A system for distributing auxiliary power onboard of a train comprising at least a first car equipped with a first plurality of electric loads, a second car which is attached to the first car and is equipped with a second plurality of electric loads, and a third car which is attached to the second car and is equipped with a third plurality of electric loads, the system comprising:
- a power distribution line configured to be installed on board of the train extending across said first, second and third cars;
- a first auxiliary power generator configured to be installed on board of the first car and to be connected to the power distribution line, said first auxiliary power generator being configured to supply power at least to the first plurality of electric loads;
- a second auxiliary power generator configured to be installed on board of the second car and to be connected to the power distribution line, said second auxiliary power generator being configured to supply power at least to the second plurality of electric loads;
- a third auxiliary power generator configured to be installed on board of the third car and to be connected to the power distribution line, said third auxiliary power generator being configured to supply power at least to the third plurality of electric loads;
- a first auxiliary power switching device and a second auxiliary power switching device configured to be positioned along the power distribution line between the first and second auxiliary power generators and between the second and third auxiliary power generators, respectively, wherein the first and second auxiliary power switching devices are configured to switch both between an open position when the first, second and third auxiliary power generators are under a normal condition and supply the corresponding first, second, and third plurality of electric loads, respectively, and a closed position when one of the first, second and third auxiliary power generators is in a faulty condition and is not capable of supplying the corresponding first, or second, or third plurality of electric loads;
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- a third auxiliary power switching device and a fourth auxiliary power switching device configured to be positioned along the power distribution line at the second car, between the first auxiliary power switching device and the second auxiliary power generator and between the second auxiliary power switching device and the second auxiliary power generator, respectively, wherein a first subset of electric loads of the second plurality of electric loads is configured to be connected to the power distribution line at a point between the first auxiliary power switching device and the third auxiliary power switching device, and a second subset of electric loads of the second plurality of electric loads is configured to be connected to the power distribution line at a point between the second auxiliary power switching device and the fourth auxiliary power switching device,
- wherein the third auxiliary power switching device is configured to switch from a normally closed position when the first, second and third auxiliary power generators are in said normal condition to an open position when one of the second and third auxiliary power generators is in said faulty condition, and
- wherein the fourth auxiliary power switching device is configured to switch from a normally closed position when the first, second and third auxiliary power generators are in said normal condition to an open position when one of the first and second auxiliary power generators is in said faulty condition.