Modeling waveform distortion produced by high speed AC locomotive converters

The paper presents a new high computational efficiency model for the calculation of the waveform distortion caused by the new high-speed locomotive E404P. The adjustable speed drives of this locomotive use PWM-controlled converters both to rectify the voltage of the AC supply system and to feed AC motors. The proposed model is validated by comparing its results with those of time domain simulations and measurements performed on the locomotive at the vehicle test room of CRIS Ansaldo. The waveform distortion evaluated in different operating conditions shows the good accuracy of the results obtainable with the new model, also in presence of resonance phenomena in the supply system impedance.