SILIGURI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

SILIGURI -734009

Report

on

Systems Of Track
Electrification
By

Name: DANISH DAS

Roll No.: 11901619017
Course Title: UTILIZATION OF ELECTRIC POWER
Course Code: PC-EE 801
 Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my lecturer Prof. Arup Das, who has guided and assisted me to
complete the assignment on the topic “Systems of Track Electrification”. It was a great
learning experience.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my friends and family members, without
them this assignment could not have been completed in a short duration.

DANISH DAS

11901619017
Abstract

Electric locomotive systems have become the most popular and widely used systems for
traction systems. With the advent of power electronic devices, modern electric traction
systems are using multilevel inverters for better traction performance like high accuracy,
quick responsiveness, and higher reliability. The evaluation of electric motor design and
electrification technologies have not only led to the design of high-speed locomotives
(Metros and suburban railways), but also have raised the overall energy efficiency. This
report contains a brief overview on electric traction systems.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1

Direct Current (DC) electrification system .................................................................... 1

Advantages of DC Electrification System ...................................................................... 2

Disadvantages of DC Electrification System ................................................................. 2

Applications of DC Electrification system ..................................................................... 2

Alternating Current (AC) electrification system ............................................................ 3

Single-Phase Low-Frequency AC System ..................................................................... 3

Advantages of Single-Phase AC Traction System : ........................................................ 4

Three-Phase AC System ............................................................................................... 4

Advantages of Three-Phase Traction System : .............................................................. 4

The disadvantages of using three-phase AC system of track electrification are as

follows − ....................................................................................................................... 4

Composite Traction System .......................................................................................... 5

Single-Phase AC to Three-Phase AC System ................................................................ 5

The advantages of single-phase ac to three-phase ac traction system are: .................... 6

Single-Phase AC to DC System .................................................................................... 6

The advantages of a single-phase ac to dc traction system are: .................................... 7

The disadvantages of a single-phase ac to dc traction system are: ................................ 7

Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 7

References .................................................................................................................... 7
Introduction

The system which use electrical power for traction system i.e. for railways, trams, trolleys,
etc. is called electrical traction. The track electrification refers to the type of source supply
system that is used while powering the electric locomotive systems. It can be AC or DC or
a composite supply.
Selecting the type of electrification depends on several factors like availability of supply,
type of an application area, or on the services like urban, suburban and main line services,
etc.
The three main types of electric traction systems that exist are as follows:
1. Direct Current (DC) electrification system
2. Alternating Current (AC) electrification system
3. Composite system.

Direct Current (DC) electrification system

In the dc traction system, dc series motors are employed due to their high starting torque.
The operating voltage range of the motor lies between 1500-3000V. However, dc
compound motors with operating voltage at 600V are also used for tramways and
trolleybuses where regenerative braking is required.

The DC electrification system uses 600 V DC to 750 V DC for urban services and 1500
V DC to 3000 V DC for main line service.
The substation for DC electrification system consists of a transformer and mercury arc
rectifier or rotary converter. These substations are usually automatic and remote
controlled.
The substations are usually fed from 33 kV to 110 kV, 3-phase AC supply and
transformers are employed for conversion of this high voltage to AC low voltage. This AC
low voltage is fed to rotary converter or mercury arc rectifiers which converts the AC
voltage into DC voltage.
The DC voltage obtained is either 1500 V DC or 3000 V DC and this DC voltage is fed to
catenary to be tapped by DC series motors fitted between the wheels of various
compartments of the electric train. The return path is provided through rails.
To have high voltage AC fed to the substations and then getting converted into DC, rather
than having DC fed directly to the substations reduce the cost of transmission lines and
also reduce the copper losses because smaller currents flow at high voltages.

Advantages of DC Electrification System

The direct current (DC) system of track electrification has the following advantages −
• DC trains consumes less electrical energy.
• The DC system does not interfere with the overhead communication lines.
• The equipment of DC train are lighter, less costly and more efficient.
• The DC series motors are better for the frequent and rapid acceleration of
heavy trains.
• In terms of initial and maintenance cost, the conductor rail is less costly for
distribution system.

