirements and customer desires. Note the unit at near right has a vertical control format while the unit shown on the far right has a two row horizontal control button layout.

• Variety of Power Capacities - from 150 amps at 480 volts to 800 amps at 480 volts are fairly typical. Custom versions for 208 volt, 220 volt, 240 volt or 575 volt systems and other current capacities may also be provided. (The NW-YPHP variant shown at far right provides two 800 amp feeds - one on each side of the enclosure.)

• Dual wayside power units in one enclosure. (The NW-YPHP shown at far right is such a dual unit.)

• Various contactor brands or circuit breaker brands may be required by specification and these have been accomodated.

• Main high voltage circuit breaker may be mounted in the enclosure, or the circuit breaker located in the breaker panel that feeds the yard power unit may be deemed sufficient, depending on location, sight distance to the unit and local requirements.

• Built-in transformers and standard 120 volt receptacles for operating utilitiy lights, power tools or other maintenance equipment from the yard power unit have been supplied on some systems.

• If equipped with a circuit breaker, the main high voltage circuit breaker inside the NW-YPHP may be entirely within the enclosure, or be interlocked with a switch or lock on the door so that the circuit breaker must be shut off by the exterior switch in order to open the enclosure door.

• The control voltage circuit breaker may be located in a weatherproof exterior access point or entirely inside the unit, depending on local requirements. (The NW-YPHP unit shown at far right has an exterior accessible control voltage circuit breaker, which is visible to the left of the indicators and switches. It is a weatherproof padlockable type.)

• Large roof-top indicator lights mounted on top of enclosure so that conrol loop complete and/or feed indicating is visible from other end of yard. (There are two such large rooftop lights on top of the NW-YPHP shown at far right.) Various options include a rooftop light that only indicates loop complete when connecting the HEP connectors or various more complex indications.

• Power feed connectors on left or right side of enclosure, depending on required enclosure size for the required output. (The NW-YPHP unit shown at far right has HEP power feed on the right and left side of the enclosure, one direction for each system in the enclosure.)

• Wall mount or concrete pad mount enclosure, depending on required enclosure size for the required output. (The basic maintenance shop NW-YPHP unit shown towards the top of this page is a wall-mount enclosure, while both of those at right are designed to be mounted on their own concrete pad.)

• Certain shops have ordered systems mounted on a skid so that they may be moved around the shop by forklift.

• Enclosure heater, ventilation and insulation to meet the needs of the local climate and the requirements of the customer.

• Custom connectors and other custom features have been provided for charging battery powered locomotives or energizing locomotive hot start systems.

• Labels as needed, as seen in the control system photo, above.

Points to Consider:

• These systems are fairly long lead tme items. As specifications differ from one transit agency, long distance railroad, or maintenance shop to the next and one location to the next, as well as power requirements due to train length operated on particular routes, it is not possible for us to construct these as a stock item and have them ready for shipment upon receipt of an order.

• These systems become particularly long lead time if the enclosure size is custom or the hinge location, door type or other aspects of the enclosure must be custom fabricated to suit the location.

• Custom enclosure types also increase the cost of the systems significantly, and therefore there is a huge payoff to plan ahead of time when working with the system location, so that a custom enclosure type is not required.

• Various indicator light systems may be required. This may only be a large light on top of the box, but if there are obstacles such as station platform roof pillars or other various constraints, it may be necessary to adjust the position of the indicator light so that it may be seen from the required location. At right is an example of one such system that required an extension and position change to the box top indicator light. The system is shown being tested in our shop, and therefore the station roof, fire sprinkler pipe, and various other obstacles which required this modification are not shown.

• Location is also a factor when considering the cables that must run between the power system and the end of the train. These cables weigh approximately 3 pounds per foot of length, and generally in most jurisdictions anything over 25 feet is considered too heavy to be humanely moved. Instead, cables of longer length must be moved by pallet and forklift or more than one person. The added effort and equipment required to move excessively long cables, plus the extra purchase price required to purchase these longer cables, as well as the tripping hazard the cables represent when they are on the station platform, all need to be considred when deciding on a location for a wayside power system.

• If electrical drawings are provided with the specification, be very careful what is specified in the drawings. In many cases we have found these drawings to have been incorrectly adapted from other locations or situations that are inappropriate. For example, in one particular situation the electrical drawings provided by the specification required the system not have enough power capacity to feed the trains operating on the particular route in question. We have seen enclosure heaters specified for units operating in warm climates. We have seen units without enclosure heaters specified for use in cities with very cold winters, where ice will form on the electrical components if these heaters are not present. Northwest Rail Electric prefers to be involved early in the unit specification process so that we are able to work with the specifications so that we are able to build a system that satisfactorily meets the operating requirements of the particular location. Avoiding these problems early on prevents expensive changes later.

• Various local requirements may determine if a main circuit breaker inside the system is required, or if the circuit breaker feeding the system from the circuit breaker panel is adequate. Points to consider in making this determination include if the location being fed is within sight of the main circuit breaker panel, or various other requirements that vary with local regulations and shop practices. Providing a circuit breaker inside the NW-YPHP unit significantly increases the cost. If the unit is equipped with a main circuit breaker, there may also be a requirement that there be an external method of shutting off this circuit breaker before the door is opened.

Custom Variations:

These systems are a vital part of maintaining and operating railroad passenger equipment, and virtually any needed or desired feature may be provided. Northwest Rail Electric can help you determine what features are desirable, from extremely simple systems such as shown at the top of this page to the more complex and custom systems.

Cables:

Related Products from Northwest Rail Electric:

• Electrical Locker Packages for converting a passenger car electrical system to HEP

• Generator Controls for running passenger car generators and providing power to the HEP system

• Evaporator Units and Under-Car Condensers for those converting their railroad air conditioning systems to run on HEP.

• Under-Car Diesel Generators for providing power to the HEP trainline.

• HEP Parts including HEP Connectors for those adding HEP.

• Rubber Tube Diaphragms for those upgrading passenger cars to modern car end standards.

• Railroad Grade Wire for those upgrading or replacing railroad car electrical wire.