Supercharging Railway Power

With the combination of our extensive standard product range, our custom design capabilities and our service offerings, Powerbox is truly unique in offering complete power solutions for the Australian and International railway markets. We take pride in offering innovative products that will perform for a long time under the toughest of conditions or most demanding applications.

Your Partner in Power Solutions

Powerbox Australia stands at the forefront of the power supply industry, driven by innovation and a steadfast commitment to excellence. With a focus on reliability, safety, flexibility, and high-performance rail and transportation power supply solutions, we exceed industry standards, setting new benchmarks for quality and performance.

Comprehensive Product and Service Range

Powerbox Australia distinguishes itself with an extensive selection of standard products, custom design capabilities, and exceptional service offerings. This comprehensive approach ensures that we can provide complete power solutions tailored to both the Australian and International railway markets.

Innovative and Long-Lasting Solutions

Our products are not just advanced; they are also built to last. We take pride in offering innovative power solutions designed to perform reliably under the toughest conditions and in the most demanding applications. This commitment to durability and innovation ensures that our clients receive products that are not only cutting-edge but also offer prolonged operational life.

Customised and Optimal Performance

At Powerbox, we collaborate closely with our clients to find the optimal power converter solution for each specific application. This process considers performance, price, and quality, ensuring a tailored approach that meets the unique needs and preferences of each customer, providing a perfect balance of all key factors.

Leadership in Quality and Performance

Standing at the forefront of the power supply industry, Powerbox Australia is driven by innovation and a steadfast commitment to excellence. Our products exceed industry standards, setting new benchmarks for quality and performance. This leadership position reflects our dedication to delivering superior power solutions that consistently outperform competitors.

Reliability and Safety Focus

The reliability and safety of our power solutions are paramount, especially in the critical field of railway and transportation. Our focus on these aspects ensures that our products not only meet but exceed the stringent requirements of the industry. This unwavering commitment to reliability and safety makes Powerbox a trusted partner in power solutions, providing peace of mind to our clients.

Trackside Applications Onboard Applications
Trackside Applications
Rail Signalling

Powerbox Australia’s solutions for rail signalling are integral to maintaining safe and efficient railway operations. Our power supplies ensure the uninterrupted functioning of signals, vital for directing train traffic and preventing accidents. These systems are designed for high reliability and can withstand the harsh environments often encountered trackside.

Level Crossings

At level crossings, safety is paramount. Powerbox provides power solutions that are robust and reliable, ensuring that crossing signals and barriers operate flawlessly. Our systems are designed to be fail-safe, contributing to the prevention of accidents and ensuring public safety.

Trackside Monitoring

Powerbox’s solutions for trackside monitoring systems enable continuous surveillance and assessment of railway infrastructure. These systems are vital for detecting potential issues early, facilitating timely maintenance, and ensuring overall track safety.

Radio & Communications Networks

For effective railway operations, seamless communication is crucial. Powerbox’s power supplies for radio and communication networks guarantee uninterrupted service, ensuring clear and consistent communication between train operators and control centers.

Public Safety & Security Systems

Powerbox powers the systems that keep railway areas secure and passengers safe. Our solutions support a range of security applications, including CCTV and emergency communication systems, with reliability that public safety demands.

Data Monitoring

Our power solutions for data monitoring systems enable the collection and analysis of critical operational data. This information helps in optimising railway operations, enhancing safety, and improving maintenance schedules.

Electrification Infrastructure

Powerbox supports the electrification infrastructure of railways with solutions that ensure efficient power distribution. Our systems are key to powering overhead lines and third rails, essential for the smoothoperation of electric trains.

Onboard Applications
AC Power for driver and passenger ammenities

Powerbox’s AC power solutions enhance the comfort of both drivers and passengers. From lighting to charging ports and onboard entertainment, our systems ensure that all amenities are reliably powered throughout the journey.

HVAC

Powerbox supplies a comprehensive range of DC-AC inverters and DC-DC converters specifically designed for HVAC applications in railway systems. These solutions ensure reliable, efficient power conversion, meeting the strict performance and safety requirements for onboard climate control in railway environments.

