CHOPPER CONTROL FOR TRAMS

This report is for Transport (planning and research) Act 1974, project vmot 74/5.1. In order to examine performance characteristics, a set of experimental chopper control equipment was purchased, installed in a "z" class tram and subjected to extensive testing. The tram performed reliably in service after some initial modifications. Overall energy savings of the order of 30 per cent were obtained when operating in normal service, while an energy saving of 25 per cent is expected with a fleet of chopper trams. Initial tests demonstrated that special modifications to the chopper control equipment were necessary to provide compatibility with the board's substation feeder system. The acceleration and braking performance was examined to ensure that the board's requirements could be attained. The chopper control equipment has been a useful tool in the examination of chopper technology. The experimental ground work completed in this project has facilitated the incorporation of chopper control equipment into all new trams introduced into service since July 1979 (A).

• Corporate Authors:

  Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board

  616 Little Collins Street
  Melbourne, Victoria,   Australia 
• Publication Date: 1980-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 119 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Braking; Choppers (Electricity); Control; Control devices; Electric power conditioning; Electric power supply; Electricity; Energy conservation; Equipment; Evaluation and assessment; Light rail vehicles; Prototypes; Streetcars; Tests; Trolley cars
• Uncontrolled Terms: Modifications
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Old TRIS Terms: Choppers
• ITRD Terms: 5405: Acceleration; 8006: Australia; 1874: Braking; 3874: Control; 6954: Electricity; 212: Energy conservation; 3674: Equipment; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 9048: Modification; 9109: Prototype; 6255: Test; 1284: Tram
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Energy; Environment; Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00341721
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM