NewTec, a specialist in safety-critical electronic systems, has developed a modular platform together with E-T-A, the world market leader in circuit protectors and circuit breakers, opening up new possibilities in the construction and operation of rail vehicles. The underlying concept of intelligent electronic power distribution creates more space in rolling stock, for example for additional seating, allows for more flexible vehicle layouts, and delivers greater transparency and future-proofing.

Space is a valuable commodity in passenger trains. Even a single additional seat per carriage can increase passenger comfort on well-utilised routes, helping to attract new passengers and boost profitability. At the same time, traditional switch cabinet architectures take up valuable installation space. By combining electronic (semiconductor-based) protection technology, intelligent software and modern communication architecture, the power distribution concept developed by E-T-A and NewTec achieves space savings of up to 90 percent compared to conventional switch cabinets — equivalent to roughly one additional seat per vehicle. It also enables real-time access to system states and loads, creating greater transparency for the train driver. Early fault detection and condition-based maintenance can further increase vehicle availability.

"Seamless integration into the train network via TRDP guarantees a high level of future-proofing for the platform," emphasises Matthias Wolbert, Managing Director of NewTec. "It was also particularly important to us to consider safety and security concepts at the architecture level from the outset."

In developing the platform, E-T-A contributed decades of experience in electronic overcurrent protection and safety-critical applications. Development partner NewTec provided its expertise in railway engineering, embedded software development, and as a specialist in functional safety and cybersecurity.

The new platform will be presented at Innotrans, from 22–26 September 2026, in Hall 6.1, Stand 510 (NewTec).