A new power supply for the Northeast Corridor

Amtrak has recently placed into service its new 20 MW static frequency converter substation at Jericho Park, MD. This cycloconverter-type facility is the first new source of 25 Hz traction power for the former Pennsylvania Railroad electrified territory since 1940. The electrical engineering aspects of this project are detailed, including considerable concern over the nonfundamental frequency components present in the 60 Hz (utility-side) currents, potential for interference with the 100 Hz signal track circuits used on the Northeast Corridor, and the interaction of this cycloconverter with the other sources of 25 Hz traction power on the Amtrak system. Problems encountered and solved in the course of commissioning the substation are discussed, including high voltage conditions resulting from resonance, and a need to determine fundamental frequency power factor in the presence of highly nonsinusoidal waveforms.<
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