Gone are the days when either-or options such as copper versus aluminum, layer versus disc winding, and a couple of component protection options forced specifying too little or too much reactor for your products.
Now REO-USA brings you Mix ’n Match Hybrids, air core reactors that can incorporate both copper and aluminum material, provide different and/or parallel windings and use several protective methods all in a single component tailored to your power, size and weight as well as budget needs. Market-wide introduction of this technology follows years of extensive component design, testing and real-world proving by the Indianapolis firm and its Germany-based parent, REO.
“We’re already producing hybrids for U.S. customers in the transportation industry,” says Rick Jones, REO-USA senior director of engineering. “In fact, some specs required additional design alterations in our extensive line, which we can easily accommodate. To my knowledge, we’re the only manufacturer to offer Hybrid options, certainly a more extensive selection than anyone else. We offer a complete range of standard reactor configurations, all of which adds up to more ways to precisely match specific product performance and budget requirements.”
In terms of material, many makers offer only copper or aluminum, according to Jones. Each has its own plusses and minuses.
“If you need a conductor that consumes very little current, copper is your best choice. And it gives you a very condensed product, a plus when space is tight. For example, if you need 3 Kw for a transformer, that transformer can be a lot smaller if you use copper rather than aluminum in your reactor. However, despite its smaller size, copper weighs a lot more; in some cases, that’s a big issue. And it’s a relatively expensive material.”
On the other hand, Jones notes, aluminum’s construction volume is greater while providing excellent power. It’s also much lighter, which could have a huge impact in many applications – trains, for instance, where lower-weight components can enable greater passenger capacity. Aluminum’s price (about one-third the cost of copper) is a plus, too.
“In a perfect world, one of these materials would fit users’ needs nicely. But more often than not, it doesn’t. That’s where Mix ’n Match Hybrids multiply ways to meet your specs.
Instead of wrapping one coil around a bobbin, we’ll run parallel lines – wrap one copper and one aluminum – to achieve a desired happy medium of power, with less weight than two copper conductors, less space than two aluminum, and with aluminum’s lower cost part of the package.”
How your reactor coil is wound makes a difference, too. REO-USA can deliver any type that works best for your application.
“Most customer products call for Layer or Disc winding,” Jones points out, “but we can provide other options as needed, including toroidal windings for high-frequency applications.”
Layer winding has a higher current pulse strength, he notes. Disc, however, provides better voltage insulation strength, a major factor in some applications.
“One customer spec called for applying 1000 volts and putting the component underwater,” Jones recalls. “We had to redesign the reactor to accommodate Disc winding, in order to achieve that level of insulation strength. Those hybrids are working for them now.”
Protection from environmental conditions such as moisture, temperature and dirt, is another critical issue with reactors. REO-USA methods include Powder coating, a special REO-Protective coating, housing and the REO Xtreme package, the kind used in the underwater application noted above. A combination of factors can determine the best choice.
All four types provide excellent fire protection and Powder coating. REO-Protective coating also offers protection from moisture and particulates; it carries a PD-4 (Pollution Degree) rating under the IEC 664-1 standard.
“We have the flexibility to deliver any and all options,” Jones asserts. “This enables our customer to analyze multiple factors up-front and get a Hybrid reactor that is right – fully tested and ready for real-world use.”
Furthermore, Jones points out, “Unlike some manufacturers who use lower-range testing units, at our Indianapolis facility we have the capability to test our reactors up to 1500 amps, employing the highest range equipment available.”
“It’s never really just one thing,” sums up Jones. “The combination of factors that we can put in place makes a huge difference. At REO-USA, we specialize in integrated solutions to enhance both short- and long-term performance and payback for railway or other equipment and service providers. Mix ’n Match Hybrids carry ‘integration’ to the ‘nth degree, tailoring reactors to each product and application as never before.”
