Protected from rain and sunshine

SBRS from Dinslaken, Germany, which has already managed similar projects in Brussels, Münster, Osnabrück and Venice, was commissioned to create the charging infrastructure in Freiburg. This system integrator develops, plans and supplies the complete charging infrastructure – from the charger to the lightning protection. It also takes care of the civil engineering and cabling work. SBRS chose a Toptec suite of outdoor enclosures from Rittal for the enclosure technology.

E-buses can be “refuelled” in only five to eight minutes if intermittently charged, then the next passengers are already waiting at the bus stop to be taken from A to B. These intermediate charges at bus stops are performed by automated contacting by pantograph. This is usually supplied with power from an infrastructure enclosure designed for outdoor installation. It means that these enclosures have to withstand every type of weather and must not pose a danger to people, for instance through the risk of electric shock. The safety requirements of this type of charging infrastructure are high, as the charging stations have a charging capacity of >450 kW and output voltages of up to 1,000 volts.

The e-bus charging stations are located both in the depot and at Freiburg’s “Europaplatz” bus terminal. They feature IP55 protection category, meaning they offer protection against physical contact, dust and penetrating water.

For system integrator SBRS, it was clear from the outset that Rittal would be chosen to provide the enclosure technology:

The base point at Freiburg’s Europaplatz bus terminal is housed in a Toptec outdoor enclosure in EMC design, which delivers shielding from electromagnetic waves. This bayed enclosure suite is accessible at three different points. Rittal has installed fan-and-filter units for climate control that harness the ambient temperature to ensure needs-based ventilation. A twin-walled enclosure concept creates a “chimney effect”, which prevents overheating from solar radiation. This guides the flows of hot air upwards and outwards via the ventilated roof projection. A high level of corrosion protection is also achieved by using top-quality materials such as stainless steel and aluminium.