Found 123 Articles for Utilisation of Electrical Power

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.General Features of Traction MotorsThe general features of the electric motors used for traction purpose are classified into two classes as −Mechanical FeaturesElectrical FeaturesMechanical Features of Traction MotorsThe 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 ... Read More

An electric traction system is the type of traction system that uses electrical energy for the movement of vehicle at any stage.The electric traction system is classified into two groups as −Self-contained vehicles or locomotives (Ex. – battery-electric drive and diesel-electric drive)Vehicles or locomotives which receive electric power from a distribution network or suitably placed substations (Ex. - railway electric locomotives, tramways and trolleybuses, etc.)Here, we described different types of electric traction systems along with their advantages and disadvantages −Straight Electric Traction SystemIn the straight electric traction system, either DC series motor or single phase AC series motor or three-phase ... Read More

There is no system of track electrification which is good in all aspects, i.e. it suffers from some disadvantage.The composite system (as the name implies) combines together any two of the systems of track electrification so as to incorporate good points of both the systems. The composite systems presently being used are as −Single-Phase AC to Three-Phase AC SystemSingle-Phase AC to DC SystemSingle-Phase AC to Three-Phase AC SystemThe single-phase to three-phase system of track electrification is also known as Kando System. As the three phase AC traction system has some disadvantages such as tapping of power supply through two overhead conductors ... Read More

What is Third Rail Traction System?A third rail is a method of providing electric power to an electric train through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed along-side or between the running rails of a railway track.The third rail system uses an additional rail, called as conductor rail for supplying electrical power to the train. On most of the traction system, the conductor rail is placed on the sleeper ends outside the running rails, but in some cases a central conductor rail is used. The conductor rail is supported on ceramic insulators or insulated brackets, typically at intervals of 3 meters.The third ... Read More

A non-electric traction system is a type of traction system that does not use electrical energy for the movement of a vehicle at any stage.Types of Non-Electric Traction SystemThe most popular non-electric traction systems are −Steam Engine DriveInternal Combustion (IC) Engine Drive or Diesel Engine DriveIn this article, we will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using these two types of non-electric traction system.Steam Engine DriveIn the steam engine drives, the reciprocating steam engine is used for getting the required motive power. The steam engine drive is not used in these days due to various reasons. However, it is still ... Read More

What is Electro-Extraction?Electro-extraction, also known as electro-winning can be defined in several ways as −Electro-extraction is an electrochemical process that is used for production of metals with commercially acceptable purity.Electro-extraction is the electro-deposition of metals from their ores that have been in electrolytic solution.Electro-extraction is the electrolytic process by which metals can be extracted or separated from their ores.Based upon the physical status of the metal ore, the metal can be extracted in following two ways −When the ore is in solid state - The ore is treated with strong acid to obtain its salt, again this salt is to ... Read More

DC Track Electrification SystemThe DC track electrification system is the one which uses 600 V DC to 750 V DC for urban railway services and 1500 V DC to 3000 V DC for main line services. In this DC system, the current collection system may be of the third rail type or overhead conductor type. In this system, the substation consists of a transformer and a mercury arc rectifier.25 kV AC SystemThis system of track electrification uses 25 kV industrial frequency AC supply collected from the overhead conductor and stepped down by a transformer in the locomotive. This reduced voltage ... Read More

In the direct current (DC) system, DC series motors are used for running the electric trains. The DC series motors are used in electric trains due to their following advantages −They have very high starting torque.DC series motor has smaller weight to power ratio.DC series motor has self-speed regulating property.They have low maintenance cost.The DC series motor has high acceleration and retardation.DC Electrification SystemIn the DC system of track electrification, the DC power to be fed to the DC series motor is obtained from substations which are located at a distance of 3 to 5 km for urban and suburban ... Read More

A negative booster is a separately excited DC generator whose armature is connected with negative bus-bar at the far end of the track through negative feeder. The connection diagram of the negative booster is shown in the figure below.As in case of DC traction system, the return current flows through the rails to the substations. Because of this current flow through the rails, some voltage drop exists along the track. Due to potential difference along the track, some of the return currents leak out to the earth and follow the path of low resistance provided by water pipes, gas pipes, ... Read More

Schedule Speed of an Electric TrainThe schedule speed of an electric train is defined as the ratio of the distance covered between two stops to the actual time of the run including the time for stop. The schedule speed is denoted by VS and is given by, $$\mathrm{\mathrm{Schedule\: speed}, \mathit{V_{\mathit{S}}}\:=\:\frac{\mathrm{Distance \:between\: two\: stops(\mathit{D})}}{Actual\: run\: time(\mathit{T_{\mathrm{run}}})\:+\:Time \:for\: stop(\mathit{T_{\mathrm{stop}}})}\:\:\:\cdot \cdot \cdot \mathrm{\left ( \mathrm{1} \right )}}$$$$\mathrm{\therefore \mathrm{Schedule\: speed}, \mathit{V_{\mathit{S}}}\:=\:\frac{\mathrm{Distance \:between\: two\: stops(\mathit{D})}}{Schedule\: time (\mathit{T_{S}})}\:\:\:\cdot \cdot \cdot \mathrm{\left ( \mathrm{2} \right )}}$$Where, TS is the schedule time in hours.Factors Affecting the Schedule SpeedThe factors that affect the schedule speed of an electric train ... Read More