Head End Power Connector Products

From Northwest Rail Electric

What is Head End Power?

The following connector products

These rugged, single molding head end power connectors from Clements National are approved for use on cars that are designed to be compatible with the Amtrak Head End Power system.

• General Information

• HEP Power Plugs

• HEP Power Receptacles

• HEP Receptacle Housing

• Portable HEP Jumpers

• Communications and MU Parts

General Information

• Floating silver plated copper contacts, self-aligning for easy mating, resist excessive voltage drop
• Class M stranding tin plated copper wire cables assure maximum flexibility under adverse conditions
• All plug and receptacle cables assemblies are integrally molded to assure maximum watertightness
• Leading edge bevel of receptacle skirt maintains continuous low mating forces.
• Molding shape prevents roll-over.
• Operating Temperatures: -40 Deg. F to 110 Deg. F
• Electric Rating: 400 Amps 600 V
• Dielectric Strength: 2000 V
• Body Material: DuPont Hypalon Rubber
• Mating/Unmating Force: 70 lbs. Max.
• Power and Auxiliary Cables: Amtrak Specification D-77-24

HEP Power Plugs

Part Number Coding:

MPA - X - XXXX - VO1

 1    2     3     4

1. Ingerally molded plug assembly with female contacts
2. 1. - Fixed jumper assembly with cable attaching strain relief 2. - Double Ended cable assembly (portable) SR. - Cable attaching strain relief only (omit XXXX) L - Locomotive cable hanger (omit XXXX)
3. XXXX - Denotes tip to tip length in inches. Standard stock length is 85 inches.
4. VO1 - Denotes custom modification

HEP Power Receptacles

MRA - X - XXXX - VO1

 1    2     3     4

1. Integrally molded receptacle assembly with male contacts
2. 1. - Cable Assembly 2. - Double Ended cable assembly (portable) H. - Receptacle Assembly (omit XXXX - see below for more information)
3. XXXX - Denotes wire tip to mounting flange length in inches (Not Applicable to MRA-H Units, Wire Tip to Mounting Flange applicable only to single ended receptacles). Standard stock length is 24 inches.
4. VO1 - Denotes custom modification

HEP Receptacle Housing

Portable HEP Jumpers

MPA  - 2 - XXXX - VO1
MRA  - 2 - XXXX - VO1
MPRA - 2 - XXXX - VO1

 1     2    3      4

1. Integrally molded double-ended cable assemblies. Units available:
   • MPA - Plug/Plug
   • MRA - Receptacle/Receptacle
   • MPRA - Plug/Receptacle
2. 2. - Double Ended cable assembly (portable)
3. XXXX - Denotes wire tip to tip length in inches
4. VO1 - Denotes custom modification

Communications and MU Parts

While not specifically part of the head-end power system, addition of communications and multiple-unit cables to passenger cars is usually done at the same time, if it is desired. Northwest Rail Electric also has a number of standard comm and MU parts used in converting passenger cars to Amtrak compatible operation in the Comm and MU departments as well. Our stock on the locomotive cable lengths for receptacles and jumpers is a little less common, but we do sometimes have that material as well.

Some of our common Comm and MU parts include:

our Part #                 Description
----------------------------------------------------------
CPA-2760AMTK    Clements COMM Jumper, 60 inches

CRA-141P        Clements MU/Comm Grommet

CRA-27-AMTK     Clements Comm Receptacle

CRA-27-MUBK     Clements MU Receptacle

CRA-27180-AMTK  Clements Comm receptacle, 180 inch leads
                AMTRAK # WWRF27AMTK-L180

CRA-27180-MUBK  Clements MU receptacle, 180 inch leads

CRA-42S         Clements MU/Comm Jumper Pins

• Under-Car Generators for providing electricity to the HEP system.

• Generator Control Systems designed specifically for the needs of railroad passenger car generator systems.

• Electrical Locker Packages for converting railroad cars to HEP power.

• Railroad Grade Electric Wire for use on railroad passenger cars

• Various Specialized Hardware required for a HEP conversion.

• Parts Required to convert a typical railroad passenger car to HEP.