Traction current converter plant
- Traction current converter plant
A traction current converter plant is an electrical substation that converts electric power from the form provided by the electrical power industry for public utility service to an appropriate voltage, current type, and frequency to supply railways, streetcars, and/or trolleybuses with traction current.
These systems can be used to convert three-phase 50Hz or 60Hz alternating current (AC) for the supply of AC railway electrification systems at a lower frequency and single phase, as used by many older systems, or to rectify AC into direct current (DC) for those systems (primarily public transit systems) using DC for traction power. Originally, the conversion equipment usually consisted of one or more motor-generator sets containing three-phase synchronous AC motors and single-phase AC generators, mechanically coupled to a common shaft. Rotary converters were also used, especially where the desired output was DC current from an AC source. However for getting DC already in the 1920s electronic valves were state of the art (mercury arc rectifiers at those days). In modern systems, high-voltage DC (HVDC) "back-to-back" stations are used instead of the mechanical equipment to convert between different freqencies & phases of AC power, and solid-state thyristor rectifier systems for conversion from AC power to DC traction power.
Traction current converter plants are either decentralized (where one plant directly supplies the overhead lines or third rail of the traction system, with no feed into a traction current distribution network) or centralized (for the supply of the traction power network, usually in addition to the direct supply of the overhead lines or third rail).
Central traction current converter plants are generally found in Germany (primarily in the cities of Neckarwestheim, Ulm, Nuernberg), Austria, and Switzerland, while decentralized traction current converter plants are generally found in Norway, Sweden, and the German states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg. A list of current systems for electric rail traction provides further detail.
ee also
*Traction powerstation
*Railway electrification system
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Traction powerstation — A traction powerstation is a power station that produces only traction current, that is, electrical current used for railways, trams, trolleybuses, or other conveyances. Pure traction power stations are rare, and there are many more power… … Wikipedia
Traction power network — articleissues original research=August 2008 POV=August 2008 refimprove=May 2007A traction power network is an electricity grid for the supply of electrified railroads. The installation of separate traction power network generally is only done if… … Wikipedia
Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Plant — Nuclear power plant Neckarwestheim … Wikipedia
High-voltage direct current — HVDC or high voltage, direct current electric power transmission systems contrast with the more common alternating current systems as a means for the bulk transmission of electrical power. The modern form of HVDC transmission uses technology… … Wikipedia
Railway electrification system — Railway electrification supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units so they can operate without having a reciprocating engine of their own.CharacteristicsThe main advantage of electric traction is a higher power to weight … Wikipedia
Rotary converter — A rotary converter is a type of electrical machine used to convert one form of electrical power into another form. There are several types:* Rotary Phase Converter (RPC) for converting single phase power to three phase power. See Rotary phase… … Wikipedia
Citroën Traction Avant — Manufacturer Citroën Also called Citroën 7CV Citroën 11CV Citroën 15CV Citroën Light 15 (UK) Citroën Big Fifteen (UK) Citroën Big Six … Wikipedia
Electric power transmission — Electric transmission redirects here. For vehicle transmissions, see diesel electric transmission. 400 kV high tension transmission lines near Madrid Electric power transmission or high voltage electric transmission is the bulk transfer of… … Wikipedia
Transmission tower — A delta pylon carrying a 400kV power line towards Madrid. A transmission tower (colloquially termed an electricity pylon in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, an ironman in Australia, and a hydro tower in parts of Canada) is a tall structure … Wikipedia
locomotive — locomotively, adv. locomotiveness, locomotivity, n. /loh keuh moh tiv/, n. 1. a self propelled, vehicular engine, powered by steam, a diesel, or electricity, for pulling or, sometimes, pushing a train or individual railroad cars. 2. an organized… … Universalium
