Traction and Auxiliary Converters

Specialism

We are an independent supplier of traction and auxiliary converters, working directly with end customers and with the majority of the world’s leading rolling stock manufacturers.

Expertise

Rail Vehicles

Reliable Traction Technology for New-Build and Modernisation Projects

A well-designed traction system is the heart of every rail vehicle. It determines how energy is converted into traction power, influences energy consumption, and contributes to the performance, reliability and availability of rolling stock.

Strukton delivers complete traction and auxiliary converters for a wide range of rail vehicles. We are an independent supplier and work directly with operators, rolling stock owners and leading vehicle manufacturers. We support both the development of new rolling stock and refurbishment, retrofit and life extension projects for existing vehicles.

Our solutions are suitable for shunting locomotives, maintenance trains, metro vehicles, trams, EMUs and people movers.

Complete Traction Solutions

We design, build and test converters in-house and deliver them ready for operation in accordance with customer specifications. Where required, we also provide design, engineering, project management and complete logistics services. To test the control panels, including insulation and functional testing, we use our own dedicated test facilities.

Strukton delivers complete solutions with power ratings exceeding 7 MW. Depending on the application, we provide the design, engineering, integration, testing and commissioning of the entire system.

Our portfolio includes:

AC traction systems for new rolling stock
High-efficiency traction systems for reduced energy consumption
Solutions for existing DC traction systems
Mono-voltage, dual-voltage and multi-voltage systems
Integration of traction inverters and power electronics
TCMS integration and system optimisation
Retrofit and modernisation of existing traction installations

Thanks to this broad expertise, we can provide a suitable solution for virtually every operating environment.

New Rolling Stock and Refurbishment

Not every vehicle needs to be replaced to meet modern requirements. Increasingly, operators and rolling stock owners choose refurbishment or retrofit programmes for existing vehicles. These projects extend service life and can significantly improve performance, reliability and energy efficiency.

Strukton supplies systems for both new-build projects and refurbishment and modernisation programmes. We look beyond the traction itself and consider the complete vehicle and its interaction with other systems. This results in a fully integrated solution that meets current technical and operational requirements.

Flexible Voltage Configurations

Rail vehicles operate on networks with different system configurations and technical standards. That is why we develop traction systems tailored to the specific requirements of both the vehicle and the infrastructure.

Our systems support:

DC voltages 600V, 750V, 1500V and 3000V
AC voltages 15kV, 25kV, 16.6Hz and 50Hz
Diesel-electric, battery powered or hybrid
Multi-voltage applications for international operations

This allows vehicles to operate efficiently across a wide range of national and international rail networks.

The Benefits of a Strukton system

Optimal integration – We optimise the form, dimensions and interfaces of components so that the system fits seamlessly within the available vehicle design
Fast implementation – Thanks to our extensive experience in engineering, integration and certification, systems can be tested, commissioned and approved quickly
Seamless system integration – We ensure optimal interaction between the system, the vehicle control system and other technical subsystems
Improved energy efficiency – By applying modern power electronics and advanced control technology, energy consumption is reduced and vehicle performance is enhanced
Lower life-cycle costs – A more efficient system, reduced maintenance requirements and a longer service life result in lower total operating costs

Extensive Experience

Strukton has gained worldwide experience with traction systems for a wide variety of rolling stock applications, including::

Shunting locomotives
Metro vehicles
Electric multiple units (EMUs)
Trams
People movers
Maintenance trains and railway maintenance equipment
Retrofit and modernisation projects for existing rolling stock
Battery-powered and hybrid rail vehicles

Some of our reference projects

Hybrid traction

Strukton Battery Locomotive | Netherlands| 1 vehicle| Hybrid catenary and battery
Hybrid Diesel Generator Class 230 & 484 | United Kingdom| 20 vehicles| AC traction drive and auxiliary converter
Hybrid Diesel Generator Class 277 | United Kingdom| Prototype | Bidirectional buck/boost converter, standard medium power modules
Hybrid Hydrogen Vehicle | United Kingdom| Prototype | Bidirectional buck/boost converter, standard medium power modules, power by fuel cell
Shunting locomotive DE60-DE75 | Germany| 10 vehicles| AC traction drive, auxiliary converter, 86 kWh traction battery (1h battery operation)

Traction and auxiliary systems

Siemens NeoVAL traction inverter (autonomous vehicle) | 3 traction converters per 2-car vehicle| Delivered in Rennes (France) – 25 vehicles

Bangkok (Thailand) – 7 vehicles; Frankfurt (Germany) – 12 vehicles

Railways MEMU (India) | 10 MEMU, 12-car passenger trains

Lightrail traction inverter | Malaysia| 36 AC drives for new monorail vehicles

Refurbished traction system | United Kingdom (Isle of Wight) | Customised AC traction drive, auxiliary converter| 9 vehicles

Refurbished traction system | 46 vehicles | Mexico (Metro Monterrey) |Form-fit-function replacement of the 600V chopper with a 1500VDC | standard power module topology

Refurbished traction system | 6 Marc locomotives | United States (Washington DC) | Form-fit-function replacement of 168 GTO modules with IGBT modules | No change in vehicle control electronics

Auxiliary supply| S3M4 | Netherlands (Amsterdam) | 26 auxiliary converters

Refurbished auxiliary supply| Australia (Melbourne) | Yarra | 140 auxiliary converters

Partner for Sustainable Mobility

The rail sector faces the challenge of increasing capacity while reducing energy consumption and emissions. Modern traction systems play a key role in achieving these goals. Through our expertise in traction technology, power electronics, energy storage and vehicle modernisation, we help customers future-proof their rolling stock.