Rolling Stock Cables

Linking rolling stock with the latest in lightweight, flexible cable technology

Rising customer expectations, fierce competition, and rapid technological advancements are driving changes in the rolling stock supply chain. 

Rolling stock manufacturers are developing new products and systems to meet the demands for enhanced passenger comfort, operational efficiency, safety, and speed. 

The need for advanced onboard technology, such as improved data and power transmission, is leading to an increase in the number of cables required for rolling stock vehicles and carriages. This trend applies to various modes of transportation, including trams, underground transit, mass transit lines, as well as diesel and regional trains.

Prysmian is helping to meet such requirements

As the world leader in the energy and telecom cables systems industry, we’re promoting and driving product development and innovation in the sector. How? Minimizing the size and weight of cables and reducing the wall thickness of insulation and outer sheaths. All while maintaining or enhancing performance.

 

We offer a full range of products, from power and instrumentation cables to specialty transit communications cables. Our materials have been specially developed using advanced technologies to improve the electrical, mechanical and thermal capabilities as well as fire performance and life expectancy of the products.

Rolling Stock Product Portfolio

Polyrad® XT rail and transit cables are designed for both original equipment and retrofit applications in power and control circuits, as well as motor leads. These cables offer superior heat resistance, flexibility, and abrasion resistance, along with a reduced size, which simplifies installation and allows for higher ampacity. 

As the industry's first wire and cable with a dual temperature rating of 125°C/110°C, Polyrad XT single-conductor cables can effectively reduce your inventory by nearly half while complying with the requirements of AAR RP-585, ICEA S-95-658, NFPA 130, and many other transit industry standards. Polyrad XT single-conductor cables are available in both 600-volt and 2000-volt constructions.

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Polyrad® ULTRA represents the next generation of cable designed specifically for advanced train applications where space is limited. With its outstanding performance, lighter weight, and smaller diameters, Polyrad ULTRA singles can be integrated into multi-conductor configurations rated for 600 V and 125°C, making it ideal for high-density cabling applications.

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As a longstanding leader in the industry, we are dedicated to advancing cabling system solutions through innovative cable technology. Our focus is on enhancing safety, streamlining cable installation, simplifying maintenance, extending performance, and improving cost efficiency. 

We are a qualified supplier for the New York City Transit (NYCT) TX cable specification, making us an approved source for future capital programs as well as maintenance, repair, and operational (MRO) needs. If you require cables that can withstand extreme conditions, we offer a complete selection of high-quality, high-performance Polyrad® XT cables.

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Transit data communications cables come in multiconductor, coaxial, and shielded twisted-pair designs. Our high-quality products are engineered for exceptional thermal stability at elevated temperatures and outstanding performance in sub-zero conditions. The extra-durable irradiated thermoset jacket provides resistance to oils, chemicals, and moisture while maintaining flexibility for easy stripping. We offer a complete range of Cat5e, Cat6, and data cables (MVB and WTB).

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Prysmian offers a wide range of products for various functionalities, including Diesel Locomotive Cable rated at 2000 Volts, Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) Brake Cable, and TRANSPOWER Head-End Power (HEP) cables rated at 600 V.

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Benefits

We have developed an advanced and high-performance family of technological compounds designed for even the most demanding applications. Our technology offers:

  • The smallest possible dimensions while strictly adhering to existing performance standards.
  • Higher working temperatures with reduced conductor cross-sections.
  • Enhanced physical and mechanical resistance, exceeding standard requirements by up to 10 times for properties such as abrasion, cut-through, notch propagation, repeated bending, and vibration resistance.
  • Easy installation—our designs provide cables with easy-peeling properties and low friction, which significantly reduces installation time.
  • Compliance with EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) requirements specific to the railway environment.
  • Unique safety measures to address fire outbreaks. Our primary focus is on ensuring both human and material safety in any working environment. 

Our rolling stock cable solutions are designed to minimize fire hazards related to cables. The Polyrad Rolling Stock portfolio meets all requirements set by NFPA 130 for Fixed Guideway and Passenger Rail Systems, which include:

  • Maximum flame retardance as demonstrated by VW-1 testing. 
  • Reliable results in accordance with NFPA 130 and UL Flame & Smoke tests, specifically UL1685 and IEEE 1202.
  • Minimum toxic gas emissions in compliance with BSS 7239.

We recognize that train cables need to be resilient against a variety of conditions, including exposure to high-speed objects, particles, cleaning fluids, fuels, oils, hydraulic fluids, greases, and more. Additionally, they must withstand harsh environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, salt, mud, and UV radiation. All of our cables are designed to address these requirements as a standard feature. 

Moreover, we offer a wide range of harnessing solutions, incorporating specially developed compounds and cable designs tailored to meet specific customer needs. How do we achieve this? Through our state-of-the-art technology and the expertise of our skilled technicians and technical specialists.

Certifications and Compliance

IRIS is a globally recognized standard for assessing management systems in the railway sector. Prysmian is a member of UNIFE (The European Rail Supply Industry Association) and is committed to delivering excellent service in the railway industry. This commitment also extends to helping railway component suppliers meet internationally recognized quality standards. All Prysmian rolling-stock cables worldwide are fully IRIS certified, which includes their associated production units and processes such as purchasing, inventory, and sales flows.

REACH is the regulation established by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, adopted on December 18, 2006. This regulation modernizes European legislation concerning chemical substances and creates a comprehensive integrated system for managing chemicals within the European Union. 

The primary goal of REACH is to enhance the protection of human health and the environment while ensuring the competitiveness of the European chemical industry and promoting innovation. All of our rolling-stock cables comply with REACH standards. Prysmian recognizes the importance of restricting hazardous chemicals in our products. We actively take the necessary steps to meet the evolving REACH requirements for wire and cable products and materials. 

If you have any specific technical questions regarding REACH or if you need a declaration form, please feel free to submit a request here or email us at [email protected].

The RoHS directive aims to reduce the use of certain hazardous substances in electric and electronic equipment (EEE). The directive applies to cables rated below 250 V, specifically those used for connecting or extending EEE to electrical outlets, or for connecting multiple EEEs to each other. All Prysmian Rolling Stock cables are compliant with RoHS regulations. 

Prysmian recognizes the importance of limiting hazardous substances in our products. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to comply with the evolving RoHS directives concerning wire and cable products and materials. 

If you have specific technical questions about RoHS or require a declaration form, please submit a request here or email us at [email protected].

Contact us

Rolling Stock - US

George Welling