Electric Traction

1. INTRODUCTION

The movement of trains and their energy consumption can be most

conveniently studied by means of the speed–distance and the speed–time
curves.

The motion of any vehicle may be at constant speed or it may consist of

periodic acceleration and retardation. The speed–time curves have significant
importance in traction. If the frictional resistance to the motion is known
value, the energy required for motion of the vehicle can be determined from
it.

Moreover, this curve gives the speed at various time instants after the start of
run directly.
2. TYPES OF SERVICES

There are mainly three types of passenger services, by which the

type of traction system has to be selected, namely:

1. Main line service.

2. Urban or city service.
3. Suburban service.

A. Main line services:

In the main line service, the distance between two stops is

usually more than 10km. High balancing speeds should be
required. Acceleration and retardation are not so important.
B. Urban service:

In the urban service, the distance between two stops is very less
and it is less than 1km. It requires high average speed for
frequent starting and stopping.

C. Suburban service:

In the suburban service, the distance between two stations is

between 1 and 8 km.

This service requires rapid acceleration and retardation as

frequent starting and stopping is required.
3. Speed–time And Speed–distance Curves For
Different Services

The curve that shows the instantaneous speed of train in kmph

along the ordinate and time in seconds along the abscissa is
known as ‘speed–time’ curve.

The curve that shows the distance between two stations in km

along the ordinate and time in seconds along the abscissa is
known as ‘speed–distance’ curve.

The area under the speed–time curve gives the distance

travelled during, given time internal and slope at any point on
the curve toward abscissa gives the acceleration and
retardation at the instance, out of the two speed–time curve is
more important.
 3.1 Speed–time curve for main line service
Typical speed–time curve of a train running on main line service is shown in
Figure, It mainly consists of the following time periods:

1. Constant accelerating
period.

2. Acceleration on speed
curve.

3. Free-running period.

4. Coasting period.

5. Braking period.

Speed–time curve for mainline service

A. Constant acceleration

During this period, the traction motor accelerate from rest. The
curve ‘OA’ represents the constant accelerating period. During
the instant 0 to T1, the current is maintained approximately
constant and the voltage across the motor is gradually
increased by cutting out the starting resistance slowly moving
from one notch to the other. Thus, current taken by the motor
and the tractive efforts are practically constant and therefore
acceleration remains constant during this period.

Hence, this period is also called as notch up accelerating period

or rehostatic accelerating period.

Typical value of acceleration lies between 0.5 and 1 kmph.

Acceleration is denoted with the symbol ‘α’.
B. Acceleration on speed-curve
During the running period from T1 to T2, the voltage across the
motor remains constant and the current starts decreasing, this
is because cut out at the instant ‘T1’.

According to the characteristics of motor, its speed increases

with the decrease in the current and finally the current taken
by the motor remains constant. But, at the same time, even
though train accelerates, the acceleration decreases with the
increase in speed.

Finally, the acceleration reaches to zero for certain speed, at

which the tractive effort excreted by the motor is exactly
equals to the train resistance. This is also known as decreasing
accelerating period. This period is shown by the curve ‘AB’.
 C. Free-running or constant-speed period
The train runs freely during the period T2 to T3 at the speed
attained by the train at the instant ‘T2’.

During this speed, the motor draws constant power from the
supply lines. This period is shown by the curve BC.

D. Coasting period
This period is from T3 to T4, i.e., from C to D. At the instant ‘T3’
power supply to the traction, the motor will be cut off and the
speed falls on account of friction, windage resistance, etc.

During this period, the train runs due to the momentum

attained at that particular instant. The rate of the decrease of
the speed during coasting period is known as coasting
retardation. Usually, it is denoted with the symbol ‘βc’.
E. Braking period

Braking period is from T4 to T5, i.e., from D to E. At the end of

the coasting period, i.e., at ‘T4’ brakes are applied to bring the
train to rest.

During this period, the speed of the train decreases rapidly and
finally reduces to zero.

