03-07-2017, 10:33 AM
The electric traction system is the most efficient of all traction systems, such as steam and internal combustion (IC). It offers several benefits over other systems, including quick start and stop, very efficient, pollution free, easy to handle and easy speed control. With the advancement of electric drives for traction systems, this electrification of traction becomes very popular in several traction services including subway or suburban railways.
A system which causes the propulsion of a vehicle in which traction force or driving force is obtained from various devices such as diesel engine drives, steam engine drives, electric motors, etc., is called a traction system. It can also be defined as the rail vehicle that provides the traction power needed to move the train referred to as traction or locomotive. This traction power can be diesel, steam or electric power. The traction system can be classified as non-electric and electric traction systems.