Saft - Nickel-Cadmium Batteries for Mass Transit Applications   
   

Saft is the world’s leading supplier in the Nickel-Cadmium segment, with major footholds in all segments, providing batteries to more than 150 railway networks and mass transit systems throughout the world.

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With more than 75 years' experience in the sphere
of industrial nickel-cadmium batteries, Saft has been selected by rail and mass transit operators and major rolling stock manufacturers to equip more than 150 rail and mass transit networks in the world.

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In tunnels, fire and smoke are especially hazardous, and stringent precautions are taken to ensure propagate fire or emit smoke and toxic fumes. Total reliability of the back-up of the low voltage is crucial for all mass transit systems.

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Batteries are installed on conventional train passenger coaches to provide a reliable in the case of the main power supply failure. They may come into operation not only for emergency purposes, but also whenever the train is at a standstill while the engine is still running.

Saft offers dedicated products for diesel starting, emergency back-up power and standby power. These have a very high degree of reliability and trouble-free operation, while also reducing globally the total life cycling cost of the batteries.

NI-CD batteries for starting emergency back-up

There are two major rail battery markets - railways and mass transit - which can be segmented in three major application fields:

  • *Starting - battery power to start diesel engines on locomotive and diesel multiple unit (DMUs)

  • * Passenger coaches - emergency backup power for coaches, requiring usually backup times of three to five hours

  • * Electric traction - emergency backup power for mass transit and electric locomotive (EMUs), covering metro systems (underground, elevated and ground level), rapid suburban rail networks, tramways, automatic shuttles and buses; backup times are between 20min and 90min, and often include buffer power for various on-board systems, such as door opening or braking

Sinter/PBE Technology Batteries

Saft produces three ranges of sintered / PBE batteries offering different performance characteristics.

Mass transit and rail integrated compact system (MATRICS): The MRX battery system has been purpose-designed to provide the perfect high-performance on-board battery solution for LRV, metro, EMU, locomotive and high-speed rail system. It has been developed in response to costumers seeking even smaller, lighter batteru packaages optimized for maximumg performance, reduced maintenance and low life cycle costs. Capacities are from 70Ah to 260Ah.

SRX batteries are designed to answer the spesific needs of rail transfort in terms of power. The provide a very high of performance, in particular for starting diesel locomotives and for emergency braking of metros and high-speed trains. SRX batteries are used where high current discharges are required. Capacities are from 22Ah to 375Ah.

SRM batteries are suitable for numerous rail applications. They are used for type M discharges (see IEC 60623), i.e they provide optimally power for at least one hour. Capacities are from 25Ah to 440Ah.

Battery Systems

Saft supples a complete battery assembly and has developed a total service concept that ranges from initial research and development to system upgrades and replacement. Our design teams have worked with railwa industry leaders to produce customised batteries that meet the most precise specifications. Saft nickel-cadmium batteries are available in various containers and crates in response to different needs:

- In stainless-steel cell containers assembled into plywood crates
- In plastic cell containers (standard or flame retardant) assembled into stainless-steel crates.

Saft can now offer self-contained 24V to 110V battery units, including cell assembly into stainless-steel trays, having control and safety devices with simple interfaces. This allows reducing significantly the lifecycle cost. Accessories suce as centralize water-filling systems are also an option.

Batteries intended for emergency power supply, in particular for lighting passenger coaches on inter-city trains, should have these characteristics:

- Provision of autonomoes power for three hours or more and, consequently a large capacity of 250Ah-450Ah
- Be able to tolerate deep cycling often uncotrolled (overnight discharges)
- Resistance to very harsh operation conditions (very high or very low temperatures over long periods, dust, humidity, and vibration)

References

- Locomotives - EWS diesel locomotives in the UK, SNTF in Tunisia, locomotives in Italy, Netherlands and Taiwan - Passenger coaches - Belgium, Tunisia, Algeria, and Pakistan
- High speed trains - le Shuttle and Eurostar TGVs, France's TGV, Italy's mini-Shinkansen, Amtrak trains in the US, Korean TGV KTX
- Metro (EMU/DMU) - Saft's SRX and SRM batteries equip different generations of rolling stock in Hong Kong, operating lines of the MTR Corporation, New Airport Express, Tung Chung line, EMUs of KCRC and metros in Munich and Lisbon
- Urban transport/airport shuttle operators worldwide: Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, London, Stockholm, Milan, Caracas, Sintiago, Chicago
- LRVs and tramways including Hong Kong, Sheffield, Oslo, Paris, Grenoble, Montpellier, Dresden, Valencia, Dublin, Nantes and Sydney

Core Business

Entire spectrum of Indonesian Railways supplies and services; from office supplies, to locomotive spareparts, machinery, overhauls, rehabilitations, land/sea railcars & locomotive transport, etc.