Are locomotive traction motors AC or DC?

AC traction for locomotives is a major improvement over the old DC systems. The primary advantages of AC traction are adhesion levels up to 100% greater than DC and much higher reliability and reduced maintenance requirements of AC traction motors.

Do locomotives use AC or DC?

The majority of modern electrification systems take AC energy from a power grid that is delivered to a locomotive, and within the locomotive, transformed and rectified to a lower DC voltage in preparation for use by traction motors.

What is the difference between AC traction and DC traction?

AC traction system produces more interference with communication lines. DC traction system requires more number of substations for a given track distance. AC traction system requires less number of substations for a given track distance. DC traction system is suitable for urban line railway service.

What type of DC motor is used in railway traction?

An induction motor has the highest efficiency in the ac traction compared to all other motors this is why the induction motors are widely used traction in the name of Three-phase ac series motors. DC shunt motor is also called the constant dc motor due to its flat speed current characteristics.

Which motors are used in traction trains?

Locomotives: AC or DC?

Why DC motors are used in traction system?

Torque obtained by DC series motor is smooth and uniform, so it improves riding quality. DC series motor develops high torque at start which is an essential requirement of traction service.

What is traction motor in locomotive?

Traction motors are powered by electricity and generate the power to rotate the wheels of the train. The turning force produced by traction motors is transmitted to the wheels via the driving gear unit and axle. Traction motors are typically mounted in the trucks where the wheels are housed.

Which DC motor recommended for locomotive drive?

DC long shunt compound Motor.

Which motor is used in locomotive motor drives?

Series wound motor: It has a very high starting torque. Hence it is used for heavy-duty applications such as electric railways, mine hoists, continuous conveyors cranes, rolling mills, metallurgical works etc.

Which type of motor is used in electric locomotive?

Today's advanced electric locomotives use brushless three-phase AC induction motors. These polyphase machines are powered from GTO-, IGCT- or IGBT-based inverters. The cost of electronic devices in a modern locomotive can be up to 50% of the cost of the vehicle.

Are diesel locomotives AC or DC?

In a diesel–electric locomotive, the diesel engine drives either an electrical DC generator (generally, less than 3,000 horsepower (2,200 kW) net for traction), or an electrical AC alternator-rectifier (generally 3,000 horsepower (2,200 kW) net or more for traction), the output of which provides power to the traction ...

What voltage do locomotives use?

Batteries. The locomotive operates on a nominal 64-volt electrical system. The locomotive has eight 8-volt batteries, each weighing over 300 pounds (136 kilograms). These batteries provide the power needed to start the engine (it has a huge starter motor), as well as to run the electronics in the locomotive.

Do trains use AC motors?

Earlier, diesel train traction motors used to work on DC power. Now, they run on AC input. Recommended Video - Watch Now! A diesel train engine rotates a large alternator/generator which produces AC/DC output.

How do locomotives get traction?

Trains get traction because of the immense weight of the locomotives, and the friction generated between the wheel and rail head. Furthermore, in less than ideal weather conditions, sand is sprayed on the rail head to reduce wheel slip.

How many types of traction motors are there?

There are two metrics to classify traction motors, i.e. based on the type and mounting configuration. There are three main types of motors used in the locomotive industry: 1DC traction motors. 2AC traction motors with Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)

What voltage is a locomotive traction motor?

Electric-traction systems can be broadly divided into those using alternating current and those using direct current. With direct current, the most popular line voltages for overhead wire supply systems have been 1,500 and 3,000. Third-rail systems are predominantly in the 600–750-volt range.

Why are locomotives diesel electric?

Diesel–electric powerplants became popular because they greatly simplified the way motive power was transmitted to the wheels and because they were both more efficient and had greatly reduced maintenance requirements.

Why train engines are not turned off?

Trains, being large and heavy, need the optimal brake line pressure for its efficient stopping. For obvious reasons, loco pilots never compromise on brake line pressure. Another reason for not turning off diesel train engines, lies in the engine itself.

What do modern locomotives run on?

Although commonly called "diesels," the locomotives actually are electrically driven. The diesel engine drives an alternator, which produces electricity to run electric motors mounted on the locomotive's axles.

How are train locomotives powered?

The ignition of diesel fuel pushes pistons connected to an electric generator. The resulting electricity powers motors connected to the wheels of the locomotive. A “diesel” internal combustion engine uses the heat generated from the compression of air during the upward cycles of the stroke to ignite the fuel.

Where do trains get their power from?

Besides steam- and diesel-powered locomotives, many trains operate solely on electrical power. They get the electricity from a third rail, or electrical line, along the track. Transformers transfer the voltage from the lines, and the electrical current drives the motors (AC or DC) on the wheels.

Are freight trains electric or diesel?

Unlike several other regions in the world, all freight trains in the U.S. are still diesel electric, largely because the typical electrification strategy of building electrified lines over tracks is harder to implement in the U.S. with its vast distances.

Why do train engines run backwards?

They're on those rails so the rail is the only direction of travel they can go in." Jacobs says it's actually more efficient to leave locomotives facing whatever direction they are facing because it takes a lot of energy to pick a train up and turn it around so that it would face the other way.

Do train engines have toilets?

There are no restrooms in railway engines, and there is no passage that leads to the long line of coaches it is attached to. Superfast trains such as Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express do not stop long enough at stations for the loco pilots to alight and use the toilets in the next coach.

How many miles per gallon does a diesel locomotive get?

208,712,027,000 ton-miles / 423,998,863 gallons = 492 ton-miles per gallon. In other words, CSX trains, on average, can move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a gallon of fuel, based on our 2018 revenue ton miles and 2018 fuel use. The fuel efficiency for a freight truck can be estimated in a similar way.