Abstract :
THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS have witnessed a rapid increase in the use of diesel-electric locomotives. In the course of day-to-day operation, the electrical drive of these locomotives is subject to frequent and severe transient load surges. This type of operation — particularly in a locomotive environment conducive to the accumulation of dirt, dust, oil, and moisture — results in commutator flashing to a degree not encountered in usual d-c machine applications.
