Unit 5

Electric Traction
Traction Systems
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.
1- 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.
• there are various types of non electrical systems:
• Steam Engine
• Diesel Engine/ Direct internal combustion Engine
Steam Engine
• The steam engine drive is the best example of a non electric traction
system and it is the first locomotive system used before the invention
of actual electric traction systems. The steam locomotive system uses
the superheated steam to produce mechanical energy for the
movement of vehicle.
• This may use coal or petroleum as fuel, liberates thermal energy to
produce the steam pressure and then it is converted into kinetic
energy so that mechanical movement of the vehicle is produced.
The disadvantages of steam locomotive systems , such as , low fuel
efficiency, poor technical performance, maintenance of a large number
of water supply facilities, and high maintenance cost makes them to be
replaced by alternative traction systems.
Direct internal combustion Engine
In this drive the reduction gear and gearbox are eliminated as the diesel engine is
to drive the dc generator coupled to it at a constant speed. This type of drive has
found considerable favour for railway work and locomotives of this type are
becoming widely used.
Advantages:
i. No modification of existing track is required for conversion from steam traction
to diesel engine electric traction.
ii. Initial investment required is low as no overhead structure distribution system
and equipment is required.
iii. . Power loss in speed control is very low because it can be carried out by the
field control of generator.
Disadvantages:
i. Its overload capacity is limited as diesel engine cannot be overloaded.
ii. . Running and maintenance costs are high.
2- 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.
In this, electrical motors are used for producing the vehicle movement and are powered by
drawing electricity from utilities or diesel generators or batteries.
• Advantages
Cheapness. - It is cheapest method of all other methods of traction.
• Cleanliness.- It is free from smoke and flue gasses
• Maintenance cost.- Maintenance and repair cost is about 50% of steam traction system.
• Starting time.- It can be started without loss of time.
• High starting torque.- This system uses of d.c. and a.c. series motors which has a very
high starting torque.
• Braking.- In electric traction , regenerative braking is used which feeds back 40%of the
energy.
• Saving in high grade coal.- No coal is required for electric traction.
• Disadvantages
• Higher initial expenditure.
• Failure of supply is a problem.
• Additional equipments are required for braking purposes.
• The electrically operated vehicles have to move only on electrified track.
• Interference with telegraphs and telephone lines.
As mentioned above, electric traction systems can be self contained
locomotives or vehicles that receive power from electric distribution system
(substations). Self contained locomotives includes
• Battery operated electrical drives
• Diesel operated electrical drives
Vehicles that receives the power from substation is also referred as a third
rail systems which includes
• Railway electric vehicles fed from overhead AC or DC supply
• Trolley buses or tramways supplied with DC supply.
Tramways – The tram car is supplied electricity by grooved wheel or bow from a
single overhead conductor at 600 V d.c. fed at suitable points from a central power
station or substations. There are at least two driving axles which enable the tram
car to be started from any one end. The overhead conductor is of positive polarity
and the track rail forms the return conductor. For suburban services, higher speeds
are achieved by using field weakening method of motors. The motors are provided
with ventilating ducts placed in the top half of motor frame in such a way that
rainwater of track is not splashed into the motors. The below figure shows a
schematic dig. of tramways.
1) It needs laying down of overhead supply systems and tracks for which results in
heavy expenditure and becomes a source of danger for other road users since the
tracks carry return currents.
2) There is lack of flexibility of operation in areas of heavy congestion and noise.
Trolley Bus – The serious drawback of tramway is the lack of manoeuvrability in
congested areas and noise. These are overcome by trolley bus system of traction. In
this system the vehicle is similar to omnibus having rubber tyres and powered by
electric motor.
Since there is no track as in the case of tramways, there are two overhead trolley
wires operating at 600 V d.c. supply. The supply to the traction motors is fed
through the two overhead contact wires by means of two collectors as shown in fig
Due to higher coefficient of adhesion between rubber tyred wheel and road than
that in the case of tramcar, it is possible in this case to employ single axle drive
without running the risk of slip.