Displays & PA Systems

Powerbox supplies reliable and small form-factor DC-DC converters designed to power variable messaging displays and PA systems in passenger cars, ensuring clear, consistent communication within railway fleets.

Lightning Applications

Powerbox can supply a range of DC-DC converters suitable for onboard lighting applications.

Battery Charging for Standby Power

Powerbox supplies high-performance battery chargers for on-board railway applications, ensuring reliable power for critical systems during standby or emergencies. These chargers maintain battery health, prevent overcharging, and maximize lifespan, meeting the demanding requirements of rail environments.

Headlight Control

Powerbox supplies DC-DC converters specifically designed for headlight control in diesel-powered locomotives. These converters regulate supply voltage to ensure consistent headlight performance and are equipped with failure detection features, enhancing safety and reliability. Built for rugged rail environments, they ensure stable power delivery to locomotive headlights, even under varying operating conditions.

Powering Windscreen Wipers

Powerbox offers a range of DC-DC converters designed to drive windscreen wipers on diesel locomotives, critical for safe operation as the locomotive halts if the wipers fail. These converters are built to handle high inrush currents from wiper motors and can withstand stall events, such as ice buildup, ensuring continuous and reliable performance in harsh conditions.

Radio Communications

Powerbox provides DC-DC converters designed to power on-board radio communications in railway applications. Engineered to meet stringent EMC requirements, these converters ensure reliable and interference-free performance. Built for rugged environments, they deliver stable power to critical communication systems, supporting seamless and uninterrupted operations.

Stand Alone Power

Powerbox delivers Stand Alone Power Systems (SAPS) for trackside applications, providing reliable, off-grid power to critical infrastructure such as signaling and communication systems. These SAPS solutions integrate solar power, battery storage, and advanced power management to ensure continuous operation in remote locations. Designed for harsh environments, they offer a dependable, sustainable power source where grid access is unavailable and can support critical infrastructure autonomously between 3 to 10 days.

CASE STUDY
  • Revolutionising Onboard AC Power: PBSP-74- Series for Diesel Locomotives

    Read Case Study
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Powerbox provide power supplies for both onboard and trackside railway applications?

Yes, Powerbox offers an extensive range of power converters and solutions tailored for both trackside and onboard applications. Our portfolio includes off-the-shelf AC-DC power supplies, Battery Chargers, DC-DC converters, DC-AC inverters (1-Phase and 3-Phase) and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). We also provide semi-custom and fully customised power converters and systems designed to meet the unique requirements of each application.

Does Powerbox manufacture their own products specifically for the Railway Industry?

Yes, Powerbox has a long pedigree of Australian based design and manufacturing of power converters for on-board railway applications. Our specialties lie within producing DC-DC Converters and DC-AC Inverters, typically used diesel locomotives for general freight and heavy haulage across Australia.

Does Powerbox export their Railway products to global markets?

Yes, Powerbox exports our Australian designed and manufactured DC-DC Converters and DC-AC Inverters to a limited number of international markets, including the USA and Canada. If you are interested in the products for other markets, please contact the Powerbox sales team.

Can Powerbox provide a customised power converter for my on-board or trackside railway application?

With Australian based design and manufacturing capabilities, Powerbox is well positioned to support you with a customised power converter for your onboard application. Please get in touch today to discuss your project requirements.

In addition to supplying your own product, which product partners do Powerbox work with to support the Rail and Transportation Market in Australia?

Powerbox is an authorised distributor and value-added partner for the following Brands who have a global reputation for supplying reliable and high-performance power converters for Railway applications.

