Pre-study of optical LED units for shunting signals

Abstract: Alstom wanted to investigate the possibility of adapting its light emitting diode (LED) technology for shunting signals in train traffic. The LED technology uses 50V, but Alstom wants to adapt it for 12V. The LED technology is energy efficient but needs to be adapted for existing signal interlocking by drawing a higher current. This meant that the possibility of reactive power compensation was investigated to obtain lower thermal dissipation in dwarf signal. The essay presents a couple of possible solutions. One of the solutions is to raise the voltage by using a booster converter to use the existing 50V LED unit. Capacitors were reviewed to be used in reactive power compensation to increase current supply. One of the solutions then became a capacitor bank. Simulations indicated that a booster converter and a capacitor bank can be used to adapt the circuit. However, some modifications must be made.