Electrical Utilisation

Unit 4: Electric Traction System

1. ELECTRICAL TRANMISSION SYSTEM EMPLOYING D.C. GENERATOR D.C. SERIES MOTOR.

In this transmission system, the generation of power is dc and this generation is
especially for traction system. Generally, DC shunt generator is used for to generate the DC
power. Why use this generator because the voltage kept in constant. The generation of DC is
3.3 kV or 6.6KV or 33KV or according to requirement.
That generating power is transmitted through transmission towers shown in above
figure or block diagram. Transmitted power is transfer through two conductors one is positive
and another is negative. After transmission of power fetch to switching substation. In
switching substation, the double bus bar system is used.
There are number of conductors are outgoing from switching substation. From that
substation single conductor is used for electric traction or electrical trains. In this system single
wire overhead conductor is totally DC voltage. Overhead conductor is act as a positive and
return path through wheel rail shown in figure or block diagram.
Generally, Rheostatic breaking is used in this system and control of speed is done from
tap changes through resistance sections.

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In this system generally DC series motor is used for drive because DC series motor
produce or give high torque. In this system current collector is pantograph system is used as
shown in block diagram.
Advantages
1. Return path is through wheel rail so another conductor cost is reduced
2. Installation cost is low compared to AC system
3. For main transmission of power, only two conductors are used
4. Line losses is minimum because voltage rating is low according to AC system
Application
1. This system is used for tram way

In this system, following ratings are here

1. Supply fed to overhead conductor
a. 600-volt dc supply
b. 750-volt dc supply
c. 1500-volt dc supply
d. 3000-volt dc supply
Types traction motor used
 DC series and compound motor are used
Weight of motor
Weight off DC series motor is less than AC series motor
Maintenance cost
Maintenance cost of DC motor is less than AC motor
Acceleration and retardation
Acceleration and retardation is more than AC series motor
Overload capacity
Overload capacity of DC motor is more than AC
Cross section of conductor
In DC cross section of conductor is greater than AC
Regenerative breaking
Regenerative breaking of DC is difficult
Design of supporting structure
Supporting structure of DC is heavier

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Number of traction substation required

Traction substation are more than AC supply system
Transmission efficiency
Transmission efficiency is less than AC supply system
Cost of track electrification
In DC supply system it is more than AC supply system for same track distance
Insulation cost
Insulation cost is less having voltage level is low than AC
Starting efficiency
Starting efficiency is less than AC supply system
Application
Used for AC main line service

 ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM EMPLOYING 3 PHASE ALTERNATOR SUPPLYING

D.C. TRACTION MOTOR

In this system, three phase alternator is used for to generate the three-phase power
and that power is alternating in nature. Generation ratings is 110 KB or 132 KV according to
their requirements is transmitted through transmission towers shown in above block diagram.

Voltage level is very high so to necessary to reduce it through step down transformer.
Voltage level converter substation is used in this system. Convert into 3.3 KV or 6.6 KV or 33
KV according to their requirements.

That power is transmitted up to switching substation, phase converter and switching

substation is used for to control the voltage level and convert three phase convert into single
phase supply through Scott connections. Double bus bar system is used in converter and
switching substation and many phases is outgoing from it and supply to traction overhead
conductor, figure or block diagram.

Overhead conductor is totally alternating in nature that power is taken from

pantograph for main engine.

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 ELECTRICAL TRASMISSION SYSTEM EMPLOYING 3 PHASE ALTERNATOR SUPPLYING

INDUCTION MOTOR.

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1. Supply fed to overhead conductors

