Electric traction is the most favourable type of power supply for electric railways from both ecological and economic perspectives. Its reliability largely depends on contact lines, which must operate in all climatic conditions with as little maintenance as possible. Extreme demands arise when overhead contact lines are required to provide reliable and safe power transmission to electric traction vehicles travelling at speeds in excess of 250 km/h. The authors have used their world-wide experience to provide comprehensive descriptions of configuration, mechanical and electrical design, installation, operation and maintenance of contact lines for electric railways on local and long-distance transportation systems, including high-speed lines. In this book, railway company professionals and manufacturers of contact line systems, students and those embarking on a career in this field will find practical guidance in the planning and implementation of systems, product descriptions, specifications and the technical data, including standards and other regulations.
Since large sections of the book are dedicated to the system aspects, consultant engineers can also use it as a basis for designing systems and interfaces to other subsystems of electric railway engineering. The contents of the book are rounded off by examples of running systems from different countries.
