Analysis of methods and technical equipment of traction motor field attenuation systems for AC and DC electric locomotives

The purpose of this article is the study of various implementation methods of the field attenuation system of traction motors of DC and AC electric locomotives as well as identification of their advantages and disadvantages. Taking into account the discussed methods a field attenuation system of traction motors of DC and AC electric locomotives with an energy-saving control method designed on the basis of IGBT-transistors has been developed and proposed. The study uses the method of comparative analysis of devices, operation principles, advantages and disadvantages of various implementation methods of the field attenuation systems of traction motors of DC and AC electric locomotives. Consideration of the existing field attenuation systems of traction motors of DC and AC electric locomotives allowed to reveal all their shortcomings. The analysis of the modern scientific works of scientists and specialists devoted to the improvement of the field attenuation system of traction electric motors resulted in the conclusion that all the works are aimed at eliminating the inductive shunt from the power circuit providing reliable protection in non-stationary operation modes of the electric locomotive. Having considered the shortcomings of various implementation methods of the field attenuation systems of traction motors, an improved system has been proposed that allows to replace the inductive shunt with an IGBT-transistor with an energy-saving control algorithm. The system is able to provide reliable protection in non-stationary operation modes of the electric locomotive.

attenuation system of traction motor field, AC and DC electric locomotives, inductive shunt, field reduction resistor, power semiconductor devices, energy-saving control method