a. Single phase 25 kiva 25 Hertz
b. Single phase 3.3 KV 2500 3000 Hertz
c. Three phase 3.3 KV 25 Hertz
d. Single phase 15 KV 16 KV 50 Hertz three phase Kendo
e. Single phase 25 KV 50 Hertz system
2. Types traction motor used
a. Single phase AC series motor
b. Three phase AC series motor
3. Weight of motor
Single phase AC motor is 1.5 times more than weight of DC series motor for
same HP
4. Maintenance cost
Maintenance cost of AC motor is more than DC motor
5. Acceleration and retardation
Acceleration and retardation is less than DC series motor
6. Overload capacity
Overload capacity of AC motor is less than DC
7. Cross section of conductor
In AC cross section of conductor is less than DC due to high voltage
8. Regenerative breaking
Regenerative breaking of AC is easily
9. Design of supporting structure
Supporting structure of AC is lighter
10. Number of traction substation required
In AC system traction substation are less than DC supply system
11. Transmission efficiency
Transmission efficiency is more than DC supply as losses are less
12. Cost of track electrification
In AC supply system is less than DC supply system for same track distance
13. Insulation cost
Insulation cost is high having voltage level is high than DC
14. Starting efficiency
Starting efficiency is more than DC supply system
15. Application
Used for urban and suburban services.

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 DIFFERENT BETWEEN DC SYSTEM AND COMPOSITE SYSTEM

Points DC SYSTEM COMPOSITE SYSTEM

Types of traction motors DC series motor is used Three phase sleeping
used induction motor is used
Number of traction For DC it is more for same It is less than DC for same
substation required distance to be travel distance to be travel
Cross section of head Cross section of overhead Cross section of overhead
conductor conductor is increases conductor is decreases
Losses 2
I losses increases I2 loss is decreases
Regenerative breaking It is difficult for DC motor It is easily for AC motor
Starting efficiency Low High
Applications Used for urban and suburban Used for hilly area where
services requirement of output is
more

 CHOICE OF TRACTION SYSTEM

1. Battery Drive:
a. In this Derive the locomotive carries the secondary batteries which supply power
to DC motor employed for driving the vehicles.
b. It is Suited for frequent operated services like, local delivery of goods in large
towns with maximum run of 50 to 60 km.
c. It is easy to control & very convenient to use.
d. It has low maintenance cost & absence of fumes.
e. Disadvantages, small capacity of batteries, regularly charging, speed limitations.
f. Started by Series parallel grouping of batteries. .
g. Special province of application of battery drive in mines.
h. Mine regulations provided for the use of trolley wire locomotives specially in
gassy mines under following conditions:
a. The roadways are properly ventilated with minimum air velocity of 1 m/sec.
b. The roadways have methane content not more than 0.3%.
c. The roadways do not happen to be within the zone of mining influence.
d. In gassy mines where gathering services are rendered, above conditions cannot
be fulfilled and as such flame proof battery is to be use.
i. Because of limited amp hour capacity of batteries, it becomes utmost
importance to have economy on the discharge of batteries.
 Advantages:
1. Battery driven is easy to control and very convenient to use.
2. Low Maintenance Cost.
 Dis-advantages:
1. The major dis-advantage of this type of drive is the small capacity of batteries
and the necessity for frequent charging.
2. Limited speed range.
.

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2. Hybrid Drive:
1. In this Derives, Locomotive Derives power for part journey from overhead D.C
system for other part form batteries.
2. It is economical where long tunnels have to be excavated.
3. Extensions of overhead conductor cannot be economical in small length.
4. It takes power from overhead wires, trolley wires but switched to batteries.
5. For long tunnels it will require large & costly batteries.
6. Its application is in mines.
7. Inside mines journey used batteries & for rest journey used trolley wires.
8. Locomotive takes power from overhead trolley wires for most of the journey but at
either ends it is switched on to batteries.
9. These are recharged from trolley wire on the return journey.
10. For long tunnels pure battery drive will require large and costly batteries.
11. Certain sections of main haulage, roads either lie within the zone of mining influence
or are inadequately ventilated.
12. Mining regulations prohibit the use of trolley wire locomotives.
13. For these sections, locomotives are worked from battery while for for the rest of
journey, trolley wire feed is use.

