Otis Singleton
In electrical engineering, a booster is a device that increases force, power, pressure, or effectiveness. In the context of electric power, a booster was a motor-generator (MG) set used for voltage regulation in direct current (DC) electrical power circuits. Boosters were used to correct voltage drops along the line in direct current mains, ensuring that all houses received the correct voltage. They were also employed in television receivers to increase the voltage applied to the filament, restoring brightness to cathode ray tubes. Additionally, booster transformers are used in railways to eliminate the flow of stray current, which can interfere with communication systems and damage electronic devices on trains.
Booster in Electrical
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A booster is an auxiliary device for increasing force, power, pressure, or effectiveness. |
| Application | Used for voltage regulation in direct current (DC) electrical power circuits. |
| Function | To increase or decrease the speed of the locomotive. |
| Use Case | To raise the voltage to the desired value at the end of a power line. |
| Type | Motor-generator (MG) set. |
| Connection | The motor of the MG set is connected in parallel with the supply, and the generator is connected in series with the supply and the traction motors. |
| Voltage Output | The output voltage of the generator can be varied between +600 volts, through zero, to -600 volts, resulting in a net output voltage ranging from zero to 1,200 volts. |
| Voltage Regulation | The voltage regulation is achieved by adjusting switches and resistors in the field circuit, allowing the generator voltage to either oppose or supplement the line voltage. |
| Configuration | Boosters were made in various configurations to suit different applications. |
| Example | In the case of cathode ray tubes in television receivers, a small "booster" transformer could be added to increase the voltage applied to the filament, restoring brightness. |
| Specific Use | Used in railways to eliminate the flow of stray current, which can disturb the communication system and damage electronic devices on trains. |
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What You'll Learn
Voltage regulation
In the context of electrical power, a booster was a motor-generator (MG) set used for voltage regulation in direct current (DC) electrical power circuits. The development of alternating current and solid-state devices has rendered it obsolete. Boosters were used to correct voltage drops along the line in the days of direct current mains. They were made in various configurations to suit different applications.
In electrical engineering, voltage regulation is defined as the measure of change in voltage magnitude between the sending and receiving ends of a component, such as a transmission or distribution line. The term may refer to a passive property that results in voltage drops under various load conditions, or it may refer to active interventions with devices to adjust voltage levels.
The quality of voltage regulation is typically described by three main parameters: electric utilities aim to provide service to customers at a specific voltage level, such as 220 V or 240 V. However, due to Kirchhoff's Laws, the voltage magnitude and, consequently, the service voltage to customers will vary along the length of a conductor. Depending on local laws and practices, an actual service voltage within a tolerance band of ±5% or ±10% may be deemed acceptable.
In summary, voltage regulation is vital for maintaining the performance, longevity, safety, and efficiency of electrical equipment and systems. It ensures that devices receive a consistent and stable power supply, protecting them from the detrimental effects of voltage fluctuations.
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Reversible boosters
A booster in electrical engineering is a motor-generator (MG) set used for voltage regulation in direct current (DC) electrical power circuits. Boosters were made in various configurations to suit different applications. In the days of direct current mains, voltage drop along the line was a problem, so line boosters were used to correct it.
A booster engine is used to start a heavy train or maintain a low speed under demanding conditions. It is rated at about 300–500 horsepower (220–370 kW) at speeds from 10 to 35 mph (16–56 km/h). A geared booster engine can be non-reversible, with one idler gear, or reversible, with two idler gears. The reversible booster engine with two idler gears drives one axle and can be put into operation by the driver (engineer) using a rocking idler gear. The booster engine helps to address the issue of low speeds in a steam locomotive, where the boiler cannot use steam quickly enough, resulting in wasted potential power. By employing a booster, railroads were able to reduce or eliminate the use of additional helper locomotives on heavier trains, leading to lower operating and maintenance costs, higher locomotive availability, and greater profitability.
The use of booster engines, however, comes with certain drawbacks. The booster and its components add several tons of weight to the locomotive, which becomes "dead weight" at speeds exceeding the booster's operational range. Additionally, if the booster fails and the idler gear cannot be disengaged, the entire locomotive's speed is restricted to 20 mph or less until repairs can be made, impacting locomotive availability.
While the development of alternating current and solid-state devices has rendered boosters obsolete, the concept of voltage boosting is still relevant in modern applications. For example, boost converters, or step-up converters, are DC-to-DC converters that increase voltage while decreasing current. They are commonly used in battery-powered applications, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and lighting systems, to achieve higher voltages without the need for excessive cell stacking.
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Line voltage drop
In electrical power circuits, a booster was a motor-generator (MG) set used for voltage regulation in direct current (DC) circuits. The development of alternating current and solid-state devices has made boosters obsolete. In the past, when direct current mains were common, voltage drops along the line were a significant issue, and line boosters were employed to address this problem. For instance, if the mains voltage was 110 V, houses close to the power station would receive the full 110 V, while those farther away might only receive 100 V. To rectify this, a line booster would be installed at a suitable point to "boost" the voltage. This consisted of a motor, connected in parallel with the mains, driving a generator in series with the mains. The generator would add the required voltage to restore it to the desired level.
