Saft Ni-Cd batteries help keep tram-trains running in Karlsruhe Saft nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries help ensure non-stop tram-train service in the German city of Karlsruhe, with a balance of reliability, performance and low maintenance. The city of Karlsruhe was the first in Germany to link its street tramway and mainline railway by running urban trams on both networks. These tram-trains have dual equipment that enables them to run on both tram and train networks, using multiple supply voltages. Changing between the 750 V DC tram track power supply and the 15 kV AC main line supply, requires the tram-train to pass a cut-off section of up to 250 metres where no external power is available. The onboard battery system – with a nominal voltage of 24 V – must provide a minimum of 20 V for 20–

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