Trains.com

DC Bus voltages

3551 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Salem, Oregon
  • 189 posts
Posted by NP Red on Saturday, June 23, 2012 11:45 AM
  • Member since
    November 2011
  • 8 posts
Posted by KPykkonen on Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:49 AM

Good point about constant DC bus voltage on AC machines - simplifies IGBT controls I imagine.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,968 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, June 14, 2012 6:35 AM

My recollection about AC4400s and SD80MACs was that the GEs ran a constant 1200 VDC and the EMDs 2500 VDC.  I have no idea about the current state of the art.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Cardiff, CA
  • 2,930 posts
Posted by erikem on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 9:57 PM

I seem to recall seeing EMD'S D-87 motors rated for 1400VDC, but don't recall seeing the limit for the 752's. Maximum output voltage is usually limited to what the motors can handle, but the ultimate limit would be set by when the magnetic circuit for the traction alternator/generator saturates.

I'm fairly sure that the inverter DC bus voltage is held constant on GE locomotives, there's not much to be gained from varying the input voltage with throttle notch with IGBT inverters.

- Erik

  • Member since
    November 2011
  • 8 posts
Posted by KPykkonen on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 11:23 AM

Thanks, Erik.

Good point about AC vs. DC.  I think EMD machines top out at ~1465 V.  Per post above I was thinking GE loco's had higher max voltages.

On DC machines voltage will need to be whatever traction motors dictate according to track speed and state of "transition" for machines that implement transition in traction motors.  For AC machines I wonder if there are distinct voltage set points for each notch?...

  • Member since
    November 2011
  • 8 posts
Posted by KPykkonen on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 11:17 AM

Thanks, Randy.

 

My thoughts were motor load at zero speed is all resistance, then inductance kicks in as wheels start to turn.  There must be current limits on alternator that kick in...I wonder what those are?

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Cardiff, CA
  • 2,930 posts
Posted by erikem on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:42 PM

The question has different answers depending on whether the EVO has DC or AC traction motors. I have a vague recollection of 1400V max for the DC motors (though that might be for EMD's motors). I have heard that GE's AC locomotives use an 800 volt bus - this was from a presentation from a researcher at GE's research facility in Bangalore.

- Erik

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: roundhouse
  • 2,747 posts
Posted by Randy Stahl on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 4:58 PM

I thought the GE's were 2400 volt ?

On an open circuit self test DC bus voltage is around 110 volts in notch one , I'm not sure what it is with a motor load but I assume it would be somewhat less, possibly even zero until the locomotive actually begins to move.

Randy

  • Member since
    November 2011
  • 8 posts
DC Bus voltages
Posted by KPykkonen on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:46 PM

What are max DC bus voltages for Evo-series locomotives?  I remember hearing around 2,000 VDC but can't find info on web any place.   

Also, anyone know what the same bus voltage is just before loco starts to move?

 

Thanks,

 

KPykkonen

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy