FS Class E402

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FS class E402A

E402A-027 in Milano centrale station
Power type	Electric
Builder	Ansaldo Trasporti, Firema Trasporti
Build date	1994-1996
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'
Wheel diameter	1.250 m
Length	18.440&bnsp;m
Width	3.000 m
Height	4.235 m
Locomotive weight	87 tons
Electric system(s)	3,000 V DC
Traction motors	AC series
Top speed	220 km/h
Power output	6,000 kW
Tractive effort	250 kN
Career	FS Trenitalia
Number in class	42
Disposition	In service

FS class E402B

Trenitalia's E402-174 locomotive
Power type	Electric
Builder	Ansaldo Trasporti, Firema Trasporti, ITIN, SOFER
Build date	1998-2000
UIC classification	B'o B'o
Locomotive weight	89 tons
Electric system(s)	3,000 V DC, 1.500 V DC, 25.000 V AC
Traction motors	AC series
Top speed	200 km/h
Tractive effort	280 kN
Career	FS Trenitalia
Number in class	80
Disposition	In service

E402A/B is a class of electric locomotives mainly used on high speed passenger trains by the Italian railway company FS Trenitalia.

[edit] History

After the good results of the experiences made with FS Class E632 locomotives and chopper type traction, FS had abandoned the rheostatic-type system in favor of the new one. At the beginning of 90s, 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 (200km/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 (002 - 005) for a total of 44 units.

[edit] 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:

• Standard 3 kV DC
• Italy high speed lines 25 kV AC

Plus, 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 autohorized to maneuver on Ventimiglia and Modane stations, which are on the border to France, and have 1,5 kV DC catenary, for a long time.

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.

[edit] Technique

Both locomotives have four asynchronous tree-phase motors, but the traction circuit is different:

• E402A has two three-phase inverters and two choppers (one per boogie) which can feed the motors with a variable voltage ranging from 0 to 4200 V, depending on catenary tension (from a minimum of 1200 to 4000 V)
• E402B uses a rectifier when under 25 kV and choppers when under 3 and 1,5 kV which feed the two water-cooled GTO inverters.

The auxiliary equipment (fans, compressors ecc.) are feed at 450 V 60 Hz AC voltage produced by two 210 kVA static converters.

[edit] See also

• FS class E403