Real-time information on board thanks to well-cooled electronics.

The demands placed on power electronics in railway applications are unique. Power supplies are subject to fluctuations, temperature swings are extreme, and these factors are compounded by the presence of dust and vibrations. However, operating electronic services within the train carriages themselves presents its own set of challenges—one prime example being the real-time display of passenger information. Through its range of cooling enclosures for electronics, CTX Thermal Solutions ensures that these embedded systems function reliably and durably over the long term.

Are we still on schedule? What is the next stop? And what is the status of my connecting services there? Passenger information systems (FIS) provide travelers within train and rail carriages with vital real-time updates. A central server for the FIS delivers gigabytes of data to the passenger compartments, where it is displayed on TFT screens powered by embedded single-board systems. In this context, CTX stands out thanks to its expertise in embedded cooling—a discipline subject to particularly rigorous requirements within railway applications.
The Advantage of Enclosure Technology in Rail Transport: Efficient, Quiet, and Low-Maintenance

Typically, metal electronics enclosures are utilized to cool the embedded systems powering FIS displays. These enclosures provide physical protection while simultaneously dissipating the relatively high thermal power generated by continuous operation, high clock speeds, and the displays' intense brightness. Yet, they remain compact and lightweight—a fundamental requirement for installation within train carriages. A third key advantage for rail applications is that, as passive cooling solutions, these electronics enclosures operate silently and require minimal maintenance.

CTX Enclosures: Compliant with EN 50155 Standards

Depending on specific project requirements, CTX manufactures its enclosures using extrusion, die casting, or sheet metal stamping and bending techniques. While extrusion and die casting—both formative processes—primarily facilitate the cost-effective production of specific geometries in high volumes, sheet metal stamping and bending is particularly well-suited for creating lightweight, custom-designed enclosures. For all variants, CTX also handles surface treatments—an in-house process involving anodizing, painting, chromating, or powder coating.

Furthermore, the manufacturer equips the enclosures with mounting features, such as threaded bosses. These allow the systems to be securely fastened, enabling them to withstand the intense and sustained vibrations inherent in railway operations, in compliance with the railway standard EN 50155. An EMC-compliant design shields the electronics from external interference, thereby ensuring electromagnetic compatibility—also in accordance with EN 50155.
Cooling Enclosures for 20 Years of Continuous Operation

Ultimately, the result is a range of enclosures that ensure high reliability and a long service life for embedded systems operating under the demanding conditions found in trains and rail vehicles. Here, too, EN 50155 specifies a key requirement: electronic systems in railway carriages must remain operational for 175,000 hours. This equates to 20 years of continuous, non-stop operation. CTX provides the high-performance cooling solutions to make this possible.