Condition monitoring of pantographs

In order to intercept faulty pantographs before catastrophic damage is caused a method has been developed of monitoring the condition of pantographs by measuring the behaviour of the OHLE as a pantograph passes. A prototype system has been installed at a site on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) about 56 km from Euston Station on a section of line where there are up to 120 train passes per day at speeds up to 176 km/h and where the track is on an embankment exposed to the prevailing Westerly winds. Hence a high proportion of the electric locomotive fleet of the WCML can be monitored at frequent intervals, and in addition information can be obtained on the behaviour of pantographs in the varying environmental conditions in which they are required to operate