Inverter-fed induction motor drives for traction

There are numerous advantages of using inverter-fed AC drives in traction as compared to conventional DC drives. Seeing developments abroad with regard to the extensive use of inverter-fed AC drives in traction, it became imperative that this technology should be introduced, initially on a small scale, in India. The author describes how, as a stepping stone, a project was initiated to replace the conventional DC drive system being used in a battery operated mining locomotive by means of an AC drive using a PWM inverter and induction motors