In main line service, the free-running period will be more, the

starting and braking periods are very negligible, since the
distance between the stops for the main line service is more
than 10 km.
3.2 Speed–time curve
A. for suburban service
In suburban service, the distance between two adjacent stops for
electric train is lying between 1 and 8 km. In this service, the distance
between stops is more than the urban service and smaller than the
main line service. The typical speed–time curve for suburban service is
shown in Figure.
The speed–time curve for
urban service consists of
three distinct periods. They
are:
1. Acceleration.

2. Coasting.

3. Retardation.
Typical speed–time curve for suburban service
For this service, there is no free-running period. The coasting period is
comparatively longer since the distance between two stops is more.
Braking or retardation period is comparatively small. It requires
relatively high values of acceleration and retardation.

Typical acceleration and retardation values are lying between 1.5

and 4 kmphp and 3 and 4 kmphp, respectively.

B. Speed–time curve for urban or city service

The speed–time curve urban or city service is almost similar to
suburban service and is following shown in Figure.

In this service also, there is no free-running period. The distance

between two stop is less about 1 km. Hence, relatively short
coasting and longer braking period is required. The relative values
of acceleration and retardation are high to achieve moderately high
average between the stops.
Here, the small coasting period is included to save the energy
consumption.

The acceleration for the urban service lies between 1.6 and 4 kmphp..

The coasting retardation

is about 0.15 kmphp and
the braking retardation is
lying between 3 and 5
kmphp. Some typical
values of various services
are shown in Table 1.

Typical speed–time curve for urban service

Table 1 Types of services
4. SOME DEFINITIONS

Crest speed

The maximum speed attained by the train during run is known as crest speed.
It is denoted with ‘Vm’.

Average speed

It is the mean of the speeds attained by the train from start to stop, i.e., it is
defined as the ratio of the distance covered by the train between two stops to
the total time of rum. It is denoted with ‘Va’.

where Va is the average speed of train in km/h, D is the distance between

stops in km, and T is the actual time of run in hours.
Schedule speed
The ratio of the distance covered between two stops to the total
time of the run including the time for stop is known as schedule
speed. It is denoted with the symbol ‘Vs’.

where Ts is the schedule time in hours.

Schedule time
It is defined as the sum of time required for actual run and the
time required for stop.
5. FACTORS AFFECTING THE SCHEDULE SPEED OF A TRAIN

The factors that affect the schedule speed of a train are:

1. Crest speed.
2. The duration of stops.
3. The distance between the stops.
4. Acceleration.
5. Braking retardation.

A. Crest speed

It is the maximum speed of train, which affects the schedule

speed as for fixed acceleration, retardation, and constant
distance between the stops. If the crest speed increases, the
actual running time of train decreases. For the low crest speed of
train it running so, the high crest speed of train will increases its
schedule speed.
B. Duration of stops

If the duration of stops is more, then the running time of train

will be less; so that, this leads to the low schedule speed.
Thus, for high schedule speed, its duration of stops must be low.

C. Distance between the stops

If the distance between the stops is more, then the running
time of the train is less; hence, the schedule speed of train will
be more.

D. Acceleration
If the acceleration of train increases, then the running time of
the train decreases provided the distance between stops and
crest speed is maintained as constant.
Thus, the increase in acceleration will increase the schedule
speed.
E. Breaking retardation

High breaking retardation leads to the reduction of running

time of train. These will cause high schedule speed provided the
distance between the stops is small.

6. SIMPLIFIED TRAPEZOIDAL AND QUADRILATERAL SPEED TIME

CURVES
Simplified speed–time curves gives the relationship between
acceleration, retardation average speed, and the distance
between the stop, which are needed to estimate the
performance of a service at different schedule speeds. So that,
the actual speed–time curves for the main line, urban, and
suburban services are approximated to some from of the
simplified curves. These curves may be of either trapezoidal or
quadrilateral shape.
6.1 Analysis of trapezoidal speed–time curve

Trapezoidal speed–time curve can be approximated from the

actual speed–time curves of different services by assuming
that:

 The acceleration and retardation periods of the simplified

curve is kept same as to that of the actual curve.

