The Brussels Tramway 2000 with asynchronous traction

The Tramway 2000 is a bi-directional, articulated 100% low-floor tramway, ordered from ACEC TRANSPORT by the Societe des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles. It consists of 2 large body sections resting on articulated bogies and one small central body section fixed to a rigid bogie. Motorization is provided by 8 water-cooled induction wheel motors powered in pairs by 4 independent drive units. These have a common power supply (network nominal voltage 650 V) and include a braking cell and a direct voltage source inverter with GTO. Low-voltage power supply is provided by a 20 kW static power converter which supplies 380/220 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz for the various auxiliary motors and 24 V DC for battery charging. All the major equipment is roof-mounted, the power semiconductors being cooled by insulated radiators and natural cooling.<>