NEUTRAL SECTION IN OVER HEAD ELECTRIC (OHE) WIRE:
• A section in 25 KV OHE line in which there is no electricity is called a 'neutral section'. 25KV is being fed and maintained in Overhead electric wire through a number of Electric Substations. This is sent over long distances.
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more... There are transmission and distribution losses in OHE. So to have continuous 25KV, in every 30-40 km , there is a Traction Sub-Station (TSS). There is a point where TSS-A ends its limit and TSS-B begins its limit. In between this, the section is called Neutral Section.
• Whenever a loco enters a neutral section, the loco is made off so as to prevent flash-off. Pantograph is lowered.
• Since a neutral section is around 40-50 metres, the speed has to be maintained by loco pilot such that just before entering neutral section, as the loco is made off, the loco can cover the gap section of 40-50 metres by its momentum.
Neutral Section cant be near Home Signal.
• It cannot be also near Starter or Advance starter.
• Neutral Section cannot be on an Up Gradient, as momentum looses as the loco is switched off. It cannot cover the distance of neutral section.
Neutral section cannot be on a steep curve.
Source -
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