 The running and coasting periods of the actual speed–time

curve are replaced by the constant periods.

This known as trapezoidal approximation, a simplified

trapezoidal speed–time curve is shown in following figure.
6.2 Calculations from the trapezoidal speed–time curve
Let
D be the distance between the
stops in km,

T be the actual running time of

train in second,

α be the acceleration in km/h/sec,

Trapezoidal speed–time curve
β be the retardation in km/h/sec,

Vm be the maximum or the crest

speed of train in km/h, and

Va be the average speed of train

in km/h.
From the Figure

∴ The distance between the stops (D) = area under triangle OAE
+ area of rectangle ABDE + area of triangle DBC
= The distance travelled during acceleration + distance
travelled during free running period + distance travelled
during retardation.
Now:

The distance travelled during acceleration = average speed during accelerating period × time for
acceleration

The distance travelled during free-running period = average speed × time of free running

The distance travelled during retardation period = average speed × time for retardation

The distance between the two stops is:

By considering positive sign, we
will get high values of crest
speed, which is practically not
possible, so negative sign should
be considered:
6.3 Analysis of quadrilateral speed–time curve
Quadrilateral speed–time curve for urban and suburban services for which
the distance between two stops is less. The assumption for simplified
quadrilateral speed–time curve is the initial acceleration and coasting
retardation periods are extended, and there is no free-running period.
Simplified quadrilateral speed–time curve is shown in Figure.

Let
V1 be the speed at the end of
accelerating period in km/h,

V2 be the speed at the end of

coasting retardation period in
km/h, and

βc be the coasting retardation

in km/h/sec. Quadrilateral speed–time curve
Total distance travelled during the running period D= the area of triangle
PQU + the area of rectangle UQRS + the area of triangle TRS.

= the distance travelled during acceleration + the distance

travelled during coasting retardation + the distance travelled
during breaking retardation.

But, the distance travelled during acceleration = average speed

× time for acceleration
The distance travelled during acceleration

The distance travelled during coasting retardation

The distance travelled during breaking retardation

∴ Total distance travelled:

Example 1
The distance between two stops is 1.2 km. A schedule speed of 40 kmph is
required to cover that distance. The stop is of 18-s duration. The values of
the acceleration and retardation are 2 kmphp and 3 kmphp, respectively.
Then, determine the maximum speed over the run. Assume a simplified
trapezoidal speed–time curve.

Solution:
Acceleration α = 2.0 kmphp. Retardation β = 3 kmphp.
Schedule speed Vs = 40 kmph. Distance of run, D = 1.2 km.
Example 2
The speed–time curve of train carries of the following parameters:
1. Free running for 12 min.
2. Uniform acceleration of 6.5 kmphp for 20 s.
3. Uniform deceleration of 6.5 kmphp to stop the train.
4. A stop of 7 min. Then, determine
a. The distance between two stations,
b. The average speed, and
c. The schedule speed.
Solution:
a. Acceleration (α) = 6.5 kmphps. Acceleration period t1 = 20 s.

Maximum speed Vm = αt1 = 6.5 × 20 = 130 kmph

Free-running time (t2) = 12 × 60 = 720 s.

The distance travelled during the acceleration period:

The distance travelled during the free-running period:

The distance travelled during the braking period

The distance between the two stations:

b.

c.

