21EEE01

Utilization & Conservation of Electrical Energy

Module 1
1.1 Electric Traction: Merits of electric traction , Requirements of
electric traction system, Supply systems
1.2 Mechanics of train movement, Traction motors and control
1.3 Braking, Recent trends in electric traction
1.4 Illumination: Importance of lighting, Laws of illumination, Properties of
good lighting scheme
1.5 Photometry , Basic design of illumination schemes for residential,
commercial, street lighting, factory lighting and flood lighting
1.6 Types of lamps, Lighting calculations, LED lighting and energy saving
lamps.

SKCT / EEE / 21EEE01 / MODULE 1 2

COURSE OUTCOMES ADDRESSED

• CO 1 : EXPLAIN THE REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATIONAL

ASPECTS OF ELECTRIC TRACTION SYSTEM. [U]

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ELECTRIC TRACTION : AN INTRODUCTION WATCH
THIS
VIDEO F
OR
CONCEP
T
• The system which use electrical power for CLEARL
Y
EXPLAIN
ED
traction system i.e. for railways, trams,
trolleys, etc. is called electrical traction.
https://youtu.be/tnHRpCsm160
• Supply system that is used while powering
the electric locomotive systems : 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.

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SKCT / EEE / 21EEE01 / MODULE 1 5
The three main types of electric traction systems that exist are as follows:
• Direct Current (DC) electrification system
• Alternating Current (AC) electrification system
• Composite system.

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Advantages of Electric Traction
Cleanliness − Electric traction is free from smoke and flue gases, etc. Therefore,
it is most suitable type of traction system to be used for underground and tubular
railways.

Less starting time − Electric locomotives can be stating without any loss of time.

Less maintenance cost & time − The maintenance cost of an electric traction
system is about half of that of steam traction system and also the time required
for maintenance is quite low.

High starting torque − The motor used in electric traction is DC series motor or
AC series motor which has a very high starting torque. Hence, the electric
locomotives has very high acceleration about 1.5 to 2.5 kmphps.
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High traffic handling capacity − As the electric locomotives have high
acceleration which makes the traffic handling capacity almost double of that of the
steam locomotive.

Require lesser terminal space − As the electric traction has high traffic handling
capacity. Therefore, it needs lesser terminal space because quicker disposal of
passengers to destination is there and hence gathering is reduced.

Regenerative braking is possible − In case of electric traction system

regenerative braking can be applied which feeds back about 80% of electrical
energy to the supply.

Also, due the presence of electric braking, there is less requirement of mechanical
braking. Thus, maintenance cost of brake shoes, wheel types and rails get
reduced on account of less wear and tear.

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Center of gravity − Height of electric locomotive is quite less as compared to
steam locomotive which results in lowering of center of gravity. This makes the
electric locomotive more suitable for taking curvy turns at higher speeds safely.

Saving in high grade coal − The use of electric locomotive saves high grade
coal which is quite deficient.

Electrical energy required for running electric locomotives is taken either from
hydro-electric power station or thermal power station which uses low grade coal
for electricity generation.

Absence of unbalance Forces − Due to absence of unbalanced forces

produced by the reciprocating masses, the coefficient of adhesion is more for
electric traction. This reduces the weight to power ratio of locomotive.
Electric traction has high power-to-weight to ratio.

The electrification of railway encourages rural electrification.

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Disadvantages of Electric Traction
∙ Electric traction has high capital cost due to overhead equipment, so
electric traction becomes uneconomical unless heavy traffic is to be handled.

∙ In electric traction, a power failure for few minutes causes distortion in

traffic.

∙ Electric traction can be used only at the places which are electrified & is
tied to electric routes.

∙ Power lines for electric traction causes disturbance in neighbouring

communication lines.

∙ In electric traction system, provision of negative booster is necessary,

otherwise it results in corrosion of underground pipes.
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DC Electrification System

In this type of system, three-phase power received from the power grids is
de-escalated to low voltage and converted into DC by the rectifiers and
power-electronic converters.

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 The supply systems of DC electrification include;

• 300-500V supply for the special systems like battery systems.

• 600-1200V for urban railways like tramways and light metro trains.

• 1500-3000V for suburban and mainline services like light metros and heavy
metro trains.

Due to high starting torque and moderate speed control, the DC series
motors are extensively employed in the DC traction systems.

They provide high torque at low speeds and low torque at high speeds.

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 Advantages

•In case of heavy trains that require frequent and rapid accelerations, DC traction motors are
better choice as compared AC motors.

•DC train consumes less energy compared to AC unit for operating same service conditions.

•The equipment in DC traction system is less costly, lighter and more efficient than AC
traction system.

•It causes no electrical interference with nearby communication lines.

Disadvantages

1.Expensive substations are required at frequent intervals.

2.The overhead wire or third rail must be relatively large and heavy.

3.Voltage goes on decreasing with increase in length.

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AC Electrification System

• The supply systems of AC electrification include single, three phase, and composite systems.

• The Single phase systems consist of 11 to 15 KV supply at 16.7Hz, and 25Hz to facilitate variable speed
to AC commutation motors.

• It uses step down transformer and frequency converters to convert from the high voltages and fixed
industrial frequency.

• Three phase system uses three phase induction motor to drive the locomotive, and it is rated at 3.3.KV,
16.7Hz. The high-voltage distribution system at 50 Hz supply is converted to this electric motor rating by
transformers and frequency converters.

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 Advantages

1.Fewer substations are required.

2.Lighter overhead current supply wire can be used.

3.Reduced weight of support structure.

4.Reduced capital cost of electrification.

Disadvantages

1.Significant cost of electrification.

2.Increased maintenance cost of lines.

3.Overhead wires further limit clearance in tunnels.

4.Upgrading needs additional cost especially in case there are brigdes and tunnels.

5.Railway traction needs immune power with no cuts.

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 Composite System

Composite System (or multi-system) trains are used to provide continuous journeys along routes that are
electrified using more than one system. One way to accomplish this is by changing locomotives at the
switching stations. These stations have overhead wires that can be switched from one voltage to another.
Another way is to use multi-system locomotives that can operate under several different voltages and
current types.
Components of locomotive

✔CATENARY:- This is the Over head Wire of Special Cross section of area.

✔PANTOGRAPH:- This is a device used for collecting current from the catenary.

✔CIRCUIT BREAKER:- To disconnect the engine from the line side in case of some fault.

✔RECTIFIERS:- Conversion of AC power into DC power.

✔SMOOTHING REACTORS:- Any ripple found on the output side of the rectifier are eliminated bythis fitted
after the rectifier.

✔TRANSFORMER:- It is installed in locomotive for step down the voltage according to the requirement of
motor.
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• A pantograph is a device
that collects electric current
from overhead lines for
electric trains or trams.

• It is spring loaded and

pushes a contact shoe up
against the contact wire to
draw the electricity needed
to run the train.

• Pantographs are typically

operated by compressed
air from the vehicle's
braking system, either to
raise the unit and hold it
against the conductor .