Alternating traction current dynamics in track lines of double-track hauls

The operational stability of track circuits and continuous cab signaling in electrified railway sections is disturbed most often by traction current noises in the track line. They are generated when asymmetrical traction current is produced at the points where track circuit equipment is connected to the tracks or under sending cab coils of continuous cab signaling. From the standpoint of traction current flows, a single-track haul track line can be considered a solitary double-wire circuit with two reciprocally induced singlewire electric circuits. As a result, traction current asymmetry becomes easier to calculate. In the case of double-track hauls, this problem is much more difficult to solve, because the traction network in these hauls additionally includes electrified trackways of adjacent tracks, second contact wire, and longitudinal power supply lines laid on catenary supports. These lines are reciprocally inductive with the considered trackways. The considered hauls are characterized by different distances from each trackway to additional electric lines, for which reason the reciprocal inductances inversely related to these distances are different as well. According to the analysis of the proposed procedure of calculating the traction current asymmetry in the track line, this asymmetry depends not only on electric resistances and specific reciprocal inductances of interlinked singlewire electric power lines, but also on the ratio of currents in these lines. It has been established that the absolute value of traction current asymmetry at a particular point of the track lines is indicated more adequately by the level of impact of traction current asymmetry on the operational stability of track circuits than by the traction current asymmetry factor. The time course of the traction current asymmetry in the track line depends on variations in the ambient temperature, traction current in the rails, and electric resistances in the junctions of parts of track bonds, choke jumpers, and ground circuits of catenary line supports. Additional changes in the traction current asymmetry under sending cab coils occur during train traffic and depend on the inbound resistances of track line sections ahead, as well as on any uneven longitudinal track magnetization.