Method for detecting step-shaped wear on contact strips by measuring catenary vibration

Abstract

Certain factors such as arcing between the contact wire and pantograph contact strip cause contact strips wear. Once local wear occurs, step-shaped wear patterns are highly likely developed. A contact strip with this step-shaped wear may lead to accidents such as contact wire breakage. To prevent such accidents, the authors have developed a method for detecting step-shaped wear on contact strips by measuring the vibration of the contact wire. This paper describes this new method and some results of experimental testing.