Disadvantages of DC Electrification System

The disadvantages of the DC system of track electrification include the following −
• DC electrification system involves high cost of sub-stations.
• DC electrification system requires that the sub-stations are to be located at
smaller distances so that copper losses and voltage drops in the lines are
reduced.
• In case of DC system, the provision of negative booster is a must.

Applications of DC Electrification system

The direct current (DC) system for track electrification is more suitable for short distances
and in the railway services where frequent stops are required.
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Alternating Current (AC) electrification system

There are two types of AC system of track electrification −

• Single-Phase Low-Frequency AC System (15 kV to 25 kV at 162323 Hz, 25
Hz and 50 Hz)
• Three-Phase AC System (3.3 kV to 3.6 kV at 162323 Hz)

Single-Phase Low-Frequency AC System

In a single-phase low-frequency system of track electrification, an AC voltage of 15 kV

at a frequency of 162323 to 25 Hz is used. The use of high voltage AC in the system
reduces the current flowing through the overhead transmission line resulting in the reduced
voltage drops and it helps in installing the substations at larger distances, about 50 to 80
km.
The use of low frequency supply reduces the impedance of the line which in turn reduces
the current and voltage drops in the lines and hence justifies the installation of substations
at longer distances.
The AC high voltage at low frequency is fed to the overhead transmission line from the
substation and is tapped by the locomotive which has a step-down transformer installed in
it which converts the high voltage into a low voltage of the order of 300 to 400 V. This
low voltage is then applied to AC series motor and the return line is provided through the
rails. The AC series motor operated at low frequency has improved commutation
properties and also its power factor and efficiency is increased.
In the single-phase low frequency system, the requisite power at low frequency is obtained
as −
• By installing a special generating station which generates power at reduced
frequency and the distribution lines are directly fed at high voltage from the
generating station. This method is suitable when the extent of electrification
is within a radius of 30 km from the generating station.
• In the second case, when there is no separate generating station, the substation
is provided with a step down transformer which reduces the high voltage
received from the transmission line to required low value. The substation is
also equipped with a frequency converter set. The frequency converter set is a
single-phase alternator driven by a 3-phase synchronous motor which provide
single supply of reduced frequency.

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Advantages of Single-Phase AC Traction System :
• The spacing between two substations is usually taken as 50-80 km because of
low current requirement at high voltage.
• Rapid acceleration and retardation have less effect on the system.
• Less cost.
• Low-frequency operation improves commutation, efficiency, and power factor
of ac series motor.
• Low-frequency operation reduces the line reactance and hence voltage drop.

Three-Phase AC System

In the three-phase AC system, induction motor is used to provide required propelling

power. The induction motor used normally works at a voltage of 3.3 kV and at a frequency
of 162323 Hz. In this system of track electrification, two overhead conductors are used
and the return is obtained through the rails.
In case of three phase AC system of track electrification, the substations receive power at
very high voltage and at standard frequency of 50 Hz. This voltage is then stepped down
to 3.3 kV with the help of step-down transformers and the frequency is reduced to
162323 Hz by the frequency converters installed at the substations.
The use of induction motor provides the following advantages −
• The high voltage induction motor reduces the current flowing through the
overhead line and hence reducing the voltage drops.
• The induction motors are quite robust and give trouble free operation.
• With the use of induction motor, the regenerative braking could be applied
without any additional equipment.

Advantages of Three-Phase Traction System :

• Three-phase induction motors are simple, robust, and efficient with low-cost
regeneration.

The disadvantages of using three-phase AC system of track electrification are as

follows −
• The collection of power from two overhead conductors becomes very difficult
especially at junctions and crossings.

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 • As the induction motor used normally works at almost constant speed.
However, there are various techniques for changing the speed, but that speed
changing is in steps and hence the change in speed is not uniform.

Composite Traction System

The composite system combines together any two of the systems of track electrification
so as to incorporate good points of both the systems. The composite systems presently
being used are as −
• Single-Phase AC to Three-Phase AC System
• Single-Phase AC to DC System

Single-Phase AC to Three-Phase AC System

The single-phase to three-phase system of track electrification is also known as Kando

System. As the three phase AC traction system has some disadvantages such as tapping of
power supply through two overhead conductors which is eliminated in the Kando System.

