Utilization of Electrical Energy

SUBJECT CODE: EE402

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

National Institute of Technology Puducherry, Karaikal-
609 609
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Unit 4
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Electric Traction
Introduction

 A system which causes the propulsion of vehicle in which tractive or driving force
is obtained from various devices such as diesel engine drives, steam engine drives,
electric motors, etc. is called as traction system.

 The traction system can be classified as non-electric and electric traction

systems.

Non-electric traction system

 A traction system that doesn’t use electrical energy for the movement of vehicle at
any stage is referred as non-electric traction system.

 Examples are : steam engine drive used in railways and internal-combustion-

engine drive used for road transport.
•Steam until
•mid 1950’s
Electric Traction
Introduction

Electric traction system

 Electric traction involves the use of electricity at some stage or all the stages of
locomotive movement.

 This system includes straight electrical drive, diesel electric drive and battery
operated electric drive vehicles.
•Types of Locomotives

• Steam
• Diesel-Electric
• Electric
• Hybrid
Electric Traction
Advantages

 Clean and pollution free

 Starting torque is high

 Speed control is simple

 Braking is simple and efficient

 By regenerative braking can be pumped back into the supply and saving the
electric energy

 Less maintenance than steam locomotive

 Put into service immediately

Electric Traction

Advantages

 The coefficient of adhesion is high (coefficient of adhesion = the ratio of the tangential
friction force between wheel and rail rollers and normal force i.e, the ratio of the tractive
effort (Ft) to propel the wheel of a locomotive to its adhesive weight (W)).

 Center of gravity is lower than steam locomotive. Hence it runs faster at curved routes

 Saving high grade of coal and diesel

Disadvantages

 High capital cost in erecting overhead supply

 Power failure for few minutes can cause dislocation of traffic for hours

 Communication lines gets interference

Electric Traction
Requirements of an ideal traction system

 The coefficient of adhesion should be high

 It should be possible to overload the equipment for short period

 The wear caused on the brake shoes, wheel and the track should be minimum

 It should be possible to use regenerative braking

 The locomotive or train should be self contained so that it can run on any route

 It should be pollution free

Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction

 Direct current system—600 V, 750 V, 1500 V, 3000 V

 Single-phase ac system—15-25 kV, 16 23, 25 and 50 Hz

 Three-phase ac system—3000-3500 V at 16 2 3 Hz

 Composite system—involving conversion of single-phase ac into 3-phase ac or dc

Electric Traction
Components of AC locomotive
Electric Traction
Components of AC locomotive

Pantograph

 The main function of pantograph is to maintain link between overhead conductor

and power circuit of locomotive at different speeds of the vehicle under all wind
conditions. It collects the current from overhead conductor and supplies to rest
circuit.

Circuit Breaker

 It protects the power circuit in the event of any fault by isolating it from the
supply. It also isolates the circuit during maintenance.
Electric Traction
Components of AC locomotive

Transformer

 It receives the high voltage from overhead conductor via pantograph and circuit
breaker and then step-down the voltage to desired level required by the rest
circuit.

Rectifier

 It converts a low voltage AC supply from the secondary of transformer to a DC

supply.
Electric Traction
Components of AC locomotive

DC Link

 It connects the rectifier and inverter circuits. It consists of filter arrangement

(capacitor and inductor arrangement) that filters the output from rectifier (by
removing the harmonics form it) and then supplies it to the inverter.

Main Inverter

 It converts the DC power to three phase AC power in order to drive three phase AC
motors.

Axle Brush
 It acts as a return path for the supply. Once the power is drawn to the locomotive
from overhead system, the current complete its path through axle brush and one of
running tacks.
Electric Traction
Components of AC locomotive

Auxiliary Inverter

 This inverter supplies the power to other parts in the locomotive unit including
fans, motor blowers, compressors, etc.

Battery

 It supplies the necessary starting current and also power up the essential circuits
such as emergency lighting.

Compressor

 It maintains the cooling/heating requirement in the locomotive unit.

Electric Traction
Components of AC locomotive

Cooling Fans

 These fans maintain the necessary cooling for the power circuits. Modern
locomotive systems use electronically controlled air management systems to keep
the desired temperature.
Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction
 Direct current system—600 V, 750 V, 1500 V, 3000 V
 In this traction system, electrical motors operates on DC supply to produce
necessary movement of the vehicle.
 Mostly DC series motors are used in this system.
 For trolley buses and tramways, DC compound motors are used where
regenerative braking is required.
 The various operating voltages of DC traction system include 600V, 750 V,
1500V and 3000V.
 DC supply at 600-750V is universally employed for tramways and light metros
in urban areas and for many suburban areas. This supply is obtained from a
third rail or conductor rail, which involves very large currents.
 DC supply at 1500- 3000 is used for main line services such as light and heavy
metros. This supply is drawn mostly from an overhead line system that
involves small currents.
Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction

 In both cases, only one conductor or rail is required to supply power to locomotive
while track rails are used as return conductors in majority of cases.

