Experimental evaluation of sustainable functioning of overhead wire relay protection at traction substations of the Far Eastern Railway

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the research on the functioning of overhead wire relay protection. Research was carried out for a railway in the Far East region of Russia. Analysis of statistical data reveals a significant number of unnecessary protective operations in the absence of short circuits. To clarify the physical nature of these phenomena, an experimental investigation of the causes of unnecessary protective operations was performed. Three traction substations of the Far Eastern Railway were included in the experiment. It was proved that large current loads from driving heavy haul trains can cause unnecessary protective operations in some cases. It was also experimentally confirmed that, in other cases, heavy haul trains are not the cause of unnecessary protective operations. Thus, contrary to the prevailing opinion, heavy haul trains traffic are not the sole cause of unnecessary protective operations of overhead wire relays. Therefore, more detailed studies and determination of causes and effects are required in each case.