2. Electric traction power supply

2.1 General

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2.1.1 History and technical developments

Electric traction first appeared in France at the turn of the century, with the 1900 commissioning of the Orsay-Austerlitz and Invalides-Moulineaux lines, powered by 600 V direct current from a third rail. At the same time, the Midi network introduced single-phase alternating current at 12 kV and 16.7 Hz for its Pyrenean line concessions. This will not be extended to the rest of the country, following the government's decision to electrify lines with 1.5 kV direct...