Improvement of EMC in railway power networks

This paper presents the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) study of a rail transportation power system, in which a Thyristor Controlled Reactor (TCR) system was installed in order to improve voltage stability. Additionally, a passive filtering subsystem was configured to dampen the undesirable effects of the TCR. The whole railway network consisting of substation, lines (catenaries), signalizing transformer, trains and the mentioned above voltage conditioning system (Voltage Booster - VB) is modeled based both on parameters given by the railway companies and on measurement data. The harmonic state estimation before and after the installation of the VB is shown. The presented EMC analysis mainly considers 'worst case' conditions and comprises not only harmonic levels in the railway network and at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) but also contains the study of compatibility levels of electromagnetic field taking into consideration the signalizing equipment and the influence on the environment. Comments regarding the calculations concerning both the European Norm guidelines and the requirements demanded by railway companies are presented.