In this system, a singl-phase AC supply of 15 kV at 50 Hz is fed from the substation to the

overhead distribution network. This single-phase AC power at 15 kV is then tapped by the
locomotive with the help of pantograph. The locomotive is equipped with phase converter
which converts the single-phase AC to three-phase AC at the same frequency. This three-
phase AC supply is then given to the three-phase induction motor.
Hence, by employing the kando system of track electrification, the advantage of producing
power by three-phase induction motor are retained whereas the disadvantage of the
tapping power from the two overhead conductors (in three phase AC system) get
eliminated.

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The advantages of single-phase ac to three-phase ac traction system are:
• The difficulty of collecting current in a three-phase system can be overcome.

• Less expensive than a three-phase distribution network.

• The design of the substation is simple and flexible in substation location.

Single-Phase AC to DC System
In the single-phase AC to DC system of track electrification, the overhead line is fed from
a substation at 25 kV, single-phase 50 Hz AC supply. This 25 kV single-phase AC supply
is tapped by the locomotive through the pantograph and is then fed to the step-down
transformer which is located in the locomotive which reduces the voltage to lower values.

The reduced voltage is further fed to the rectifier unit which is also installed in the
locomotive. The rectifier unit converts the AC voltage to DC voltage and this DC voltage
is given to the DC series motors which are fitted to drive the wheels.
Therefore, it can be noticed that the single-phase AC to DC system combines the
advantages of the high voltage AC distribution at industrial frequency with the DC traction
system.
Also, the single-phase AC to DC system of track electrification employing 25 kV at
industrial frequency has been adopted for all future electrification in India. Some of the
traction systems in India which are working on this supply system as follows −
• Howrah to Tundla
• Igatpuri to Bhusaval
• Virar to Sabarmati
• Madras to Tambaram

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The advantages of a single-phase ac to dc traction system are:
• Due to high voltage distribution, line current for a given power rating is reduced.
This reduces the cross-sectional area and hence the cost of supporting structure
is also reduced.
• High voltage substations can be placed at longer distances.
• DC series motors have ideal traction characteristics for getting the required
propelling power.

The disadvantages of a single-phase ac to dc traction system are:

• Single-phase ac system imposes unbalance on the power supply system.

• Interference with communication lines.

Conclusion

The electric traction system is the most efficient of all other traction system such as
steam and internal combustion (IC) engine type systems. It offers several benefits over
other systems, including quick start and stop, very efficient, pollution-free, easy to handle
and easy speed control. With the advancement of electrical drives for traction systems,
this electrification of traction becomes much popular in several traction services
including metro or suburban railways. The track electrification refers to the type of
source supply system that is used while powering the electric locomotive systems. It can
be AC or DC or a composite supply. Selecting the type of electrification depends on
several factors like availability of supply, type of an application area, or on the services
like urban, suburban and main line services, etc.

References
• S. (2018, February 20). Systems of Track Electrification: 4 Systems | Electrical Engineering.

Engineering Notes India. https://www.engineeringenotes.com/electrical-engineering/electric-

traction-electrical-engineering/systems-of-track-electrification-4-systems-electrical-

engineering/36534

• A. (2021, September 20). Electric Traction Systems And Their Advantages. Electronics Hub.

https://www.electronicshub.org/electric-traction-system/

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• Agarwal, T. (2019, November 25). What is an Electric Locomotive Systems and their Types in

India? ElProCus - Electronic Projects for Engineering Students.

https://www.elprocus.com/what-is-an-electric-locomotive-systems-and-their-types-in-india/

• Deck, E. (2022, September 18). Different Electric Traction Systems or Track Electrification

Systems. Electrical Deck - All About Electrical & Electronics.

https://www.electricaldeck.com/2022/04/different-electric-traction-systems.html

• Systems of Track Electrification AC Electrification System. (n.d.).

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/systems-of-track-electrification-ac-electrification-system