FS Class E402

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

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 1990s, 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 (200 km/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 (001 - 005) for a total of 45 units.

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, the Italian standard 3 kV DC and the new high speed lines at 25 kV AC. Further, 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 authorized to go to Ventimiglia and Modane stations, which are on the border with France, and have 1,5 kV DC catenary.

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.

Technical details

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

• E402A has two three-phase inverters and two choppers (one per bogie) which can feed the motors with a variable voltage ranging from 0 to 4200 V, depending on catenary voltage (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 fed at 450 V 60 Hz AC voltage produced by two 210 kVA static converters.

External links

• FS E402B @ Trainspo

See also

• FS class E403