4. Ground contact line
4.1 Lateral conductor and wiper
The ground contact line consists of a rigid conductor attached to the sleepers by means of insulating supports, outside the track. A friction pad attached to the vehicle picks up the current, which is returned, except in exceptional cases, via the running rails (figure 22 ).
Such a configuration, using the track, fits into the track's normal gauge, enabling a much lower investment cost than an overhead system. What's more, as the conductor rests on the ground, it can have a large cross-sectional area, enabling high currents and reduced Joule-effect losses....
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Standards and norms
- Spécification technique concernant la fourniture de fils rainurés pour lignes de contact - UIC 870 - 01-56
- Railway applications – Traction network supply voltages - NF EN 50163/A1 - 10-07
- Railway applications – Rolling stock – Pantographs: characteristics and tests – Part 2: Pantographs for metros and streetcars - NF EN 50206-2 - 03-11
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