Introduction to Electric Traction

Lecture 01
 What is Traction?
• The act of drawing or pulling of a vehicle or
load over a surface by motor power.

• The condition of being drawn or pulled.

Example
Characteristics of a Traction System
• High Tractive effort for rapid acceleration
• Self Contained and Compact
• Minimum wear on track
• Minimum wear and tear on brake shoes
• Low ownership and maintenance cost, high
efficiency
• No interference on communication line
• Easy speed control
 Traction System
• Electric System
– Battery, Diesel

• Non Electric System

– Steam, Diesel, Petrol
Why not Steam traction?
 Why not Steam Engine?
• Water – For steam
• Coal – Ash, cleaning of ash span
• Needs starting time
• Not fit for underground systems
• Only 60% of the time it can be used
 Why not Diesel Engine
• Efficient than Steam Engines (25-30%)
• Instant start
• Higher acceleration and Speed
• More passengers
• Self contained Unit
• Fuel Costs and Pollution are a concern
 Electric Engine
• Clean, energy is cheap
• Underground
• No water or fuel storage
• Power from the substation
• Good acceleration and braking
• Instant start any passenger capacity
• Low maintenance
• Same wires for electrification
 Disadvantages for you to list?
• High capital cost
• Problem of supply failure
• Additional equipment is required for achieving
electric
• braking and control
• The leakage of current from the distribution mains
and
• drop of volts in the track are to be kept within the
• prescribed limits.
 Types of Electric Traction
• Electric Vehicles
• Locomotive
• Trams
• Trolley Bus
• Elevators
 Electric Locomotives – In India
• Losses to Indian Railway
– Rs 2000 Cr pa on account electrification
– Rs 600 Cr pa operating costs
– Rs 1400 Cr pa on interest on capital costs
• Every electric locomotive of 4.5 MW (6000 HP) deprives
15,000 households of their electricity needs
• 14.7 per cent villages in the country are yet to get electricity
• World’s modern and advance economies like USA and
Canada have less than one per cent electrification against
Indian Railway’s 41.7 per cent.
 Electric Locomotives – In India
• Diesel loco hauled passenger trains are 41 per
cent cheaper than electric hauled trains.
• Electric traction requires huge capital
investment of Rs 63 Cr per loco in overhead
wires, Transmission lines, and power plants as
against Rs 3 Cr only on diesel traction.
 Electric Locomotives – In India
• Generation of one MW of power requires ten
tonnes of coal every day. Since coal in India
has an ash content of 40 per cent, this results
in generation of four tonnes of coal ash every
day.
• Thus, one electric locomotive requiring 4.5
MW of power is responsible for generating of
18 tonnes of coal ash every day.
Tram
Trolley Bus
Electric Locomotive
Electric Car
Rs 3.65 to 4.6 lakhs
Elevators
Electric Railway Car Propulsion System
Electric Railway Car – Regenerative Braking
Regenerative Braking - Advantages
Hybrid Electric Car