Research on Arcing and Erosion Characteristics of Pantograph Arc in Electrified Railway

Abstract

With the continuous improvement of train running speed and traction power, pantograph arc occurs frequently, and the arc intensity increases, which seriously erose pantograph strip and contact wire, greatly shortens the service life of pantograph-catenary materials, and even causes pantograph-catenary faults. Arc erosion has become a key factor restricting the service life, working reliability and high-power energy transmission at higher speed level of pantograph strip. The strip material may have a great impact on the arcing and erosion characteristics of the arc, and the relevant research has not been carried out. In this paper, the research and diagnosis platform of pantograph arc is built, and the arcing characteristics of pure carbon and copper-impregnated carbon pantograph strip materials are explored. Meanwhile, the arc erosion resistance of different strip materials is compared and analyzed. The results show that: compared with the pure carbon strip, the copper-impregnated carbon strip has stronger arc maintaining ability, stronger arc intensity, and slower diffusion velocity; The arc erosion resistance of copper-impregnated carbon strip is better than that of pure carbon strip; The mechanical interlock between carbon and copper is an important mechanism to enhance the arc erosion resistance of copper-impregnated carbon strip. The research results can provide theoretical guidance for restraining arc erosion of pantograph-catenary system.