Consideration of Surface Relief to Model Electromagnetic Fields in Traction Networks

The research presented in the paper is aimed at developing methods and tools for adequate consideration of surface relief when modeling electromagnetic fields in traction power supply systems. To accomplish this goal, we applied the technologies for the determination of operating conditions of the traction power supply system in phase coordinates. The technologies are based on the models of components represented by lattice equivalent circuits with fully-connected topology. These models and methods are implemented in the Fazonord software that ensures modeling of the operation of traction power supply systems of various types and determination of strengths of electromagnetic field (EMF) created by traction networks of these systems. To calculate the EMF strengths of the surface irregularities represented by such structures as embankments, cuttings and slopes, they were simulated by sets of earthed wires located on the boundary of a structure. The distances between the wires were taken to be much shorter than the distances from these wires to the observation point. The paper presents the calculation results for electromagnetic fields in the traction networks constructed along the routes characterized by uneven relief. The research demonstrates that the proposed methods enable the implementation of an effective computer technology for modeling electromagnetic fields, that makes it possible to take into account the surface irregularities. The results of modeling the specific relief features indicate that the differences with respect to the model of a flat ground surface can reach 60 percent for electric field and 54 percent for magnetic field.