 Both these supply voltages are fed from substations which are located 3-5 KM for
suburban services and 40 to 50KMs for main line services. These substations
receive power (typically, 110/132 KV, 3 phase) from electric power grids.

 This three phase high voltage is stepped-down and converted into single phase low
voltage using scott-connected three phase transformers.

 This single phase low voltage is then converted into DC voltage using suitable
converters or rectifier such as power electronic converter, rotary converters,
mercury arc converters, etc. The DC supply is then applied to the DC motor via
suitable contact system and additional circuitry.
Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction

 Single-phase ac system—15-25 kV, 16 23, 25 and 50 Hz

 In this type of traction system, AC series motors are used to produce the
propulsion of vehicle. This system uses AC voltages from 15-25KV at a frequency
of 16.7 (i.e., 16 2/3) or 25 Hz. This low frequency leads to give better performance
and more efficient operation by the series motor.

 This single phase supply is fed to the locomotive unit via a single overhead line
while track provides the return path.

 The high voltages (15-25KV) obtained from overhead conductor are stepped down
to a suitable motor operating range (typically 300-400V range) using step-down
transformer carried by the locomotive unit itself.

 The secondary tapping of this transformer offer variable voltage to AC series

motor for speed regulation.
Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction

 Single-phase ac system—15-25 kV, 16 23, 25 and 50 Hz

 The low frequency operation of overhead line reduces the communication

interferences. Also, the reactance of the line is low at lower frequency and hence
the voltage drop in the line is reduced.

 Because of this low line voltage drop, it is feasible to locate the substations at 50
to 80kms apart from each other. Therefore, this system is preferred for main line
services where cost of overhead system is not a much important factor and for
suburban services where rapid acceleration and retardation are not required.
Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction
 Three-phase ac system—3000-3500 V at 16 2/3 Hz
 In this, three phase induction motors are used for the movement of locomotive.
This system normally works on 3000-3600V AC at a frequency either 16 2/3 or
normal supply frequency.
 This system employs two overhead lines for two phases, whereas the track forms
third phase. These conductors are powered from substations which are rated at
higher voltages and they receive power from three-phase transmission lines.
 The high voltages from transmission lines are stepped down to 3.3 KV (3000-3600
V) by transformers while the frequency is reduced by frequency converters
installed at substations.
 The three phase induction motor used in this system has the following
characteristics; simple and robust construction, provision of regenerative braking
without additional equipment and high operating efficiency, better performance,
etc.
Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction

 Three-phase ac system—3000-3500 V at 16 2/3 Hz

 However, these motors are suffer with some drawbacks such as high starting
current, low starting torque, complicated overhead structure, especially at
crossings and junctions and not suitable constant speed characteristics of
induction motor traction work.
 These systems are adopted where high output power is required and also where
automatic regeneration braking is needed. However, these systems do not found
much favourable compared to other systems.
Electric Traction
Supply Systems of Electric Traction

 Composite system—involving conversion of single-phase ac into 3-phase ac or dc

 The above discussed methods have their own merits and demerits. Single phase
AC system has less distribution cost whereas DC system has excellent driving
capability by DC series motors and three phase system has automatic regenerative
braking capacity.

 So by combining the advantages of AC/DC and single/three phase systems, the

overall performance of the traction system gives better result than individual
system and hence the evolution of composite system.

 Basically composite systems are of two types, namely

 Single phase to three phase system

 Single phase to DC system
Electric Traction
Tractive effort

 The effective force necessary to propel the train at the wheel of locomotive is
called tractive effort. It is measured in N.

Tractive effort for propulsion of train

 Total tractive effort require to run a train on the track=Tractive effort required
for linear and angular acceleration ± Tractive effort required to overcome the
effort of gravity + Tractive effort to overcome the train resistance.

Tractive effort for acceleration

 According to laws of dynamics,

Force=mass(kg)*Acceleration (m/s2)
Electric Traction
Tractive effort

Tractive effort for acceleration

 N
msinθ mcosθ
m- Equivalent accelaration weight of train (kg) m
a-Acceleration (m/s2)

Tractive effort required to overcome the effort of gravity

 When a train is on a slope, a force of gravity equal to the component of

the dead weight along the slope acts on the train and tends to cause its
motion down the gradient or slope.

 Force due to gradient= ma N

Electric Traction
Tractive effort

Tractive effort required to overcome the effort of gravity

 Force due to gradient= m sinθ*9.81 N

Tractive effort to overcome the train resistance

 Train resistance

The friction at the various parts of the rolling stock

The friction between the track and wheel

Air resistance
Electric Traction
Tractive effort

Tractive effort to overcome the train resistance

 The general equation for train resistance is given as,

K1, K2 and K3 are constants which depends on the type of train and track.

