The YPHP Yard Power Unit
From Northwest Rail Electric
Phone: (503) 231-4808, Fax: (503) 230-0572, E-mail
See where our equipment is located on a typical passenger car
The NW-YPHP package is designed to feed 480 volt, three phase power from a line side facility to the train through the HEP system. These may be referred to as "Yard Power Units", "Wayside Power Units", "Wayside Power Systems", "Wayside Power Panels", "Shop Power", "Ground Power" or a number of similar terms. Providing standard utility power to the train for maintenance or layover is far cheaper (and quieter) than running on-car generator sets or providing HEP power from a locomotive.
The basic package (a 200 amp package for maintenance shop use is shown here) provides simplified operation:
- Plug the HEP Control Loop Jumper hanging from the YPHP unit into the receptacle side of the HEP trainline on the end of the passenger car.
- Plug the 480 volt, three phase HEP system trainline into the YPHP using the HEP system plugs.
- If the top (yellow) button's lamp turns on, then the trainline control loop is complete, and it is safe to start feeding power to the train.
- Press the top (yellow) button to start feeding power.
- The bottom (red) light turns on when power is being fed to the train.
- To stop feeding power to the train, press the bottom (red) button.
The YPHP is equipped with a three phase power monitor that will shut off the power feed in the event of phase imbalance, or improper phase rotation.
Options:
These are only a few of the options that have been built into various yard power units made by Northwest Rail Electric over the years:
- Ground fault detection - required for units above a certain size, but safety should always be of highest concern. (The NW-YPHP shown at right includes exterior test and reset switches relating to the ground fault protection system, as well as other controls and indicators.)
- Stainless steel enclosure.
- Variety of Power Capacities - from 150 amps at 480 volts to 800 amps at 480 volts. 220 volt and 240 volt systems may also be provided, but these are almost unheard of in recent years. (The NW-YPHP variant shown at right provides two 800 amp feeds - one on each side of the enclosure.)
- Variety of Control Layouts - note photo of unit in top right corner of this web page has a vertical control format, while the unit in the top left corner has a two row horizontal control layout.
- Dual yard power units in one enclosure. (The NW-YPHP shown at right is such a dual unit.)
- Various contactor brands or circuit breaker brands, depending on customer requirements.
- Main High Voltage Circuit breaker may be mounted in the enclosure, or the circuit breaker located in the breaker panel that feeds the yard power unit may be deemed sufficient, depending on location and local requirements.
- Built-in transformers and 120 volt receptacle for operating standard power tools or other equipment from the yard power unit.
- Main High Voltage Circuit Breaker inside NW-YPHP may be entirely within the enclosure, or have exterior switching of various types, depending on local requirements. (The NW-YPHP unit shown at right has an exterior-accessible switch for each circuit breaker.)
- NW-YPHP control voltage circuit breaker may be located in weatherproof exterior access point, or inside unit, depending on local requirements. (The NW-YPHP unit shown at right has an exterior accessible control voltage circuit breaker, which is visible to the left of the indicators and switches.)
- Large roof-top indicator light mounted on top of enclosure so that feed indicating is visible from other end of yard. (There are two such large rooftop lights on top of the NW-YPHP shown at right.)
- Power feed on left or right side of enclosure, depending on required enclosure size for the required output. (The NW-YPHP unit shown at right has HEP power feed on the right and left side of the enclosure.)
- Wall mount or concrete pad mount enclosure, depending on required enclosure size for the required output. (The NW-YPHP unit shown at the top of this page is a wall-mount enclosure, while the one shown at right is designed to be mounted on its own concrete pad.)
- Enclosure heater, ventilation and insulation to meet the needs of the local climate and requirements of customer.
Custom Variations:
We have built several custom variations in recent years. For more information see our Custom Yard Power Units page.
Related Products from Northwest Rail Electric:
For those doing a complete upgrade on a railroad passenger car, we also offer:
Our Standard Products Coach Electric Locker Package List of Products and Services E-mail