PROTECTION OF OVERHEAD CONTACT SYSTEMS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC DISCARGES. INTERNAL VOLTAGE SURGES CAUSED BY THE OPERATION OF FUSES ON 3DV AND 1.5 KV DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRIC TRACTION SYSTEMS

The investigations arranged for by ORE comprised measurements of internal voltage surges caused by fuses in 1.5 kV and 3kV direct current systems. The PKP and SNCF carried out tests with fuses of different types and current ratings in laboratories and on open track. In addition to these, a special series of comparative tests were conducted in the high-voltage laboratory of the KEMA Institute in Arnhem (Netherlands). During the tests, as many different types of fuses as possible were investigated, due allowance having been made for the possibilities available in service for mounting the fuses. Furthermore, various current intensities were used to cause the fuses to melt. The parameters enumerated influence the intensity of the resulting voltage surges. It has chiefly been possible to draw the following conclusions: Melting of fuses produced by short-circuit currents caused voltage surges which, in many cases, constituted a hazard, particularly when using fuses with low current ratings. Melting of fuses by means of current intensities which were of the order of from 10 to 15 times the current rating give much smaller voltage surges. The intensity of the voltage surge is moreover influenced by the ohmic and the inductive resistance of the circuits; the influence of the type of the fuse, however, predominates. The tests have shown that, by means of suitable design and construction of the fuses and by adapting suitable measures as regards the installations, it is possible to keep the inevitable internal voltage surges within limits compatible with the insulation level of the installations, without impairing the normal protective function of the fuse.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Restrictions on the use of this document are contained in the explanatory material.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Union of Railways

  Office of Research and Experiments
  Utrecht,   Netherlands 
• Publication Date: 1963-4

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 30 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric insulating materials; Insulating materials; Overvoltage; Railroad electrification; Short circuits
• Identifier Terms: Polskie Koleje Panstwowe
• Old TRIS Terms: Question a50
• Subject Areas: Construction; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052691
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Union of Railways
• Report/Paper Numbers: A50/RP 2/E
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM