Vehicles
Each 481/482 unit is formed of two cars - one 481 car with driving cab, and one 482 car without a cab, connected by a walkthrough gangway, forming a so called quarter-train. Three units (501/601 – 503/603) consist of four cars connected by three gangways. As driving cabs are required on both ends of each consist, the minimum train length for a Class 481/482 train is a half-train with 4 cars (Kurzzug), formed 481-482-482-481. Two half-trains coupled together form an 8 car Vollzug, the longest possible train length. 6 car trains are also run, namely on S 25, S 26, S 41, S 42, S 47 and S 85.
The seating is arranged in a 2 + 2, with an open area at one end to accommodate bicycles and wheelchairs.
Regenerative brakes are fitted, leading to an average electricity saving of 30 percent over the S-Bahn network. Three of the four bogies in each 2 car unit are powered. In the interior, mainly clean and vandal-resistant fabrics were used.
Due to their characteristic howling start-up noise, which is typical for three-phase AC motors with pulsed voltage control, these vehicles are occasionally also called "circular saws", "hoe buoys" or "flying alarms". The loud start-up and brake noise has led to many complaints.
Routes
The DBAG 481 series can operate on all lines of the Berlin S-Bahn. The lines S1, S2, S25, S3, S5, S7, S75 and S9 are exclusively operated by the 481. Often the 481 also operates on the Ringbahn S41 and S42, and at the weekends is the only type used on the Ringbahn. The same is true for the S47.