A multifunction power supply center for experimental electric traction tests and certification

In the frame of the project for building a new experimental center for certifying the rolling stock able to circulate on Italian and European railroad networks, an important role is played by the electric supply system and the feeder simulation. For covering all possible supply conditions and offering a multiple and complete service for experimental surveys a multifunction power supply center has been conceived. This permits to deliver the chosen voltage level and waveform and also to simulate the electric network behaviour up to the pantograph. The paper deals with the description of the supply architecture and the technical and operating condition choices that brought to the final configuration underlying the performances and the limits of the converter sets that constitute the power supply devices.