Pantograph-to-OHL Arc: Conducted Effects in DC Railway Supply System

Abstract

The electrical arc occurring in the sliding contact between the supply contact line and the current collector (pantograph) of an electrical locomotive is a fast transient phenomenon able to progressively degrade the line-to-pantograph contact quality and consequently the continuity of operation. A reliable tool for the arc event detection installed on each locomotive could allow a predictive maintenance of both contact line and locomotive pantograph, with a consequent improvement of the continuity of operation of the railway system. This paper represents the first step in the development of such a monitoring system. In detail, it provides a first electrical characterization of the sliding contact and, through an electrical model, it investigates the conductive effects on the overhead contact line.