3. Flywheel Derive:
1. A flywheel is a mechanical device specifically designed to efficiently store rotational
energy (kinetic energy).
2. Flywheels resist changes in rotational speed by their moment of inertia. The amount
of energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square of its rotational speed
and its mass in this Derives, K.E of driving wheels is used to derive the vehicles.
3. Vehicle equipped with 3 phase I.M, coupled to the flywheel & D.C generator.
4. At each Halting station, 3 phase I.M is supplied with power for sufficient time to
bring the flywheel to full speed.
5. K.E of fly wheel, on the way drives D.C generators to run the traction motor.
6. K.E of flywheel is sufficient to move vehicle for long distance.
7. It can be employed where distance between two stations is not much.
8. Main Advantage of this Drive is, no electric supply has to made between station.
 Advantages of Flywheel over General Battery
1. Greater capability to store energy
2. More life span
3. Storage capability is not affected by charging / discharging cycle
4. Less Maintenance involved
5. Lesser thermal loss
6. More round trip efficiency
7. More peak-load capability
8. Ease of operation
 Applications of Flywheels
1. Along with motor driven generator to store energy in automobile engines
2. In electric cars to boost speed (in experimental stage)

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3. In advanced locomotive propulsion systems

4. In advanced technology transit buses
5. In satellites to control direction
6. In Big electricity grids for protection against interruptions.
7. In Wind turbine.

4. Tramways:
1. The power is supplied to the tramcar is usually 600V dc volts, from a single overhead
conductor fed at suitable points from a central power station or substation.
2. The tramcar is provided with at least two driving axles so that necessary adhesion is
secured and control is possible from either end.
3. The use of two or more driving axles lends itself to the use of two motors with series-
parallel control.
4. Field weakening method may be employed to obtain higher running speeds for
suburban service.
5. Two drum type controllers, one at each end, usually employed to control the vehicle.
6. Great dis-advantage is need overhead supply system which is costly & danger to road
users.
7. For very dense traffic in large cities the tramway is not economical for transportation.
8. The equipment required for tramcars is similar to that used in railways but of smaller
output (not exceeding 45 to 55 kW).
9. Life is more than IC engine.
10. The conditions for regenerative braking are not favorable but it may be used in hilly
areas and on level track up to a speed of 20 mph.
11. Rheostatic & mechanical braking is employed for normal service.
12. Magnetic brakes are also employed for providing better retardation.
13. Tramcars, if provided with magnetic brakes, can be excited by rheostatic braking
current

5. Trolley Bus:
1. Serious Drawback of Tramways is lack of manoeurability in congested areas.
2. These are overcome by Trolley bus is an electrical operated pneumatic tired vehicle of
600 V DC, two overhead wires & two collectors.
3. In this Trolley Bus Overhead wire system is more expensive than Tramway.
4. Another advantage is able to maneuver in traffic over a width of several meters on
each side of trolley wire.
5. Adhesion between rubber tired wheel & roadways is sufficiently high therefore need
single driving axle is used.
6. DC compound motor of output 50 to 100 kW is usually employed.
7. Speed Control is obtained by field weakening (providing resistance in shunt field).
8. Foot operated master controller are used, therefore hands of driver are free to steer
the vehicle & apply handbrake.
9. Regenerative braking is not employed.
10. Rheostatic braking is used because of high adhesion between rubber-tire and road.
11. Secondary batteries also provide in case of emergency.

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12. Body of vehicle is insulated from earth because of rubber-tire but resistance have to
be checked at the end of the day.
13. The trolley bus can accommodate slightly more passengers than an oil engine bus.
14. Oil engine buses are more expensive to maintain and operate than a trolley bus

 Traction Motors:

The electric motors that generate power to rotate the wheels of the train are known
as traction motors. The turning force produced by the traction motor is transmitted to the
wheels of the train through the driving gear unit and axle. Traction motors should have high
efficiency.

Desirable Characteristics of Traction Motors

The desirable characteristics and features of the electric motors used for traction purpose
are described below.

1. Suitable Speed-Torque Characteristics

The traction motor should have suitable speed-torque characteristics. In a traction

system, the torque required at start is very high, while during the constant speed, the
torque requirement is not high because kinetic energy is developed and the tractive effort
required is only for overcoming the track resistance and gravity component.

Therefore, the requirement is that the traction motor should develop very high
starting torque which should fall off at high speeds.

2. High Overload Capacity

Traction motors should have high overload capacity. Traction motors are
subjected to heavy loads that cause large rush of current. This high current may produce
large armature reaction and bad commutation. The arcing produced on commutator
surface may exceed over the whole periphery and flashover may occur, which is to be
avoided at all costs.

Therefore, the traction motor should be capable of taking heavy loads without
flashover.