R is resistance in N

V-Speed in km/h

 Tractive effort required to overcome the train resistance= Specific Train

Resistance * Mass
Electric Traction

TYPICAL SPEED/TIME CURVE

 Typical speed/time curve

for electric trains operating
on passenger services is
shown in Fig.
 It may be divided
into the following five parts:
Electric Traction

TYPICAL SPEED/TIME CURVE

Constant Acceleration Period (0 to t1)

 It is also called notching-up or

starting period
 During this period, starting
resistance of the motors is
gradually cut out so that the motor
current (and hence, tractive effort)
is maintained nearly constant
 This produces constant acceleration
alternatively called ‘rheostatic
acceleration’ or ‘acceleration while
notching’.
Electric Traction
Acceleration on Speed Curve (t1 to t2)
TYPICAL SPEED/TIME CURVE
 This acceleration commences after the
starting resistance has been all cutout
at point t1 and full supply voltage has
been applied to the motors.
 During this period, the motor current
and torque decrease as train speed
increases. Hence, acceleration
gradually decreases till torque devel-
oped by motors exactly balances that
due to resistance to the train motion.
 The shape of the portion AB of the
speed/time curve depends primarily on
the torque/speed characteristics of the
traction motors.
Electric Traction

TYPICAL SPEED/TIME CURVE

Free-running Period (t2 to t3 )

 The train continues to run at the speed

reached at point t2. It is represented by
portion BC and is a constant-speed
period which occurs on level tracks.

Coasting (t3 to t4 )

 Power to the motors is cut off at point

t3 so that the train runs under its
momentum, the speed gradually falling
due to friction, windage etc. (portion
CD).
Electric Traction

TYPICAL SPEED/TIME CURVE

Braking (t4 to t5 )
 At point brakes are applied and the
train is brought to rest at point t 5. It
may be noted that coasting and braking
are governed by train resistance and
allowable retardation respectively.
Electric Traction

SIMPLIFIED SPEED/TIME CURVE  A simplified speed/time curve which does

not involve the knowledge of motor
characteristics.
 Such a curve has simple geometric shape
so that simple mathematics can be used
to find the relation between acceleration,
retardation, average speed and distance
etc.
 The simple curve would be fairly accurate
provided it
 Retains the same acceleration and
retardation and
 Has the same area as the actual
speed/time curve
Electric Traction

AVERAGE AND SCHEDULE SPEED

Electric Traction

SI UNITS IN TRACTION MECHANICS

In describing various quantities involved in the mechanics of train movement,

only the latest SI system will be used.
 Force It is measured in newton (N)
 Mass Its unit is kilogram (kg). Commonly used bigger units is tonne (t),
1 tonne = 1000 kg
 Energy Its basic unit is joule (J). Other units often employed are
watt-hour (Wh) and kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Electric Traction

SI UNITS IN TRACTION MECHANICS

 Work Its unit is the same as that of energy.

 Power Its unit is watt (W) which equals 1 J/s. Other units are kilowatt (kW) and
megawatt (MW).
 Distance Its unit is metre. Other unit often used is kilometre (km).

 Velocity Its absolute unit is metre per second (m/s). If velocity is given in km/h
(or km.ph), it can be easily converted into the SI unit of m/s by multiplying it with
a factor of (1000/3600) = 5/18 = 0.2778.

For example, 72 km.ph = 72 × 5/18 = 72 × 0.2778 = 20 m/s.

Electric Traction

QUANTITIES INVOLVED IN TRACTION MECHANICS

Following principal quantities are involved in train movement

Electric Traction

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRINCIPAL QUANTITIES IN TRAPEZOIDAL DIAGRAM

Electric Traction

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRINCIPAL QUANTITIES IN TRAPEZOIDAL DIAGRAM

Electric Traction
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRINCIPAL QUANTITIES IN TRAPEZOIDAL DIAGRAM

If Vm, Va and D are given, then value of K and

hence of α and β can be found
Electric Traction
EXAMPLE 1
A suburban train runs with an average speed of 36 km/h between two stations
2 km apart. Values of acceleration and retardation are 1.8 km/h/s and 3.6 km/h/s
Compute the maximum speed of the train assuming trapezoidal speed/time
curve
SOLUTION
Electric Traction
EXAMPLE 2
Find the schedule speed of an electric train for a run of 1.5 km if the ratio of its
maximum to average speed is 1.25. It has a braking retardation of 3.6 km/h/s,
acceleration of 1.8 km/h/s and stop time of 21 second. Assume trapezoidal
speed/time curve.

SOLUTION
Electric Traction

ELECTRIC BRAKING
RECENT TREND IN ELECTRIC TRACTION
Thank you