The choice of wire material is crucial in mitigating voltage drop. Metals with high electrical conductivity, such as silver, copper, gold, and aluminum, are preferred. Copper, due to its superior conductivity and relatively lower cost compared to silver and gold, is commonly used. Larger wire sizes, or those with greater diameters, also contribute to reduced voltage drop.
Excessive voltage drop can lead to issues such as flickering or dim lights, inefficient heaters, and motors running hotter than normal and burning out. To minimize voltage drop, it is recommended to select the appropriate wire and exercise caution when using extension cords and similar devices. Additionally, the bundling of cables can impact ampacity and voltage drop, and strict rules must be followed when combining cables.
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Locomotive speed control
In electrical engineering, a booster is a motor-generator set used for voltage regulation in direct current (DC) electrical power circuits. Boosters were made in various configurations to suit different applications. In the context of locomotive speed control, a booster is a small supplementary two-cylinder steam engine back-gear-connected to the trailing truck axle on the locomotive or one of the trucks on the tender. It was invented in 1918 by Howard L. Ingersoll, assistant to the president of the New York Central Railroad, to address the limitations of steam locomotives. Most steam locomotives do not provide power to all wheels, and the amount of force that can be applied depends on the weight on the driven wheels and the adhesion of the wheels to the track.
The booster engine was designed to increase the tractive effort, especially at low speeds, by providing additional power to the unpowered wheels. This improved the locomotive's acceleration and reduced the need for helper locomotives on heavier trains, resulting in lower operating costs and increased productivity. The driver can engage the booster as needed to provide extra power, and it can be set to disengage automatically once a certain speed is reached.
The booster engine added weight to the locomotive, which could become "dead weight" at speeds above the booster's operational range. Additionally, failures in the idler gear could restrict the locomotive's speed until repairs were made. Boosters were also costly to maintain, and improper operation could lead to drops in boiler pressure or damage to the booster. As a result, some railway systems considered the expense and complexity of boosters unjustified.
In terms of electrical components, a booster transformer can be used to control the voltage of a feeder at a point far away from the main transformer, ensuring the desired voltage is reached. This is particularly relevant for railways, where voltage control is necessary to eliminate the flow of stray current, which can disturb communication systems and damage electronic devices on trains.
With advancements in technology, locomotive speed control has evolved beyond the use of boosters. The introduction of digital control in the late 1980s revolutionized motor control circuitry, allowing for more sophisticated features such as constant-speed controls and user-configurable speed profiles. Transistor throttles, for example, offer improved speed regulation and have largely replaced rheostat controls, which were common in the early 1960s.
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Stray current elimination
A booster in electrical power is a motor-generator (MG) set that was used for voltage regulation in direct current (DC) electrical power circuits. The development of alternating current and solid-state devices has rendered it obsolete. Boosters were used to correct voltage drops along the line in the days of direct current mains. For instance, if the mains voltage was 110 V, houses near the power station would receive 110 volts, but those farther away might only receive 100 V. Thus, a line booster would be inserted to "boost" the voltage.
Stray current and stray voltage are normal side effects of electrical systems and their interconnectedness. Stray voltage is the occurrence of electrical potential between two objects that should not have any voltage difference between them. It is defined as a voltage resulting from the normal delivery and/or use of electricity, usually smaller than 10 volts. Contact voltage, on the other hand, is caused by abnormal power system conditions and can be hazardous.
Stray voltage and current can be mitigated through various methods:
- Neutral Wire Resistance Reduction: Increasing the neutral wire size to the source transformer can help reduce resistance and lower the voltage.
- Load Balancing: Providing a better balancing of loads between phases or energized buses can reduce the neutral current.
- Voltage Source Adjustment: Reducing the number of sources fed from 120V and increasing those fed from 240V can minimize neutral current.
- Transformer Placement: Bringing the source transformer closer to the point of use can decrease neutral wire resistance.
- Connection Inspection: Regularly inspecting all connections for deterioration or integrity issues, especially the neutral wire, can help identify and rectify issues.
- Grounding Point Elimination: Eliminating the use of interconnected metallic water piping as a shared grounding point can reduce the risk of electrical shock.
- Magnetic Field Surveys: Conducting periodic surveys can help identify problems before they become more severe.
- Neutral Isolation: When the voltage difference between the electrical system ground and any other point in the soil is excessive, requesting neutral isolation from the local utility can be considered.
- Non-Conductive Breaks: Providing non-conductive breaks in the public water main at regular intervals can interrupt current paths.
- Reversible Boosters: In the past, reversible boosters were used for speed control in DC electric locomotives, allowing for both increases and decreases in speed.
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Frequently asked questions
A booster is a motor-generator set used for voltage regulation in direct current electrical power circuits.
The motor of a booster is connected in parallel with the supply, and the generator is connected in series with the supply. The output of the generator can be varied to either oppose or supplement the line voltage.
A booster transformer is used to raise the voltage to the desired value, usually at the end of a power line. It is also used in railways to eliminate the flow of stray current, which can damage electronic devices.
A milking booster is used to give an additional charge to a faulty battery cell in a lead-acid battery. It ""milks" the healthy cells to restore the faulty one.
