What are the Features of Traction Motors ?

A traction motor is an electric motor that is used for the propulsion of vehicles like locomotives, hydrogen or electric vehicles, and so on. These motors are also used in electric vehicles such as those for conveyors, elevators, roller coasters, etc. They also find usage in electrically powered rail vehicles. Vehicles with electrical transmission systems and battery electric vehicles also use of traction motors.

The traction motor produces power that aids in the rotation of the wheel of the train. These motors produce a turning force that gets transferred to the wheels because of the driving gear and axle.

The oldest type of traction motor is a direct-current motor with series field windings. Today, one can easily find many manufacturers for traction motors in India. These motors find a lot of application as they provide several benefits. Here’s more about the general features of traction motors (electrical characteristics and mechanical features):

• Should be Able to Withstand Temporary Supply Interruptions

A traction motor should possess the ability to withstand temporary supply interruptions without an undue rush of current.

• Ability to Develop High Starting Torque

A traction motor should be capable of developing high starting torque, especially when the train has to be accelerated at a rate that is reasonably high.

• Overload Capacity

As a traction motor is subjected to highly arduous duty, it should be able to take an excessive load.

• Ability to Withstand Voltage Fluctuations

A traction motor should be able to endure rapid fluctuations in the supply voltage without any undue impact on its performance. This is because when you talk of traction work, rapid voltage fluctuation due to heavy current inrush in the start is a very common occurrence.

• Parallel Running

When you talk of traction work, typically more than one motor (2 or 4 motors per motor car) is needed. Therefore, traction motors should have such current-torque and speed-torque characteristics that they do the load sharing almost equally when they are operated in parallel and mechanically coupled.

• Simple Speed Control

Because an electric train has to be started and stopped quite often, the traction motor should be amenable to simple speed control methods.

• Possibility of Dynamic or Regenerative Braking

The traction motor should be amenable to simple and easy methods of rheostatic or/and regenerative braking.

• The weight of the traction motor should be minimum so as to increase the payload capacity of the vehicle.

• The traction motor is situated underneath a motor coach (with the exception of a few electric locomotives). Due to the size of the driving wheels and the track gauge, there is limited space underneath a motor coach. Thus, the traction motor should be small in overall dimensions, particularly in its overall diameter.

• A traction motor should be robust and should be able to withstand constant vibrations.

If you wish to buy traction motors, there are many reputed manufacturers of traction motors in India offering various types of products for different applications.