Example 3
An electric train is to have the acceleration and braking retardation of 0.6
km/hr/sec and 3 km/hr/sec, respectively. If the ratio of the maximum speed
to the average speed is 1.3 and time for stop is 25 s.
Determine the schedule speed for a run of 1.6 km. Assume the simplified
trapezoidal speed–time curve.
Solution:
Acceleration α = 0.6 km/hr/s. Retardation β = 3 km/hr/s.
Distance of run D = 1.6 km. Let the cultural time of run be ‘T ’ s.
7. TRACTIVE EEFFORT (FT)
It is the effective force acting on the wheel of locomotive,
necessary to propel the train is known as ‘tractive effort’. It is
denoted with the symbol Ft. The tractive effort is a vector
quantity always acting tangential to the wheel of a
locomotive. It is measured in newton.
The net effective force or the total tractive effort (Ft) on the
wheel of a locomotive or a train to run on the track is equals to
the sum of tractive effort:
1. Required for linear and angular acceleration (Fa).
2. To overcome the effect of gravity (Fg).
3. To overcome the frictional resistance to the motion of the
train (Fr).
A. Mechanics of train movement

The essential driving mechanism of

an electric locomotive is shown in
following Figure. The electric
locomotive consists of pinion and
gear wheel meshed with the traction
motor and the wheel of the
locomotive. Here, the gear wheel
transfers the tractive effort at the edge
of the pinion to the driving wheel.

Let
T is the torque exerted by the motor
in N-m,

Fp is tractive effort at the edge of

the pinion in Newton, Driving mechanism of electric locomotives

Ft is the tractive effort at the wheel,

 D is the diameter of the driving wheel,

d1 and d2 are the diameter of pinion and gear wheel, respectively,

η is the efficiency of the power transmission for the motor to the driving axle.

The tractive effort at the edge of the pinion transferred to the wheel of
locomotive is:

From above equations

B. Force required for linear and angular acceleration (Fa)
According to the fundamental law of acceleration, the force required to
accelerate the motion of the body is given by:

Force = Mass × acceleration F = ma.

Let the weight of train be ‘W ’ tons being accelerated at ‘α’ kmphps:
The above holds good only if the accelerating body has no rotating parts.
Owing to the fact that the train has rotating parts such as motor armature,
wheels, axels, and gear system.

The weight of the body being accelerated including the rotating parts is
known as effective weight or accelerating weight. It is denoted with ‘We’.
The accelerating weight ‘(We)’ is much higher (about 8–15%) than the dead
weight (W) of the train.

Hence, these parts need to be given angular acceleration at the same time
as the whole train is accelerated in linear direction.

∴ The tractive effort required-for linear and angular acceleration is:

C. Tractive effort required to overcome the train resistance (Fr)

When the train is running at uniform speed on a level track, it has to

overcome the opposing force due to the surface friction, i.e., the friction
at various parts of the rolling stock, the fraction at the track, and also
due to the wind resistance.

The magnitude of the frictional resistance depends upon the shape, size,
and condition of the track and the velocity of the train, etc.

Let
‘r’ is the specific train resistance in N/ton of the dead weight ‘W’ and

‘W’ is the dead weight in ton.

 D. Tractive effort required to overcome the effect of gravity (Fg)

When the train is moving on up gradient as

shown in Figure, the gravity component of
the dead weight opposes the motion of the
train in upward direction.

In order to prevent this opposition, the

tractive effort should be acting in upward
direction.
Train moving on up gradient
∴ The tractive effort required to overcome the effect of gravity:
+ve sign for the train is moving on up gradient.
–ve sign for the train is moving on down gradient.
This is due to when the train is moving on up a gradient, the tractive effort
showing in the above Equation will be required to oppose the force due to
gravitational force, but while going down the gradient, the same force will be
added to the total tractive effort.

∴ The total tractive effort required for the propulsion of train Ft = Fa + Fr ± Fg:
8. Power output from the driving axle:
Let Ft is the tractive effort in N and ν is the speed of train in
kmph.
∴ The power output (P) = rate of work done

If ‘ν’ is in m/s, then P = Ft × ν W.

If ‘η’ is the efficiency of the gear transmission, then the power
output of motors,
9. SPECIFIC ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The energy input to the motors is called the energy consumption.
This is the energy consumed by various parts of the train for its
propulsion. The energy drawn from the distribution system
should be equals to the energy consumed by the various parts
of the train and the quantity of the energy required for
lighting, heating, control, and braking.

