Skip to main content

High voltage and current measurement on rolling stock

Key facts about the application

Sector

Railway industry | Rolling stock

Application

Monitoring and controlling traction motors and monitoring the intermediate circuit voltage in traction converters or auxiliary power converters

Measurement parameters

Up to ±4500 V DC / ±3000 V AC, continuous isolation of up to 4800 V AC/DC, isolation test voltage of up to 20 kV AC

Main Requirements

SIL2/SIL3 safety

The high voltage transducer with the smallest footprint for rolling stock

The transducers in the P45000 series were developed to measure high direct and alternating current voltages at heavy-duty vehicles; rolling stock in particular. Some application examples are monitoring and controlling traction motors and monitoring the intermediate circuit voltage in traction converters or auxiliary power converters.

To a high degree, the voltage measurement input is isolated from the output and auxiliary power. The current output is compatible with commercial control inputs. The housing provides flexible mounting options: screwed on upright or flat, or snapped onto 35 mm DIN rails. The devices can even be stacked and mounted – even when space is very tight.

For the first time, applications that require functional safety can also be properly executed. The high-voltage transducer is certified for use in SIL2 systems and redundant for SIL3. With it, dangerously high voltages can be reliably detected.

Why Knick?
P45000 is the world’s first high voltage SIL transducer with SIL 2/3 certified functional safety. It can be stacked for a minimal footprint and offers flexible mounting options: DIN rails, flat or upright

Product highlights for measurements on rolling stock

P45000 – high voltage measurement

The P45000 high voltage transducer was developed for all direct and alternating current rolling stock, including diesel-electric vehicles for measurements up to 4500 V DC and 3000 V AC. Test voltage 20 kV AC and reinforced isolation up to 4800 V DC and 3700 V AC

P51000 – current measurement via shunt

The P51000 high voltage transducer enables overload-proof current measurement via shunt resistor from amperes to kiloamperes. Even strong electromagnetic fields cannot influence the measuring results. This leads to the highly precise acquisition of the current.

P52000 – voltage measurement

High-voltage transducers in compact design for voltage measurement up to 4800 V. The high-voltage contacts and connections are encapsulated. There is no danger of reciprocal effects with other components. With this design, no additional space between the terminal blocks is required: P52000 functions with 100 % safety

P52000VPD – voltage presence detector

The P52000VPD voltage presence detector is designed to detect voltages between 50 and 4200 V. The input signal is compared to a threshold value and the resulting binary information is galvanically isolated and transmitted to the output circuit. If the input voltage exceeds the threshold value, a solid state relay opens and signals that voltage is present at the input.

Matching Products

Associated Industries and Applications

Substations for direct power supply up to the upper one-digit MW range and the grid segments they supply must be effectively secured against short-circuits. The protective mechanism must reliably interrupt high currents as quickly as possible and limit the power flowing into the short circuit.
P16800 makes it easy to retrofit rolling stock with control systems through the safe (SIL2/SIL4) conversion of speed sensor signals for odometry systems.
Electrical measurement in DC traction power substations and on rolling stock; conversion and duplication of speed sensor signals on-board rail vehicles.
Railway Industry Brochure


Overview of railway-specific applications and product solutions

Latest blog post

Stack and String Voltage Measurement in Electrolyzers and Fuel Cells

Voltage, current and temperature measurement in electrolyzers with P40000 series high voltage transducers

New 30 mV Shunt Resistors for Knick Transducers

Knick is expanding the accessory range for its high-voltage transducers with immediate effect by adding shunt resistors with a 30 mV voltage drop
Innovations at InnoTrans 2024

Innovations at InnoTrans 2024 for rolling stock and DC traction power supply

At InnoTrans 2024 Knick presents electrical measurement solutions for rolling stock and DC traction power supply applications

Knick Austria - direct customer contact in Austria from 2024

Reorganization of sales in Austria and new contacts in the field of process analytics and interface technology

Energy storage - the handshake between renewable energy and electric vehicles

Energy storage technology such as battery and hydrogen are critical for growth and continuous development of renewable energy and e-mobility.

P52000VPD voltage presence detector reliably detects voltages up to 4200 V DC

The new P52000VPD voltage presence detector reliably monitors areas with high voltages and sends a signal to the downstream plant control system when a specified threshold value is reached.

Knick Interface at Battery and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo

Knick will be showcasing high-voltage electrical measurement and signal conversion products.

Quadruple Standard Signals in Just One Signal Conditioner

The A20340 can output a standard input signal to four calibrated and galvanically isolated outputs in parallel.

Electrical measurement and process analytics for hydrogen production

Knick products optimize hydrogen production in the process and in electrolyser operation.

Condition Monitoring of High-Voltage Motors

Having an active predictive maintenance campaign in place for large rotating equipment can be a key strategy for maximizing process uptime.

Pulse frequency conditioner for speed sensors

The new P16000 from Knick is a pulse frequency conditioner that converts frequency signals from speed sensors into standard signals.

Worldwide smallest transducer up to ±2200 V

The P40000 series from Knick enables reliable voltage measurements from ±50 mV to ±3600 V and current measurements from ±100 mA to ±20 kA.

Importance of broad-range power supplies for DC electrical measurement

Many DC electrical measurement products manufactured by Knick contain universal, also known as broad-range, power supplies.

Measuring Photovoltaic Degradation

Photovoltaic (PV) array degradation is an important aspect to consider for system design and installation.

Electrical Measurement Solutions: Control from 480 to 4800 Volts

Voltage and current transducers from Knick bring true control to electrical measurement applications across a wide-range of industries.

Benefits of High Voltage Transducers versus Instrument Transformers

When a need arises to step voltage in a circuit either up or down for purposes of power transmission or distribution, there is no doubt that transformers are essential.

Shunt Resistor versus Hall Effect Technology

There are many systems where measurement of large DC currents are needed for performance and safety.

MTBF beyond 3000 years: A snap hook for your plant

Failure of equipment on the plant floor can lead to considerable and costly disruption.

Knick Products Comply With UL - What Does That Mean?

There are different assessments and approaches to reach an adequate level of safety. Manufacturers are typically on the “safe” side, if they comply with recognized standards.

High-voltage transducer offers more safety on railway vehicles

The requirements placed on railway vehicles have increased significantly in recent years. Products for rolling stock need to ensure a higher level of functional safety than ever before.

True RMS Measurement with P41000TRMS

Traditional millivolt AC transducers are very susceptible to errors due to their poor insulation and are only designed for pure sinewave measurement.

Functional safety and maximum availability can go together

The requirements on operational and safety-related circuits are continuously growing.