Magnetic components used in the train pantograph to reduce the arcing phenomena

In the power supply system of an electrified railway, a pantograph in contact with the overhead train line is used to send electricity to the main transformer of the electric train, thus providing power. However, due to many external influences, such as the shaking caused by high-speed driving, the bouncing and contact friction between the pantograph and the train line, weather, terrain, and uneven surface wear, the overhead train line may lose contact with the pantograph, causing arcing phenomena to occur. This paper proposes the use of the physical properties of magnetic components to improve the contact between the pantograph and the overhead train line (i.e., reducing the contact loss rate), constructs a model to simulate the contact loss rate of pantographs and train lines, and analyzes the circumstances and frequency of arcing. The experimental results demonstrate that contact loss rate, arcing, and the contact surface wear of pantographs and train lines can be effectively reduced using magnetic components, reducing the investment costs of electrified railways and improving the quality of power transmission for electric trains.