Speed Time Curve of Electrical Traction System
Speed-time curves are the most convenient means of studying the movement of
trains and their energy consumption.
It is defined as a curve plotted with time in seconds or minutes in the x-axis and
speed in km/h as y-axis at different instants from start to stop of a train is known
as the speed-time curve. In other words, a speed-time curve is a curve plotted
between speed and time, taking speed on the vertical axis and time on the
horizontal axis.
Parts of a Speed-Time Curve
A typical speed-time curve (refer the figure) mainly consists of the following −
• Initial Acceleration
• Constant Speed Run or Free Run
• Coasting
• Retardation
Constant Acceleration Period :
• Before this period starts the train will be at rest position (assume the train is at a
station). Now the train is propelled by giving acceleration and is maintained
constant. This is obtained by maintaining constant current and voltage across the
motor by cutting out the starting resistance.
• Therefore tractive effort and acceleration remain constant in this period. The
typical value of acceleration in constant acceleration period vary between 0.6 to
0.8 km/hr/sec.
Acceleration on Speed Curve Period :
• In this period, the current and torque decrease with an increase in speed. It happens
when full voltage is applied to the motor. This will cause a gradual decrease of
acceleration until sufficient torque to maintain the motor is attained.
• Though the train accelerates, the acceleration decreases with an increase in speed and
finally becomes zero at a speed at which the tractive effort developed by the motor
becomes exactly equal to the resistance to motion of the train.
Free Running Period :
• At the end of the accelerating speed curve period, the train attains maximum speed.
During the free-running period, the train runs with constant speed which is attained in
the accelerating period. The power drawn in this period is constant and thus speed also
remains constant.
Coasting Period :
• During this coasting period, the power supply to the motor is switched OFF and
the train is allowed to run on its own momentum. Thus the speed of the train
starts decreasing due to resistance to its motion offered by wind and friction at
the wheels. The rate of decrease in speed during this period is known as coasting
retardation.
Braking Period :
• In the braking period, brakes are applied to the wheels of the train to
bring it to rest i.e., to stop the train when it reaches the next station.
The typical value of retardation is 1.5 km/hr/sec.
Speed-Time Curve of Sub-Urban Service :
• If the distance between two stations is in the range of 1 to 7
kilometers, then such type of traction service is known as sub-urban
service. In sub-urban service, the free-running period does not exist.
The coasting period in this type of service is comparatively long. The
important requirements of suburban service are:
• Rapid acceleration and retardation are required due to frequent starting and
stopping.
• Motors should work without being affected by voltage fluctuations.
• No interference with communication lines.
• For the above requirements, a dc system is more suitable for suburban service.
The advantages of a dc system are, Less energy consumption.
• For the same torque, the current required in a dc system is less than that in an ac
system.
The speed-time curve for a sub-urban service consists of three regions, which are
explained below.
Acceleration Period :
• The train at a standstill position is accelerated by the motor for its motion. For
sub-urban service, high acceleration (between 1.5 to 4 km/hr/sec) is maintained
for attaining rapid speeds. By varying starting resistance, the value of current is
limited and the voltage is gradually increased until a high tractive effort is
obtained which in turn increases the acceleration.
Coasting Period :
• As the distance between two stations is small as compared to mainline service,
the free-running period is absent in sub-urban service. As soon as the train
attains maximum speed, the power supply is turned off. From there, the train will
be in motion because of its momentum. During the coasting period as the supply
is shut down, the speed of the train decreases due to resistance.
Braking Period :
• In the braking period, the train is brought to a standstill position by applying
brakes. In this period, high retardation of about 3 to 4 km/hr/sec has to be
maintained by the train.
Speed-Time Curve of Urban Service :
• In this service, the distance between stations is in the range of 0.75 km to 1 km.
