Electric Traction Systems
The system which use electrical power for traction system i.e. for railways, trams, trolleys, etc. is
called electrical traction. The track electrification refers to the type of source supply system that is
used while powering the electric locomotive systems. It can be 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.
The three main types of electric traction systems that exist are as follows:
1. Direct Current (DC) electrification system
2. Alternating Current (AC) electrification system
3. Composite system.
1- DC Electrification System
The choice of selecting DC electrification system encompasses many advantages, such as space and
weight considerations, rapid acceleration and braking of DC electric motors, less cost compared to
AC systems, less energy consumption and so on.
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.
This type of DC supply is supplied to the vehicle through two different ways:
a. 3rd and 4 the rail system operate at low voltages (600-1200V)
b. Overhead rail systems use high voltages (1500-3000V)
The supply systems of DC electrification include;
a. 300-500V supply for the special systems like battery systems.
b. 600-1200V for urban railways like tramways and light metro trains.
c. 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.
Advantages;
a. In case of heavy trains that require frequent and rapid accelerations, DC traction motors are better choice as
compared AC motors.
b. DC train consumes less energy compared to AC unit for operating same service conditions.
c. The equipment in DC traction system is less costly, lighter and more efficient than AC traction system.
d. 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.
2- AC Electrification System
An AC traction system has become very popular nowadays, and it is more often used in most of the
traction systems due to several advantages, such as quick availability and generation of AC that can
be easily stepped up or down, easy controlling of AC motors, less number of substations
requirement, and the presence of light overhead catenaries that transfer low currents at high
voltages, and so on.
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.
The Single phase 25KV at 50Hz is the most commonly used configuration for AC electrification. It is
used for heavy haul systems and main line services since it doesn’t require frequency conversion.
This is one of the widely used types of composite systems wherein the supply is converted to DC to
drive DC traction motors.
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. This system employs two overhead lines,
and the track rail forms another phase, but this raises many problems at crossings and junctions.
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 maintainance 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.
3- 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. In Europe, it is common to use four-system
locomotives. (1.5 kV DC, 3 kV DC, 15 kV 16⅔ Hz AC, 25 kV 50 Hz AC).
