How Electric Locomotive Works ?

Have you ever wondered how a electric locomotive works / runs, then this post is right for you in this post we are to explain how a electric locomotive runs. The Electric locomotives works with electrical energy which may be generated hundreds of miles away, from where they are transmitted through overhead cables or a third rail. In which the overhead cable are the most preferable.

Electric Locomotive

At first the photograph of the locomotive makes contact with the cable / third rail and carries the power to the locomotive's  Main transformer(the neutral for closing the circuit is taken from the tracks which are grounded) , where the voltage is stepped to the corresponding limits and send to a rectifier circuits and converted to DC.  Until this every locomotive has the same layout but there are two types of electrical drives used in electric locomotive:

 1) DC series motor,  

2) 3 phase induction motor.

Layout of AC Electric Locomotive

The DC series Motors are used in older locomotives which are now replaced by 3 phase induction motor these days, let's see working of both. For DC series motor locomotive the DC voltage obtained is sent to the DC-DC Controller for varying the speed etc.. Which is controlled by sensors. The cooling systems and other controlling devices are powered through the auxiliary rectifiers and inverters.

In the case of a 3 phase induction motor the output DC from the main rectifier is fed to a 3 Phase inverter where the DC is converted to three phase AC and fed to the Motor through the controlling circuits. The power for sensors, cooling system and other control devices are taken through auxiliary rectifiers and inverters.

This is a basic outline of how a electric locomotive runs, stay tuned and subscribe to get email notifications... If you are not satisfied with this, or having a explanation comment you views in the comment box below we are open for discussions and changes