Therefore, the time of the run is very small. So, acceleration and retardation
values must be sufficiently high so has to maintain a high average speed. The
below shows the speed-time curve of urban service.
• The speed-time curve of urban service will be same as sub-urban service with no
free-running period. But the coasting, acceleration, and retardation periods are
small in urban service as the distance between stations is too small. The values of
acceleration, retardation and coasting retardation are in the range of 1.5 to 4
km/hr/sec, 3 to 5 km/hr/sec, and 0.15 km/hr/sec respectively.
Speed-Time Curve of Metro Service :
• This system is used mostly for transportation within a city. It is a convenient, fast,
efficient, comfortable, and affordable mode of urban transport. DC motors or
three-phase induction motors are used for the metro that goes above the ground
level. Linear induction motors are used for underground metros. The acceleration
and retardation values of metro service lie in the range of 2.16 to 3.16 km/hr/sec.
Crest speed, Average speed and Schedule speed
Crest speed: The maximum speed attained by the vehicle during the run is known as crest speed.
Average speed: The mean of the speeds from start to stop is called Average speed.
Mathematically,
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑠
average speed =
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑢𝑛 ,𝑇
Schedule speed: The ratio of distance covered between two stops and total time of run including time of stop
is known as schedule speed.
Mathematically,
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑠
schedule speed =
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑢𝑛+𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
General Features of Traction Motors
• An electric motor which is used to provide the primary rotational torque to a
machine such as electric locomotives, elevators, conveyors, trolley buses and
other electric vehicles etc. is described as a traction motor.
• The general features of the electric motors used for traction purpose are
classified into two classes as −
1. Mechanical Features
2. Electrical Features
The mechanical features of electric motors used for traction applications are listed
below −
• Robustness - A traction motor must be mechanically strong and robust so that it
can be capable of withstanding severe mechanical vibrations.
• Small Size - The overall dimensions of the traction motor must be minimum,
especially the traction motor must have small diameter so that it can be arranged
easily beneath the motor coach.
• Completely Enclosed - The traction motor should be completely enclosed type so
when it is placed beneath the locomotive, the enclosure protects it against dirt,
dust, mud, etc.
• Minimum Weight - The traction motor must have minimum weight so the weight
of the locomotive will decrease. Consequently, the load carrying capability of the
motor will increase, also it results in low energy consumption.
• High Efficiency - The traction motor should have high mechanical and electrical
efficiency, i.e., it has low losses like windage losses, frictional losses, copper
losses, iron losses, etc.
The electrical features of the electric motors used for traction purposes are given as
follows −
• High Starting Torque - An electric motor which is being used as the traction
motor must have high starting torque. It is required to start the motor on load
during the starting conditions in urban and sub-suburban railway services.
• Easy Speed Control - The speed control of the traction motor must be simple and
easy. This is required for the frequent starting and stopping of the motor in
traction application.
• Can Withstand High Temperature - As the traction motor is highly subjected to
the transient conditions due to frequent starting and stopping which results in
temperature rise of the motor. Therefore, the traction motor should have the
capability of withstanding high temperature without failure.
• High Overload Capacity - Since, the electric trains may have an overload
condition at any time. Therefore, the traction motor should have the capability of
handling excessive overload.
• Able to Operate in Parallel - In traction applications, a number of electric motors
need to run in parallel to carry more load. Therefore, the speed-torque
characteristics and current-torque characteristics of traction motors are such that
the motors may share the total load almost equally.
• Electric Braking Ability - The traction motor should be able to provide easy and
simple dynamic and regenerative braking so that the energy efficiency can be
improved.
• Ability to Withstand Voltage Fluctuations - As the starting current of the motor is
high. Therefore, the traction motor must have the capability of withstanding the
fluctuations in supply voltage.
• Good Commutation - The traction motor should have the feature of good
commutation so that the sparking at the brushes and commutator segments can
be avoided.
Unit 5 completed