  • Cincon Electronics [Tiawan] – Providers of a wide range of EN50155 compliant railway DC-DC Converter power modules suitable for distributed power architectures.
  • CE+T Power [Belgium] – Providers of highly reliable modular inverters technology, suitable for use in Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) and Stand-Alone Power Systems (SAPS) applications, incorporating Inview monitoring suite.
  • Dunkermotoren [Germany] – Dunkermotoren are specialist manufacturers of integrated motor solutions including DC Motors (brushed and brush-less type), Brakes, Gearboxes, Encoders and Controllers designed to meet the highest standards of efficiency, durability, and performance.
  • Polarium [Sweden] - Polarium is a Swedish company dedicated to providing the best performing, safe and sustainable energy storage solutions, built on lithium-ion battery technology.
  • Polyamp [Sweden] – Polyamp are a trusted supplier of DC-DC converters suitable for both trackside and on-board applications.
  • Premium S.A [Spain] – Providers on a wide range of EN50155 and EN45545 approved DC-DC Converters and DC-AC Inverters (1-Phase + 3-Phase) for use in both onboard and trackside applications.
  • Schaefer Elektronik GmbH [Germany] – Providers of AC/DC Power Supplies, Battery Chargers, DC-DC Converters, DC-AC Inverters and Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).
Which Railway networks do Powerbox hold type approvals for AC-DC Power Supplies, Battery Chargers, DC-DC Converters and DC-AC Inverters for use in Railway Signalling and Level Crossing Applications?

Powerbox holds type approvals within several networks including ARTC, Aurizon, Queensland Rail and Sydney Trains.

Do you have a published list of Type Approved power supplies and the associated networks they are used in?

Yes, please contact the Powerbox sales and applications engineering team for advice on which products are suitable based on both Network and Application.

I’m a Senior Signalling Engineer and have been tasked with implementing a signalling upgrade for several sites within a regional network. Can the team at Powerbox help me size a suitable power supply arrangement to meet the power requirements of my load, battery re-charge time and redundancy requirements?

Yes, this is where the Powerbox Sales & Applications Team are in their element, working hand in glove with Signalling Engineers from Network Operators, Signalling Design Houses, Consultants, Contractors and Signalling OEMs to ensure the power supply arrangements meet both functionality requirements and those imposed by Standards.

Can you provide advice on what is the most suitable Schaefer power supply for my network and application?

Yes, Powerbox Australia has been working with Schaefer Elektronik from Germany since our inception 40 Years ago and holds type approval for Schaefer power supplies across several networks. We can work with you to ensure that you are using the best power supply for your application.

What makes a power supply suitable for a railway application?

Power supplies used in railway applications must meet stringent performance and reliability standards due to the demanding environment. Key factors include ruggedness, the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration, as well as compliance with industry standards like EN 50155 for electronic equipment on rolling stock. High efficiency and reliability are critical, as any power failure can disrupt operations. Power supplies must also feature robust surge protection, electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering, and galvanic isolation to handle the electrical noise and transient voltages present in railway systems. Additionally, compact designs and high-power density are essential to save space in confined trackside or onboard installations. These characteristics ensure continuous, stable power delivery for critical systems like signalling, communication, and control in railway applications.

Beyond Power Supplies, how else does Powerbox support the Australian Railway Industry?

In addition to traditional power supplies, Powerbox offers a range of advanced solutions, including turnkey outdoor power cabinets equipped with modular rectifiers, solar MPPT modules, inverter modules, and lithium-ion batteries. These systems are designed to support solar hybrid and stand-alone power solutions for remote telecommunications infrastructure, specifically for signalling and radio communications applications.

Powerbox also can provide a suite of precision DC motors and related electro-mechanical accessories for use within onboard applications such as automatic train doors, accessibility and HVAC applications.

Does Powerbox provide Servicing and Routine Overhaul Services for your products?

Powerbox provides servicing and routine overhaul services for many of the products provided for onboard railway applications, including our PBSP-74O and PBSP-74I Series Inverters. Regular and routine servicing intervals, and replacement of consumable parts help to maximise uptime and prevent unexpected downtime due to maintenance issues. If you would like to discuss routine maintenance requirements, get in touch with our Service Team today!

I’m an Engineer managing obsolescence across a fleet of locomotives. I’m looking to replace an Inverter / DC-DC converter that is currently installed within a fleet that is prematurely failing, causing both reliability and operational issues. Can Powerbox assist in finding a suitable product for direct replacement?

Yes, many of the standard Powerbox Design products you find in our range today came from these requirements. Contact us today to discuss your unique project requirements.

Let's Power Your Next Railway Project Together

We're dedicated to fueling the success of your next railway and transportation project. Whether you're looking for innovative power solutions for trackside applications or onboard systems, our team is here to provide expert guidance and customised power solutions tailored to your specific needs.

sales@powerbox.com.au 1800 251 380