AC RAILWAY SYSTEMS AND DC

RAILWAY SYSTEMS IN MALAYSIA

BEEY 3813
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

NAME MATRIKS NUMBER

MUHAMMAD UMAIR BIN MUSTAFFA KAMAL B071710905

HAZIQ BIN ABDULLAH B071710962
What is Railway & Rail
Transport?
- Railway is a permanent track composed of a line of
parallel metal rails fixed to sleepers, for transport of
passengers and goods in trains.

- Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a

means of transferring passengers and goods on
wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are located
on tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the
vehicles run on a prepared flat surface, rail vehicles
(rolling stock) are directionally guided by the tracks on
which they run.
 Rail Transport in Malaysia

KTMB Komuter Electric Train Service KTMB Light Rail Transit (LRT)
(ETS)

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) KLIA Transit & KLIA Express KL Monorail
 AC Railway System in Malaysia
 KTMB Komuter
 ETS KTMB
 KLIA Transit
 KLIA Express

- AC Railway is for long distance

- Dedicated isolated compound for railway track
- Railways and electrical utilities use AC for the same reason: to use transformers, which require AC, to
produce higher voltages. The higher the voltage, the lower the current for the same power, which reduces
line loss, thus allowing higher power to be delivered.
- Because alternating current is used with high voltages, this method of electrification is only used on
overhead lines, never on third rails. Inside the locomotive, a transformer steps the voltage down for use by
the traction motors and auxiliary loads.
- All Komuter EMUs operate in multiple-unit formation, running from overhead single-phase 25 kV AC 50 Hz
catenary supply, with two driving cars and 1 trailer car in between.
- The EMUs were state-of-the-art, with remote-controlled pneumatic doors, Automatic Train Protection (ATP),
train data recorder, wheel-slip control, GTO/IGBT traction electronics and regenerative braking. Up to the
point of their introduction, no other KTM motive power used these modern train control systems.
- The cost of operating electric commuter trains is approximately 25% lower than diesel trains and utilised a
modern proven propulsion package powered from a 25kV AC overhead catenary system.

Why 25kv is used in railway traction system?

- 25kV is globally accepted voltage level for electric locomotives. The main reason for 25kV voltage used in
railway is, that 25 kV AC more economical than 1.5kV DC voltage system. Since 25kV voltage system has
higher voltage, the higher voltage reduces the current flow through conductor; this reflects to reduce the
conductor size. The cost of the conductor gets less
 Major Advantages For Using 25k AC Voltage System In Railway
1.High voltage: as the voltage increases, the current flow get decreases. Since the size of the conductor will be reduced.

2.Reduction in losses: as the current flow decreases, the ohmic losses (I2 * R) get decreases

3.Free from neutral voltage: in AC voltage distribution, the neutral wire is used as simply current return path, therefore it does not
have any potential as DC negative has.

4.Reduction in stray current: stray current is the current which flows to buildings, ground or equipment due to electrical supply
system imbalances or wiring flaws. Higher flow of stray current causes corrosive on the metal structure. As we increase the voltage
the net stray current flow can be reduced.

5.Voltage Regulation Improvement: due to less line voltage drop (IR), the line voltage regulation can be improved.

6.Less Conversation cost: fixed AC can be converted into variable AC with the help of VFDs. So that the VFDs can be placed at
locomotive itself. Therefore, any other conversion solid state equipment does not require.

7.Availability: AC voltage is universally available, so that we can change any voltage level with the help of AC transformers. But In
case DC needs Special conversion equipment.
 DC Railway System in Malaysia
 Light Rail Transit (LRT)
 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
 KL Monorail
- DC Railway is for short distance
- Share compound for railway track
- Using at grid / ground level system
- Most metros are operated with DC voltage third rail at varieties of voltages such as 750VDC
- The fact that DC voltage is preferred to be delivered through a third rail it does not mean that a third rail
cannot accommodate AC voltage, it just that through a third rail a DC voltage can carry 41 % more power than
an AC voltage operating at the same peak voltage via the same medium.
- From another point of view, third rail represents low-maintenance power distribution and is advisable for
voltages up to 1500 VDC whereas above this magnitude the rail insulator sizes will become impractical.
- Typical substation spacing is roughly 1.5 – 2km for 750V dc systems, and 3 – 4km for 1.5kV dc systems although
this distance is dependent on power demand, operating headways, system design, and land availability
 Major Advantages For Using 750 DC Voltage System In Railway
1.Power conversion for DC systems tends to take place at a railway substation using large, heavy, and more efficient hardware
compared to AC systems.

2.DC consumes less energy compared to an AC unit for operating the same service conditions.

3.The equipment in the DC traction system is less costly, lighter, and more efficient than an AC traction system. It also causes no
electrical interference with nearby communication lines.

4.Eradicating the impact of electromagnetic interference on electrical components.

5.Reducing maintenance costs because power supply equipment is virtually maintenance-free with only regular inspections and
cleaning required.

6.Offering high efficiency – a 750V dc system offers a power supply transmission efficiency average of 92-94%.
 5 Malaysian Railway Mega Projects Being Developed in 2020

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References
http://www.malayarailway.com/2009/09/first-ktm-double-tracking-project-ktm.html#axzz6glTdmjCj

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_electrification_system

https://www.electrical4u.net/why-question/why-25kv-is-used-in-railway-traction-system/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_electrification_system#Fourth_rail

https://interestingengineering.com/heres-why-dc-is-used-in-most-trains-over-ac#:~:text=Direct%20current%2C
%20either%20directly%20supplied,is%20the%20most%20commonly%20used.&text=The%20equipment%20in
%20the%20DC,interference%20with%20nearby%20communication%20lines.%22

https://www.railjournal.com/in_depth/traction-choices-overhead-ac-vs-third-rail-dc\

https://www.slideshare.net/farahwaheda94/government-and-development-of-rail-transport-in-malaysia