Real-time characterization of dynamic impedance of moving metal contacts

• Main Author: Sadasivam, Abinav Thejesvi
• Other Authors: See Kye Yak
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71540
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Everyday millions of Singaporeans commute to work and return home through Mass Rapid Transport(MRT), buses and personal transportation. Among the three modes of transportation, the ridership of Mass Rapid Transport is the highest due to its large passenger carrying capacity, convenience and reduced travelling time. Hence the reliability of MRTs are of utmost importance for the long-term sustainability of the Singapore’s transportation network. In the recent years, there has been several incidents of MRT breakdown. One such issue, worth taking a closer look is the dynamic electrical contact between the current carrier and third rail or catenary system. This report explores the real time dynamic impedance characterization of moving metal contacts. The key highlight of this research is the construction of a test jig specially designed and fabricated to obtain the dynamic impedance of moving metal contacts. Two versions of the test jigs are built. The first one serves as a prototype to study the key challenges during measurement. A second thoroughly improved version of the test jig is constructed to address the issues of the prototype. For purpose of measurement, industry standard PXI test chassis and LabVIEW software from National Instruments are used. Two port network, with inductive coupling probes methodology by A/P See Kye Yak is used primarily for the purpose of dynamic impedance characterization.