3. Operate in Parallel

Traction motors should be capable of operating in parallel. In traction work,

several motors operate at the same time. Therefore, the traction motors should be
capable of operating in parallel.

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However, there occurs a small difference in rotational speed of various motors

because of uneven wear and tear of wheels. This should not produce wide variations
in torques developed and current drawn by various motors.

4. Robust Construction
A traction motor must be robust in construction, so that it is capable to
withstand continuous vibrations since these motors are subjected to severe
conditions. Traction motors should be further provided with mechanical protection to
prevent dirt, water, mud, etc.
5. Withstand Voltage Fluctuations

In traction work, on account of heavy current in rush at starting, considerable

voltage fluctuation of supply line is a normal feature. Therefore, the traction motor
should be capable of withstanding these voltage fluctuations without adverse effect
on their performance.

6. Weight of Traction Motor

The weight of the traction motor should be minimum in order to increase the
payload capacity of the vehicle. Also, the traction motor should have high power to
weight ratio.

7. Small Dimension

Generally, the physical size of the motor depends on the type of insulation
used. The traction motors are wound with class-H insulation. Also, the traction motor
is located underneath a motor coach and the space underneath the motor coach is
limited by the size of driving wheels and the track gauge. Therefore, the traction motor
must be small in overall dimensions.

8. Simple Speed Control

Traction motors should have simple speed control. As the electric trains have
to be started and stopped very often, the traction motor should be amenable to
simple speed control methods.
9. Self-Relieving Property
Traction motor should have self-relieving property. The speed-torque
characteristics of the traction motor should be such that the speed may reduce with
the increase in load, i.e.,

𝑇 ∝ 1/𝑁

Where, T and N be the toque and speed, respectively.

The motors having such speed-torque characteristics are self-protective

against excessive overloading as the power output of the motor is proportional to
product of torque and speed, i.e.,

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𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 ∝ 𝑇 × 𝑁

Hence, this gives a self-relieving property to a traction motor.

10. Withstand Temporary Interruption of Supply

There can be temporary interruption of supply when section insulators and cross-
overs are crossed with the controller ON. Hence, the traction motor should withstand
these fluctuations without heavy inrush of current.

11. Dynamic or Regenerative Braking

A traction motor should be amenable to easy and simple methods of dynamic or

regenerative braking.

 Characteristics of DC Series Motor

In a DC series motor, the field winding is connected in series with the armature and
hence carries the full armature current. When the load on shaft of the motor is increased, the
armature current also increases. Hence, the flux in a series motor increases with the increase
in the armature current and vice-versa.

Torque and Armature Current Characteristics

In a DC motor,

𝑇𝑎 ∝ 𝜑𝐼𝑎

Up to magnetic saturation, 𝜑 ∝ 𝐼𝑎;

So that 𝑇𝑎 ∝ 𝐼 2 𝑎

After magnetic saturation, φ becomes constant so that, 𝑇𝑎 ∝ 𝐼𝑎

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Therefore, up to magnetic saturation, the armature torque is directly proportional to

the square of the armature current. Hence, the torque versus armature current curve up to
magnetic saturation is a parabola (part OA of the curve).

After the magnetic saturation, the armature torque is directly proportional to the
armature current. Hence, torque versus armature current curve after magnetic saturation is a
straight line (Part AB of the curve).

From the torque versus armature current curve, it is clear that the starting torque of a
DC series motor is very high.

 Speed and Armature Current Characteristics

The speed of a DC series motor is given by,
𝐸𝑏
𝑁∝ ; 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝐸𝑏 = 𝑉 − 𝐼𝑎(𝑅𝑎 + 𝑅𝑠𝑒)
𝜑

With the increase in the armature current, the back EMF is decreased due to the ohmic
drop in armature and series field resistances whereas the flux is increased. Although, the
resistance drop is very small under normal operating conditions and can be neglected, thus,
1 1
𝑁∝ ∝ ; 𝑈𝑝 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
𝜑 𝐼𝑎

Hence, up to magnetic saturation the speed versus armature current curve is a

hyperbola while after the magnetic saturation, the flux becomes constant and hence the
speed

 Speed and Torque Characteristics

The speed torque characteristics of a DC series motor can be obtained from its speed-
armature current and torque-armature current characteristics as follows

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For a given value of Ia determine τa from the torque-armature current curve and N
from the speed-armature current curve. This will give a point (τ,N) on speed-torque curve.
Repeat this procedure for different values of armature current and determine the
corresponding values of speed and torque (τ1, N1), (τ2, N2) etc.

