Development of an instrumentation system for a real-time parameter measurement of electric locomotives

 The Centre for Railway Engineering has implemented an instrumentation system to measure real-time parameters of electric locomotives in revenue bearing service. The system is installed in a 3000kW Queensland Railways 3 100/3200 class locomotives. The system has a capacity of 43 channels covering both mechanical and electrical parameters associated with the traction drive. Specifically the measured parameters are aimed at providing a better understanding of the brush to commutator interface characteristics and wear patterns as well as determining the level and effect of harmonics generated by the operation of the phase converters.