As governments, rail operators and technology providers prepare to meet at the Southern African Railways Association (SARA) Conference from 20 to 23 October, one theme is likely to dominate discussions: how to build rail networks that are more reliable, resilient and fit for the region’s long-term economic ambitions.

While investment in rolling stock and infrastructure remains essential, the performance of every modern railway also depends on an often-overlooked foundation, namely the Low-Voltage (LV) electrical systems that keep passenger stations, depots, signalling infrastructure and critical operational assets running safely and efficiently.

As Southern Africa looks to revitalise its rail sector to improve commuter mobility, strengthen regional trade and reduce pressure on road transport, reliable electrical infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. From passenger stations and maintenance depots to signalling buildings and operational control centres, every rail facility depends on resilient LV power distribution to ensure safe, uninterrupted operations.

According to Veron Maharaj, Product Marketing Specialist at ABB Electrification, modern rail infrastructure extends well beyond tracks and trains. “A reliable rail network depends on reliable electrical infrastructure.”

He adds: “Low-voltage technologies form the backbone of the systems that power passenger stations, signalling facilities, maintenance depots and critical operational assets. By ensuring safe and dependable electrical distribution, these systems help rail operators improve reliability, enhance safety and build greater resilience across their networks.”

The hidden infrastructure behind modern rail

While passengers experience the visible aspects of rail transport, including trains, stations and platforms, an extensive network of electrical infrastructure operates behind the scenes to keep services running efficiently.

LV electrical systems provide power to signalling equipment, communications networks, lighting, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, workshops, control rooms, security systems, pumps, escalators and numerous other operational assets essential to day-to-day railway operations. Any interruption to these electrical systems can affect operational reliability, making robust electrical protection and intelligent power distribution fundamental components of modern rail infrastructure.

Delivering safe and resilient electrical distribution

ABB Electrification’s LV portfolio is designed to provide the electrical protection, reliability and intelligence required across critical rail infrastructure. At the heart of many installations are ABB’s SACE Emax 2 intelligent air circuit breakers and Tmax XT moulded case circuit breakers, which protect electrical networks against overloads, short circuits and faults while providing valuable operational data that supports improved energy management and predictive maintenance.

Complementing these protection devices are ABB’s System pro E power switchboards, which provide safe, flexible and scalable electrical distribution solutions for passenger stations, depots, substations and other operational facilities. Their modular design enables future expansion while maintaining high levels of system reliability and personnel safety.

Across rail facilities, essential auxiliary systems such as ventilation equipment, pumps, escalators, lifts and workshop machinery rely on dependable motor control. ABB’s AF contactors, surge protection, motor protection solutions, energy and power metering and switch disconnectors help ensure these systems continue operating safely while simplifying maintenance activities and improving operational continuity.

Smarter electrical infrastructure for smarter railways

ABB Building Pro is a local or cloud-connected building automation suite from ABB’s Smart Buildings Division that unifies data across previously siloed building systems such as lighting, HVAC, shading, access control, energy monitoring and occupancy into a single operational view.

Rather than distributing power itself, it acts as a data and analytics orchestration layer sitting above ABB's electrical infrastructure hardware (metering, switchgear, transfer switches, KNX systems), giving facility operators real-time insight and supporting predictive maintenance and efficiency optimization. ABB has also been extending its reach through IoT integrations, such as a 2026 partnership with Samsung SmartThings Pro, to connect building data with broader enterprise IoT ecosystems.

Applied to railway stations, this platform would let operators manage platform lighting, HVAC, access control, and energy monitoring as one coordinated system rather than separate silos. Which is particularly valuable for transit authorities overseeing multi-station networks who need portfolio-scale visibility and efficiency gains.

Enhancing safety while improving operational efficiency

Safety remains one of the defining priorities across the rail sector. Modern electrical protection technologies not only safeguard infrastructure but also help protect personnel working in operational environments. Solutions such as ABB’s TVOC-2 Arc Guard System which rapidly detect arc faults, reducing equipment damage, improving workplace safety and minimising operational disruption.

At the same time, intelligent electrical distribution systems support improved energy efficiency by providing better visibility into power consumption, identifying opportunities to optimise electrical performance and reducing unnecessary energy losses across rail facilities.

Supporting the future of Southern African rail

Southern Africa’s rail sector is entering an important period of renewal as governments and industry seek to improve freight logistics, strengthen regional connectivity and encourage more sustainable transport solutions.

Achieving these ambitions will require more than investment in rolling stock and physical infrastructure. It will also depend on resilient, intelligent electrical systems capable of supporting safe, efficient and reliable railway operations for decades to come.

“As stakeholders gather at this year’s SARA Conference to discuss the future of rail across Southern Africa, it is important to recognise the critical role that electrical infrastructure plays in enabling modern railway operations,” highlights Maharaj. “By combining intelligent protection, digital monitoring and reliable power distribution, ABB Electrification’s LV portfolio is helping create the resilient electrical foundations needed to support the next generation of Southern Africa’s rail networks,” he concludes.

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com

ABB Electrification is a global technology leader enabling the efficient and reliable distribution of electricity from source to socket. With more than 50,000 employees across 100 countries, we collaborate with our customers and partners to solve the world’s greatest challenges in electrical distribution and energy management. As the energy transition accelerates and electricity demands grow, we are electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way. At ABB, we are ‘Engineered to Outrun’, and we are passionate about helping our customers and partners do the same. go.abb/electrification