Electric locomotive VL15

In terms of the electrical part, the VL15 is largely unified with the VL11, in terms of the mechanical part, with the VL85. One of the main differences in equipment is the more powerful TL-3B TEDs and power contactors designed for their higher currents, and thyristor excitation converters were installed by the manufacturer on most electric locomotives, later replaced by conventional electric machines. In total, 50 such machines were built at the Tbilisi and Novocherkassk (where the mechanical part was made) plants. Of these, 4 electric locomotives of the VL15S modification (the difference from VL15 is the equipment of the system of many units), as well as 6 electric locomotives of the VL15A modification (the difference is that they were produced without the possibility of recovery).

As on electric locomotives VL11 and VL82, each section of VL15 has an independent power circuit. Six traction motors, as on ChS2 or VL23, can all be connected in series (on this connection, acceleration with the maximum traction force goes up to a speed of 15-20 km / h), in series-parallel (two parallel circuits of three engines each, the maximum traction force is maintained up to speed of 35-40 km/h) or in parallel (three circuits with two engines each, traction force of about 70 tf is maintained up to 60-65 km/h).

Each section of the electric locomotive has two current collectors T-5M1. When operating VL15, it is prescribed to park and start off with three current collectors raised (the first, second and fourth in the direction of travel). When accelerating to a speed of 5-10 km / h, the first pantograph in the direction of travel is lowered, and when the train departs from the side track of the station - at a distance of at least 15-20 m from the nearest turnout.