Think Railways

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced  that it has completed the installation of railcar traction converter/inverter systems with all-silicon carbide (SiC) power modules on N700 Shinkansen bullet trains for Central Japan Railway Company (JR-Central) and begun testing. These are the first 3.3kV, 1500A traction systems to be installed on a high-speed train line, according to the company's own research.

Mitsubishi Electric has been working to downsize its traction system for Shinkansen bullet trains. The use of SiC power modules reduces the size and weight of its new converter/inverter system by approximately 55% and 35%, respectively, compared to existing systems. The weight of the traction motor, including this system, is reduced by approximately 15%.

The power modules were developed with support from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan.