Railway Traction Systems

09104007 Anish Nangia 09104011 Anubhav Aggarwal 09104020 Gaurav Manchanda 09104040 Payal Niharika 09104050 Sanjoli Jain

Contents

Introduction Classification Electric Traction Railway Traction Third rail system Overhead system

Traction is defined as

a physical process in which a tangential force is transmitted across an interface between two bodies through dry friction or an intervening fluid film resulting in motion, stoppage or the transmission of power

Classification

Traction

NonElectric

Electric

Application
Electrification in traction (in India) is used with three types of locomotives:
Using single phase AC commutator motor Using DC with tapped transformer and rectifier Using phase converter and induction motor

Pros & Cons of Electric Traction

Pros:
High torque-to weight ratio Regenerative braking is possible Lesser noise Less maintenance

Cons:
High Capital cost

Motors used for Electric Traction

Permanent Magnet Motors: High power density and power factor High Efficiency High Cost Switched Reluctance Machine: Robust Rotor Structure High Torque Ripple Poor Power Factor Induction Machine Low Cost Robust Rotor Structure Low Power Density Inferior power factor and efficiency

Railway Traction

Voltage DC Current

Railway Traction

AC

Third Rail Contact System

Overhead

Supply for traction systems

DC
Simpler, especially for railway traction Easy control Easier to maintain Expensive (for long run) Sparking and corrosion Unsuitable for regenerative braking

AC
Efficient and cheaper for long distances Less or no maintenance Reliable Higher level of adhesion Complicated control

Trends in Traction System

Existing Traction Systems use DC motors, because of the following reasons: 1. Less expensive 2. More efficient for some H.P. 3. Rail conductor track system is less costly for DC than for AC.

Advantages of AC motor over DC motors

Commutators-prone to fail due to vibration and shock DC motor not suitable for regenerative braking, requires complex and bulky extra components DC motors tend to inject harmonics in the system IM doesnt use commutators Fairly easy to use regenerative braking Simpler construction

Standard voltage levels

Voltage 600 V

Type DC

750 V 1.5 kV
3 kV 15 kV 25 kV

DC DC
DC AC,16.7 Hz AC, 50 Hz

Railway Traction in India

1500 V DC overhead traction system used around Mumbai Delhi Metro uses 25 kV AC overhead lines with ground level and elevated routes Kolkata Metro- 750 DC third rail Kolkata trams- 550 DC overhead with underground conductors

Third rail system

Third rail or conductor rail placed alongside the rail track. Generally placed outside but sometimes placed inside

Third rail Systen

Shoe and Shoegear

Shoe is used to collect the current on train. Wherever conductor rails are interrupted, shoe is given a ramp for smooth transistion

Shoegears

Third rail breaks

Gaps usually leads to the loss of power Power loss can be lessened by using locating shoes along the train and connecting them

Benefits and Disadvantages

Benefits:
Easier to install Cheaper Lesser prone to power surges

Disadvantages:
Hazardous Weather affected Practical limit on speed

Overhead System

Overhead system
In overhead system, there are overhead lines that supply electricity Trains collect the electricity through pantograph, bow collecters or trolley poles The wire must be weather durable, and withstand wind

Catenary
Catenary are overhead wires that form a support structure Helps maintain the lateral and horizontal tension

Catenary suspension systems

Pantograph

Used to collect electricity Easier to isolate Contact maintained by spring or air pressure

Pantograph Horns
Horns provide balance to the contact wires They also protect the pantograph from obstructions like tree limbs etc The horns have no current conducting function They are directed downwards so that they dont tangle with overhead lines

Types of Pantograph

Single Arm Pantograph: Less power, fault prone

Double Arm Pantograph: More power, fault tolerable

Block Diagram of Modern AC Electric Locomotive

Circuit-Breaker
Electro-pneumatic contractor type High voltage; mounted on the roof of the locomotive All the OHE are connected/disconnected by the means of this CB

Loco Transformer

Main Transformer of the locomotive 25kV supply fed to this transformer via main bushing Winding divided into 32 taps (generally) Taps attached to tap changer

Tap-Changer

Schematic of a Single-Phase AC

Smoothens and Filters the DC output

Steps down the 25 kV AC Converts AC to specified DC Voltage

DC Link
This is essentially a bank of capacitor and inductor to give a smooth DC output It also eliminates/reduces the harmonics produced by drive converters and traction motors The capacitor bank in this section can also provide a small amount of reserve power in the transient situations, if needed by the traction motors

Drive Converter
Inverter with three thyristor based components Three components produces three phase AC Thyristor components controlled by microprocessorcan produce a wide range of AC frequency and voltage

AC Electric Locomotive with DC motor

Track Magnet
To reduce arcing at neutral section, track magnets are used Track magnets automatically switch off the supply when train reaches neutral section

Neutral Section

It is a short section of insulated and dead overhead equipment which separates the area fed by adjacent substation or feeding post. Neutral Section is also present when DC supply changes over to AC supply, and the links are joined by only a neutral section

Benefits and Disadvantages

Benefits
Robust Less hazardous Efficient

Disadvantages
Prone to lightening surges Capital extensive May require reconstruction

Thank you
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