ABB's traction transformer factory is located in Maneja, Gujarat also ABB's oldest and biggest manufacturing location in the country. ABB has been supplying traction transformers to Indian Railways and metro rail since 1999 in the country. ABB manufactured and dispatched its 1000th traction transformer that is used in the metro project in Lucknow. Manufactured at the Vadodara factory, the light-weight, reliable ABB traction transformers are attached to and critical for on-board or metro compartment power supply. They enable efficient use of electric power and achieve higher levels of acceleration, with minimal space requirements. They are designed to lower fault level, ensuring high reliability and commuter safety. ABB's traction transformers are part of the Mumbai suburban railways as well as Delhi metro operations helping millions commute safely everyday.
Last year, ABB won an order from Alstom to supply 1600 traction transformers for 800 new electric freight locomotives in India. The new locomotives will expand Indian Railways' capacity, easing congestion on busy routes for both freight and passenger services. The transformers are being manufactured in ABB's Vadodara facility in the state of Gujarat, supporting the government's ‘Make in India' initiative to encourage manufacturing in the country. The compact transformers are designed for the most demanding conditions, including extreme temperatures and voltage fluctuations. They will support heavy freight loads over long distance haulage under rigorous conditions, including steep inclines.
Indian Railways operates the largest rail network in Asia, and is the world's second-largest rail network operated under single management. The company moves more than 12,500 trains and 23 million passengers daily, equivalent to the population of Australia. From electrification of tracks and locos to usage of renewable energy, safety and technology innovations, the railway ministry has announced an investment of USD 150 billion in the next five years. While India metro rail network is also expected to double in the next two years to 600km and currently has 9 operational, 6 under construction and 16 planned projects.
Traction transformers feed power at safe voltages to essential train and metro functions like traction, brakes, lighting, heating and ventilation, as well as passenger information, signaling and communication.
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