Influence of Dropper Spacing on Quality of Pantograph-Catenary Current Collection

Abstract

Elasticity variations in railway overhead contact line would lead to the fluctuation of contact force between pantograph and contact wire and produce a negative effect on the stability of current collection. Dropper distribution is one of the key factors affecting the elasticity of the contact wire. In this paper, the influence of dropper spacing on elasticity and quality of current collection have been studied using finite element analysis method by simulation. By analyzing the changes of elasticity value and contact force under different conditions of dropper distribution, the effect laws of dropper spacing on the contact wire elasticity and the quality of current collection under the speeds of 300km/h, 350km/h and 400km/h have been obtained.