This quantity of energy consumed by the various parts of train

per ton per kilometer is known as specific energy consumption. It
is expressed in watt hours per ton per km.

Or
 Factors affecting the specific energy consumption
A. Distance between stations
The specific energy consumption is inversely proportional to the distance
between stations. Greater the distance between stops is, the lesser will be
the specific energy consumption. The typical values of the specific energy
consumption is less for the main line service of 20–30 W*hr/ton*km and high
for the urban and suburban services of 50–60 W*hr/ton*km.

B. Acceleration and retardation

For a given schedule speed, the specific energy consumption will
accordingly be less for more acceleration and retardation.
C. Maximum speed
For a given distance between the stops, the specific energy consumption
increases with the increase in the speed of train.

D. Gradient and train resistance

From the specific energy consumption, it is clear that both gradient and
train resistance are proportional to the specific energy consumption.
Normally, the coefficient of adhesion will be affected by the running of
train, parentage gradient, condition of track, etc. for the wet and greasy
track conditions. The value of the coefficient of adhesion is much higher
compared to dry and sandy conditions.

10. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

1 Dead weight
It is the total weight of train to be propelled by the locomotive. It is denoted
by ‘W’.

2 Accelerating weight
It is the effective weight of train that has angular acceleration due to the
rotational inertia including the dead weight of the train. It is denoted by ‘We’.
This effective train is also known as accelerating weight. The effective
weight of the train will be more than the dead weight. Normally, it is taken
as 5–10% of more than the dead weight.
 3 Adhesive weight
The total weight to be carried out on the drive in wheels of a locomotive is
known as adhesive weight

4 Coefficient of adhesion

It is defined as the ratio of the tractive effort required to propel the wheel
of a locomotive to its adhesive weight.

where Ft is the tractive effort and W is the adhesive weight.

Example 4
A 250-ton motor coach having four motors each developing 6,000 N-m
torque during acceleration, starts from rest. If the gradient is 40 in 1,000,
gear ration is 4, gear transmission efficiency is 87%, wheel radius is 40 cm,
train resistance is 50 N/ton, the addition of rotational inertia is 12%.
Calculate the time taken to attain a speed of 50 kmph. If the line voltage is
3,000-V DC and the efficiency of motors is 85%. Find the current during
notching period.
Solution:
The weight of train W = 250 ton. Gear ratio r = 4.
Wheel diameter D = 2 × 40 = 80 cm=0.8m Train resistance r = 50 N/ton.
Rotational inertia = 12%.
Accelerating weight of the train We = 1.10 × 250 = 275 ton.
Total torque developed T = 4 × 6,000 = 24,000 Nm.
But

The time taken for the train to attain the speed of 50 kmph:

Power output from the driving axles

Example 5
An electric train of weight 250 ton has eight motors geared to driving
wheels, each is 85 cm diameter. The tractive resistance is of 50/ton. The
effect of rotational inertia is 8% of the train weight, the gear ratio is 4–1,
and the gearing efficiency is 85% determine The torque developed by each
motor to accelerate the train to a speed of 50 kmph in 30 s up a gradient of
1 in 200.
Solution:
The weight of train W = 250 ton. The diameter of driving wheel D =0.85 m.
Tractive resistance, r = 50N/ton. Gear ratio r = 4.
Gearing efficiency η = 0.85. Maximum speed Vm = 50 kmph.
Time of acceleration =30 s
Accelerating weight of the train:
Example 6
A tram car is equipped with two motors that are operating in parallel, the
resistance in parallel. The resistance of each motor is 0.5 Ω. Calculate the
current drawn from the supply mains at 450 V when the car is running at a
steady-state speed of 45 kmph and each motor is developing a tractive
effort of 1,600 N. The friction, windage, and other losses may be assumed as
3,000 W per motor.
Solution:
The resistance of each motor = 0.5 Ω. Voltage across each motor V = 450 V.
Tractive effort Ft = 1,600 N. Maximum speed Vm = 45 kmph.
Losses per motor = 3,000 W.