One of the largest railway networks in the world with super-dense crush load on their EMU and MEMU stock running on suburban networks across various cities of India run on Sona Comstar's manufactured systems for their braking, coupling and suspension requirements. We have been manufacturing Electro-Pneumatic Brake Systems for more than three decades. These Brake Systems are in use on EMUs, MEMUs, and DEMUs in Indian Railways. Sona Comstar's EP Brake System has two distinct modes of operation. The primary mode of operation is electro-pneumatic application of the brakes throughout the train and the second mode of operation is the application of back-up brakes in case of electrical power failure in the system.
In conventional braking system, after the loco pilot applies brakes via Driver Brake controller, due to the pneumatic propagation over the length of the rake there is a delay in application and release of brakes in the last coaches. Due to this delay, there is an increase in the braking time and stopping distance. EP Assisted Brake System uses electrical signals for brake application resulting in almost simultaneous braking throughout the rake. The EP assisted brake system is designed as per UIC 541-5.
- • Electronic Control Unit
- • Indication Panel
- • Test Box
- • Set of Junction Boxes
- • Emergency Module
- • UIC Socket, Plug and Dummy
The EP assisted brake system is designed as per UIC 541-5 guidelines for continuous monitoring of the EP Brake system to check the integrity of the system. EP Assisted Brake system uses electrical signals during brake application resulting in simultaneous braking throughout the rake.
- Intelligent Electro-Pneumatic (EP) Assisted Brake System designed for high-performance 3-phase locomotive hauled train operations.
- Compatible with WAP-5, WAP-7 Locomotives and LHB coaches.
- Compliant with UIC 541-5 guidelines
- IEC 60571 — Electrical equipment used on rail vehicles.
- IEC 61373 — Shock and vibration testing for railway applications.
In conventional braking system, after the loco pilot applies brakes via Driver Brake controller, due to the pneumatic propagation over the length of the rake there is a delay in application and release of brakes in the last coaches. Due to this delay, there is an increase in the braking time and stopping distance. EP Assisted Brake System uses electrical signals for brake application resulting in almost simultaneous braking throughout the rake. The EP assisted brake system is designed as per UIC 541-5.
- • Test Box
- • Set of Junction Boxes
- • UIC Socket, Plug and Dummy
- • E2NV Valve
- • Reduced Stopping Distance
- • Improved Train Speed Optimization
- • Enhanced Punctuality
- • Fail-Safe Operation
- • Higher Line Capacity Utilization
EP Brake system stands for Electro-Pneumatic Brake system, is basically a combination of electrically controlled and pneumatically applied brake system. Which works in the conjunction to provide effective braking for trains.
- Integrated unit for brake control
- Modular design for better maintainability
- Integrated function service and emergency brake
- Provision of Sensors for TCMS feedback
- 2 variants type of brake controller, Regeneration and Conventional type.
- Enables both electro-pneumatic brake and friction brake
- Enables Holding brake
- 3 dedicated brake positions
- Integrated unit consisting of trainline switches and pneumatic control.
- Quick response & Fast Brake Propagation Support
- Integrated Air Handling & Distribution Module
Automatic Warning System (AWS) is provided in the brake system to bring the train to a standstill position in the event of the driver setting incapacitated in any manner. This is arranged by means of a ‘dead man’ device associated with the master controller. The handle of the master controller has to be kept continuously depressed by the driver. If the pressure of the handle is released on account to driver fainting or getting incapacitated, power for the traction motors is cut off and the brakes are automatically applied
- • Vigilance device to enable Emergency brake.
- • It protects train over speed.
- • Improved Safety & Isolation Capability
- • Simultaneous brake application and release throughout the train formation using electrical command signals for faster brake response.
- • Audio-visual alarm indication provided to loco pilot in case of train loop discontinuity (train parting).
- • Centralized locomotive-based monitoring and control of EP brake status across all coaches in the rake.
- • Real-time brake application and release command transmission ensuring near-simultaneous brake actuation up to the last coach.
- • Integrated E2NV valve arrangement in each coach for rapid BP pressure exhaust.
- • Significant reduction in overall train stopping distance due to rapid brake propagation throughout the rake.
- • User friendly graphical user interface based software with advanced features and better diagnostics.
- • Rapid application and release of brakes.
- • Graduated application and release.
- • Auto control for fail safe operation in electrical failure.
- • 3-step or multi-step EP braking.
- • Blending with regenerative braking (in EMU/MEMU).
- • Integration with TCMS (Train Control & Monitoring System).
- • Instantaneous brake application and release.
- • Reduced stopping distance.
- • Uniform braking throughout train.
- • Reduced wear of brake components.
- • Improved passenger comfort.
- • Better control in suburban stop-start services.
- • Suitable for high acceleration/deceleration operations.
- • Fail-safe brake application.
- • Used for short distance, urban & sub-urban areas up-to 100 Kms.
- • EMUs, MEMUs, DEMU
- • Any other suburban/mass rapid transport system