Study of resonances in 1 x 25 kV AC traction systems

Abstract

AC traction systems are 1 x 25 or 2 x 25 kV 50-Hz single-phase, non-linear, time-varying loads that can cause power quality problems. One of the main concerns about these systems is voltage distortion, because adjustable-speed drives for trains may inject harmonic currents of frequencies below 2kHz. Since the presence of parallel resonances in the contact feeder section of the traction circuit worsens the scenario, traction system resonance phenomena should be analyzed to prevent problems. Several works addressed these phenomena, but they only drew weak numerical conclusions based on the frequency scan method. This article studies 1 x 25 kV traction system resonances at pantograph terminals and provides more effective analytical expressions to locate them and determine the impact of traction system parameters on them. These expressions are validated from several traction systems in the literature.Postprint (author's final draft