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Singapore trains will be retrofitted with PM synchronous motors
Published:  05 July, 2013

The Singapore railway operator SMRT is refitting 66 commuter trains with permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) in a move that is expected to cut power consumption by 30%, reduce noise levels, and improve the operating efficiency of the trains.

The motors will be fitted to trains running on two major commuter lines in Singapore's Mass Rapid Transport system – the 45km-long North-South Line and the 57k East-West Line. This is the first upgrade to the six-car trains’ drive systems since they entered service in 1987. The new drive systems will first be installed on two train sets in early 2015, with others following after 1–2 years of test runs. A total of 396 cars are due to be converted.

The motors, inverters and peripheral equipment are being supplied by Toshiba. This is the first deployment of the high-efficiency PMSM technology outside of Japan, where it has already been introduced on trains operating on the world's busiest subway network, Tokyo Metro, including the Chiyoda, Marunouchi and Ginza Lines.

Toshiba hopes that the Singapore order will act as a springboard to winning further orders in the global market.