When these points are plotted on the graph, we obtain the speed and torque
characteristics of a DC series motor as shown in the figure.

It is clear from the characteristics that the series motor has high torque at low speed
and vice-versa. Thus, the series DC motor is used where high starting torque is required.

Important – At no-load, the armature current is very small and so is the flux. Hence, the speed
increases to a dangerously high value which can damage the machine. Therefore, a series
motor should never be started on no-load.

 Suitability of series motor for traction duty

A DC series motor has the following characteristics that make it suitable for traction work −

1. DC series motors develop high starting torque which is required for traction purpose.
2. DC series motors produce high starting torque at low speeds and low torque at high
speeds.
3. The speed of a DC series motor can be controlled easily and effectively.
4. The torque developed by a DC series motor is unaffected by variations in supply
voltage.
5. DC series motors are ideally suitable for parallel running. Because, the DC series
motors when operated in parallel to drive a vehicle by means of different driving axles,
share load almost equally even there is unequal wear of different driving wheels.

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It can be explained as follows −

Consider two identical DC series motors whose speed-current characteristics are

shown in the figure.

These two motors are connected to different driving axles of the vehicle. For a given
speed of vehicle, the peripheral speed of all the driving wheels will be same, but there is slight
difference in the diameters of the driving wheels due to unequal wear. Thus, there will be a
corresponding difference in the speeds of the driving axles to which they are connected and
hence, a difference in the speed of the motors.

The speed of the two motors will be given by the relation,

𝑁2 𝐷1
=
𝑁1 𝐷2

Now, when the motors are working in parallel, the current drawn by each motor does not
differ much due to slight difference in the speeds. Also, the voltage across each motor is same,
therefore, the motors share the load almost equally.

 In case of DC series motors,

𝑉 1
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑, 𝑁 ∝ ∝ ⋅⋅ … .⋅ (1)
𝜙 𝐼

Here, assuming that the flux proportional to excitation current and applied voltage constant.

Also,

𝑇 ∝ 𝜙𝐼 ∝ 𝐼 2 ⋅⋅⋅ (2)

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On comparing equations (1) & (2), we have,

1 1
𝑁∝ ∝
𝐼 √𝑇

But, the power output of a motor is proportional to the product of torque and speed, i.e.,

1
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 ∝ 𝑇𝑁 ∝ 𝑇 × ∝ √𝑇
√𝑇

From this equation, we can say that power drawn from supply mains varies as the square root
of the load torque for a DC series motor.

Thus, the DC series motors to some extent are self-relieving ones.

 The commutation of DC series motors is excellent upto twice full load. Therefore, the
replacement of brushes, etc. is not required frequently.
 With the sudden increase in the supply voltage, the armature current tends to
increase, but with the increase in the armature current, the flux also increases which
causes increase in back emf and hence the armature current restores to its initial
value. Thus, the DC series motors are less susceptible to sudden change in supply
voltage.
 In DC series motors, up to the point of magnetic saturation, the torque developed is
proportional to the square of armature current. Therefore, the DC series motor
requires comparatively less increased power input with the increase in load torque.
Hence, the DC series motors are capable of withstanding excessive loads.
 DC series motors are simple and robust in construction. Thus, the DC series motor is
most suitable for all types of traction services, but more particularly for suburban and
urban railway services where high rate of acceleration is required.

 Constructional details of D.C. Traction Motors.

The general features of the electric motors used for traction purpose are classified into two
classes as −

1. Mechanical Features
2. Electrical Features

1. Mechanical Features of Traction Motors

The mechanical features of electric motors used for traction applications are listed below −

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a. Robustness - A traction motor must be mechanically strong and robust so that

it can be capable of withstanding severe mechanical vibrations.
b. 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.
c. 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.
d. 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.
e. 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.
2. Electrical Features of Traction Motors

The electrical features of the electric motors used for traction purposes are given as follows

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

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8. 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.

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