Performance analysis of static versus ARNO converter in Rail AC locomotives

Single phase to three phase conversion is required to run the auxiliary machines of the AC locomotives of Indian railway. Both ARNO converter and static converters are used on Indian railway to convert single phase alternating supply to three phase alternating supply. This paper describes briefly the ARNO converter and static converter and their relative merits and demerits and then compares the Performance of ARNO converter and static converter provided on 25 KV, 50 Hz AC locomotive of Indian Railway. Annual saving and life cycle power saving by providing static converters is also calculated which prefers use of static converters on AC locomotives than ARNO converter.